Qingran responded, "Copy. We'll regroup at the hall junction in ten."
She turned off the comm and stepped between Yu Song and Wei Sheng.
"Come here.." she said, gesturing to Shen Li. "You're with me from now on."
Wei Sheng's smile faltered for just a second.
Then it returned, sharper this time.
"Protective, aren't you?" he said.
"She's just a kid."
"So? I'm not doing anything."
"No, but you want to."
That made his smile freeze.
The room stayed still.
Then Wei Sheng exhaled slowly. "That's a little unfair, isn't it?"
Qingran didn't move."Go stand by the door."
For a heartbeat, she thought he might refuse.
But he did move.
Just… too slowly.
As he walked away, Shen Li reached out and gripped Qingran's sleeve.
"I don't like him, being around makes my skin crawl" she whispered.
"I know..."
Shen Li's hand trembled.
"They way he stares at me, it's as though he wants to rip me apart.."
Qingran didn't answer.
