After Zhang Siyu left, Wen Ning prepared to head back too.
He said goodbye to Xiong Batian.
Then he went into the Mountain God Temple to exchange a few words with Xiao Ya.
Xiao Ya was setting freshly steamed wild-fruit cakes on the stove. When she heard Wen Ning was leaving, she put down the plate and wiped her hands.
"Let me know before you come next time, Wen Ning. I'll have Xiong Batian cure a few extra pheasants."
Wen Ning looked at her, so gentle and capable.
"Sure. Next time I'll come mooch a meal and see how Carp's doing."
Xiao Ya smiled when Wen Ning mentioned Carp.
"Carp went back to the pond first thing this morning and sat on that same rock, but things are different now.
"Before, Carp would wait with head bowed. Now Carp looks up at the sky, humming that song nobody understands."
Wen Ning leaned against the doorframe and thought, Maybe this is another kind of waiting. Not waiting for him to return, but waiting to slowly let go.
Wen Ning nodded.
"That's good. At least Carp knows to look up now."
He patted Xiao Ya on the shoulder, then turned and headed down the mountain.
Big Yellow naturally went with Wen Ning, carrying a piece of steamed cake in his mouth and whining at Xiao Ya as they left.
It was already late morning when they returned to the agency.
Before Wen Ning even reached the entrance, he spotted a dense crowd outside his shop.
The Weasel Old Man was squatting on the steps with a teacup in hand. His sharp eyes spotted Wen Ning from far away.
He slowly stood and called out to Wen Ning.
"Boss Wen, you're finally back. You've been closed for two days. These little brats were