Gou Feng hadn't even realized he'd reacted like that.
Hei Bao, however, noticed it at once. His brows knit together almost imperceptibly as he silently took note of that instinctive flinch.
It was a gesture he had made countless times when Gou Feng was younger, a simple, absent-minded pat on the head that had never once drawn such a reaction.
Yet somehow, this time was different. Gou Feng had flinched as though touched by a stranger.
The child who used to smile whenever his head was patted now reacted as though he still wasn't used to it.
Hei Bao found himself wondering when that had changed, or when the distance between them had grown.
He didn't ask. Instead, he withdrew his hand naturally.
"Go wait."
His voice remained as calm as ever.
"It won't be long."
Gou Feng slowly opened his eyes and watched Hei Bao walk toward the kitchen. Only after the pack leader disappeared beyond the doorway did he exhale.
