Chapter 64
Tang Yin headed towards the city alongside Jiang. Tang San had decided to stay at the Academy and meditate, while Xiao Wu said she wanted to accompany him and look around the Village.
Jing tailed after her and suddenly spoke up. "I cannot stay here forever, " he said. "It's enjoyable, but I do not wish to leave behind the Graveyard for too long." He told her, and she blinked.
"And what will you do with the academy?" She asked him, and he hummed before he continued. "Probably say family reasons or something."
They entered the city, and Yin turned towards him with a bright grin. "I am happy I got to spend time with you."
He smiled back at her, his face lighting up as he saw her. "I am also happy and do not have to leave quickly."
"Then let's make the best out of today." She grabbed his hand and then dragged him after her. "I snagged some money from San so we can go shopping."
"Sure." He followed her as they headed into the markets and started picking out things for each other. He stood still when she picked out a few things for him, and he grinned when putting a flower into her hair. "It suits you."
"Thank you," she said, then she spotted a bracelet from a small trader. After some negotiation, she bought the bracelet made of black-blue smoke glass. She picked it up and then put it on Jiang's wrist. "For you, " she said. "Don't lose it, will you?"
"Aye, I won't," He said. "Yin, please be careful when I am no longer around." He took her gloved hand and stroked over the back of her hand.
"I prepared a few stones for you as well." He handed her a few stones, and she took them carefully, putting them into her bag. "I picked them from a place where many high-level beasts rest, so they should be useful for you...it's enough for the others as well..."
"Jiang, don't worry, will you? " she said and smiled. "That being said, I still don't know how long I will stay in Shrek Academy."
"Due to your hand?" He asked, and she shook her head.
"No, " she said and moved her hands. "It's due to my brother. I love him. But If I follow him, I feel I will spend my life in his shadow. Kind of." She smiled a bit awkwardly. It hurt to think so, but she felt like it occasionally was like being lost in her brother's shadow. As if her being there was an illusion.
Wherever she had gone, most of the time, she had followed him. To Nuoding, now to Shrek, she felt like she needed at some point to part ways with him and stop following him.
"Don't. I think Shrek is a good choice for you. It is good if they don't pressure you to cultivate spirit power constantly but prioritize experience that is better for you." He told her, and she internally agreed with him. It was probably true.
"I am probably overthinking again, am I?" She asked him, and he nodded.
"You are. I'm a lot older, I ought to know." He hesitated a moment. "At least sometimes."
"Alright," she said and then ran ahead. Let's go. I think I saw a shop selling hair needles back there."
"Sure, sure." He said, and he followed along with her until she stopped.
"Is that Ning Rong Rong?" She asked, seeing the young girl sitting in a restaurant.
"It seems so, " he said, and they both were somewhat puzzled. "Tell me just to understand; I might have missed something. Skipping Classes as a human? Wasn't that forbidden?" he asked her, and she shook her head.
"Bad Idea, " she said, then headed off with Jiang. "It is better we see nothing."
They headed back into the city. They headed back into the market. Yin enjoyed the upbeat rhythm of the people stretching her arms as she ran through the street. Jiang was striding after her, and he suddenly stopped and looked upwards towards the skies, where clouds were rolling over it. Her eyes were glittering at the sight of walking ahead through the streets, humming a melody when she saw an art supply store.
"Jiang, excuse me." She said, heading straight to the store. Jiang saw it and followed her along. Inside, they went through the place, and she saw her favorite ink supplies and a few sheets of high-quality paper. She picked out the dark reddish-brown shade, reminding her of sepia. "I haven't got that one yet, "
Seen and bought, Jiang urged her at some point that they had to head back into the Academy when evening came.