The remaining three companions all understood that he was definitely not in a good mood at this time, so it was better to be vigilant.

"Huh? His brother has a pretty hot temper."

Zhimawan supported his chin and tapped the wooden table lightly with his fingertips, making a light "tapping" sound.

He looked at Bai Di's back as he dragged Lou Xun away, and suddenly laughed softly twice. The laughter seemed to be squeezed out from deep in his chest, with a bit of amusement and nostalgia.

The pair of emerald-gold eyes narrowed slightly, as if seeing through the scene before them, some distant past events.

"Don't worry, cub." He turned his head and his eyes softened instantly when they fell on Ma Tuan.

The dim light of the pub cast mottled shadows on the side of his face, making his already deep facial features even more three-dimensional.

He reached out and rubbed the top of Ma Tuan's head, his movements as gentle as if he was treating some fragile treasure.

"I'll be by your side from now on."

His voice was soft, yet filled with undeniable determination. His fingertips slid down along her hair, finally stopping at Ma Tuan's ear, gently pinching the soft earlobe.

"But I still have something I haven't brought back." Zhimawan's tone suddenly deepened, and a dark emotion flashed in his eyes. "Don't worry, I will be back within three days."

Outside the tavern, the forest mist had already reached the entrance. The night wind, carrying the scent of damp grass and trees, rushed in, slightly lifting the corner of his clothes.

"Then we'll see you at...the academy."

Before he finished speaking, he leaned forward and placed a kiss as light as a butterfly's wing on Ma Tuan's forehead. The touch was fleeting, but it was filled with scorching warmth.

The next second——

"Crash—"

In the forest outside the tavern, the twisted tree shadows, the floating dim lights, and the restless magical fluctuations in the air all dissipated in an instant, as if wiped out by an invisible hand.

The shape of the sesame ball also began to become transparent, starting from the fingertips, and gradually turned into tiny starlight.

The smile was still on his face, but his whole body had already disappeared into the night like a sand painting blown away by the wind before Ma Tuan could come to his senses.

Only the remaining warmth on his forehead and the faint scent of pine in the air proved that he had existed.