102 Still Clueless (2/2)
He kept his frosty gaze on Rin with an overcast and unreadable expression, his eyes looking her up and down. She was unable to tell what the young man was thinking.
After a while, he pressed his lips into a thin line and averted his eyes.
”Nothing.”
Watching him continue to chug his wine, Rin tilts her head to the side.
Did she miss something?
Deciding to let it be, Rin continues to drink her warm tea.
…
”Screech--!”
The small falcon joyously devoured the blackberry, its juices staining its small beak.
”Hehe, here have another one Ju!” A small little girl giggles as she reaches for another berry and lifts it toward the falcon.
Without hesitation, Ju eats the berry, his beady black eyes blinking rapidly.
Smiling, the little girl reaches for another berry but halts toward the sound of a familiar voice.
”Young Miss Lixue, are you trying to fatten up poor Ju? What will Young Master Bai think when he sees what you've done to his bird.”
Slowly turning to look at the sound of the voice, [1]Lixue pouts once she sees a frail middle-aged man standing behind her. With a dark beard and long hair tied tightly into a bun, the man's slim body was dress comfortably in white and blue robes.
”[2]Wei Jingyi! Lixue was only feeding him a little bit!” The girl's cheeks puffed out.
”Mhm,” The man nodded with a dull gaze clearly indicating he didn't believe her.
Feeling wronged, the little girl's soft white cheeks puff out even further, the corners of her eyes reddening.
”Now, now Lixue,” A woman's soft voice spoke from behind. ”Wei Jingyi was merely concerned for the bird's sake. You don't want him to overeat and get sick do you?”
Walking toward Lixue was a woman, her dark hair tied up into a bun as loose strands fell in front of her slightly wrinkled and beautiful face.
The woman appeared to be in her late thirties but was, nonetheless, a beauty with a few crinkles by her brown, almond-shaped eyes and smoker lines above her upper lips.
The woman was Lixue's aunt, also her mother's eldest sister, Qin Mingxia.
After the events that took place in the Guando province, Lixue, instructed by Rin, was taken to her aunt and uncle's house by Wei Jingyi.
Two months had passed since that incident and Wei Jingyi's hadn't heard a word from the young girl.
Kneeling in front of the pouting little girl, the woman chuckles and ruffles her hair.
”There's no need to cry child, he didn't mean to hurt your feelings. Right?” She turns to look at Wei Jingyi who stood behind with a silent expression.
Understanding the meaning to her stare, Wei Jingyi smiles. ”Of course not Young Miss Lixue, I apologize if my words offended you.”
Lixue looked at Wei Jingyi with hesitation before lowering her eyes, her dark lashes flutter softly against her round cheeks.
”I'm sorry for overreacting auntie Mingxia,” Her pink lips puckered. ”And Wei Jingyi, I'm sorry too…”
Laughing softly, Qin Mingxia ruffles the girl's soft bangs and pats her head.
”You're forgiven. Now go freshen up, dinner's almost ready.”
Lifting her big dewy eyes, a series of sparkles flash through them as she nods her head rapidly and hops away.
”Come on Ju, let's go freshen up!”
As if understanding her words, the brown falcon flies off the large boulder and follows the round little bun inside.
Watching Lixue's figure with a smile, Qin Mingxia dusts off the invisible dust off her dress skirt and looks at Wei Jingyi.
”I know I've said it already, but…thank you for bringing her here. It truly means the world to my husband and I. And I'm sure my sister…”
Qin Mingxia releases a sad smile, her eyes lowered down to look at the cobblestone path in the garden.
”Madam Tao would have wanted it this way. I'm sure she can rest easy knowing her daughter is safe and sound.” Wei Jingyi spoke softly.
A complicated expression overcame his face as if he hesitated to speak. After a while, he looked back at Qin Mingxia.
”However, until the time is right and Lixue is older, you must keep her parent's circumstances a secret. As of now, she's too young to understand. I fear she'll see my young master the wrong way.”
Looking up at the man, she nods her head with a smile. ”I understand. I wouldn't want Lixue to blame your master, especially after everything he's done.”
Looking in the direction Lixue ran off to, her smiles soften.
”Besides, I believe she truly admires this master of yours. I hope to meet him someday.”
Wei Jingyi nods his head. ”Of course, whenever he can, I'm sure he'll come and visit. After all, he wouldn't abandon his trusted bird for too long.”
Laughing at the man's words, Qin Mingxia excuses herself to go check on Lixue to help her with getting ready.
As Qin Mingxia departed, Wei Jingyi watched her departing figure with a vacant expression before turning to look at the residence garden.
”I hope you're doing well, Rin.”
Please return safe and sound.