Don't Cry

Chi Li's movements stopped. Faced with Si Jinyan's sudden action, his expression was unexpectedly calm.

Si Jinyan's voice was hoarse. "Chi Li..."

Chi Li still did not lower the hand holding the knife, though his movement had halted.

At the tilted angle, the blood on the blade slowly ran along its edge, staining half the knife red.

Si Jinyan watched the blood slowly slide down, just like his own tight, stifled breathing. He repeated, "Chi Li, I'll agree to everything."

Chi Li's voice was steady. "When will you let me go?"

Si Jinyan paused. "I'll help you."

Chi Li's brows drew together almost imperceptibly at his words.

Si Jinyan immediately explained, "Chi Li, if you don't want it, I'll help you. Lu Jiu understands this area. It'll be safer with him here. He's been by my side for so long—no one understands... this kind of creature better than he does."

Chi Li felt that Si Jinyan had a point. The scales growing on his neck alone showed that this little monster was anything but ordinary.

And before this, he had barely noticed anything unusual at all.

Chi Li asked, "You won't lie to me again?"

Si Jinyan's voice was low and rough as he watched Chi Li slowly lower his hand. "I won't lie to you again."

"My fault." Si Jinyan knelt on the floor.

Chi Li had seen the panic on Si Jinyan's face just moments ago. He drew a deep breath, and an indescribable heaviness clogged his chest.

Chi Li released his grip. The knife slipped from his hand and hit the floor with a sharp clang. Like Si Jinyan's heart hanging in midair, it had finally landed, though a lingering unease still echoed within it.

"Don't lie to me again," Chi Li said.

Only where Si Jinyan