What was a photograph?
That was a very good question.
Ling An met Tide Sis's gaze and sank into thought.
But since the "Emperor of Jinzhou" had asked, he had no choice but to answer.
After a long moment of deliberation, he finally ventured, "Oh, that? You misheard. She meant... um, fireflies! That's right! Xinyi said there's a lovely spot on Mt. Firmament where, uh, the fireflies flutter around like shooting stars. Absolutely breathtaking. A real wonder! We could go see it together sometime."
With that, Ling An prepared to make his escape.
He had barely started to move when he felt something catch hold of him.
Looking back, he found Tide Sis wearing a knowing smile. "If you don't come clean now, you won't get another chance."
At that, Ling An could only admit defeat.
He said dejectedly, "It's a photo."
"A photo of whom?"
"Xinyi."
"She gave you a photo?" Tide Sis asked in confusion.
"Exactly!" Ling An perked up at once. "I kept telling her I didn't want it, but she insisted on giving it to me. I couldn't stop her! You know how elders are. She just slipped it into my pocket."
As he spoke, Ling An silently apologized.
Sorry, Xinyi.
It's every Fellow Daoist for themselves now.
Still staring at Ling An, Tide Sis asked quietly, "Since when do you have pockets?"
"Uh..." Ling An was briefly at a loss. After some hesitation, he said, "You wouldn't understand cat things."
"Do you think I believe that?" Tide Sis asked dubiously.
"I'm guessing you... do?" Ling An ventured.
"Wrong!" Tide Sis snorted and held out her hand. "Hand it over. Let me see!"
Under the circumstances, Ling An could only heave a long sigh, silently take out Xinyi's photograph, and pass it to Tide Sis.
As