177 The Foolish Returns (2/2)

…

Arriving at the inn, Rin could make out the familiar figure of a young boy. When he spotted the two walking in his direction, his face lit up. An Sun let her down as the young boy ran toward them.

”Rin!” Aiguo rushed over. ”What happened? Are you hurt?!”

He looked at the girl's body from head to toe with anxious eyes.

”I'm all right, it's just a slight sprain.” Rin sighed softly.

At that moment, Aiguo's eyes widened a little as his gaze wandered to her foot. What he saw put a frown on his face. The area around her ankle was slightly swollen.

Aiguo was instantly filled with a sense of anger. Anger at himself.

”It's because you were carrying me, wasn't it? You acted like everything was fine, yet I didn't...” The fists by his side clenched.

Rin looked at him with a slight frown.

”Aiguo...” Before she had the chance to speak, she was interrupted by the sound of an old man's roar.

”Bastard! Where were you?! Running away and leaving me here alone to watch after some kid, are you out of your goddamn mind?!”

Charging out of the inn entrance, Bai Han was prepared to berate An Sun when he suddenly froze. At this moment, two figures stared at each other in bewilderment.

Seconds pass, his brain taking the figure before him in, struggling to comprehend if what he was perceiving was real. Slowly after that, life started returning to Bai Han's eyes and he met Rin's gaze unwaveringly without blinking as if he was scared that she would disappear if he blinked.

The air was silent. Yet it was filled with familiar warmth.

He moved closer until the two were only a foot apart. Then his hand raises silently, despite the stiff movements, and he touched the ends of her short hair.

”You cut your hair?” Bai Han's voice came out feebly.

The corners of Rin's mouth couldn't help but lift in a smile.

”Do you not like it?”

Bai Han's eyes deepened and couldn't help but smile as well.

He shook his head. ”Foolish girl, how could I hate it?”

Rin suddenly felt a familiar pair of warm arms draw her into their embrace. She could feel his chest and the heart that beats within. She could feel his body shake as he held her protectively.

One of his hands clasped around her lower back, the other stroking the ends of her hair. With each soft touch, Rin could feel her eyes start to burn until finally, a flow of tears fell from cheeks and down to her chin.

Bai Han held her in his arms like she was a rare, fragile treasure. He hugged her tightly, as if afraid that she would disappear from his embrace if he loosened his hold even a little. He pulls his head back and wipes the tears with a calloused finger flowing down the girl's face.

Even the roughness brings more relief than her heart could hold.

”You do look more like a boy now.” He frowned slightly.

Through tears, Rin laughed and nodded her head. Bai Han stared at her face a moment longer before his eyes began to tear up.

”Welcome back, kiddo.”

Rin's teary eyes were still upturned crescents as she said, ”I'm back.”

Bai Han's mouth paints a soft smile, and he nods once more before bearing her in his arms again.

Indeed, his foolish granddaughter has returned.