"Oh... oh!"

"Idiot, I told you not to squirm. Hold my head tight! Since you're sitting on my shoulders, behave yourself!"

"Young master, young master, slow down!"

"Tch, grab my hand. Don't get lost in the crowd."

After Baiyi brought Lian Ye and Xiao Ling closer to watch the stage play, Lian Ye was captivated by the silly, funny acts on stage. The performers interacted with kids and parents below—tossing small gifts or inviting them up to join. After each act, they gave children little presents to play with happily.

Seeing the cute, interesting items tossed from the stage, Lian Ye wanted an even closer view.

"Da... dad!"

"What? Stop bumping your head against my crotch. How many times must I say it?"

"Toy! Toy!"

Watching kids near the stage get called up or easily catch tossed items, Lian Ye grew more impatient. She tugged Baiyi's pants with her tiny hands, slapping them lightly, urging him toward the front.

"Tch, troublesome."

Baiyi glanced at the bouncing, clueless Lian Ye. Then he calmly scanned the square and surrounding buildings.

*Sigh. This idiot.*

Though exasperated beyond words, he reached out and pulled up the energetic Lian Ye and Xiao Ling—who stood nearby, eyes locked on the cute dolls onstage.

"Y-young master?"

Xiao Ling had been focused on the dolls, not noticing Baiyi take her hand. Startled by his sudden move and warmed by his broad palm, her face flushed slightly. But Baiyi ignored it. His attention was fixed on the Children's Day stage.

"Let's go. Take a closer look."

*Let's see what tricks these people are up to.*

"Kids!" the host shouted through a magically amplified mic, gesturing to the backstage entrance. "Next, a magician from the outer city will perform amazing tricks and give away gifts. Sound good?"

"Yay!"

The magician stepped onstage and waved his hand. A white pigeon fluttered from his sleeve, shook itself lightly, and soared into the air.

"Yay~!" The kids cheered louder, delighted.

"Hmph. Nothing worth seeing." Baiyi turned to leave with Lian Ye. He'd seen too many palace magicians as a kid to care.

"Da... dad." Lian Ye gently tugged his sleeve.

"What now?"

"Doll!"

*Doll? What nonsense?*

Baiyi looked back. The magician held a cute rabbit doll, smiling as he scanned the crowd.

"Who wants this doll, kids?"

"Me!" shouted dozens of children.

The magician's grin widened with the crowd's enthusiasm—but held a hint of eeriness.

"I'll invite two audience members to help with my next act," he announced. "Afterward, they'll get this doll and other lovely gifts." His eyes swept the front rows, trying to seem natural. But Baiyi saw the greed beneath—a raw, hungry look.

*Tch. Classic bait for kids and girls.*

"Ah-ha! This little one and the girl beside her!" The magician's face flashed eager, almost frenzied delight when his gaze landed on Lian Ye and Xiao Ling. It vanished in an instant—but Baiyi caught it all.

"Da... dad!"

"Young master?"

Shocked and excited, both girls tugged Baiyi's clothes.

*Tch. Should I let them go?*

*If they go up, those hidden thugs might strike. Try something dangerous.*

*But... look at them. If they miss those cute toys, they'll be crushed.*

*Then today's trip fails—no fun, just disappointment. Pointless.*

*Hmph! Enough thinking. I'm a soldier, not a planner. If they move, I'll chop them down. No fuss.*

"Go ahead."

"Yay!"

With staff help, Lian Ye and Xiao Ling climbed onstage and got ready.

"Now, stand here and here," the magician directed, placing them at opposite edges of the stage. He waved his faintly glowing wand. Seeing them onstage, his face twisted into a subtly excited, sinister grin.

"Kids and parents! My next magic trick is..."

"Human Disappearance!"