Ace finally decided it was time to go back outside. He turned to Aunt Hong and the others with a gentle nod.
"I'll be heading out first then," he said. "Make sure no one burns the herb garden down while I'm gone."
Aunt Hong snorted. "You should be more worried about someone sneaking out to cook spirit chickens again."
Ace raised a brow toward Liu Mei, who shrugged as if she couldn't possibly be guilty, though the scent of roasted meat still clung faintly at her robes.
"Take care," Yuri said softly, her smile bright despite the soft rasp in her voice.
"I will," Ace replied, grabbing Liu Mei by the collar like a sack of potatoes.
"Eh? Wait, Master—!"
With a shimmer, the two disappeared right in front of everyone.
The world outside came rushing back into focus. Desk, table the faint scent of sandalwood.
And then—
"Master!!!"
A blur shot at them from the side with terrifying speed and full-bodied commitment.
"Shan Yifeng?" Ace managed to utter just before impact.
