"Do the both of you need to go to the academy today?" asked Fu Chengyu as he suppressed the baffling disappointment in his heart.
"Yes, we do," replied Ling Yichen with a nod. "From today onwards, we will need to go to the academy."
"Since it's snowing outside. I will ask the coachman to send you guys to the academy," said Fu Chengyu as he looked at the heavy snow outside.
"Then, I thank you, Ninth Prince," replied Ling Chuxi with a smile before she shovelled a mouthful of hot rice porridge into her mouth.
"You don't have to call me Ninth Prince. It's so distant and I also do not wish to reveal my identity," said Fu Chengyu with a smile.
"Then, what should I call you? Fu Chengyu? Elder brother Fu? Or Uncle Fu?" asked Ling Chuxi as she thought about the matter very seriously.
"I... Am I that old?" asked a baffled Fu Chengyu. He was so taken aback, he practically had black lines streaked across his forehead. 'What does she mean by Uncle Fu? Am I really that old?'
"I'm just kidding!" said Ling Chuxi as she laughed at Fu Chengyu's conflicted expression. "See, now this is a pretty honest expression from you. Isn't it a good thing? Why bother faking a smile every day? If you're unhappy then don't bother forcing yourself to smile or laugh. Isn't that uncomfortable?"
Fu Chengyu was thoroughly stunned when he heard Ling Chuxi's words.
"I have finished eating so I will go and prepare and pack up a few things that I need back at the academy. I'll meet you at the gate in a bit, Yichen," announced Ling Chuxi. She stood up after she finished speaking, took a hot towel to wipe her mouth, then turned around to exit the room and return to her quarters.
Fu Chengyu stared after Ling Chuxi's departing figure in a daze, not regaining his senses for a long time.
"Don't mind her, senior brother. She has always spoken this bluntly," explained Ling Yichen worriedly when he saw Fu Chengyu spacing out as such.
"No, no..." said Fu Chengyu as he regained his senses and lightly shook his head. Looking in the direction Ling Chuxi disappeared into, he smiled bitterly. "I actually don't mind it." This was the first time someone had said such words to him. Don't force yourself to smile if you are unhappy... So, she could tell? From what point on? He had learned how to act and wear a mask since he was little. No matter what or when, he always wore a smile on his face. Regardless of his state of happiness or unhappiness, it was always the same expression. However, today was the first time he had heard someone say something like this to him. His heart felt very troubled but there was also another very subtle feeling at the same time. It seemed like there was something sprouting in his heart...
"Senior brother, I'll also go and pack up to head to the academy. If you feel unwell, just send someone over to the academy to notify us," said Ling Yichen in a muffled voice as he bit into a meat bun.
"All right, then. Go on," replied Fu Chengyu with a gentle nod of his head as he held on to the porcelain bottles of Tinder Pills that Ling Chuxi had given him.
...
In the carriage, Ling Chuxi flipped open the curtains. Cold air immediately rushed in. Snow was still falling and a thick layer of it had already covered the trees and rooftops around them. The carriage moved very slowly. When they arrived at the gates of the academy, there were already quite a few students there. The moment Ling Chuxi hugged Little White and stepped out of the carriage, she heard the noisy chatterings of all the students present.
"Hey, Ling Chuxi. Ling Chuxi!" shouted Lan Xinyu.
"Are you trying to summon a spirit?!" barked Ling Chuxi as she glared at Lan Xinyu who was running towards her.
Lan Xinyu chuckled. "Since New Year's is just around the corner, my grandfather asked me to ask you if you would like to celebrate with us?" asked Lan Xinyu with a cheerful smile as she bounded over and stretched out a hand to pat Ling Chuxi's shoulder.
It was almost New Year's so soon? Ling Chuxi was stunned. Suddenly, she felt extraordinarily complicated emotions well up inside her. Celebrating New Year's was a day where families came together. But, her family was far away... Since coming to this foreign world, she only had the care of Aunt Wang and Second Elder, and the friendship of Ling Yichen and the rest of the students she met at White Stone Academy. However, she never truly had a real family here...