The boy had returned from who knew where, looking a complete wreck, with fresh bloody scratches on his face. Yet the ferocity in his eyes had not changed one bit. Although the attendant at the entrance knew he had come to see Ye Chuqi, he did not dare let him in. He looked less like someone visiting a friend and more like someone seeking revenge...
"Long time no see!" Ye Chuqi looked Xiaojiu up and down. Once she confirmed that he was merely disheveled and the marks on his face looked more like scrapes, she relaxed. "How did you find me here?"
Xiaojiu snorted, deeply displeased with Ye Chuqi's attitude. Not only did she show no sign of having missed him, she even seemed surprised that he had appeared—or rather, as though she had not been looking forward to his arrival at all!
Ye Chuqi raised her eyebrows in surprise. After all this time apart, Xiaojiu had actually developed a temper and was snorting at her!
"Lord Bai Fenghua told me you were back." Xiaojiu had been bottling up his resentment, making his voice stiff and distinctly unfriendly.
After the Nine-Leaf Green Flower incident, once everyone and all the high-rank magic beasts had gradually left, he alone had remained nearby, because he had told Ye Chuqi he would be good and wait for her to return.
But she never came back.
After Lord Bai Fenghua left as well, he wandered through the woods alone, occasionally visiting the Adventurers' Camp to gather news, trade for supplies, and save a little money. He had never slacked off in his training, either, afraid that Ye Chuqi would be disappointed with his progress when she returned.
But she still never came back.
A few days ago, when he returned to the Adventurers' Camp, members