427 Problem (1/2)
After ending the conversation, Mr. Hu left.
Lost in thought, Ye Qingxuan was somehow brought to a restaurant. A full-course meal was placed before him and he was sitting there with utensils. He stared blankly and his expression was dazed as if he was pondering the deepest secrets of the universe.
Who am I?
Where am I?
Where am I going?
Ye Qingxuan usually never thought about questions that had no answer. However, he was now stuck in this ditch and it was hard to climb out. Ye Qingxuan instantly became lost. He did not even know that he had used too much black pepper and did not taste anything different.
”Is it really okay to give him hot peppers as black pepper?” Abraham looked at Bai Xi.
Bai Xi glanced at Ye Qingxuan and shrugged. ”It's not like he can tell. Hey, Professor, eat more. Look, the caviar is pretty good. No wonder this is the best restaurant in Sacred City.”
Abraham was speechless. Looking at Ye Qingxuan's glazed eyes, he felt uncertain. ”Is he too happy?”
”For these cases, the most effective is to slap him.” Bai Xi urged Abraham mischievously. ”I heard that that's how they cure Eastern musicians who are too happy from getting into the Tak Lok Department.”
”Really?” Abraham's eyes brightened. He raised his shiny metallic arm and waved it before finally sighing. ”I can't control my strength. What if I hurt him?”
”Let me, let me. Professor, look!” Bai Xi volunteered herself and moved up. Her hand slammed down, ready to slap happily. Ye Qingxuan was still in a daze. But when the hand was at his face, his hand came up and blocked Bai Xi. The girl froze. Ye Qingxuan had snapped out of his daze too and looked at her in confusion. ”Why are you hitting me?”
”…I was worried you were too happy.” Bai Xi smiled caringly. ”Cousin, listen to me. You'll be fine after I hit you. Come on.”
”Wait!” Seeing that she did not give up yet, Ye Qingxuan jumped up in fright. ”Put your fork down! You almost stabbed me!”
”Psh.” Bai Xi pouted and put down the fork between her fingers.
”You have worked too hard these past few days and have not rested. You'll be fine after sleeping.” Assured, Abraham said gently, ”Let's go home earlier after eating.”
Ye Qingxuan shook his head. ”I'm alright but—”
”Oh, right, Cousin!” Bai Xi suddenly uttered as she moved closer, curious. ”I heard that a bunch of things happened in court! We were listening to livestreams outside but it wasn't enough. You're a duke now?”
”Uh.” Ye Qingxuan's expression grew uncomfortable. ”It's a long story. I'll tell you later but now—”
”Cousin! I just thought of something else.” Bai Xi batted her eyes, looking completely innocent and curious. ”Are you going back to the East now?”
Ye Qingxuan fell silent. After a long while, he shook his head. ”I'm not sure yet.”
”If you're sure or not is one thing. If you want to go back or not is another.” It seemed that she was going to get to the bottom of things. ”Just tell the truth.”
After thinking for a bit, Ye Qingxuan said honestly, ”Not really but kind of.”
”…What?” Bai Xi was confused. ”Is that a riddle?”
”I never wanted to go back. I thought my white hair is strange but I thought Easterners were all like this. I didn't know about Deva's blood or the Nine Dragon Bloodlines. I never thought that the East was my home so I never thought about going there.” Organizing his words, Ye Qingxuan explained, ”It's different now. I feel like I should go back once and clear some things up, so I'm still hesitating.”