The night stretched endlessly before them.
No words.No sound.
Only the soft crunch of their steps against the ground.
They walked side by side—
But not together.
The distance between them wasn't physical.
It was something else.
Something unspoken.
Li Xian kept his gaze forward, expression calm.
But inside—
His thoughts were anything but.
Why is he really here…?
Beside him, Zhao Han remained silent.
Unreadable.
As always.
But this silence—
It didn't last.
"…Don't you want to explain this?"
His voice cut through the night.
Low. Direct.
Li Xian's steps slowed slightly.
But he didn't stop.
"Explain what?" he replied lightly.
Zhao Han's gaze shifted toward him.
Cold. Sharp.
"This."
A pause.
"You sneaking out. At night. Heading somewhere you shouldn't be."
Li Xian let out a quiet breath.
"…You sound like the academy chief."
"I'm serious."
That tone—
It wasn't his usual distant coldness.
It was something firmer.
Heavier.
Li Xian finally stopped walking.
For a moment—
He said nothing.
Then slowly, he turned.
Their eyes met again.
Moonlight catching just enough to show the tension between them.
"…And if I don't explain?" Li Xian asked quietly.
Zhao Han didn't hesitate.
"Then I'll assume the worst."
A small silence followed.
Li Xian's lips curved slightly.
But it wasn't a real smile.
"You always do that anyway."
Zhao Han didn't respond.
But his gaze didn't waver either.
"…It's something I need to confirm," Li Xian said finally.
Not fully honest.
But not a lie either.
Zhao Han's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one you're getting."
Another pause.
Heavy.
Unresolved.
Zhao Han looked at him for a moment longer—
As if deciding something.
Then—
"…Fine."
He turned and continued walking.
Li Xian blinked slightly.
That's it?
"…You're not going to stop me?"
Zhao Han didn't look back.
"If I wanted to stop you, you wouldn't be here."
Li Xian stared at him for a second—
Then let out a small breath.
"…You're really strange."
Zhao Han didn't reply.
Ahead of them—
The forest waited.
Dark.
Silent.
And full of things that should have stayed buried.