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Words:2212
Moze appeared suddenly, his sharp gaze cutting through the tension like a knife. His presence brought a cold chill as he stepped closer, his eyes narrowing at the scene in front of him—your tear-streaked face, the manic look in your eyes, and Jiaoqiu, holding you tightly. You felt exposed, vulnerable, so you scrambled to put on your mask, quickly hiding the remnants of your emotional breakdown behind a cold, detached facade.
Without missing a beat, you straightened yourself, forcing your voice into an icy tone. "Let's go. We've wasted enough time," you said, your voice hollow and devoid of any emotion. Moze raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback by your sudden shift. Even he, with his vast knowledge of human behavior, seemed unsure of what had just happened.
Jiaoqiu stood silently, watching you with a deep intensity. His eyes followed your every move, searching for a crack in the cold mask you wore. He looked like he wanted to say something, to reach out, but the moment had passed. You were distant again, a ghost of the person you had been just moments before.
"It's time to leave," Jiaoqiu finally said, his voice strained, though he tried to hide it. Moze gave a short nod, casting one last confused glance between the two of you before he led the way.
The three of you walked through the busy streets, the atmosphere felt heavier. You continued your act, speaking in clipped, emotionless tones. You cracked twisted jokes and feigned indifference, pushing Jiaoqiu's buttons at every opportunity. But he didn't respond with anger or annoyance. Instead, he kept staring at you, a silent plea in his eyes, hoping for some sign that the cold mask was just an act.
Moze remained quiet, observing from the sidelines, though he could tell something was off. His instinct, honed from years of working in the shadows, told him that whatever had just happened between you and Jiaoqiu was far more complicated than it appeared.
"Acting messed up won't get you anywhere," Jiaoqiu muttered quietly as the group walked ahead. You shot him a sharp glance, but he didn't elaborate. His eyes never left you, filled with a mix of concern, confusion, and something deeper that you didn't want to acknowledge.
