Xiao Xiao didn't leave, because this was his destination too, and he was also a little worried about leaving the old woman alone here.
The old woman's complexion didn't look very good. He wondered if she had already been feeling a little unwell.
Watching the light in her eyes gradually fade, Xiao Xiao felt a dull ache in his heart.
He pressed his lips together, but didn't know what to say. He wanted to help the old woman, but he couldn't find Ling Yao unless it appeared of its own accord.
Keeping an eye on the old woman, Xiao Xiao also looked up and surveyed the surroundings. The maple grove, with no maple leaves, was laid bare before him.
So it was obvious at a glance whether Ling Yao was there or not.
Xiao Xiao felt helpless, but there was nothing he could do.
The old woman noticed that Xiao Xiao, like her, was looking up at the maple trees as though searching for something, and couldn't help smiling.
"Young man, what are you looking for?"
Xiao Xiao was at a loss for words. The old woman, however, took his actions as confirmation of her guess: seeing her searching, he wanted to help, even though he didn't know what she was looking for.
"Thank you, young man."
The old woman paused, then finally said, "There's no need to keep looking."
"Maybe the timing was wrong."
"It's too late."
"The maple leaves have all fallen."
"But I don't have any time left, either."
The old woman's voice grew fainter and fainter. She wasn't so much talking to Xiao Xiao as making herself admit that her bond with that monster had ended long ago, that autumn all those years ago.
Their bond had ended here. What was the use of