Chapter 111 Farewell at the Airport
Early in the morning, the international departure hall of Terminal 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport was bustling with people.
The Huo family appeared near the VIP entrance, attracting some subtle glances.
Grandpa Huo insisted on coming. Dressed in a well-pressed Zhongshan suit and leaning on a cane, he seemed to be in good spirits, but a lingering worry hung between his brows. Mr. and Mrs. Huo accompanied him. Mrs. Huo was dressed particularly solemnly and appropriately today, her eyes occasionally drifting towards the entrance, revealing a subtle unease. Huo Zheng also arrived, dressed in a casual suit, his posture upright, standing slightly back with a calm expression.
The most eye-catching one was Huo Siqi. The little girl's eyes were red and swollen like peaches, clearly from crying, but she was still trying to hold them back. In her hand, she tightly clutched a beautifully packaged velvet box, inside which were a lightweight and portable fountain pen and a small leather notebook that she had specially chosen.
Ji Yun, Zhou Mubai, and Shen Yu were also there. Their faces lacked their usual playfulness or aloofness, and instead held a more solemn air of farewell. Ji Yun even wore a formal suit, though his tie was tied a little crooked.
They were all waiting for someone.
Not far away, several black sedans with Ministry of Foreign Affairs license plates drove smoothly over and parked in the designated area. Several accompanying staff members got out of the first car, and Song Zhiyi stepped out of the back door.
Today, she was wearing a navy blue suit skirt, a common choice for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Her long hair was neatly styled in a bun at the back of her head, revealing her smooth forehead and slender neck. She wore very light professional makeup, her expression calm and composed, carrying only a standard carry-on suitcase and a briefcase. Behind her, staff members were assisting with her baggage check-in.
Upon seeing her appear, Huo Siqi was the first to lose control. Her nose tingled, and tears welled up again. She almost rushed over, but was gently pulled back by her mother.
Song Zhiyi exchanged a few words with her colleagues in hushed tones, then turned and walked towards the direction where the Huo family members were.
"Grandpa, Uncle, Aunt, Uncle." She walked up and greeted them politely in turn, her voice clear and steady, "Siqi, Ji Yun, Attorney Zhou, Mr. Shen. Thank you all for coming so early."
"Don't mention it, it's my pleasure." Old Master Huo looked at her, his gaze complex, and all his words finally turned into the simplest piece of advice, "Be careful when you get there. If anything happens, call home anytime."
"I will, Grandpa, don't worry." Song Zhiyi smiled and nodded.
Mrs. Huo stepped forward, seemingly wanting to say something. Her lips moved, but in the end she only straightened her already perfectly neat collar, her voice slightly choked: "Zhiyi... take care of yourself. Eat on time, don't overwork yourself."
"Thank you, Auntie. I will be careful," Song Zhiyi said gently.
Huo Zheng nodded to her, his eyes filled with encouragement and the concern of a family member: "Keep in touch. Be careful."
"Thank you, Uncle."
Ji Yun and the others gathered around. Ji Yun shoved a small first-aid kit into her hand: "The latest model, lightweight, and all-inclusive. Take it, just in case." Zhou Mubai handed her a USB drive: "Some reference materials on international law and local customs, encrypted, you can read them on the road." Shen Yu didn't give her anything else, but just gave her a deep look and nodded vigorously.
Song Zhiyi accepted them one by one and expressed her sincere gratitude.
Finally, it was Huo Siqi's turn. The little girl couldn't hold back any longer, rushing forward to hug Song Zhiyi tightly, tears streaming down her face, her voice trembling with sobs: "Sister-in-law... you must take good care of yourself... I... I'll miss you..."
Song Zhiyi gently patted her back, her voice softer than ever: "Siqi, don't cry. You can stand on your own now, you need to be stronger." She paused, took the velvet box from Huo Siqi's hand, glanced at it, and said earnestly, "I really like this gift, thank you."
These words made Huo Siqi's crying subside a little. She sobbed and looked up at Song Zhiyi with teary eyes: "Sister-in-law, you have to promise me that you will definitely be careful."
"I promise you." Song Zhiyi smiled and wiped away her tears. "Okay, if you cry any more your makeup will be ruined. Our Siqi is a beautiful and capable modern woman."
This scene brought tears to the eyes of several elders nearby. Mrs. Huo turned her face away and quietly wiped her eyes.
Throughout the entire process, Huo Yanli stood at the very back of the crowd, leaning against a pillar not far from the entrance. His gaze remained fixed on Song Zhiyi, watching her calmly deal with each person seeing her off, watching her comfort her crying cousin, and watching the gentle yet aloof smile on her face.
His fingers curled slightly at his sides, his nails digging into his palms, causing a slight stinging pain. He wanted to go forward, to say something like Ji Yun and the others, even to have a hug like Siqi did. But his feet seemed nailed to the ground. The calm look in her eyes and the words "We're not on the same path" when she handed him the divorce papers last night stood like a cold gate blocking his way.
He didn't know what role he should play when he approached her. Husband? Someone about to sign the divorce papers. Friend? It seemed like more than that. He feared that his presence would disrupt the dignified farewell she was trying so hard to maintain.
So he simply stood there, like a silent bystander, watching her farewell ceremony, filled with blessings and longing. A dull, throbbing pain shot through his heart, clearer and more impossible to ignore than a stomachache.
After comforting Huo Siqi, Song Zhiyi said a few final words to the elders. Then, she raised her head, her gaze sweeping across the crowd seeing them off, finally settling on Huo Yanli in the distance.
Their eyes met briefly in mid-air.
Huo Yanli's Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his back tensed instantly.
Song Zhiyi merely nodded slightly to him, a polite yet indifferent greeting, as if to a familiar but distant colleague or friend.
Then, she looked away and said to everyone, "It's almost time, I should go in now. Please leave, thank you again."
She stopped looking at anyone, including Huo Yanli. Turning around, she joined her waiting colleagues and walked towards the security checkpoint. Her navy blue back was straight, her steps firm, without the slightest hesitation or lingering.
Huo Siqi wanted to cry again, but her mother put her arm around her shoulder.
Old Master Huo sighed deeply and shook his head.
Ji Yun and the others watched the receding figure with different expressions.
Huo Yanli remained standing there, watching her figure completely disappear around the corner of the security checkpoint, watching that dark blue outfit blend into the bustling crowd at the airport.
They're gone.
This time, he's really gone.
It wasn't a business trip of a few days, or an overseas assignment of several months. It was at least two years, a journey across the ocean, a departure into a vast and unfamiliar world, full of challenges and risks.
He couldn't even manage a proper farewell.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com