Su Ningyan scoffed, setting his chopsticks down with a soft clink before lifting his gaze to meet Rong Yue's directly.
Rong Yue was watching him patiently and expectantly. Like a predator waiting to see which way its prey would run.
Beside him, Lan Meishan continued eating quietly, though his eyes flicked between them. He didn't interrupt.
Not yet.
"I don't think I owe you an answer," Ningyan said flatly.
Rong Yue's lips curved faintly.
"I'm only asking to satisfy my curiosity," he replied lightly. "After all… you had every reason to slaughter them."
His claws slid out sharp, gleaming and pressed against the wooden table.
A soft scrape echoed. His blue eyes glowed.
"If I were in your position," he continued, almost thoughtfully, "I would have killed them all."
Ningyan exhaled slowly through his nose. Book Ningyan did too. Look how he ended.
"I made a promise," Ningyan said. "I told Su Qiyuan I wouldn't harm them if Madam Qin Linhua dissolved the bounty on my head."
