Although the last conversation had no result, it was still rather awkward. Ye Zhiqiu had something on his mind. Since the other party didn't want to say it, he would stop asking.
However, there were some things that even if Song Yan didn't ask, he could vaguely understand the other party's concerns for not speaking out.
This matter was involved in too many things. Ye Zhiqiu didn't want to get himself involved in this mess. He understood.
But sometimes Song Yan would also get angry, angry that Ye Zhiqiu always kept him out of the loop. Since that encounter, Song Yan hadn't gone to see Ye Zhiqiu again.
It was like a child throwing a tantrum, just to see who would give in first.
Just when Song Yan thought that this time would be the same as before and he would be the one to go and make up with the other party, Ye Zhiqiu surprisingly showed up at the door of the Investigation Department.
Receiving the notice, Song Yan rushed to the door in a hurry. There he saw Ye Zhiqiu standing not far away. His white clothes fluttered gently in the wind. There was little emotion in his eyes. Amid the bustling streets, his snowy figure was the most eye - catching.
"Why are you here?" Song Yan walked up to Ye Zhiqiu. This was the first time he had come to the door of the Investigation Department since the last time.
Ye Zhiqiu met Song Yan's eyes. His mouth opened, but the invitation seemed too hard to say, like it was scalding his lips.
This was the first time he had given in in so many years. Every time before, he was so stubborn and never looked back. But today, for the first time, he wanted to make up with someone.
Song Yan watched Ye Zhiqiu's embarrassed look and held back a smile at the corner of his mouth. This was the first time he had seen such an expression on the other's face. Ye Zhiqiu's thoughts were all written on his face.
"There will be a lantern festival in Yuling tonight. It's not good for you to always stay cooped up in the private school. If you're free, would you like to take a walk with me?" Song Yan coughed lightly and voiced the invitation that Ye Zhiqiu hadn't been able to say.
Ye Zhiqiu was stunned for a moment. Clearly, this was supposed to be his own words...
But never mind. Fortunately, the result was as he had expected.
"Sure." Ye Zhiqiu nodded. His expression returned to normal, as if the embarrassed person just now wasn't him.
Song Yan smiled. For some reason, Ye Zhiqiu now seemed to have more of a worldly flavor. He was no longer like a puppet without a soul, but had emotions instead.
And this was exactly what he had hoped for.
When night fell deeper, Song Yan deliberately postponed some work and went to the agreed - upon moat. When he got there, he found that Ye Zhiqiu was already there.
He was holding a lantern in his hand. It was unknown how long he had been waiting. At the moment, he was staring blankly at the river.
"I had some cases to deal with today, so I'm late. I'm sorry." Song Yan rushed up to Ye Zhiqiu. He felt a bit embarrassed when he said this.
It was he who had invited the other party, but being late... What was this?
"It's okay. I just arrived not long ago." Ye Zhiqiu looked at the rushing Song Yan. He didn't really care. His hair was all messed up by the wind.
After getting Ye Zhiqiu's reply, Song Yan didn't dwell on it anymore. He walked side by side with Ye Zhiqiu along the moat.
The lantern festival in Yuling was held every autumn. The lanterns circled around the moat. Everyone would place a small water lantern by the river, on which countless wishes were carried.
Following the current, they would flow to a farther place.
Although it was he who had invited Ye Zhiqiu to the lantern festival, Song Yan noticed that most of the people on the street seemed to be couples. Now, with just the two of them, two grown men walking together, they had become the center of attention.
It was his own lack of thought. Most girls came to the lantern festival to look for their future husbands. He had messed things up again.
He secretly glanced at Ye Zhiqiu's expression. Since he couldn't see any signs of unhappiness on his face, his worries were relieved.
"The custom of the lantern festival is to release water lanterns. Since we're here, why not release one?" Song Yan noticed the looks from the people around and proposed to Ye Zhiqiu.
Ye Zhiqiu didn't really care. In fact, he hadn't participated in such a lantern festival for a long time. He used to avoid crowded places, but today he had made an exception.
After getting his reply, Song Yan went to a street vendor and bought two water lanterns. He specifically went to a quiet place to release them.
When Ye Zhiqiu's water lantern was placed on the water, a sudden gust of wind blew it down onto the water surface, and the candle on it went out.
Looking at the extinguished water lantern, a hint of sadness flashed in Ye Zhiqiu's eyes.
Sure enough, his wish was too heavy for even the gods to accept?
Song Yan watched Ye Zhiqiu's expression. Although that sad look flashed by quickly, he still saw it clearly. He quickly said, "It's okay. There are always a few accidents when releasing river lanterns. Just release another one."
Ye Zhiqiu didn't respond to his consolation. He slowly stood up, looked back at the water lantern that had been carried away by the current, and said in a low voice, "No need."
