"So... why are you following me... Miss Featherfox..."

Just minutes ago, Bai Ming had been worrying about his wallet. Now, he had another headache: this girl trailing him.

In this materialistic society, freedom was the only comfort left for everyone. Yet Shen Yuan Yuhu seemed determined to strip Bai Ming of his last bit of it. How cruel.

"Um... you said you were a...?"

"Eh? Yes, absolutely! A full-grown man, right here. Need proof right now?"

Bai Ming strode forward without turning back, his patience nearly gone.

"P-proof!?"

Hearing that shy, angry tone, Bai Ming could guess exactly what she was thinking—even without looking.

"See my Adam’s apple?"

He stopped abruptly, tilted his head high, and forced a prominent bulge on his neck for Shen Yuan Yuhu to see.

"Huh? Oh... you really are a guy..."

Strangely, after this sensible proof, Shen Yuan Yuhu sounded slightly disappointed. Her voice carried a hint of loss, as if she’d missed seeing something precious.

"What were you expecting?"

"Eh? N-nothing at all!"

Bai Ming lowered his head slowly, staring at this overly naive kid. To a working adult like him, she was just a child.

Even if she was older in years, her mind was clearly underage.

"Proof done. Believe me now, Miss Featherfox? Still planning to follow me for some ‘investigation’?"

"Eh?? N-no, Mr. Bai Ming... Bai Ming, sir..."

"You almost called me ‘Miss,’ didn’t you?"

"N-no, not at all..."

Bai Ming’s eyes turned utterly helpless—a pupil-less stare born of total exhaustion. He couldn’t fathom why this kid had even approached him.

His good mood was ruined. The only fix was for her to vanish—or him to vanish from her sight.

"Um... you looked unwell on the subway earlier... and I saw you here again... I just thought you might need help..."

"I do."

When she finally spoke her true thoughts, Bai Ming gave the reply she wanted.

But he had zero patience to comfort her.

"If you’d stop following me—or just disappear from my sight—that’d be a huge help."

He said it flatly, coldly. He’d decided to cut ties with this self-proclaimed "Hero."

Shen Yuan Yuhu stopped walking.

She stood there, gazing at him with a lost, sorrowful expression. She hadn’t asked for anything—just offered kindness. Yet his words had cut deep.

Bai Ming braced for her hatred. This was his way to break free from the word "Hero."

He never wanted that label again.

"I’m... truly sorry for the trouble!"

Unexpectedly, before Bai Ming could react, the fox-eared girl mimicked his earlier bow. She bent deeply, apologizing.

When he turned, Shen Yuan Yuhu had vanished.

"...Sigh."

Bai Ming exhaled slowly, watching the bustling crowd ahead. Calm and irritation warred inside him.

"This is fine."

Yes, he’d always believed this: getting involved with such people brought nothing good. He just wanted an ordinary life with Bai Ruoshui. Let nations clash—he’d stay out of it.

He felt a twinge of guilt for that passionate kid. But she’d face harsh truths someday. Better to learn now, so future wounds might hurt less.

Thinking this, Bai Ming relaxed his shoulders, cleared his mind, and walked toward another aisle in the supermarket.