318 Two Characters in the Carriage (2/2)
Mo Shanshan's long eyelashes fluttered like willow branches floating on the lake surface when she heard Ning Que mention ”the one back home”. She only turned around when Ning Que completed his sentence. She looked at Ning Que's familiar and yet distant face and fell silent for a long while. And then she suddenly smiled and said definitely,
”No.”
Ning Que was startled, and he scratched his head, asking, ”Why not?”
Mo Shanshan grinned and explained seriously, ”Because you're too weak.”
Ning Que looked at the girl's beautiful face and pursed his lips. His heart wavered, again and again, thinking that her words were really hurtful to his self-esteem. Did he have to bear the name of the weakest World Wayfarer of the Academy's history for life?
His long-suffering self-esteem was exceptionally fragile. He looked at Shanshan bitterly and said, ”I believe that I will be as strong as those two one day. If you're not satisfied with that, I'll have Eldest Brother acknowledge you as a younger sister. Where would you find a stronger elder brother than Eldest Brother?”
Eldest Brother had been looking at the two from his spot across them with a warm expression on his face. He looked like an experienced senior looking at his juniors. He could tell that there were many hidden meanings in the conversation but could also tell that neither of the two was sure of what they wanted. He ruminated over the situation for a moment before coming to a decision.
Other than thinking of the Academy's stand when making the decision, he also wanted to thank the girl for taking care of Ning Que. He liked the way how the girl thought and did things. It was also because he had some suspicions about a certain thing after traveling with the Headmaster of the Academy over the years, and also because of his past.
Shanshan thought to herself that it was alright that Ning Que joked around with her since they were close, but how could he bring Mr. First, whose status was beyond reach, into the conversation, and even have him acknowledge her as a younger sister?
The suggestion was so ludicrous that Mr. First would of course not bother with it. However, it wouldn't be interesting if he ignored it, how could they bore him? She felt even more troubled as she thought about it and glared at Ning Que viciously. However, her attempt at making her eyes bigger to look scary did not work due to her lazy eye. In fact, it made her look even more adorable.
Suddenly, Eldest Brother looked at her warmly and said,
”Sure.”
Silence fell in the carriage. Ning Que looked at Eldest Brother puzzledly. He did not understand how he had garnered such a response from his random joke. However, he would not assume that Eldest Brother was joking as well. Because... would Eldest Brother still be the Eldest Brother if he could joke around?
Shanshan was speechless with shock and at a loss for what to do. She lowered her head, and hid her face with her hair, trying to hide the myriad of emotions laid bare on her face and the blissful expression that did not dare to emerge. She stared at the toe of her shoes and did not dare to move.
Eldest Brother laughed at their reactions and added seriously, ”It is my honor.”
Mo Shanshan finally understood that it was really happening. She lifted her head to look at Eldest Brother speechless from all the emotions welling up in her. She knew that it was a Lucky Chance to be able to acknowledge Mr. First of the Academy as her elder brother and that it would be very beneficial to her. A sudden fear struck her along with gratefulness as he looked at her with his warm gaze.
Eldest Brother looked at her and asked calmly, ”What are your plans next?”
Mo Shanshan sat rigidly and wiped off the expressions on her face before answering solemnly, ”I had wanted to meet my Senior and Younger Sisters at the Yan territory Military camp before heading back to the Great River Kingdom through the Capital Cheng and South Jin Kingdom.”
Eldest Brother grinned. ”You have to pass through the South Jin Kingdom if you wish to return to the Great River Kingdom. But you do not have to pass through Capital Cheng. If you come through the Tang border and pass Chang'an you can travel a little more. What do you think?”
Mo Shanshan did not know why Mr. First had invited her to Chang'an. She looked at Ning Que surreptitiously. Nobody knew what she was thinking about, but her face flushed prettily after that.
”Are we going to his Chang'an?” She lowered her head as she thought about it. However, what she said was completely different. Her voice was softer than the mosquitos in the winter Wilderness. ”I'm just afraid that it'd delay Mr. First's travels.”
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