Thanks to Nahida's accidental revelation about the book the Wanderer had received as a birthday gift, everyone gained a deeper understanding of the sharp-tongued boy's mastery of verbal abuse.
Because of that little incident, the Wanderer took no part in their conversations for the rest of the journey. He merely lowered his hat brim, burying his entire face in shadow.
Along the way, Lin Ze worried that the incident had made A Scaramouche uncomfortable or embarrassed. If he felt upset, Lin Ze couldn't just leave him on his own. After all, he had invited the Wanderer, so he ought to look after him.
So, when the others had tired of chatting and Natasha had whisked Nahida and Paimon away to feed them, Lin Ze quietly sat down beside A Scaramouche.
There was no way the Wanderer hadn't noticed Lin Ze's movements, but he gave no reaction. He didn't even lift his head to glance at him.
The broad brim completely concealed the Wanderer's face. Lin Ze couldn't tell whether he was asleep, didn't know whether he got cranky when woken, and was afraid of disturbing him. For a moment, he had no idea what to do.
The Wanderer's eyes were closed, but his keen awareness of his surroundings let him sense everything around him clearly, even with his hat blocking his vision.
He had sensed Lin Ze the moment he sat down beside him. He had also noticed him stealing several sidelong glances. Apparently, those furtive peeks eventually stopped satisfying the fellow. Seeing no reaction from him, Lin Ze's gaze grew even more brazen.
The Traveler actually dared to try peering beneath his hat!
That infuriated him.
The Wanderer's fingers curled slightly, tightening into fists as though he might lash out at any moment.
Lin Ze had no idea he