NOVEL NEXT Chapter 58: Farewell
After Xiao Yu’s departure, it took a while for Xiao Yan to gradually recover his senses, and the scene from earlier kept replaying in his mind.
Am I… am I dreaming…?
Just as Xiao Yan began to question his existence, Yao Chen’s playful voice sounded from the ring.
(Haha~~~ I’ve always felt that Xiao Yu had feelings for you, and now it seems like I wasn’t wrong after all~) Yao Chen nodded knowingly. (I’m really good at reading people…)
However, Yao Chen’s words suddenly froze, and a sense of desolation unconsciously crept into her heart as she let out a bitter chuckle.
No… maybe I’m not that good after all…
“Wait!” Upon hearing Yao Chen’s teasing, Xiao Yan finally snapped out of his daze, realizing that he had forgotten the possibility of someone overhearing. He exclaimed in shock, “Was Xiao Yu just teasing me? Right?!”
Clearly, the suddenness of the moment made Xiao Yan unable to believe it.
Upon hearing Xiao Yan’s words, Yao Chen also snapped out of his desolation and nonchalantly muttered to himself.
(She clearly said it wasn’t a joke before leaving. Don’t make excuses now.)
“It’s not… but… why? I…”
“Yan’er, why are you shouting alone at the door?”
Suddenly, a voice came, and Xiao Zhan slowly approached, looking at his son with confusion.
“Father!” Upon seeing Xiao Zhan, Xiao Yan’s face became flustered, and he said anxiously, “Xiao Yu just…”
He choked on his words halfway through, unable to say anything more.
He couldn’t possibly tell his old man that he had been forcefully kissed by his own cousin, right?!
Seeing Xiao Yan standing there in a daze, Xiao Zhan’s confusion deepened.
It seemed like he hadn’t seen Xiao Yan in such a flustered state in nearly ten years. The last time was when Xiao Yan accidentally saw Xiao Yu bathing and was chased all over the mountains.
“Phew~~~ Phew~~~”
While Xiao Zhan was puzzled, Xiao Yan took a deep breath, calming himself down, and then smiled at his father as usual.
“Father, good morning.”
“…”
Looking at Xiao Yan’s seemingly normal but somewhat forced smile, Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow.
What exactly happened?
Although Xiao Zhan was very curious, he believed that his son could handle any trouble on his own, so he didn’t ask further and casually changed the subject.
“The younger generation is leaving for the Jia Nan Academy today. I’ll send them off.” Xiao Zhan sighed softly, “The family will be much quieter without you youngsters.”
“Father, there’s no need to sigh. Everyone will leave the family sooner or later, and besides, everyone comes back during the New Year. There’s no need to feel lonely because of this.”
Xiao Yan comforted softly, and Xiao Zhan’s face became less despondent, smiling lightly.
“You’re right, we can see each other every year.” Then Xiao Zhan asked, “Are you also leaving today? Is your arm fully recovered?”
“Please rest assured, Father. Yan’er would never joke about his own life.” Xiao Yan waved his left arm to indicate that it was fine. “After sending everyone off, I’ll pack my things and leave.”
“Mm.” Xiao Zhan nodded, saying softly, “Young people should explore the outside world more, but you must be cautious and never be careless!”
“Yes! Yan’er will remember!”
After some time had passed, all the young members of the Xiao Clan had finished packing and were ready to go to the enrollment courtyard.
Originally, Xiao Zhan had intended to personally see off the younger generation on behalf of the elders of the family, as the family’s business couldn’t stop.
However, just before their departure, the elders of the family approached Xiao Zhan one by one, requesting to accompany them. Facing the elders, who were also parents like himself, Xiao Zhan couldn’t bear to refuse and ultimately agreed to their request.
Sigh… Seeing their children only once a year. Well, business can take a day off for a day.
