Near dusk.
The bustle in Element City showed no sign of diminishing; instead, it grew livelier. Many shops were still brightly lit, and the pedestrians on the streets were almost all groups of students or members of visiting academies.
Shen Hanyu pulled Snow Empress through the crowd. Snow Empress simply let him lead her along without resisting or getting angry, calm to an unbelievable degree.
After feeding Snow Empress another piece of candy, Snow Empress softly said:
"Let's go back."
Shen Hanyu looked at the sky and the crowd, then nodded and led Snow Empress toward the city gates.
Only when they were nearing the gates did Snow Empress softly ask as they walked:
"Why are you holding my hand?"
Shen Hanyu answered calmly:
"I was afraid you'd get lost."
Snow Empress froze for a moment, then shook her head and said:
"You're not that kind of person."
The corner of Shen Hanyu's mouth twitched. Somewhat helplessly, he said:
"Then what do you think?"
Snow Empress fell silent. Shen Hanyu curled his lips and continued toward the city gates.
"You want to become my mate."
Snow Empress's voice came from behind him, decisive and firm, revealing none of her current emotions.
Shen Hanyu stiffened, then turned around and looked at Snow Empress, who was a head shorter than him. Smiling, he said:
"What makes you say that?"
Snow Empress met Shen Hanyu's eyes and said:
"Your emotions are fluctuating. Don't forget, I am your ninth Soul Ring. On some level, I can touch your truest heart..."
"You are stirred, yet you are also doing your utmost to suppress it..."
Shen Hanyu looked thoughtfully at Snow Empress. After a long while, he finally said softly:
"You're right. I do have such thoughts."
Snow Empress glanced at Shen Hanyu, then softly said: