Chi Yu laughed, reached out, and vigorously ruffled his hair. "I know. I don't think it's shameful. To me, you can be a little brother who needs affection, or a friend I can trust to watch my back."
Then Chi Yu said to Xiaoqiu, "Senior Brother Xuanji is still waiting to see how I perform. We can't keep dragging this out."
Xiaoqiu asked, "Then what do we do? We don't even know where the Yaomo are."
Chi Yu thought for a moment and said, "Maybe I can find out."
He placed coordinate markers on these few, then told Xiaoqiu, "Let's head back for today."
Xiaoqiu said, "Huh? We're not going to keep looking for Yaomo?"
Chi Yu said, "What can we do if there aren't any Yaomo? Let's head back first."
As he spoke, he checked the Crown Prince's coordinates. He had already returned to town. Presumably, there was no danger nearby, which was why he had felt comfortable going back.
Realizing this, Chi Yu couldn't help laughing.
Although Senior Brother Xuanji always acted so aloof, his concern for him was truly sincere.
Back in town, he ran into the Town Magistrate's child again. The boy held that enormous venomous centipede as if it were a harmless farm animal. Although he was still somewhat wary of Chi Yu, he didn't turn and run. "Xiaoqiu," he called.
Xiaoqiu immediately smiled and said, "Coming."
He told Chi Yu, "Aotian-ge, he's my friend now. His name is Xiaojing."
Chi Yu lowered his voice. "You certainly make friends quickly."
Xiaoqiu also lowered his voice. "Aotian-ge, I learned it from you."
Chi Yu said, "Hmm?"
Xiaoqiu said nothing more. Smiling, he jogged over, unafraid of the giant centipede in Xiaojing's arms, slung an arm around his shoulders, and headed down another path with him.
Chi