Travel Arc (End): The Final Chapter of Midsummer

On the morning he was preparing to go home, the Shorekeeper woke up on Xiao Ling's bed.

She nestled in the arm of the man she loved, her violet eyes gazing at him as he slept soundly, a gentle smile involuntarily playing on her lips.

I glanced at the time; it was 8 a. m., three and a half hours before the plane took off.

I roughly calculated the distance... well, it's still early, so maybe I can stay in bed a little longer?

After all, she and Hajiling had a fierce battle last night, and she's still a bit tired.

Another hour passed.

"Hmm..." The Shorekeeper, dressed in a silk camisole nightgown, stared into thought as he looked at the two small strawberries that had appeared on his swan neck.

She was wondering if she should cover up the mark on her neck. If she didn't, she would probably be seriously interrogated if Little Ai and the others saw it.

Just as the Shorekeeper was lost in thought in front of the dressing mirror, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her slender waist from behind.

"Awake?" Xiao Ling asked in a muffled voice, and then suddenly planted a few more hickeys on Shorekeeper's neck, completely dispelling any thoughts of the other party trying to hide it.

Well, never mind, the most important thing right now is to prevent my boyfriend from missing his flight because he can't resist being affectionate with me.

"A-Ling, stop fooling around..." The Shorekeeper patted Xiao Ling's head, signaling him to calm down. "We have to catch our flight later, don't we?"

"That's right..." Xiao Ling said, intently planting the strawberries, "So I'm going to enjoy them while I can."

The Shorekeeper had no other choice but to gently pat the man's head and indulge his behavior.

As for the subsequent explanation phase? That's naturally left to him to handle entirely.

"Shorekeeper! A-Yu!"

Little Ai had been waiting in the living room for a long time, smiled brightly and came to their side when she saw Shorekeeper and Xiao Ling finally come out of the room.

Therefore, the sharp-eyed Aemeath immediately noticed the cluster of little hickeys on the Shorekeeper's neck, but she didn't make a fuss. Instead, she subtly pointed at her own A-Yu in an affectionate tone.

"A-Yu, you're really something. It's one thing for you to stay in bed late, but you're also dragging the Shorekeeper sister down with you and making her go astray."

"Haha... My bad, my bad." Xiao Ling looked a little embarrassed.

"So everyone's here now?" Roccia smiled. "Shall we set off?"

"Does that mean Jinhsi and the others will have to leave us?" Sigrika looked very reluctant. "Will we ever see each other again?"

"Of course," Jinhsi nodded with a smile, "It's just a temporary separation, but if Sigrika really misses us, she can chat with us on Feixin when she has some free time."

"What are your plans for the future?" Xiao Ling asked about Jinhsi and her group's arrangements.

"Hmm... given the current situation, separation is inevitable." Suisui rested her chin on her fingertip and pondered, "After all, Brother Ling, you still have studies to complete; it's impossible for you not to go back."

"But that's not a big problem. Who knows, we might become your classmates when school starts?"

"Really?"

"You guess?"

"Alright, I'll look forward to it then." Xiao Ling shrugged and said, "What about you guys, Carlotta?"

"Don't worry, Cat's Eye, I will definitely come to find you," Carlotta said with a dignified smile. "But I need to go back and arrange some things first."

"I don't have anything to take care of, but I still need to go back first," Cantarella said with a smile. "I have a young girl with me who's been in Magic City for quite a while now, it's time to bring her out for some fresh air."

The girl connected to the Fell Clan... hmm... I think it's that apothecary?

"Then I'll be waiting for you anytime," Xiao Ling nodded.

And so, Xiao Ling confirmed the arrangements for their return with all the girls she had met during her trip.

"Alright, girls, it's about time, shall we set off?"

He led the group of beautiful Solaris girls out of the villa. The sun was shining brightly, and the sea breeze was still hot. This summer trip was about to come to an end.

"Ling, now's the perfect time, how about we all take a picture together?" Dania suggested with a smile.

"Hmm... let me see... there should be enough time." Xiao Ling glanced at the time and, after confirming that they could make it, immediately agreed.

"Let's not delay," Sigrika immediately suggested. "Everyone, let's strike a nice pose and take a group photo!"

Clearly, everyone was happy to participate in this unexpected proposal, and they all started to pose in either elegant or cute ways.

"Ready? Let's start!" Sigrika set up her camera and immediately ran into the group taking photos.

"Three, two~"

"Eggplant!"

On the airplane, just before takeoff.

Lahai-Roi: It seems you had a pretty good summer vacation.

Lahai-Roi: You look much better than when I first met you in this world.

Xiao Ling: You flatter me.

Xiao Ling: After running around outside for two months, I have only one feeling.

Xiao Ling: There's no place like home.

Lahai-Roi: Agreed.

Lahai-Roi: For travelers wandering far from home, their destination will always be in only one direction.

Lahai-Roi: Alright, I won't bother you anymore. Take advantage of this time on the plane to get some rest.

Xiao Ling: Okay, bye-bye.

Lahai-Roi: [rose. jpg]

"Ugh~ Time to go to school." Xiao Ling stretched and complained.

"Don't you want to go to school?" Dania teased, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"I just don't want to go to school, but it's not that I don't want to go to school with pretty girls." Xiao Ling tapped Dania's head.

Dania playfully stuck out her tongue, and the two fell silent for a moment.

"Time flies..." Honey Peach murmured softly.

"Yeah, just six months ago I was a total shut-in," Xiao Ling joked. "But now I'm surrounded by beautiful women, it's great!"

Then he was pinched hard on the groin by the Honey Peach, but it had no effect.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... Sister Nia, be gentle." Even though she didn't feel anything, Xiao Ling still cooperated by showing an expression of pain.

"Your acting is so exaggerated. You didn't really feel anything, did you?" Dania suddenly retorted.

"Uh, you found out..."

"Don't I know you?" Dania chuckled. "Alright, I'm sleepy, time for bed~"

Goodnight?

Goodnight~

Dania put on her eye mask and instinctively used Xiao Ling's shoulder as a pillow, falling asleep quickly.

Xiao Ling couldn't help but chuckle as she watched her fall asleep instantly. She then put on an eye mask herself, ready to get a good night's sleep.

He figured that when he woke up again, he would be able to return to their warm little home.