Shady

Someone was poking around the facility, and Yèxīn sighed. It wasn't his concern. He cared little about the curiosity of some nobody towards the place. The powers that be had made it clear that there was nothing to discover. The main area, Level one, was entirely legal—routine check-ups on individuals with affinities, understanding their origins and the theory behind it. Nothing special.

Beneath the surface, however, much more was at play. Yèxīn occasionally pondered the consequences if this information leaked. Would it cease? He doubted it. He had long realised that those in charge here wielded more power than any cop. It didn't matter. Unleashing the truth would only sow chaos.

He monitored the security camera. Most had already left, but Yèxīn had a habit of arriving late and staying late, deliberately avoiding Numbers during the early hours. When the girl moved even closer, he sighed. It was time to see what she was after.

Yèxīn donned his long, dark coat, hands in pockets, and passed through the security doors. He swiftly exited through the back door, approaching the redhead from behind. Silently, he walked up to her and...

“Are you supposed to be here?”

The girl deftly shifted the blame onto him, as if he were the one trespassing. Rather than responding in kind, Yèxīn simply narrowed his gaze, staring her down as if she were an unruly pup in need of correction.

She insisted that she was merely exploring, asserting her right to do so. Yèxīn’s facial expression revealed little, save for a downward twitch at one corner of his mouth and a subtle raise of his eyebrow. Clearly, she wasn't allowed to be here.

“So you strolled around our fences. Should we erect signs explicitly stating not to tap on our windows? I assumed even simpletons were smarter than that,” he stated with the calm demeanor of someone whose vitality had been drained away decades ago. “You're permitted on the pathway and within the research center during visiting hours, unless you have a valid reason to be elsewhere.”

The young woman resembled some of the volatile liquids they handled in the facility—highly flammable and potentially explosive with mishandling. Yèxīn had no desire to add fuel to her fire, but it appeared she was eager to ignite. He maintained his stern gaze, silently hoping she would simmer down before he’d have to waste energy. While he refrained from resorting to violence against a woman, he wouldn't hesitate to enforce calmness on his terms.

An eyebrow arched gradually when she began cussing, her finger pointing at his chest, a gesture that would barely make a dent even with her full strength. Yèxīn remained stoic, unmoved, simply waiting and observing.

She reminded him of a Mankey.

“I may not be the police, but it is my responsibility to keep unauthorised individuals away from the facility, especially those blatantly dishonest about their purpose here,” he declared, as though instructing a child not to climb onto the coffee table. “Unless, of course, you have a valid reason to be inspecting our windows?” he continued, arms folded, chin lifted slightly. If he had to lift her by the collar and escort her outside, he was prepared to do so.

 Yèxīn stared.

That was it. No response to her quip about being a window inspector, nor when she pressed her ear against the cold glass after pounding on it with force. If she had any knowledge of the facility's operations, she'd understand those windows were impervious to any pressure a human could exert. They were designed to keep people out... or in.

“Well, it seems your expectations have reached their conclusion, and I'd gladly assist you in leaving the premises,”  he informed her, gesturing with a single hand toward the path leading back to the entrance. He refrained from commenting on any other aspect of her behaviour, feeling no inclination to do so. Individuals like her held no interest for him. If she aspired to a career in comedy, he wouldn't be purchasing tickets to her show.

“Some people need to get back to their actual jobs,” he told her, urging her to speed it up.

Apparently, the redhead didn’t require his assistance, as she was already making her way out. Yèxīn's response was a single, firm nod of approval, accompanied by a furrowed brow as she intentionally bumped into him while passing. Observing her groan in pain, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had often been likened to an immovable mountain, and a mountain did not yield, regardless of the force exerted upon it.

Yèxīn silently trailed her as she headed towards the exit, grateful for her departure. In his mind, she remained a metaphorical Mankey—obnoxious, loud, and lacking in intelligence. He resolved not to capture such a monkey; this encounter was sufficient in dealing with one.

When she inquired about his profession, he emitted a sigh. “I am a scientist. I shouldn't have to explain my specific field of expertise to you,” he stated calmly, his voice as flat as a can of Coke that's been left outside, devoid of any fizz. “Are you interested in affinities, or are you seeking information about your own?” he continued, displaying no semblance of enthusiasm. He presumed she must have had a reason for prying.

Yèxīn regarded the girl with the gaze of someone who had lived through many lifetimes and was ready for Nirvana. She turned around, and he silently wished she would continue walking until she faded into the bustling crowd of Sanctum City. Her presence was unnecessary; she didn't belong, and her intelligence fell below the norm. If he wanted to invest time on unintelligent forms of life, he'd visit the zoo.

The girl claimed she could assist them and demonstrated her affinity by lighting a cigarette with her finger. Yèxīn scrunched his nose in disgust. He couldn't decide which was worse: her delusion that she could help or her belief that a spark of fire would impress him. The fire even made the burned skin under his bandages itch, adding to his disdain.

“Your presence holds no significance or value, marked by a glaring lack of intelligence. Your assistance is neither required nor desired. Should you insist on sharing your thoughts, kindly direct them to our email address at inquiries@sari.crn,” he declared.

There was little that could penetrate Yèxīn's notably thick skin. Insults, criticism of his work, or even physical attempts to provoke him—all were met with his unyielding indifference. He had mastered the art of navigating life by forging his own path, heedless of external disturbances.

However, fire was a vulnerability for the man. When the girl casually flicked a cigarette toward his face, Yèxīn felt the burns on his arm and chest tighten, haunted by the memory of fire licking his skin. Though the cigarette did no harm, it struck a chord. He had no patience left for this erratic Mankey.

Without warning, Yèxīn moved swiftly, aiming to seize her by the collar and yank her back forcefully enough to cause a backward fall. "Learn your place, girl, unless you want someone to put you in it," he hissed, the undertone of anger sharpening his voice.

It wasn't easy to ruffle Yèxīn's composure, and even when pushed, his reactions were typically measured—swift actions designed to assert dominance. The pull wasn't intended to throw the girl to the ground; it was a controlled gesture that required little effort from the man. His anger, intense but fleeting, was expressed through stern words, expecting her to scurry away like any sensible person would.

Unfortunately, some individuals proved to be highly combustible. Cursing, the girl surprised Yèxīn. He braced for a potential punch, but instead, a Houndour lunged at him, sinking its teeth into his leg. “You—” he began, bending down to seize the Houndour by the scruff, attempting to lift it into the air with a decisive grip. In that moment, he yearned for Yuèyǐng's presence; she would have swiftly dealt with such a disobedient little dog.