It was nearing eight in the evening when Larkspur crossed through the night, carrying two large plastic shopping bags, and returned to the Secret Base. As usual, she found her keys and opened the front door, but suddenly felt that something was missing.
The entryway beyond the door was empty. Lin Xiaolu had not come over.
For nearly a month now, every time Larkspur returned to the base, Lin Xiaolu would come out to greet her immediately. Sometimes she was enthusiastic, sometimes calm, but she always took the initiative to chat. This slightly intimate behavior had made Larkspur a little awkward at first, but over time, she had grown used to their way of getting along.
But apparently, today was an exception.
It was already getting late. Lin Xiaolu should have finished her patrol by now, and Larkspur had even heard a few days ago that she was taking half the day off today. There was even less reason for her not to be at the base. Yet the girl had not come out to greet her, leaving Larkspur feeling faintly disappointed.
That disappointment did not last long. She knew that children were independent individuals with their own things to do. They could not possibly revolve around her all day long. It was perfectly normal for Lin Xiaolu to be busy and not come answer the door. So she quickly regained her usual composure, changed into slippers in an orderly manner, and took small steps into the living room.
There, she saw Xia Liang sitting alone on the sofa watching television, as well as Bai Jingxuan, who was unusually not training in the basement but keeping her company in the living room.
"Have you eaten dinner?"
She bent slightly, preparing to set the shopping bags aside. "I stopped by the