Lin Tian and Bai Xueya left the covered walkway and stepped back into open space, and the clan returned to its habits the moment the bamboo stopped hiding them. Servants bowed too fast, and their eyes lingered too long, disciples moved like they had tasks, and their attention stayed glued to Xueya's sleeves, and to Lin Tian's hands, and to the space between them.
Xueya kept her face cold, and Lin Tian kept his expression neutral.
They walked to the edge of the guest courtyard, and neither of them reached out, not with so many eyes around. They stopped anyway, a brief pause, a shared look, and a quiet understanding that did not need contact.
Xueya spoke without turning her head much. "If they ask you questions again today, do not try to protect me with a story," she muttered.
Lin Tian answered with the same low tone. "I will protect you by not giving them lies," he said, then he added, "and I will protect you by staying close enough that they have to speak in front of both of us."
