Chapter 202: His Affections 2
“What makes you say that I drove him out? It’s he who didn’t want to tell me the truth.”
Qi Qingyao poured herself another cup of tea and drank a mouthful of hot liquid calmly before saying, “He refused to tell me the truth either because he didn’t want to stay, or because he thought he could give me some random excuse and I’d let him stay, like what he’s done before.”
Si Jin nodded, in deep thought.
The children listened to their conversation from beside them from time to time, tilting their heads in vague comprehension. Dabao and Erniu forgot about it soon after, as they were busy eating cakes the servant sent them. Only Xiaobao was in deep, focused thought, his chin lodged in his hands. Did Mother really drive Uncle Jiang Bai out? He missed the older man, somewhat, as he was powerful and intelligent.
Mother was right, though. He was only a stranger they had accidentally saved. Mother said that it was reasonable for her to drive him out if he did not tell her the truth.
Xiaobao looked at his mother’s side profile adoringly. He thought, ‘Mother’s clever and calm and powerful! I want to be someone like her when I grow up!’
It was only after Qi Qingyao finished the pot of tea when she remembered something. She asked Si Jin, “How skilled are you at combat?”
Si Jin thought about it for a while. “I can take him, no problem.”
The “him” in question was Jiang Bai, of course.
Qi Qingyao was satisfied. “I like this comparison.”
That night, after Qi Qingyao freshened up and went to bed, Xiaobao lay beside her. “Mother.”
“Why are you still not asleep?” Qi Qingyao asked, rubbing her eyes.
Xiaobao asked slowly, “Mother, are we just going to live in the inn from now on?”
Qi Qingyao caressed his head. “No, it’s just temporary.”
Qi Qingyao did not dare to tell Xiaobao that she actually wanted to live in the inn for her whole life. Hang on, if she continued on this train of thought, maybe she could just open an inn in the future! She could save the best room for herself, and she could also rent the frontal rooms out. She would be killing several birds with one stone!
However, she was not sure if the children would be willing.
She had a feeling they wanted a stable home.
They probably would not want to live in an inn for too long a time…
Xiaobao pulled on Qi Qingyao’s sleeve. “Then… It’s almost the New Year. Are we going to spend it in the inn?”
Qi Qingyao swallowed. She looked into the kid’s eyes. She was quite sure that Xiaobao’s eyes would be immediately filled with tears should she say that they would be spending the New Year at the inn, and that he would not let the teardrops fall and accept the cruel truth, because Xiaobao was an obedient kid that listened to his mother.
Qi Qingyao thought for a while. She said, “On the first day of the New Year we’ll go back to visit Ma Sanye and Heir Pei. On the third day, we’ll take a carriage to Qingzhou City.”
“We’re going to Qingzhou City?” Xiaobao’s eyes lit up.
He looked expectant.
He was a kid, after all; of course he would be excited to go to a big city.
Qi Qingyao said calmly, “It’s the New Year. Qingzhou City will definitely be crowded. There will be a lot of lights, and maybe there will be a pretty lamp festival too. Don’t you want to go there for a look?”
“I want to!” Xiaobao said excitedly.
Qi Qingyao laughed. She ruffled the kid’s hair and gestured for him to go to sleep.
Xiaobao muttered to himself about their trip to Qingzhou City and had since then forgotten about his anxiety over where they would be staying in the future.
Qi Qingyao smiled to herself. She held the kid in her arms and closed her eyes as well.
That night.
Si Jin was alone in the next room.
He was not sleeping, of course.
He had promised Elder Sister that he would not go for a swim during the night, though. He must fulfill his promise.
Elder Sister would be angry if he did not.
However, Si Jin did not need much sleep.
He flew out from the window and appeared outside Qi Qingyao’s window. He lay there on the windowsill, crossing his legs as he stared at the night sky. He narrowed his eyes.
The night was really dark.
Si Jin was also very much awake.
At about one in the morning, a cold wind suddenly blew, and snowflakes fell from the sky.
Si Jin opened his eyes wide. He fixed his gaze at a spot in the inn’s backyard.
Was someone there?