Chapter 34 A Gift Across [Time] That Moment Summer Faced You...
Xia remained silent as she looked at the reports you and Bai E submitted.
Seeing him deep in thought, you glanced furtively at Bai E beside you. From your perspective, you had to tilt your head back slightly to avoid his shoulder falling onto his face, and his eyelashes appeared a soft, pale color under the lamplight.
He sensed your gaze, turned his head, winked at you, and made a few hand gestures, the meaning of which was clear:
[What's wrong? ]
You blinked too.
Are you nervous?
[A little. It's been a long time since I've waited in front of the teacher to grade my homework. I wonder if my writing style is still up to standard after all this time, otherwise Teacher Xia would have given me a good scolding again, hahaha.]
You paused for a second. It sounded really bad. How could he be so optimistic?
[But speaking of which, partner, how about we go to the antique shop later? I left some things there; you'll definitely find them interesting.]
[Okay.] You gave an "OK" sign: [But I don't know anything about antiques, so I'll have to trouble you to explain them later.]
"Don't you know you shouldn't whisper in front of the teacher?"
Xia clicked her tongue, quickly scanned the documents, circled a few places with her pen, and then put them down.
His eyes were slightly narrowed, and his tone was ruthless.
"If you're going to date, don't do it in front of me. It makes me want to vomit."
Your first instinct is to argue, "Teacher Xia, it's not what you think..."
"Are you trying to tell me 'we're just partners'?" Xia rolled her eyes. "Come on, who would believe that? I don't."
As he spoke, he tidied up the documents on the table, tucked them under his arm, and walked out the door.
“I’ll need to study these materials when I get back,” he said. “You should all head back now.”
—He actually didn't say "Don't call me Teacher Xia" anymore.
"I always said that Teacher Xia was actually a very nice person at that moment," Bai E laughed.
You glared at him. "Still laughing? Why weren't you saying a word just now? You're usually so talkative! You know perfectly well that we're not in that kind of relationship—"
He touched his nose, his eyebrows drooped down, and his eyes drooped slightly, revealing an innocent and pitiful look.
"Good friend, do you think I'm that kind of person? If you feel uncomfortable, I'll definitely come out and explain right away next time. The teacher was probably just joking..."
As Xia reached the door, she hesitated, closing her eyes repeatedly, but finally couldn't hold back and turned back to complain:
"Is this what you call not having talked?" he said speechlessly. "Bai E, you weren't like this when you were in the Tree Court."
He said, "Get out of my way, or I'll lock the door."
*
Bai E seems to know a lot about antiques and often visits antique shops. You and he are just walking on the street, about 800 meters away from the shop entrance, when you see the shop owner waving in your direction.
"Hey! Friends, friends! Heroes from afar, and the Golden Descendant!" Shopkeeper Sitaros called out enthusiastically, "You've finally arrived! We just got a new batch of antiques, and we haven't had time to appraise them all. I'm simply overwhelmed."
Bai Er originally intended to agree immediately. He never refused requests for help from citizens, especially since he had a good relationship with Sitaros, who was practically his mentor.
But right now, he's not alone; you're walking alongside him. He can't just think about his own ideas without considering your feelings, nor can he make decisions for you casually.
Thinking this, he glanced at you hesitantly, "Actually, we just wanted to come and see..."
“…It’s nothing.” You shook your head, staring at the slowly unfolding page in front of you:
The Holy City Treasure Appraisal event is now live! Come participate in the tasks and win Star Jade!
There is a star!
"Don't stop me, let me appraise them all... oh no, let me appraise them all!" you said seriously. "I'm very helpful, so let me appraise them right now."
Bai Er was stunned for a moment, and before he could react, Xitaros was already grinning from ear to ear:
"Oh my, the Holy City needs a friend like you!"
He turned around and pointed to the mountain of boxes piled up next to him.
"Then I'll leave it to you! Just ask me any questions you may have. I'm busy painting on the pottery jar—this is artistic creation, not slacking off."
...
"Clatter—"
"Thump."
There were so many new antiques that after the boxes were opened, the bottles and jars inside were laid flat on the ground and piled up.
Even though you and Bai Er were extremely careful, the tiles still inevitably made some jarring noises as they collided.
"Be careful not to scratch. Leave these broken bottles to me, you go check the intact ones over there."
Bai'er skillfully arranged the bottles and glanced at you. After all that physical labor under the sunlight, your bangs were slightly damp with sweat. You casually brushed them aside, and the strands of hair swayed and split in the air, revealing your forehead underneath.
He almost laughed, thinking that as expected of his partner, even like this was adorable. Ultimately, under your intimidating gaze, he just gave a few mock coughs.
You wanted to say something sarcastic to him, telling him that this straight man shouldn't stare at a girl like that when she's embarrassed—even if he's complimenting her on being cute, it's still inappropriate.
But then Xia's voice suddenly rang in my ears again, "You and Bai E still say you're not talking?..."
Your face flushed red, you snorted, and simply ignored him.
