"I...think we agree that the last thing Sims needs is something else to be self-sacrificial about," Shen Qingqiu says, thinking of the collection of cursed items Jon's been storing in his actual backyard. "Although it sounds like your grudge against him is personal as well. Not that that's any of my business!" he adds hastily, before Melanie can whack him with her cane after all. Yes, he picked up on that! Martial artists can sense violent intent, thank you!

"I tried to kick his ass the first time I met him too," he notes, trying to lighten the mood. "He seems to have a knack for irritating people."