A smile and interest. Good. The low buzz of anger caused by the...overarching situation was sharp at the back of his thoughts, but it eased a little at the open expression. He couldn't help the slight smug curl that took up residence at the corner of his lips at A-Yao's touch.

And his words.

"Flattery," he said, but in amusement. "What would I even do with anyone who placed me seventh?"

Enough of this, though, if only for sanity's sake. Mingjue stepped back, attempting to put some space between them, and let his hands drop to his waistband. "Stop distracting me."