After following Pei You through several twists and turns, they came upon a river.
"Um..."
Little Deer pointed at a sign planted not far from the riverbank.
A few large characters had been painted on it in red: "Keep Away."
"Uh, doesn't the red paint make it kind of creepy?"
"That's the point. Mischievous kids won't sneak over here if they're scared."
Pei Liang explained.
"Oh, I see."
Little Deer nodded. "That should work really well."
"I think it works a little too well."
Pei You stared at the paint dripping down from the strokes, winding and twisting like bloody tears.
Forget kids—even a timid adult wouldn't dare go near it.
The two girls deliberately kept their distance from the sign as they made their way to the riverbank.
Pei You crouched down and looked at the water.
Seeing this, Little Deer crouched down too.
"Pei You, Little Deer, stay away from the riverbank."
Pei Liang frowned, hurried over, and firmly took his sister by the hand, leading her a few steps back.
"Hey!"
Pei You grabbed Little Deer's hand and pulled her up too.
"Brother!"
"Don't 'Brother' me. Do you know how dangerous this is?"
Pei Liang said crossly.
"I was just looking."
Knowing her brother was worried about her, Pei You defended herself in a quiet voice. "I didn't touch the water."
"Really!"
"Could you leave for a while?"
Xiao Xiao's words made the three of them freeze. His rather baffling request left them even more confused.
"Leave?"
"Master Xiao?"
Little Deer and Pei You blurted out.
Pei Liang furrowed his brow.
"I don't like having people around when I'm working."
Xiao Xiao gave them a straightforward answer.
The others were left speechless.
Little Deer and Pei You exchanged glances.
"Master Xiao."
Little Deer