Under the smoky red lanterns of the outer district, Taotao sauntered into the
magistrate's office.
He tossed a worn leather pouch onto the desk with a lazy grin.
> "That's the payment. Every copper of it. I expect my hand stays attached."
The magistrate grunted, counted the coins slowly, then looked up with mild
surprise.
> "You actually did it."
> "I always do. Eventually."
> "You're lucky, rat. That merchant wanted your head on a post."
Taotao raised both arms theatrically. "And yet, here I stand — all limbs
accounted for."
With that, he turned and walked out, stretching beneath the morning sky.
> "Debt paid. No more guards. No more deadlines. Finally, I'm free."
He strolled through the alley, humming with the mood of a man who had
outwitted fate.
Then came the voice.
> "You really meant to leave me?"
He turned and groaned. "Oh no. Not you again."
Ju Xian stepped out, arms crossed, cloak wrapped tight.
> "Yes, me. You said you'd help."
> "Help you escape, not lead your royal rebellion," he replied. "Look, you're
clearly clever. Brave. Also terrifying. But I'm not your knight. I'm a thief. I
deal in earrings and exit routes — not empires."
> "They're going to marry me off to a foreign emperor."
> "You should've thought of that before fake-kidnapping yourself."
> "I thought you would be decent enough to help one more step."
> "Decent? Lady, I'm a criminal. At best, I'm a charming disappointment."
> "So you're just going to leave me?"
> "Yes!" he said, exasperated. "Go back to your estate. Apologize. Cry a
little. They'll forgive you. You're rich."
> "You think it's that simple?"
> "It's simpler than being hunted with you."
Ju Xian stared at him, lips thin.
> "Coward."
> "Absolutely," he said proudly. "Now if you'll excuse me—"
> "They'll catch you too, you know. We're both on the posters."
> "Then I'll grow a beard and rob someone in a different province."
She scoffed, turned on her heel.
> "You'll regret walking away."
> "I regret everything, lady. That's why I'm so good at running."
She disappeared into the shadows.
Taotao stood there for a long moment, then muttered to himself.
> "Why are the pretty ones always the dangerous ones?"
He walked off in the opposite direction.
But the wind carried her words with him — and deep inside, something ancient stirred.