The next day, Qi returned after completing his mission and said that it would be better for her and Xiaobao to leave the capital. Coincidentally, there was a villa in the south that he had bought privately, where the mother and son could settle down.
After hearing this, Shu Yao also decided to leave this place of sorrow. The south, with its spring-like climate all year round, was indeed a good place to live, and there was nothing left to miss in the capital. She then began packing her things, mostly Xiao Bao's. After everything was packed, Qi completely disposed of the place that had once been a branch of the organization.
Unfortunately, he received a coded message from the organization saying that the leader had something to do and he needed to return to headquarters immediately. With no other option, they agreed to split up; Shu Yao and Xiao Bao would first take a carriage south, and he would reunite with the mother and son after he finished his business.
After that, she went into the city, hired a carriage and a driver, and set off for Suzhou with her simple luggage.
Before the carriage left the city, the driver suddenly stopped, saying that he wanted the horses to eat and drink their fill before continuing their journey. Shu Yao found it strange, though. Hadn't she fed the horses once before setting off this morning? Why did she have to feed them again so soon? Wouldn't eating too much make it harder for them to walk? But she didn't say anything, coldly watching the driver stop the carriage by the side of the official road and slowly let the horses drink water.
"Madam, we're leaving the city. Won't you get off and take one last look at the bustling capital? The South is nice, but it can't compare to the capital. Once you leave... it will be hard to see it again." The coachman called out from outside the carriage, as if he really hoped she would get off with her child to take a look.
Shu Yao smiled and thought the driver's words made sense, so she said, "Alright!"
As soon as she peeked out, carrying the chubby little boy, the driver eagerly came over, placed the footrests in place, and helped her down. Little Bao looked at the bustling street ahead, his big eyes darting around excitedly, waving his chubby little hands and legs. Since starting solids, the child had gained quite a bit of weight, and Shu Yao found it a bit tiring to carry him. Seeing this, the driver quickly took the child from her and went to the stall selling trinkets to look at the colorful kites.
She sighed inwardly, thinking that this driver was not only cheaper than his colleagues, but also provided exceptionally attentive service, taking care of not only the horses but also the children.
Shu Yao smiled and didn't say much. She looked around and saw that the driver had stopped in a bustling area. Everyone was queuing to leave the city, chatting and eating in roadside teahouses, or shopping at the market. There was nothing unusual about it, but... she felt that somewhere, a burning gaze was staring at her.
I've always been sensitive to this kind of staring, so I simply closed my eyes and ignored it. Let them look all they want; it won't hurt them.
After a while, she heard a rapid hoofbeat, her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly opened her eyes to look!
"Shu Yao!"
It turned out that Qiqi cavalry had caught up with them. Didn't he go back to meet with the leader overnight? How dare he come here?
"Qi, why are you back again? Did you come here specifically to see me off?" She asked blankly when she saw him covered in sweat.
"Um... I finished handing over my work in the county town last night, and I made a special trip back early this morning. I'm sorry I can't take you and Xiaobao back to Suzhou with me." He stood in front of her, wiping his sweat apologetically.
"It's alright, I'm somewhat skilled in martial arts, and petty thieves can't hurt me." She replied with a faint smile, feeling extremely grateful to Qi.
"In any case, we still need to be extra careful. Don't rush when it gets dark. Find an inn to stay in immediately. There's no need to rush to Suzhou. Maybe I can catch up with you on my way back. I'll send a message to the house by carrier pigeon. Everything will be taken care of before we arrive."
Shu Yao nodded with relief, "I understand."
Although she lost her husband, she has nothing to complain about in having such a devoted friend who helps her wholeheartedly.
Qi thought the same way. Although he had once harbored improper thoughts about Shu Yao, he had completely let go of them now and only regarded her as a younger sister. Now that she had lost her family and was all alone with a child less than a year old, he would definitely help her as much as he could. Moreover, he dared to come for another reason: he was afraid that the man surnamed Huo would go back on his word again and come to obstruct him, and if things got complicated, it would be Shu Yao who would suffer. But it seemed that everything was fine, and it seemed that he had worried too much.
"Shuyao, don't be reluctant. Going to the South is like a new beginning, understand?"
She smiled bitterly, her gaze falling on a distant spot. She had a persistent feeling that someone was still there. She bit her lip and cursed herself for being so weak, for having these disturbing thoughts again.
The next moment, she turned around and took Qi's hand. Sure enough... this action immediately made the coachman, who had been dutifully taking care of Xiao Bao, turn pale, as if he was secretly anxious about something.
"Qi, I once thought of never seeing you again because you went against my wishes and did that to me in front of that person... Sigh! But that's all in the past. Today I realize that you are one of the few people who can genuinely care for me, and that you are actually very kind at heart. Before, I had too many prejudices against you. Thank you for taking care of my mother and me. When you come to Suzhou to meet us, please take me in as your sworn sister. From now on, we will call each other brother and sister. That way... we, who have been orphans since childhood, will finally have a family."
"Sworn sister? Family?" These two words filled Qi with rare joy. He squeezed the little hand back, his heart overflowing with indescribable emotion. "Alright, when we return to Suzhou, I'll take you as my sworn sister. Then Xiao Bao will be my nephew. I'll have to prepare a big gift for the little guy."
Shu Yao brought Xiao Bao back. The child in her arms seemed to understand their conversation, raising his chubby little hand to touch Qi's face. Qi then lowered his head and rubbed his chin against Xiao Bao's little face, making Xiao Bao giggle non-stop. To outsiders, they were truly a happy family of three.
Their hands were clasped tightly together, and their eyes met directly into each other's.
"You're all alone out there, so be extra careful when you're on missions. Now that you have family, if you encounter danger, don't act recklessly like before, and don't risk your life without considering the consequences," Shu Yao advised him with concern.
Qi was about to answer when he felt a chilling murderous aura approaching, making him feel like he was being pricked by thorns. But he seemed oblivious, and even unexpectedly hugged her tightly. "Don't worry, you just go back to Suzhou with the child. I know what I'm doing."
This was a hug filled only with familial love. Shu Yao patted his back, feeling a sense of peace she had never felt before.
"Ah! It's already this late, Madam. We need to hurry on our way, or we won't reach the next post station before dark!" The coachman, sweating profusely, "snatched" Xiao Bao back and hurriedly urged her to set off.
Shu Yao sneered inwardly. The coachman must have felt someone's murderous gaze too, right? "Alright." She gently pushed away Qi, who was holding her. "Brother, we're setting off now. Take care."
"Okay, girl, see you in Suzhou!"
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