316 Safe Travels (2/2)
”She’s probably angry you’re not taking her with.” Charles patted his shoulder. ”Don’t worry, she’ll get over it. She’ll probably forget by the time you’re back.”
”I hope.” Ye Qingxuan scratched his face awkwardly and climbed into the carriage with his luggage.
-
When he arrived at the pier, he realized that another unexpected person was waiting for him. It was a black carriage without any marks. The driver raised the brim of his hat and smiled at the youth. It was Maxwell. Ye Qingxuan did not know why Maxwell suddenly wanted to dress up as a driver, but he was used to his principal’s oddities.
”Oh, you’re here to see me off?”
”Not me.” Maxwell shook his head and tossed something over. ”This is for you.”
The small box felt heavy. Ye Qingxuan opened it and discovered a black velvet pouch. It was filled with dried tobacco that smelled expensive. What attracted his attention was the thing beside the bag. It was the familiar stone pipe. Under the Eye of Silence, the pipe was covered with beautiful flowing light. Stunned, Ye Qingxuan looked up.
Maxwell smiled and jutted his chin toward the carriage. ”She thinks this suits you.”
He could see a vague but delicate silhouette in the carriage. ”The princess?” Ye Qingxuan gaped at Maxwell. ”Hey, old guy, did you…”
Maxwell looked away. ”Her Highness used the Queen’s authority to read your files. This isn’t my fault.”
Ye Qingxuan raised his hand expressionlessly, showing the Jiu Xiao Huan Pei on his finger. ”Principal, can you at least shield your heart when you lie?”
Maxwell hit his forehead awkwardly. ”Sorry, I forgot.”
”Maxwell, I’d be dead long ago if I believed you.”
”Well, it’s nothing bad for you.” Not only was Maxwell unapologetic, he even extended a hand as if nothing was wrong. ”She hurried over to see you off so early in the morning and even brought a gift. Are you going to let her return empty-handed? Where’s your gift for her?”
After a short pause, Ye Qingxuan felt around his body and took off a defense bracelet, putting it in Maxwell’s hand. ”It’s not really auspicious but this is the only thing I can give now. It saved me many times and it’s meaningful to me.”
”You really ruin the mood.” Maxwell shook his head. Casually glancing at Ye Qingxuan’s chest, he said meaningfully, ”Whatever, it’s the thought that counts.”
”Also, say sorry for me,” Ye Qingxuan said lightly. ”I lost that thing a while ago.” Maxwell froze. He looked down at Ye Qingxuan; Ye Qingxuan looked up at him. After a short staring contest, Maxwell looked away. He sighed; regret flashed past his eyes.
”Safe travels, kid,” he said, and whipped his horse. The black carriage faded away into the distance. The vague gaze from the carriage disappeared as well.
-
Not too far away from the pier, a big yellow dog squatted on the rooftop of a shop and gazed in Ye Qingxuan’s direction. Beside it, Bai Xi scribbled on the ground with a tree branch. Hearing the whistle in the distance, she pursed her lips. ”Old Phil, did that guy leave yet?”
The dog barked. Not yet.
Bai Xi looked back and saw the youth’s lonely figure on the empty square before the ship. The stressed out worker beside him was trying to convince him of something. He did not move. The whistle sounded again but he still did not move. He looked in Old Phil’s direction, saw Bai Xi, and waved. However, he still did not move as if he was waiting for something. If it did not come, he would not go.
Bai Xi pursed her lips and huffed. She jumped down and walked over unwillingly.
”Why aren’t you leaving?” Bai Xi muttered in annoyance with her head down. ”Stop making things hard for others.” This was totally uncharacteristic for her. She always did what she wanted and never cared about others. Hearing this, Ye Qingxuan smiled. ”I’m waiting for you.”
”Oh.” Bai Xi looked up and then looked away. She asked quietly, ”Are you going to spend Feast of Winter Veil there too?”
”It won’t take long.” Ye Qingxuan fluffed her hair. ”It’s just two months. I’ll be back before winter ends.”
Bai Xi broke free and smoothed her hair. ”You don’t have to tell me that.”
”Sorry, I haven’t had time to play with you. I’ll bring a gift for you.”
”Oh.” Bai Xi lowered her head.
Ye Qingxuan asked, ”Then I’m going now?”
”Oh.” Nibbling on her lower lip, Bai Xi looked away.
Ye Qingxuan chuckled. With one last glance, he picked up his luggage and walked toward the ship. When he started climbing the steps, he heard someone call out, ”Cousin!” Looking back, he saw a small figure duck under the workers’ blocking and run over. Without waiting for his reaction, she opened her arms and hugged him lightly.
”Safe travels,” she said.
Ye Qingxuan was stunned but he quickly laughed. ”Okay!”
-
Under the blaring whistle, the ship slowly left the port. The white-haired girl and yellow dog at the port gradually faded into the distance. Ye Qingxuan stood at the bow and stared at Avalon as it grew further away.
When he came here, he only had a suitcase, a few thousand dollars, some clothes, and a dog. He left all of that in Avalon. Thinking like this made him sad but he still had himself, at least. And a hug. It was great. No matter what, he would not be lonely anymore.