"Mm, thank you, Auntie."
After a brief exchange, Xiao Xiao, Zhuge Yun, and Zhao Luzheng climbed into the open trunk and sat down, just as they had on the way there.
Zhang Bo got into the passenger seat, too.
"Drive carefully."
Auntie reminded Uncle Zhang.
"Got it."
Uncle Zhang answered, then waved. "Well, we're off."
"Goodbye, Auntie."
Xiao Xiao and the others said their goodbyes.
"Goodbye."
Auntie stood there watching the car disappear at the end of the road before turning and going inside.
"Goodbye, Uncle."
"Goodbye."
"Ah Bo, and you boys, you're always welcome to come visit me."
"Don't stand on ceremony."
Then Uncle Zhang said with some regret, "In the end, Ah He still didn't get to see you."
"Ah He's got exams coming up, after all."
Zhang Bo smiled. "There's nothing we can do if his break starts later."
"We'll see him next time."
"Mm."
Uncle Zhang checked the time. "All right, you'd better head inside."
"You'll have just enough time to sit for a bit before they start checking tickets."
"Then we'll be going, Uncle."
"Goodbye, Uncle Zhang."
"Please head back, Uncle Zhang."
Everyone waved goodbye to Uncle Zhang, then turned and walked toward the security checkpoint.
But once they had passed through security, they went their separate ways.
After all, they were each headed to a different destination.
"See you next year, guys."
Zhang Bo grinned.
"See you next year."
They exchanged smiles, then each pulled his suitcase toward the ticket gate listed on his ticket.
As Xiao Xiao walked along the familiar blue-gray flagstones, his heart grew increasingly calm.
The white walls and black tiles on either side had begun to peel in places, bearing faint traces of time's passage.
The branches reaching over the walls had lost the lush