Setting Out (2)

Chu Shihan subconsciously hunched his shoulders back, his toes quietly shifting half an inch behind him. All he wanted was to hide himself in the shadow cast by the stone pillar and avoid this scene that left him wishing the ground would swallow him whole.

"Why are you hiding?"

A warm hand gently settled on his slightly stiff shoulder. The force was not heavy, yet it kept him from retreating even a fraction farther.

Yu Xiao True Person saw through his thoughts at a glance. There was no reproach in his eyes, only a knowing smile and a gentle prompt. "It is about time. You should go lead the team."

The words were like a clear spring poured over his head, instantly snapping him awake. That was right. He was the senior disciple, the rightful leader of this secret realm expedition. He could hide from this moment, but could he hide through the entire journey together?

He drew a deep breath. The shame and unease churning in his chest gradually subsided, and the scorching heat at the tips of his ears faded somewhat, leaving only a faint blush. He straightened his back, hesitated no longer, and strode toward Shen Yuxi's side.

Once he stopped there, he instinctively wanted to find an excuse, to explain his earlier hesitation or his somewhat unusual expression now. Yet all the words he had prepared clogged in his throat and vanished without a trace the instant he met Shen Yuxi's calm, almost crystalline pale ink-colored eyes.

Before such a gaze, any concealment seemed superfluous and clumsy.

He simply gave up his futile struggle and chose honesty. His voice was slightly lower than usual, but clear enough.

"Second Junior Brother." He looked at him sincerely. "For this expedition... my experience in leading is still lacking. I