Xu Lai watched the conch maiden go.
He wondered how Yiyi would feel upon learning that her good friend Beibei had left in solitude, without so much as a goodbye.
Several hours passed.
His daughter, Yiyi, and Ruan Lan returned home.
To Xu Lai's surprise, when Yiyi learned of Beibei's departure, she did not cry. She merely gave a sad little nod to show she understood.
"Beibei left so our future meeting can be even better. I'm really looking forward to that day," she said, her words seeming far too mature for her age.
Xu Lai turned his gaze toward Ruan Lan.
His sister-in-law shook her head repeatedly. "I didn't teach her that."
"The little bear in the cartoon said it."
"...Who's the little bear?" Ruan Lan asked, bewildered.
Normally, Yiyi's personality would have compelled her to spend the next half hour explaining it all to her aunt. But she didn't today. Instead, she took small, quick steps into the backyard.
