Alarna stepped forward and hugged Jian Ci, her arms light around his waist. "Bye," she said sweetly, her voice tinged with something unspoken.
Jian Ci was startled by the sudden interruption, but he didn't say anything. He watched Alarna leave, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor, her perfume lingering in the air.
He turned back to his communicator. "Come on, just tell me… Hello? Little Xi?" But there was silence.
Jian Ci frowned. The call had been cut. He stared at the screen, puzzled. The connection was strong and there was no reason for it to drop.
He called again but there was no answer.
His lips pressed into a thin line, thumb hovering over the screen, ready to try again when Jian Rui entered the room.
"Ready to go?" Jian Rui said. "Thank your guests, then we head home."
Jian Ci looked up, distracted. "Huh?"
Jian Rui narrowed his eyes. "Are you even listening to me?"
