Just as Mu Anxiao stepped out, Song Xu shook off the red-dressed woman and approached the waiter. *"Where did she go? Do you know?"* He looked down at the shorter man.
The waiter tilted his head up and shook his head.
*"You don’t know?"* Song Xu pressed.
The waiter nodded.
Frowning, Song Xu asked again, *"Which way did she go?"* By the time he’d noticed Mu Anxiao, she was already outside, and the distance had kept him from seeing her direction.
*"That way."* The waiter pointed right.
Without another word, Song Xu followed the direction and rushed out.
---
Meanwhile, Mu Anxiao was growing increasingly frustrated.
Though she knew Golden City well, the area near the city walls was unfamiliar to her. She didn’t even know where the thatched cottage was supposed to be. But with the urgency of her mission, she had to feign confidence in front of Ouyang Ye. Now, walking down this path, her steps grew slower, her resolve wavering.
*"It should be this way... right?"* She paused, glancing around, debating whether to ask for directions—when Song Xu’s voice came from behind.
*"So here you are."*
She stiffened, then turned with a click of her tongue. *"Unlucky."* That was the only word to describe her mood right now.
Song Xu strode up, his tone accusatory. *"Why did you leave without telling me?"*
Mu Anxiao scowled. *"I went to the latrine, and—"*
*"You went to the second floor for that? Who do you think you’re fooling?"* His voice dripped with disdain. *"Even a ghost wouldn’t believe that."*
She hated being talked down to like this. They weren’t even acquaintances—just two strangers who happened to know "Shen Moyun." That alone made him insufferable.
*"I *am* fooling you. Who else? Or are you a ghost?"* She couldn’t be bothered to humor him anymore.
*"You—!"*
*"What about me?"* She cut him off, bending to set the food box down before straightening. *"Back on the second floor, I made it *very* clear I wanted nothing to do with you. Yet here you are, chasing after me. Do you have a *masochism* kink or something?"*
*"So you *were* ignoring me!"*
Song Xu had been questioning whether she was avoiding him. On his way here, he’d even consoled himself—*Maybe she really didn’t see me.*
But no. She *had* seen him. She just didn’t care.
His pride as a young master took a direct hit. His shoulders slumped.
Mu Anxiao eyed him with open disgust. *"You’ve heard the ugly truth. Stop following me."* She reached for the food box—
Then froze.
A delicate scent of roses drifted past. Without thinking, she withdrew her hand and looked up.
Sure enough, the red-dressed woman stood there.
Song Xu turned, frowning. *"Why did you follow me?"*
*"Young Master, you promised to keep me company. Leaving so suddenly..."* The woman—A’Chu—stepped closer, her voice trembling. *"It’s hard to accept. And lately, you haven’t visited my room at all. What do you mean by this?"*
*"A’Chu, don’t you get tired of seeing me every day?"*
*"I don’t. I only remember you saying that whenever you came here, you’d visit me. But now..."* Her eyes darkened. *"You don’t. Do you... dislike me now?"*
*"It’s not that. I just think we should both... try new things. Being glued together every day—*I* can’t take it anymore."*
*"Young Master..."* A’Chu’s voice cracked as she lowered her head, tears welling.
Mu Anxiao watched the scene—A’Chu’s heartbreak, Song Xu’s indifference—and quietly bent to pick up the food box, planning to slip away.
But then—
*"It’s *your* fault,"* A’Chu hissed, her gaze snapping to Mu Anxiao. *"And now you’re leaving?"*
Song Xu whirled around. *"Trying to sneak off, huh?"*
Mu Anxiao cursed internally. Straightening, she met his eyes. *"This girl is devoted to you. That’s a blessing. Do you *have* to treat her like this?"*
She had no interest in their drama. But if she played along, maybe A’Chu would help keep Song Xu occupied—freeing her to leave.
A’Chu’s lips quivered.
Song Xu groaned. *"You’re doing this on purpose."*
*"On purpose?"* Mu Anxiao feigned outrage. *"I just think you’re being *ridiculous.* She cares so much about you, chasing after you in that heavy dress, and you *still* hurt her? You’re unbelievable."*
*"You—!"*
*"What about me? I just don’t get it—how does a guy like *you* have someone so devoted? It’s..."* She trailed off, then spat in disgust.
Song Xu had no retort.
A’Chu wiped her tears. *"Don’t speak of him like that..."*
Mu Anxiao shot her a look. *"See? Even now, she’s defending you. You’re *disgusting.* So disgusting I can’t stand the sight of you. *Don’t follow me.*"* She turned to leave.
Song Xu, thoroughly shamed, hung his head.
A’Chu’s voice turned icy. *"I said, *stop.*"*
Mu Anxiao didn’t look back. *"Miss, no need to thank me. Just take him home."* She took a step—
Then froze.
An invisible force clamped down on her shoulder. Frowning, she glanced at it—nothing was there. *"What the...?"* Then the scent of roses thickened.
Her eyes widened.
A’Chu’s voice slithered into her ear, cold and lethal. *"I told you not to leave."*
Mu Anxiao’s stomach dropped. *"I won’t."* The pressure vanished.
*"Turn around."*
*"Okay."* She obeyed, facing A’Chu—and her blood ran cold.
*She’s a demon.*
*"Apologize to him,"* A’Chu ordered.
Song Xu looked up, confused.
Mu Anxiao met his gaze, her mind racing.
*This is bad.*