274 Chapter Seventy Four - Jin Li and I are back together (1/2)
”They made it until the end!!” Sun squealed cheerfully, earning himself a raised eyebrow from his grandfather and a series of other reactions from others. For instance, while Maimai was openly chuckling, Merylin had a small smile upon her lips that seemed to translate into the words; 'I am tolerating your behaviour.' Carmen was less generous, simply rolling her eyes while not in the observation of her grandfather.
Still, while not impressed by his grandson's foolishness, he couldn't help but express how he was also feeling pleased; ”As expected of my adopted grandson!”
”Oh?” Jian Juren, Jin Li's maternal grandfather, smiled, a glint of mischief in his black eyes. ”And here was I under the impression that you'd yet to formalise such a relationship with the boy.”
”Well, well,” the General stuttered, slightly flustered by the other man's teasing, ”that's really only a matter of time.”
”I admire your confidence,” Jian Juren replied in amusement. ”Don't you, Jin Li? Jin Li?” But that wayward third grandson of his was nowhere to be seen. Fortunately Jian Juren had the face of a young man or his pout would look terribly out of place.
Carmen straightened her spine, not noticing that Merylin echoed her movement and both girls glanced about themselves hoping to see the missing youth only for both to be disappointed. ”Where did he go?” Carmen blurted out.
Sun and Maimai exchanged knowing glances but said nothing.
*****
Sheltered on the back of the large griffin and surrounded by enchantments to make the journey easier on its passengers, Leon could forget that he had passed from a tropical warmth to a land still in the grip of winter, at least until landing. He tightened his thin cloak about him, glancing down at the people waiting to cheer for him, the only outer school student to enter the competition this time. The inner school students were not jealous, they would receive their own receptions in due time, thus Leon was allowed this moment uninterrupted.
After Leon climbed down the ladder leaning against the griffin's tall side, he was first met with his Teacher, who congratulated him and spoke of his pride. Leon thanked him, wearily, suddenly feeling the strain of the two tendays. Teacher Sagi was an observant man and although he wished to hear of Leon's adventures through his own words, he could see that now was not the time. Especially when Leon became distracted, his eyes focused on something or rather someone behind him.
Teacher Sagi wanted to sigh, with the weight of one jealous of the luminous world of two young lovers that outsiders simply could not breech. ”Go,” he told his student, ”rest. Tomorrow begins the judging of your team's spoils, after that they'll hold the auction and individual battles. You'll be busy for a while. Once all is settled, we can talk then.”
”This lord didn't give you permission to leave.” The words were harsh, but there wasn't any heat behind them, just a touch of sourness.
As usual, Leon needed to translate Jin Li's words into their true meaning. ”I m-missed you t-too,” he replied with a warm smile. Jin Li's scowl softened and melted away, he even loosened his stance to reach for Leon's hands warming them, allowing Leon to forget how cold he was.
”Should have remained here instead of galavanting about,” Jin Li mumbled in complaint, ”would have missed less.”
Leon wanted to point out that Jin Li had been in closed cultivation, no one could predict just how long such would take. However, he was too pleased to see him to wish to fall into argument with him. So he said instead; ”N-Not a lot of ch-choice, T-Teacher Sagi insisted if I or m-m-my b-brothers were asked to j-join a t-team, then j-join.”