"What is it?" Bai Ya set her fork aside, pulled out her tablet again, and asked calmly.

Huan glanced at the cake on the table, avoiding Yue Ge’s gaze. "Just confirming something. Sorry to disturb your meal."

"What do you need to confirm?" Bai Ya tilted her head slightly.

"Your card hasn’t been lost, has it?" Huan pressed.

"No." Bai Ya shook her head.

"Understood. My apologies." Huan nodded, then added as if remembering, "By the way, Doctor Bai Ya, once you’ve settled in, please visit headquarters. They’ve waited long enough."

"I know. I’ll go." Bai Ya let out a barely perceptible sigh.

"Then I’ll take my leave. Sorry for the trouble." Huan bowed his head slightly and left the compartment decisively, closing the door behind him. He hadn’t spoken a single word to Yue Ge the entire time.

After Huan left, Yue Ge sat back down opposite Bai Ya, wearing an innocent expression.

"Seen?" Bai Ya guessed easily, tossing the tablet aside to resume her lunch.

"Pretty much. Got stopped on the way back. Almost came to blows," Yue Ge said nonchalantly.

"Almost? Can’t he beat you?" Bai Ya asked curiously.

"Hard to say. But if we fought, I’d probably win." Yue Ge sounded uncertain. Truthfully, he didn’t know his full strength in a normal state, but he sensed he was stronger than Huan.

"Your Essence is truly remarkable." Bai Ya shook her head. "Let me run a full-body checkup on you later?"

"You’re not slicing me up, are you?" Yue Ge twitched his lips and shivered.

"What do you take me for? Just standard exams and tests. Nothing extreme." Bai Ya puffed her cheeks slightly, displeased. "Besides, as one of the few Divine Factors, data collection is mandatory. Even if I don’t ask, the Organization will demand it."

"Good. What tests exactly?" Yue Ge breathed a sigh of relief.

"Regular physical, genetic screening, strength assessments—we’ll update your file too." Bai Ya opened her tablet, glancing at it. "Permission’s approved. After we move, we’ll head to headquarters together."

With time to spare, Bai Ya figured it best to prep Yue Ge. It was his first visit; he didn’t know headquarters’ intricacies, and she wouldn’t let him embarrass himself.

"What’ll I do there?" Yue Ge was still confused.

"I can’t shadow you constantly… but a guide will be assigned. Follow them, and you’ll be fine." Bai Ya looked at him seriously. "How well do you control your Essence now?"

"I know most of it. Haven’t tested some abilities practically," Yue Ge replied.

"As expected… Your Essence is unique. I’ve never seen one so stable without sedatives—as if it’s already submitted." Bai Ya looked thoughtful, then shook her head. "Anyway, familiarize yourself. They’ll run a rough test first. Theory and practice rarely match."

"What do you mean?" Yue Ge didn’t grasp it.

"They’ll try to push you." Bai Ya sighed. "No major danger, but don’t overdo it. If it’s too much, refuse. With me here, no one will pressure you."

"So, testing my limits?" That clicked for Yue Ge.

"Essentially." Bai Ya looked away.

She hadn’t told him everything. The Organization wanted more than just a baseline test—but she couldn’t reveal details. She knew she was irreplaceable to them now, so they’d never accept an unknown like Yue Ge near her. Her trust didn’t mean theirs. They’d exploit this chance to probe him; normally, with her around, they couldn’t act freely.

"Have you taken such tests, Bai Ya?" Yue Ge missed her mood entirely. Her calm face often hid emotions well.

"No." She shook her head. "I rarely fight. No need for them."

"I see." Yue Ge dropped it, unwrapping the remaining cake. Nearly half was gone—though one of each type remained, Bai Ya had likely just sampled multiple flavors.

Full, Bai Ya set down her fork, picked up her cup, and left to make coffee.

Yue Ge didn’t mind, choosing a favorite cake for his late lunch. The moment Bai Ya exited, Little Ash leaped down from the rack, landing neatly beside him.

It stepped on Yue Ge’s thigh, hopped onto the table, grabbed a cake box in its mouth, and dragged it to the corner. Its movements were swift and deliberate—clearly planned while waiting for Bai Ya to leave.

Watching this, Yue Ge fell into thought.

Could cats even eat cake?

Never mind—he recalled all monsters were omnivores. Little Ash knew its limits. Yue Ge often wondered how long it had wandered the city before Bai Ya found it. She’d said it was already a seasoned stray; calling her its owner wasn’t quite right. She’d only given it shelter.

"Even without me, it would thrive," Bai Ya had once said.

Bai Ya returned quickly with coffee. Sitting down, she sensed something off. Tilting her head, she asked, "Yue Ge, where’s the matcha cake I left here? I’m sure one remained."

She’d kept it close, certain he wouldn’t touch it—so she could finish both. But after her coffee break, it vanished. Clearly, Yue Ge wasn’t the culprit.

"Little Ash dragged it off." Yue Ge pointed honestly toward the corner.

Bai Ya stood silently, spotting Little Ash hidden there. Too late—the cake was ruined, the box empty.

Little Ash sat innocently, tail wagging, sensing the tension.

Holding the empty box, Bai Ya took a deep breath. "Back to your bag. Don’t show your face again before dinner."

Killing intent filled the air.

"Meow meow meow!?"