Chapter 155 Agonizing Paper

• With a sigh, I grabbed my sword from the desk, its familiar weight grounding me. Needing to shake off the sharp ache of her words, I began practicing, moving through the routine to focus my mind. Each swing, each thrust, each parry let me channel the frustration coiling inside me. I was so engrossed I didn’t hear the door open until Chen’s quiet voice broke in.
• "I’m sorry, I should have knocked," he said, stepping inside with a tray balanced in his hands.
• I paused, turning toward him with a faint smile. "It’s alright. Come on in."