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Chapter 58: Farewell
After Xiao Yu left, Xiao Yan gradually regained his senses, and the scene from earlier kept replaying in his mind.
"Am I... dreaming?"
Just as Xiao Yan was doubting life, Yao Chen's mischievous voice sounded in the ring.
(Whoosh~~~ I thought Xiao Yu was interested in you, and it looks like I was right after all~) Yao Chen said, nodding in self-satisfaction, (As expected of me, I have a good eye for people.)
Just as Yao Chen was speaking, her words suddenly halted, and her mood sank involuntarily as she sighed with a bitter smile.
"No... it seems I wasn't so accurate after all."
"Wait!" Hearing Yao Chen's teasing, Xiao Yan finally came to his senses. He forgot that others might have overheard, and he exclaimed, "Did sister Xiao Yu just tease me? Right?!"
Obviously, the moment earlier was so sudden that Xiao Yan couldn't believe it.
Hearing Xiao Yan's words, Yao Chen snapped out of her gloom, and nonchalantly muttered to herself.
(She said it wasn't a joke before she left, stop making excuses.)
"No... but why though? I—"
"Xiao Yan, what are you shouting for at the door?"
Suddenly, a voice came from behind, and Xiao Zhan slowly walked over, looking at his son with confusion.
"Father!" Seeing Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan panicked and said, "Just now, sister Xiao Yu—"
As he spoke halfway, Xiao Yan suddenly choked, unable to say another word.
He couldn't tell his father that his cousin had kissed him, right?
Xiao Zhan, seeing Xiao Yan frozen in place, grew even more puzzled.
It had almost been ten years since Xiao Yan had acted this flustered, the last time being when he accidentally saw Xiao Yu bathing and was chased all over the mountains.
Hoo~~~ Hoo~~~
While Xiao Zhan was still confused, Xiao Yan took a deep breath to calm himself, then showed a smile, the same one he always wore when facing his father.
"Father, good morning."
"..."
Looking at Xiao Yan, whose smile seemed the same as usual but carried a hint of forced effort, Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow.
What on earth happened?
Though Xiao Zhan was curious, he trusted his son to handle his problems on his own, so he didn't press further, casually changing the subject.
"Today, the younger generation is heading to the Jia Nan Academy, so I came to see them off," Xiao Zhan sighed lightly. "After you kids leave, the family will be much quieter."
"Father, there's no need to sigh. Everyone will eventually leave home. Besides, everyone will return during the New Year, so there's no need to feel lonely."
Xiao Yan softly reassured, and Xiao Zhan's previously downcast mood eased a little as he chuckled.
"That's true. We'll see each other every year." Then he asked, "Are you leaving today too? Is your arm completely healed?"
"Please don't worry, father. I wouldn't joke with my life." Xiao Yan waved his left arm to show that it was fine. "I'll pack up and leave after seeing everyone off."
"Mm." Xiao Zhan nodded and said softly, "Young people should venture out into the world more, but be careful and don't take any risks."
"Yes! I will remember!"
After some time, all the members of the Xiao family had packed up and were ready to head to the recruitment hall.
Initially, Xiao Zhan intended to represent the family elders to send the younger generation off, as the family business couldn't stop.
But just before they departed, the other elders came to Xiao Zhan, requesting to accompany him. Seeing the other elders, who were parents just like him, Xiao Zhan couldn't bring himself to refuse, so he agreed to let them all come along.
Sigh... Seeing their children only once a year, the business could be paused for a day.
Thus, the young members of the Xiao family, carrying their bags, chatted and laughed as they headed to the recruitment courtyard, while behind them followed many Xiao family elders, making their procession appear so grand that anyone unfamiliar might think the Xiao family was heading off to battle.
At the recruitment courtyard, Instructor Ruo Lin was organizing the students onto the flying carriages when she suddenly felt the ground tremble slightly. Looking in that direction, she saw the large group from the Xiao family, and immediately, a line appeared on her face.
(Wow, they really came to send their children off as a family. I wonder if this is the first time Jia Nan Academy has recruited so many people from one family, though I've never seen it before.)
After the Xiao family elders finished saying their farewells, the younger members of the Xiao family boarded the carriages under Ruo Lin's direction.
"Cousin, I'll go ahead. I'll explore all the fun places in the academy and show you around when you arrive~"
Xiao Ning patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and left with a wave, leaving Xiao Yan with an expression of helplessness.
Cousin, why are you so obsessed with dragging me to play?
"Cousin Xiao Yan, goodbye."
Xiao Mei could tell that Xiao Yan was not in a good mood, but still smiled and waved at him, and Xiao Yan responded with a light smile.
"Ah~~~ Enjoy your academy life!"
After Xiao Mei boarded the carriage, Xiao Xun'er also smiled and walked over to say goodbye to Xiao Yan.
But for some reason, that smile made Xiao Yan feel a chill run down his spine.
(Just a feeling.)
Xiao Yan shook his head, smiling back at Xiao Xun'er.
"Xun'er, see you in a year."
"Mm, see you in a year." Xiao Xun'er nodded lightly, then suddenly asked, "By the way, Xiao Yan ge ge, I want to ask you something."
As soon as Xiao Xun'er spoke, Xiao Yan's heart sounded an alarm, and a deep sense of fear surged through him.
Dangerous !
Extremely dangerous!
Though he didn't know what it was, he was certain that what Xiao Xun'er was about to say was dangerous!!!
Xiao Yan's heart was so certain, but seeing Xiao Xun'er's smile, which seemed to be shrouded in dark energy, he didn't dare run away. He could only grit his teeth and ask.
"What is it?"
"On the way here, sister Xiao Yu seemed a little off, and you seemed to avoid looking at her."
Xiao Xun'er's words carried a hint of killing intent, and Xiao Yan's cold sweat instantly covered his face. He didn't dare listen further and immediately grabbed Xiao Xun'er's shoulder, turning her around and pushing her onto the carriage.
"That, uh, we'll talk next time! Make sure to study hard in the academy! Take care of Mei'er!"
Before Xiao Xun'er could react, Xiao Yan had pushed her into the carriage and slammed the door shut, breathing a sigh of relief as he heard Yao Chen's carefree laughter in his mind.
Seriously... What was that about?
Xiao Yan bitterly smiled, but his pupils suddenly contracted as he stared blankly at Xiao Yu, walking toward him with long strides.
Suddenly, the scene from this morning flashed through his mind, and his face turned bright red as he began to speak hurriedly.
"Sister Xiao... Xiao Yu, about this morning, it should've just been you..."
Before he could finish saying "joking," Xiao Yu interrupted him.
"I told you, I wasn't joking." Xiao Yu stared firmly at Xiao Yan and said seriously, "I'm serious."
After finishing, Xiao Yu passed by him, opened the carriage door, and glanced at Xiao Yan, her eyes filled with unhidden tenderness.
"See you in a year, Xiao Yan."
After saying the final words, Xiao Yu gently closed the carriage door, leaving Xiao Yan standing outside in a daze.
End of Chapter
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