"What are you-"
"What are you-"
Xin Yi and Chen Qing Shan spoke at the same time, then stopped at the same time. They looked at each other, then spoke in unison again:
"Why are you hiding?"
Both froze, a flicker of thought passing through their eyes.
The forest wind swept fallen leaves along with a rustle, breaking the brief silence. The next instant, their voices overlapped again, though this time they said slightly different things:
"So you're not with them?"
"So what are you doing here?"
Xin Yi frowned slightly:
"Could you stop talking at the same time as me? I can't hear properly."
Chen Qing Shan thought for a moment, then said:
"All right, you go first."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
Then the two stared at each other.
This time, Chen Qing Shan frowned:
"Go on."
"Oh, well... uh... huh... um... I've sort of forgotten. Why don't you go first?"
Xin Yi's little face flushed slightly.
Chen Qing Shan didn't want to go first. She felt this situation called for what Wang Yang had once described as "striking second to seize control." Something like, "Until their strengths and weaknesses are clear, imitate the winter cicada and guard your opening; once you discern the subtle workings, strike like thunder splitting the sky..." Was that how it went?
Chen Qing Shan said:
"It's fine. Think about it first, then speak when you're ready."
Xin Yi looked rather surprised:
"You're actually quite nice..."
Chen Qing Shan felt a little embarrassed:
"Not really..."
Xin Yi's face suddenly turned cold. She retreated two steps and held her silver spike across her body:
"Are you trying to take the opportunity to poison me?"
Chen Qing Shan froze, then tightened her grip on the Long Lance:
"What poison?"
Xin Yi summoned the peculiar "vigilance" she had