"Master," she greeted, her voice a melodic whisper that carried in the quiet pavilion. Her ruby eyes turned slowly toward Li Hua, narrowing with a mixture of curiosity and unmistakable wariness.
"Hmm?" Mo Xing responded, his attention still partially focused on adjusting the barrier's parameters.
Mian Mian hopped closer to his ear, her shadow-feathers ruffling with evident agitation. "Do you plan to stay with this woman forever?" she whispered, though not quite softly enough to prevent the words from reaching Li Hua's sensitive hearing.
Li Hua found herself unconsciously leaning forward, fingers stilling on the ancient text before her.
Mo Xing's hands paused in their intricate movements, golden eyes lifting to meet Li Hua's gaze directly across the pavilion. A smile curved his lips—not the teasing smirk he often wore, but something deeper, more genuine.
