Travel To The World Of Ca Li
The Smell of Salty Sea Water That Feels Familiar
POVS. Xiu Qixuan's.
"He belongs to our southern trading entourage."
A voice from behind resounded rapidly entering my sense of hearing.
"...she?"
Even in my heart, I could no longer speak or call his name freely without pain.
A man stood in front of me with a scent of masculinity from his skin that darkened slightly with the stinging rays of the desert sun.
Nothing had changed in the slightest from his good looks, except for his pair of dimming empty beads, his broad and sturdy back felt shrunk fragile without a flash of confidence.
He's always fun and shitty. Now I can no longer recognize. There was no childish streak of ignorance from him, only a serious, cold stain in his facial imprint.
"...Kangjian!" His voice echoed to the companion by waving his finger.
They were talking to one of the soldiers who had previously held me in. I can't focus on listening to what they're talking about.
Because the unpleasant memory waves that hit fast like light pierced my head. It felt like a constant explosion was blaring in my mind.
It hurt and made me feel tired.
"—na!"
"...Miss!" Kangjian's familiar voice called me out loud with his hand touching my shoulder.
I flinched in shock and subconsciously brushed his hand violently. Both of my legs were frozen limp with reflexes stepping back.
My heart throbbed uncontrollably with my fingers tightly clutching the hood of my shriveled cloak. My body trembled with its head down in trying to hide my face.
I was afraid, very afraid to lose control of my sanity and chose to run towards it.
In my memory was filled with a face of pain Xiao Bao covered in blood whimpering over my lap.
"Aiyaa, forgive me if it surprises you."
Kangjian said politely trying to make me comfortable. I saw his feet moving on the ground stepping to get closer.
"Better you cooperate, Miss."
Kangjian's voice again whispered softly in my ear full of demanding threats.
From behind the cloak hood, I glanced at the soldier who was looking at us sharply.
I understood and nodded silently following him into the southern merchant entourage.
It proceeded smoothly entering the port city door thanks to their help.
I pulled the reins and herded my beloved horse to walk after their trading carriages.
The reclusive nanbao seemed to have made some progress and opened up slowly. Judging from those who made small trades to the north. Perhaps Xiu Huanran also contributed to their advance in the south.
"As Young Master predicted. They were on a secret quest duty from the city lord. The port was tightened because of that" Kangjian said in a statement.
"Find out what they want to find. If it harms our side— report to me immediately."
"Yes, I understand."
I dimly sharpened my hearing to listen to their conversation.
"And, that girl looks suspicious."
I immediately lowered my gaze when I heard his low voice glancing sharply at me.
"Ah, I will immediately check and separate him from the entourage when he arrives at the port square." Kangjian replied calmly looking at me.
"It's good that you understand."
Thankfully, they don't seem to recognize me. I understood that they had accidentally used me being pressed at the port gate to figure out the situation inside the city.
"Yes, our Young Master is like that Miss."
Suddenly Kangjian was already next to me with his unqualified chatter.
I just fell silent to steal a glance towards the figure of the man riding a horse at low speed leading the group in front of it.
"please understand. He always reacts infuriatingly to strangers" Kangjian said casually as he spoke.
I smiled lightly, it reminded me of the first meeting with him.
"Where is the name coming from?" ask Kangjian.
I wanted to answer him but my voice was stifled in the throat.
Kangjian shriveled in confusion because from the beginning I never answered to speak.
I was circulating my gaze in another direction and just nodded back indifferently.
"Siss!?"
'Hikk..' My eyes glared sharply, Kangjian who always casually let out his thoughts never changed, huh.
He brazenly said I was mute.
I just don't want to talk and make you recognize me, you know!
'Yeah, yeah, think of it that way. I'm BI.SU.' by waving my hand at him forming a gesture of emphasis.
After all, they had already examined my fake identity card completely and thoroughly. I don't have to answer the question that suspects me, do I?
"I understand."
Kangjian smiled kindly. He wasn't too demanding and suspicious of me. Unlike his superiors who were very wary of it.
'I have to go.'
Once again I formed a simple hand gesture that Kangjian could understand.
"You want to go now?" kangjian asked to confirm my intention.
I quickly nodded.
We were already at the crossroad of the city that was heading towards the port dock square. I have to go east of the road immediately to get to the residential area.
Kangjian seemed hesitant to let me go.
However, I quickly attacked him with the fragile weakness of a helpless girl.
My small body trembled full of supplications with a scared bow. It was as if saying that I was harmless that made him waver.
Kangjian sighed heavily and said, "Alright, Miss Rongrong. Please be careful."
He mentioned my fake name with an emphasis that meant it was a warning that he would easily look for me again if I was dangerous to him.
I nodded back then bowed to say a little thank you to Kangjian.
Then immediately jumped on my favorite horse and spurred it quickly veered eastward.
Before going—my eyes can not be separated staring at the sturdy back of a handsome man who leads the group.
Even looking at it from a distance my heart was already throbbing pain.
I don't want to see him again. All this time my existence was unknown because it was covered by the shadow of the fox division.
'Bigger...' The sound of the horse whinnying was melodious as I whipped it. The swift footsteps of the horse became faster making the wind blow sharply on my face.
The salty smell of sea water carried by the wind that always felt familiar reminded me of him.
I hate this.
We meet again in a place full of water and a ship that floats high. Just like when we first met Xiao Bao and promised together to take care of the child.
Until I walked away, he didn't realize I was near him. I was grateful but why did it hurt so much that I couldn't breathe due to tightness.
On the one hand, I was very angry because he did not immediately realize my existence. And, on the other hand I'm also relieved because of that.
*********
'Tock.tock..'
The sound of the door being knocked slowly. After asking some of the people I met along the road to get here.
I finally managed to find the fifth house on the Chongyue small street.
Simple white brick house with brown wooden gate that has faded because of inedible age. But, in the inner courtyard it felt cool and comfortable.
'Kriet..' The open door featured a woman in her mid-twenties.
"A lady, yes. What are you looking for here?" Her voice was polite and friendly, but, her eyes were looking at me with high alertness.
When she gently rubbed her enlarged stomach. I realized she was pregnant with a child.
My forehead creased tightly, thinking ambiguously. Was I wrong address? There was no way this young lady was one of Rui Jizhang's mistresses.
"It's not comfortable talking here. May I come in, madam? I don't carry any weapons for malicious intent." I said with great conviction.
The young lady's eyes twitched doubtfully, but, she nodded and let me in.
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