I'm a little panicked when I cross the collapse

"May I call you Xiao Qiong?"

Alicia's eyebrows curved, and her smile was incredibly sweet.

"Well, whatever makes you happy."

Lu Qiong's answer was somewhat perfunctory. It certainly wasn't because he disliked Ai Li or anything like that. The main reason was that Ai Li's power was too mysterious. She could use the power of her mind at will. Facing the Herrscher of Corruption, in a completely unfavorable situation, she could shout a few words about friendship and bonds and the consciousness of the heroes would be completely restored. He was afraid.

boom!

Pado slapped Lu Qiong's arm hard and said unhappily, "Xiao Qiong, you should call her Sister Aili. You can't be so rude."

Lu Qiong hadn't said anything yet,

Alicia then pretended to be about to cry, "Waaah~, Sora, don't you like me?"

Gotta get it!

Lu Qiong quickly raised his hands in surrender; he admitted defeat.

"I'm sorry, Ellie... Ellie, I didn't mean I dislike you. I'm just a little socially awkward and don't know how to interact with strangers."

Lu Qiong explained with an "embarrassing" expression, his voice trembling slightly, clearly feeling very nervous about the situation.

Ellie smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned about Lu Qiong's explanation. She said softly, "Oh~, is that so? But... it seems like this isn't our first time meeting."

These words struck Lu Qiong like a bolt from the blue, giving him a sudden shock.

His eyes widened for a moment, and he thought to himself, "What's going on? I clearly concealed my presence completely that day, there's no way Ellie could have recognized me!"

Various possibilities flashed through Lu Qiong's mind, but he still couldn't figure out how Ai Li had seen through his disguise.

Just as he was lost in thought, Ellie slowly walked up to him, only inches away.

Lu Qiong could even smell the faint fragrance emanating from Ai Li, a gentle and pleasant scent. However, his attention was quickly drawn to Ai Li's outstretched slender hand.

"Can I...shake hands with you?" Ellie's voice was gentle and filled with anticipation. Her eyes, like bright stars, were fixed on Lu Qiong.

Seeing that Lu Qiong hadn't made a move for a long time, Alicia frowned, as if she was about to cry at any moment.

The words of refusal lingered on Lu Qiong's lips, but he couldn't bring himself to say them, especially with Pado watching him intently from the side.

I know that Ellie must have some ulterior motive for doing this, but...

"Never mind, as for Ellie, it shouldn't... have any impact, right?"

"Okay, Sister Ellie."

As he spoke, Lu Qiong took the initiative to grasp the girl's soft, boneless, smooth little hand.

Ellie smiled knowingly.

A moment later, their hands parted, but the girl's smile widened.

Because... things she was unsure about before were now accurately confirmed.

"Hmph~, just like me, you are a 'person'."

"Alright, Little Paddo, I have to go out on a mission now, so I'll be leaving first."

Alicia waved happily.

"Okay, then Sister Ellie, you must come here to play often when you have time."

"Pado said enthusiastically."

Alicia smiled and said, "Someone with an independent personality like me... This is such an interesting thing, I will definitely come here often in the future, hehe."