You didn't stand on ceremony with him. Since he had taken the initiative to say so, you simply took two steps forward and came to the side of the antiques that had just been arranged and were still intact.
These antiques vary in size, but without exception, they are all covered in dust. Some look as if they were just dug out, still covered with fresh soil. Small clumps of soil have formed on the smooth surface of the earthenware pot, which flutter off when you shake it.
"Single-eared vase, double-eared vase, basin... how can I tell if they're genuine antiques or just artificially aged?" you muttered. "What did Bai E just say about how to authenticate something? First, check for any inscriptions..."
Time passed by, second by second.
The shop owner has finished painting a ceramic jar. It must be said that his painting skills are indeed very good. In this era without professional training, he was able to paint lifelike figures with rare tools.
You just glanced at it, and it seems to depict several Titans. I wonder if it's meant to be sent to the temple.
"yawn……"
During the tedious and tedious work of tidying up, your eyes casually glance at the pile of earthenware pots, but suddenly stop.
Beneath that pile of dark, dusty antiques, scattered among fragments, you spot a small, bright object.
...It seems to be light blue?
The smiling face of March 7th flashed through my mind.
"Really, when you and Teacher Danheng go on an adventure, don't forget about our little Sanyue!"
"What? You said you'd bring me some local delicacies from Onpharos? Wow—I'm so touched! Hehe, I wonder what the food from the [Eternal Land] will taste like—don't mention dieting!"
"Tell me you'll be my best friend ever! Otherwise, what if you go there and don't come back for a long time, and forget about me...?...Stop laughing, tell me, tell me now!"
A few nights before coming to Onpharos, you were still playing games with her. She complained, half-jokingly, that you and Silver Wolf had been playing together so much lately that you weren't including her anymore. You even went up to her and helped her brush some of her hair that was hanging down in front of her back. At that time, her eye color was the same as this color, a light pinkish-blue.
Time seemed to stand still.
You blinked slowly, and as if possessed, stood up, pushing all the other antiques aside to reveal the bright little thing underneath.
—It was a cylindrical jar.
Onphalus pursued the beauty of curves, not only in the human body but also in his jars. The jars that have survived to this day are often soft and winding, and you can clearly feel the undulations of the body when you hold them in your hand.
However, unlike ordinary antiques, this jar is actually a perfectly straight cylinder!
It was slightly larger at the top, resembling a lid, leaning there at a slight angle. Several vertical lines were visible at the bottom; it looked just like—it looked just like—
In the dim light of Pinocchio, a trash can leaned against the corner, sighing.
"I feel so lonely."
"Who in this world is not lonely... But when I have my companions, when March and Danheng are there, I don't feel so lonely... Wherever the train is, that's my home."
—It looks just like a blue and pink trash can!
...But how could Onphalos have such a trash can?
*
A long time ago... or perhaps not long ago.
"...What are you sculpting?"
Young Meneta leaned closer, watching with curiosity as the recently famous "Pink Cloud Fairy" focused intently on carving the pottery jar.
This "Pink Fairy" has beautiful, warm pink hair and a bright smile that seems to melt even the hardest ice.
Legend has it that she came from beyond the heavens and was connected to [Time]. Meneta formed a friendship with her, but found that he still didn't know her well enough; she seemed to be keeping some little secrets... about the heavens, about adventure, about a train rushing past amidst the surging and boiling galaxies.
"It's nothing, just a little memento. Doing these things helps me relax when I'm feeling emotional... Hmm, if it's infused with the power of [time], how long will it last?"
In the dim light, the Fairy of Pink Clouds carefully put down her carving knife and gently blew on the small cylindrical object in her palm, blowing away some of the dust that kept falling from it.
"...She occasionally says something quite philosophical."
She chuckled and muttered to herself, her voice very low. Unlike her usual liveliness, she was incredibly gentle at this moment.
What you don't know is that on that night in Pinocchio, the pink-haired girl had already overheard your entire conversation with the Lonely Trash Can.
Moved by your story, she, with her exceptionally strong empathy, didn't interrupt you; she simply turned around and wiped away the tears that rolled down her cheeks with a tissue.
"Ugh... why are you suddenly bringing this up, talking about family and stuff?" Her eyes were red and her voice was trembling. "So we've been through so many adventures already... I've actually considered you all family for a long time."
The black-haired youth leaned against the side, not saying a word, but the corners of his mouth curved slightly.
The stars twinkled in the night sky over Pinocene.
"Then why carve this? This...trash can?"
Confused, Meneta pressed for an answer.
The smile on Pink Cloud Celestial Maiden's lips faded.
"..." She put down the trash can in her hand and looked into the distance.
"I know we all have different missions."
She seemed to sigh.
"But... only occasionally... when my friends aren't around—"
"...I also feel a little lonely."
-----------------------
Author's Note: The downside of writing fanfiction for an unfinished work has appeared... How the Long Night Moon came to be, how March 7th transformed into the Long Night Moon, and the past and power of March 7th are currently all blank, so I can only make things up... If miHy proves me wrong later, please just pretend nothing happened, okay? (wiping sweat)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
