“And, Xue’er...” Lu Ke cleared his throat, like tapping a drum before an announcement. “Did you see a big green notebook in my drawer?”

“Does it say ‘Photo Album’ on the cover?” The blonde girl dipped her head, a playful curve on her lips like sugar melting.

“Yeah, that one… wait, you already looked?” His mind lagged, then snapped awake two beats later.

“The album’s pretty cute. It’s just that someone’s behavior was a bit too gentlemanly. Don’t you think so, big bro?” She pivoted on one toe like a spinning top, hands tucked behind her back. Then she lifted her chin; golden eyes met Lu Ke’s, her smile glowing like warm honey.

“Uh… cough, cough… about that…” He felt heat prickle his cheeks, rubbed his head, and his words stumbled like pebbles on a path.

“Alright, I won’t blame you. Keeping a little memento is a good thing.”

“A memento?”

“Nothing! Aren’t you running in the election? Time’s almost up and you haven’t even eaten. Go on. But you owe me something tasty tonight!” Fluster edged her voice like wind ruffling petals; she nudged him, stepped back twice, then wore a sweet smile like moonlight on water.

“Fine. Be careful on your way back. Tonight, your brother will cook you something amazing. Here—take this. Grab a cab later.” Lu Ke slipped money into the blonde girl’s pocket, gave her a worried look like a lingering cloud, then turned toward the campus.

“Kid, was that girl your sister?” The security guard at the gate asked, his voice rough but warm, like a kettle humming.

“Mm, yeah.”

“Lucky you, having such a cute sister.”

“She’s my most precious sister.”

“Hope we meet again, big bro~” Watching Lu Ke’s back fade like a line of ink, the blonde girl tugged her hood forward and headed down the road. A small corner appeared; a turn revealed a quiet alley like the city’s narrow throat. But Little Loli didn’t look back—she slipped in like a shadow.

“Who are you? Why are you following me?” After a short walk, the blonde girl stopped, voice steady like a taut string.

“...” A blue silhouette stepped into view. She stared. Black tight casual jacket, leather pants, black shades; blue hair like a streak of sky—handsome, chilled steel under glass.

“Who are you?” The unease had come when she first left the house, a thorn in her sixth sense. Even without her ability, Little Loli trusted that inner tide.

“...Follow me.” The blue-haired youth paused, then spoke low and flat, three words like stones, and walked deeper into the alley like rain moving inland.

“Who are you, really? Why should I follow you? Are you from the Organization?” He didn’t spare her a glance; it was like her face was a mask to him, which pricked her pride like a needle.

He kept walking, footsteps calm as a metronome. That put Little Loli in a bind; she bit her lip like holding back a wave, then moved and matched his pace.

“Brother Long, nothing’s happening lately. It’s boring.” At the far turn, three or four thugs leaned on the wall, smoking, their smoke curling like gray snakes. A tank-top punk spoke while eyeing a man with a green dragon tattoo coiled on his arm.

“Your Brother Long’s talking business these days. We’ll have work soon.” Brother Long flicked his butt down, crushed it like a beetle, and scanned his boys. A knife scar scored his face like a split cliff.

“Brother Long, someone just went into the alley!” A short-sleeve punk jogged in, breath spilled like steam.

“Good timing. We finally got something. Let’s go.” Brother Long waved. The rest dropped their smokes, ground them to grit, and moved toward the mouth like a pack smelling meat.

“Hey! How far are you planning to walk?!” A minute passed; the blonde girl’s patience frayed like twine. The blue-haired youth still offered only his back, his silence heavier than stone. She turned to leave—then three or four thugs burst from the corner like dogs off a chain.

“Yo, pretty boy, you look handsome. You step into this alley, getting out’s tough.” Brother Long blocked his path, swagger thick as oil. The others closed in with practiced menace, their circle tight like a snare. They seemed blind to Little Loli trailing behind; she tucked behind a crate, eyes sharp as knives, to see what he’d do.

He kept staring forward. Behind the shades, his gaze felt like winter glass. “You too…” The blue-haired youth raised his hand, slow as a tide lifting.

“Trying to talk before you get beat?” The thugs puffed up, their faces ugly as storm-clouds.

“Ah—ah!” Little Loli saw blue light flash, quick as lightning caught in a bottle. The men managed one scream, then vanished like smoke in wind.

“He did it like that…” The blue-haired youth flicked his hand, a ripple like water off slate. Little Loli saw the blue gloves clearly, the color cold as a glacier. She stood and looked. Only ash remained on the ground, gray blooms like burnt paper—what was left of those men.

She hadn’t even tracked the motion; it happened in a heartbeat. If she were in battle mode, maybe she’d read the flow. Right now, she was just a soft-voiced, fragile girl, a reed easy to tip.

He glanced at the ash, then sank his hands into his pockets and walked on, calm as if nothing had happened.

“...” Xiao Qianxue followed, wordless, her thoughts drifting like mist. He’d shown his strength so plainly. If he wanted to do anything to her, it would be over in a blink. Her gut told her this blue-clad youth was stronger than the cloaked man from last time.

“Get in.” They left the alley after a short walk. A blue Mercedes waited, paint gleaming like a lake at dusk. He unlocked it and slid in first. The blonde girl followed; she’d come this far—turning back meant nothing now.

The Mercedes rolled away, slipped past the corner, and vanished like a fish into deep water.