That night, Luo Qingyan remained on Qingyun Peak.
Not out of obedience, but out of memory.
The cold presence from before had not been easily forgotten.
He sat on the steps outside his room, watching the sky deepen into night.
"You are there," he said without turning.
"Yes."
The response came exactly as expected.
Luo Qingyan exhaled.
"You are very predictable."
Shen Wuyou stepped into view.
"You did not leave."
"I am capable of learning."
"That is good."
Luo Qingyan tilted his head.
"Are you going to tell me what I encountered?"
"No."
"You are consistent."
"It is not something you need to know."
"It tried to kill me."
"It did not succeed."
"That is not reassuring."
Shen Wuyou's gaze remained steady.
"It will not happen again."
"You sound certain."
"I am."
Luo Qingyan studied him for a moment.
"You do not explain anything."
"I am not required to."
"You should consider it."
"I am considering it."
"…Poorly."
Shen Wuyou did not deny it.
Luo Qingyan leaned back slightly.
"You are always watching."
"Yes."
"Why."
This time, the answer did not come immediately.
Instead, Shen Wuyou regarded him carefully, as if weighing something.
"Because I choose to."
The words settled into the space between them.
Luo Qingyan did not respond right away.
"…That is different," he said finally.
Shen Wuyou did not elaborate further.
But the thread between them pulsed again, steady and undeniable.
And neither of them moved away.