And so, the young members of the Xiao Clan, carrying their luggage, walked towards the enrollment courtyard with laughter and conversation. Behind them were a group of Xiao Clan elders, creating a grand procession. If someone didn’t know, they would think the Xiao Clan was preparing for a battle.
At the enrollment site, Ruo Ling stood in front of the flying carriages, arranging for the students to board. Suddenly, she felt a slight tremor on the ground and turned her gaze in that direction, only to see the overwhelming crowd of the Xiao Clan. Her face was instantly filled with black lines.
Wow, they really brought the whole family to send off their children. By the way, has there ever been a case in the history of Jia Nan Academy where so many people from the same family were admitted at once? Ruo Ling wasn’t sure, but at least it was the first time she had encountered it.
After the farewell from the Xiao Clan elders, the young members of the Xiao Clan, one by one, boarded the carriages as arranged by Ruo Ling.
“Cousin, I’ll go ahead. I’ll explore all the fun places in the academy for you first, and when you arrive, I’ll take you to have a great time~”
Xiao Ning patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder, leaving him with these words before waving and boarding the carriage, leaving Xiao Yan looking helpless.
Cousin… just how persistent are you in taking me to have fun?
“Cousin Xiao Yan, goodbye.”
Xiao Mei could tell that her mood wasn’t high, but she still smiled and bid farewell to Xiao Yan, who responded with a light smile.
“Ah~~~ Enjoy your life in the academy!”
After Xiao Mei boarded the carriage, Xiao Xun’er also smiled and approached Xiao Yan to say goodbye.
However, that smile inexplicably made Xiao Yan’s whole body feel uneasy.
(Must be an illusion…)
Xiao Yan shook his head lightly and smiled at Xiao Xun’er.
“Xun’er, see you in a year.”
“Yeah, see you in a year.” Xiao Xun’er nodded gently, then suddenly asked, “By the way, Brother Xiao Yan, there’s something I want to ask you.”
As soon as Xiao Xun’er finished speaking, an alarm bell instantly rang in Xiao Yan’s mind, an indescribable sense of fear surged within him.
Danger!
A significant danger!
Although he didn’t know what it was, Xiao Xun’er’s next words would definitely be very dangerous!!!
Xiao Yan’s inner conviction was so strong, but looking at Xiao Xun’er’s smile filled with dark aura, he didn’t have the courage to escape. He could only steel himself and ask.
“What is it?”
“On the way here, Xiao Yu seemed a bit off, and it seems like you didn’t dare to look at her either…”
Xiao Xun’er’s words contained a hint of killing intent, causing cold sweat to instantly cover Xiao Yan’s face. He couldn’t bear to listen any further, so he grabbed Xiao Xun’er’s shoulder, turned her around, and pushed her into the carriage.
“That, that, that, um! Whatever it is, let’s talk about it next time we meet! Remember to study hard in the academy! Take care of Mei’er too!”
“But…”
Xiao Xun’er didn’t have a chance to resist and was pushed into the carriage by Xiao Yan. He immediately closed the door heavily, feeling relieved as if he had just survived a disaster. At the same time, the mocking laughter of Yao Chen, that carefree fellow, echoed in his mind.
“This… What kind of situation is this…”
Xiao Yan bitterly smiled and suddenly felt his heart sink as he stared at Xiao Yu walking towards him with long strides.
Suddenly, Xiao Yan recalled the scene from the morning, his face instantly turning red, and his words becoming frantic.
“Xiao, Xiao Yu, that thing in the morning should have been just you…”
Before the words “just joking” could come out, Xiao Yu interrupted him.
“I already said it. I wasn’t joking.” Xiao Yu stared at Xiao Yan intently and said earnestly, “I meant it.”
After saying that, Xiao Yu walked past him, opened the car door, and glanced at Xiao Yan from the side, her eyes filled with undisguised tenderness.
“See you in a year, Xiao Yan.”
After Xiao Yu finished her last sentence, she gently closed the car door, leaving Xiao Yan standing outside the car alone, feeling completely bewildered.