Ningyan let out an exasperated sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yes, yes. I'm the wrathful Demon Beast now." He gave a helpless shrug. "I don't think anyone intends to let me forget that."
Something in those words made Rong Chao's expression soften even further.
Without warning, he walked straight up to Ningyan. Ningyan instinctively remained still, watching him curiously and wondering what he intended to say.
Instead, Rong Chao suddenly wrapped both arms around him in a tight, crushing embrace.
The sudden force of it made Ningyan stiffen. And then he felt it, Rong Chao was trembling.
The tiger beast buried his face against Ningyan's shoulder as tears finally spilled freely from his eyes.
"It's..." His voice cracked with emotion. "It's so good to see you alive."
He tightened the embrace just a little more, clinging to him as if letting go meant losing him all over again. "And well."
Ningyan stiffened.
