"SO, where should we go eat?" Luo Yan asked when they reached the first floor of the building.
Shen Ji Yun was about to answer when he felt that overly enthusiastic gaze again. He first felt it when they were walking on the streets earlier. He didn't think anything of it because he thought it was just one of the many gazes directed at them. But from the Pet Supply Store to the specialized merchandize shop, even until here, he could still feel that overly enthusiastic gaze.
He wasn't planning to do anything about it. But then, he thought, what if they were stalking Luo Yan? Taking snapshots of him here and there? Luo Yan was so beautiful after all. What if they used those photos for something indecent? Just thinking about it already makes his blood boil in anger. So, he decided to deal with whoever this was before he and Luo Yan have that meal.
"Go ahead and wait for me outside. I just remembered that I have a question for the administrator NPC here," he said, trying his best not to show any abnormality. "Don't worry, it won't take too long."
Luo Yan stared at Shen Ji Yun's face when he heard that. He tried to see any noticeable change in his expression because he just had a feeling that he was lying. Sadly, the other was looking sideways. So, he couldn't really tell anything from his eyes.
At the end, he could only say, "Okay, I'll wait for you outside."
He turned around and walked towards the exit. He didn't really mind even if Shen Ji Yun lied to him just now. That's his problem and Luo Yan had no right to meddle. Besides, he was certain that Shen Ji Yun lied not because he had some malicious intent or something. Well, at least not towards him. Luo Yan had a feeling that that guy would never do anything that might harm him.
He shook his head and went outside the building. It seemed like he was subconsciously being influenced by all the nonsense Eclipse was spouting. Wait- Eclipse! He looked back but he could no longer see Shen Ji Yun's figure. He sighed. His own pet seemed more at home in Shen Ji Yun's arms than his own.
Shen Ji Yun, who was still inside the building, followed where he could feel the gaze was coming from. In this avatar, his perception of his surroundings was magnified a number of times more than normal. So, he easily found the culprit.
Behind one of the holographic model, pretending to look at some catalogue, was a girl with short ash brown hair with a pair of cat ears on top of her head. One look at her and no one would really pay that much attention. Because her looks were simply ordinary. But her eyes were remarkable. They were big and tilted upwards at the end, just like a cat's. If one would stare at her for longer than a minute, then they would find that this girl had a certain kind of charm that was only unique to her.
Shen Ji Yun didn't expect that this was the person who had been following them. Truthfully, he had another image in his mind. Like, you know, the usual suspect. But just like they said, one could not really just judge a book by its cover. This girl beastkin might look harmless, but who knew what's lurking beneath.
"Why are you following us?" he said in a cold tone.
Xia Li was startled hearing that cold voice. When she saw YUN walking to her direction, she was hoping that he would bypass her. But no, he stopped right in front of her. She suddenly felt cold sweat on her back. This was all because she couldn't control her urges. Being a hopeless rotten woman surely was hard.
Should she just lie to answer his question? No. This guy would definitely immediately figure out that she's lying. Then, she'd be in more trouble. In that case, she would just have to tell some parts of the truth without revealing her true colors.
She raised her head and saw YUN's handsome yet cold and emotionless face. Even the cute black fox sitting on his shoulder did not lessen the coldness he was emitting.
"Hi, YUN! My name is Catnip. I'm acquainted with White Marsh," she started. The last part was not really a lie since the two of them did team-up in the Yellow Door task during the birthday of the King of Arcadia.
Shen Ji Yun wrinkled his brows. Bai Ze knew this girl? "You're answer had nothing to do with my question."
Xia Li laughed awkwardly. "I just wanted you to know that I'm not a suspicious person. I'm sorry if I was following you and your companion. I absolutely meant no harm. I just wanted to gather some materials for my fan-art and just happened to see you two walking on the streets. Seeing as how the two of you looked so good together, I couldn't stop myself from following you."
He and Luo Yan looked good together? Shen Ji Yun was very pleased to hear that. So, he didn't even notice that when he spoke, the coldness in his voice was already much lesser. "Materials for your fan-art?"
"Yes. You see, I often draw fan-arts of famous players in Arcadia and post them on my Weibo account. But before I could draw one, I have to gather materials first. Like pictures and stuff. So, I could get inspired and motivated. If you don't believe me, you can visit my Weibo account later. I'll be posting a fan-art of you and your companion."
Shen Ji Yun already believed about 70% of what she just said. The anger that he initially felt earlier was already gone. His mind was currently circling on the words; 'fan-art of him and Luo Yan together'. "Tell me your Weibo account."
Did he believe her? Xia Li breathed out a sigh of relief thinking that. "It's @catnip010. Please, feel free to check my account later."
Shen Ji Yun nodded. If she was not telling the truth, he could think of a lot of ways to get back at her. He turned around and prepared to leave. But when he just took about four steps, he stopped and glanced back at the cat girl. "Be sure to make us appear closer on that fan-art of yours."
"You mean make the two of you look… couple-like?" Xia Li asked hesitantly.
Shen Ji Yun coughed, nodded just a tiny little bit, then moved forward once again.
Xia Li felt like she was nailed on the spot. Did he just agree? His head definitely moved as if to nod. Wait- that meant that YUN wanted to appear like a couple with Noctis, right? Right? Her eyes brightened immediately. Her heart beating faster with excitement. It seemed like she just discovered something big!
She pumped her fist. [Don't worry, YUN. I'll draw a very beautiful fan-art of you and Noctis. To the point that people couldn't help but make a CP out of the two of you.]