[Xiao Xingchen takes care near where he suspects is the edge of the hedge. If he walks on the outermost edge, it just means he should have a straight path past most of the labyrinth soon, he would guess.]

Does it truly count if it's only for a game...?

[He starts, sounding a bit embarrassed and needing to justify this action of his. However, he finds a little more confidence as he continues with a joking tone:]

But I should hope it stays like that. I'll have no one taking you or getting in between us.

[Even if it's part of playing along, even he feels strange about how bold the words are. When his friend first arrived, he had been ready to assume that the man would leave as soon as his wounds healed, although it'd hurt after having the first feelings of attachment from the start. Now, the man goes here and there about the resort on his own, but Xiao Xingchen knows that he'll return. His friend can't actually think to leave him now.

The memory of A-Qing comes up in his mind, but he doesn't linger on that. He probably didn't mean it in that way, and neither of them have talked to her in some time, so there's no need for his friend to think like that. He puts the thought of her away, turning attention back to the two of them again.]

And I won't let you slip away.