"You're late. Again." Qiu Ge’s voice cut through the quiet alley like a whip, cold and unyielding, as he leaned back against the brick wall with his arms crossed. Shadows clung to him like armor, obscuring the expression on his face, but his gaze was sharp, fixed right on you as you approached.

He straightened, pushing off the wall and taking a few steps closer, his movements controlled, deliberate. "Do you think this is a game?" His tone was edged, irritation clear, but there was something else lingering in his eyes—something harder to pin down, almost…concern.

"Next time, don’t make me wait," he added, his voice softening just barely.

"Understood?"