Song Yan didn't know what to say when he saw Ye Zhiqiu like this. Just then, a figure rushed towards them. Ye Zhiqiu quickly grabbed the little girl who was running forward.
The little girl's arm was grabbed. Her face still showed a look of shock. The hairpin in her hair fell into the water with a splash due to the inertia.
"Th... Thank you, brother." After the little girl stood still, she covered her chest, lifted her skirt slightly in Ye Zhiqiu's direction, and bowed. Although she was scared, she still thanked him in a steady voice.
Only after she stood still did Song Yan get a clear look at the little girl. She only reached his waist. She looked about seven or eight years old. The embroidery on her clothes was exquisite and glowed in the light.
Judging from her clothes and speech, she should be from a noble family. But why would a noble girl rush towards the water so recklessly?
"It's okay. How are you? Are you hurt?" Ye Zhiqiu would become extremely patient when dealing with students. Even his tone of voice softened a bit.
The little girl met his eyes and showed a bright smile. "I'm okay. Fortunately, brother grabbed me in time, or I would have fallen in. By the way, brother, you saved me just now. I'll definitely ask someone to prepare a big thank - you gift and send it to your mansion when I get back."
"These are just small things. Why were you running towards the river alone just now? Didn't you have an adult with you?" Ye Zhiqiu didn't care about the thank - you gift in the little girl's words. Instead, he asked patiently.
As soon as the little girl heard this, the bright smile on her face instantly faded. Her almond - shaped eyes drooped, looking sad.
"There's a lantern festival tonight. I pestered my mother for a long time before I could come. I wanted to release a water lantern to pray for peace and good fortune, but unexpectedly the water lantern suddenly flipped over. Mother said that if the water lantern flips over, it will bring bad luck. I was so anxious that I... I just wanted to chase after the water lantern and fish it out..."
The little girl became more and more sad as she spoke. Her mouth puckered, and it seemed like she was about to cry. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she stubbornly held them back.
Hearing this, Song Yan was a bit worried. Although the little girl's words were innocent, he was afraid that Ye Zhiqiu might think too much.
After all... his own water lantern had also flipped over just now.
"Ah, the person coming to pick me up is here. Brother, my name is Lening. What's your name? My mother told me that we must give a thank - you gift to our savior." Lening said as she reached out and grabbed Ye Zhiqiu's sleeve, blinking her almond - shaped eyes at him.
No one could resist being stared at by such a pair of eyes.
Ye Zhiqiu had no choice but to gently pat her hand and say, "I'm a teacher in a private school. My name is Ye Zhiqiu."
"Teacher Ye..." Lening murmured in a low voice. Then she showed a big smile in his direction. "I'll remember. I'll definitely prepare a big thank - you gift for Teacher Ye when I get back."
Saying this, without waiting for the other to say anything, she let go of the hand that was holding his sleeve. On the other side of the bridge, there were two people standing, waiting for Lening to go over by herself from a distance.
Lening saw the figures on the bustling bridge and ran forward a few steps. Then, as if she remembered something, she turned back and waved at Ye Zhiqiu. "Goodbye, Teacher Ye."
Ye Zhiqiu just nodded slightly in response.
When Lening's figure gradually disappeared from sight, Song Yan lowered his head and pretended to be sad as he sighed, "Why doesn't any child get close to me? I was right here too, but it's as if she couldn't see me."
Ye Zhiqiu glanced at Song Yan, who was pretending to be melancholy with his head down, and joked, "Maybe you're too fierce. The kids in the private school don't like you either."
"Yeah, I'm always buried in cases every day. Kids must not like me. It seems I need to learn more from Teacher Ye in the future."
Hearing Song Yan's words, Ye Zhiqiu's lips curved slightly. Song Yan was relieved when he saw his smile. This lantern festival trip wasn't too bad.
On the other side, in a side room, a guard followed Lening. He pushed the wooden door open for her. After doing all this, he stood guard at the door.
Lening walked into the side room. Seeing the person sitting on the wooden chair, she walked up to her with a big smile. "Mother~"
The woman picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup of tea, and handed it to her. Her hands were slightly shaking. She also pushed a plate of snacks in front of her.
"Did you see him?" The woman's voice was low. Her hands were folded on her lap.
Lening took a bite of the pastry and said with a big smile, "I saw him. He's a teacher. Oh, right, mother, I think I'm old enough to invite a teacher. He saved me today, so we should give him a thank - you gift. And I like him. How about asking him to be my teacher?"
Saying this, she tilted her head and playfully winked at the woman.
"Okay, I understand. I'll go and make the arrangements right away." The woman stood up and walked towards the door after hearing this.
Lening took a sip of tea. She didn't pay attention to her mother's departing back. Instead, she looked out of the window at the sky. Her feet were a bit short because of her young age, so she just swayed them on the stool. Her face showed the innocence and cuteness of a child.
She tapped on the table and murmured in a low voice.
"Teacher Ye..."