"Tonight?"
Jiang Qiuyue echoed the question instinctively, then added with some concern:
"Wouldn't that be too soon?"
Li Xian shook his head and tightened his grip on the Map.
If anything, he felt... they were already late.
"We've already found the most important clue. The longer we delay, the more things can change."
"We have to wear Doll Costumes to explore the Toy Factory, but neither our time nor our Mental Value... will last long enough for us to investigate thoroughly before taking action."
Jiang Qiuyue nodded. "That makes sense. What time, then?"
Li Xian said, "After dinner... we'll leave."
After returning home, Li Xian took a long, deep breath as he looked at the utterly familiar home, now bearing a few more traces of someone living there, then slowly exhaled.
"Goodbye."
He nudged the Slippers neatly placed by the door with his toe and murmured the word.
Li Xian sniffed, jogged over to the dining table, and spread the Map across it before turning back toward the bedroom.
Ji Xie had returned at some point and was sitting motionless on the edge of the bed with his back to him.
Li Xian deliberately shut the door a little harder than necessary. Only then did Ji Xie turn his head, revealing his usual smile.
Li Xian stood by the door without speaking, simply staring at Ji Xie. Under his gaze, Ji Xie inexplicably began to feel a little guilty. He turned around and asked:
"What's wrong?"
Li Xian parted his lips.
"You..."
"Where did you go?"
It was a short question, yet Li Xian asked it hesitantly, his voice growing softer until the last syllable brushed lightly past Ji Xie's earlobe, leaving a tingling itch.
Ji Xie rose, walked over to the door, and hooked his fingers around Li Xian's