Fang Yuan stood in his chamber, robes half-unfastened, steamy water already filling the copper tub in the corner.
Just as he dipped a finger to test the temperature, a frantic hammering rattled his door.
Thud Thud Thud Thud!
His first, weary thought flew to Lin Zhaoyue. That woman... what does she want now?
But then a desperate, cracking cry sliced through the wood:
"Brother Fang! Brother Fang! Help me, please! I need help!"
Fang Yuan clicked his tongue against his teeth, the sound sharp and irritated.
"Don't tell me she's learned how to mimic voices now… Is she baiting me?" he muttered, a low growl lacing the words.
His gaze narrowed on the empty air ahead, as if willing it to give him a different answer.
'Please… don't let it be her.'
A faint, desperate humor crept into his voice, almost a prayer.
'Let it be Xiao Pei… just Da Pang with some problem I can fix.'
Cautiously, he cracked the heavy door open, just wide enough to peer out.
Whoosh!
