After leaving the sweet shop, Bai Hanyan looked at me and said, "Why are you so preoccupied? Is there something unresolved?"
I came back to my senses and smiled at her, "Nothing."
"Last time you said you were looking for that rubbings, did you not find them?"
"I found them."
"Then why are you still so dejected?"
I gave a wry smile, "It's not exactly dejection."
Bai Hanyan stuck out her tongue, "Actually, I've been thinking about something while you were out."
"What is it?"
"You're always traveling around. If you get married in the future, can your wife handle it?"
I was taken aback, feeling a bit embarrassed for a moment. "Even if she can't, there's nothing I can do. I still have some things to settle..."
In truth, I didn't want to be constantly on the move, but it was impossible to stay peacefully in Guangling at the moment.
Setting aside whether I would help Elder Zhang solve the curse, on An Ying's side, I was very eager to understand her identity. How many years had she existed?
How many identities did she have, and what role did she play in the torrent of history?
Thinking about it, if all her memories were restored, the entire history of China... no! The entire world history would change!
"What are you spacing out for?" Bai Hanyan waved her hand in front of my eyes.
I looked at her and asked, "Do you believe that some people in this world can live forever?"
She chuckled, "Here you go again. Did you go crazy because you couldn't find the Su Hou Pearl? Even if someone could live forever, what does that have to do with us? We are ordinary people. Ordinary people experience birth, aging, sickness, and death. Time is very cruel to us. Some things, once missed, might never be regained..."
She paused, then looked at me again, "My decision to study abroad has been finalized."
"Finalized?" I was a little surprised. "Didn't you say you were still considering it last time?"
"I was still considering it, but time waits for no one. If I don't go this year, I might not want to go next year. Besides, my dad also..."
"What about your dad?"
Bai Hanyan pursed her lips, "He's worried I won't get married, and he's already arranged blind dates for me."
I was slightly taken aback, "Blind dates?"
"Yes. I'm his only daughter. He probably wants to hold his grandchild soon." She gave a wry smile.
"What do you think about that?"
"What can I think? I'm definitely not willing to go on blind dates. I can't find a boyfriend either, so I can only study abroad. At least if I'm abroad, he can't control me, right?"
"But you have to come back eventually."
"When I'll come back is uncertain. Besides, what if I find a boyfriend abroad?" Bai Hanyan grinned, "Who can say about fate?"
I had a lot I wanted to say but didn't know how to express it, finally managing to stammer out, "Alright, you need to think it through yourself."
"There's actually another way."
"What way?"
She stood there looking at me intently, "Xiang Fei, why don't you marry me?"
I was startled, not knowing how to answer.
After about ten seconds, she burst out laughing, "I was just joking. Look how scared you are."
As she turned her head, I noticed the disappointment in her eyes.
Watching her receding back, for some reason, I suddenly felt like something was about to disappear from my life.
I gritted my teeth and rushed forward. Just as I was about to grab her arm, my phone suddenly rang.
I took it out and saw it was Yang Hanxue calling, which surprised me.
I quickly answered the phone and heard a voice from the other end, "I think you need to come over right away."
Yang Hanxue's tone was urgent. I asked, "What's wrong?"
"You were looking for the eldest lady, weren't you?"
Hearing this, I was stunned, "Is there news of her?"
"Yes, but you'll have to come over to hear the details."
"Where are you now?"
"Kashgar."
"Okay! I'll be there as soon as possible!"
After hanging up, Bai Hanyan, who had walked further away, returned, "What's wrong? Is something up?"
I nodded, "I might have to go to Xinjiang."
She gave a wry smile and asked, "What are you looking for this time?"
"Looking for someone."
"An Ying?"
"Yes." I nodded. "Some things can only be resolved by finding her."
A hint of sadness flickered in Bai Hanyan's eyes. I immediately realized I had said something wrong and shouldn't have told her so much.
But then again, deceiving her wasn't the right thing to do either.
"When are you planning to go abroad?" I asked.
"After Hong Yunpeng's wedding. After all, we know each other. I have to help him fill the venue..." She then added, "How long will you be gone this time?"
"It's hard to say."
"Then you're not attending the wedding?"
I didn't know how to answer. After thinking for a moment, I said, "I should be able to come back as soon as possible."
"What if you can't come back?" Bai Hanyan took a deep breath and looked at me. "You know, every time you go out, I'm so afraid you won't come back... Never mind, you wouldn't understand. If you have to go, then go. Anyway, as I said, safety first. You're so reckless, and you don't have anyone reliable around you. Fatty is even less reliable than you."
"Don't talk about Fatty like that. At least he's quite reliable in critical moments," I said with a smile.
"Let's go. Judging by this, you'll probably be leaving tomorrow. I'll treat you to a meal, and after that, you can take me home," Bai Hanyan said.
I took a deep breath. Looking at her like this, I couldn't help but nod.
Sometimes I also wondered what it was about me that attracted this girl?
Given her qualities, her liking me was entirely my good fortune.
Perhaps I was simply not meant to have anything to do with the word "fortune."
The next morning, Fatty and I packed our things, booked our flights, and headed directly to Kashgar.
I met Yang Hanxue at a hotel. There were quite a few people, including Fu Honglang and his wife, in addition to him.
They were mostly old acquaintances. From their appearances, it seemed like something major had happened.
Our group was in a room. I looked at Yang Hanxue and asked him what had happened.
He asked me, "Wang Yang, do you remember him?"
Hearing the name, I was slightly taken aback, "Of course, I remember. What happened to him?"
"He's dead."
"Ah?"
I was shocked, "Dead?!"
To be honest, I was very shocked to hear this news.
Wang Yang and I had quite a bit of interaction. Although we weren't life-and-death friends, we were friends, so how could he be dead?!
"What exactly happened?" I asked, staring at Yang Hanxue.