The siblings leaned against each other like that, chatting in fits and starts.
Every now and then, Li Wei's exaggerated laughter would erupt from the courtyard, usually because Li Cheng's sharp-witted barbs had amused her.
At times, Li Cheng would giggle too, usually because Li Wei had started bragging about some far-fetched "heroic exploits" of hers again, all while telling the story with a perfectly straight face.
Every so often, the two of them would switch into mutual-roasting mode, trading verbal blows back and forth and enjoying every moment of it.
Sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, scattering dappled spots of light across them. It was wonderfully warm.
Beep...
A short car horn suddenly sounded outside the courtyard.
Li Wei instinctively raised her wrist and glanced at the women's watch she had inherited from Jiang Xue.
Time... it's almost here.
Almost at the same moment, Li Cheng gently slipped down from her embrace.
His small body stood before the swing as he tilted his head up and gazed into Li Wei's eyes.
His voice carried a faint tremor. "Li Wei, now that you're leaving, will it be a really, really long time before you come back?"
Li Wei pinched her fingers together and pretended to calculate for a moment before reassuring him in as light a tone as she could manage. "Hmm... maybe a year or two? It won't be that long."
"Once I become a top-notch master, I'll come back and personally guide you in your cultivation. How about that? I guarantee you'll make astonishing progress!"
Li Cheng said nothing. He merely lowered his eyes in silence, while his little hands clutched Li Wei's skirt tightly. His whole body seemed limp and listless, utterly lacking in spirit.
Seeing him like that, Li Wei felt a little miserable