Breakfast was served quickly.
A group of people sat around a long table.
Bai Mo and Yue Xin sat at the head, with Bai Ling and Bai Ting to their left.
The Qiao father and son sat across from the two girls, since Qiao Yun had promised his son Qiao Shan that he could come along, and he kept his word.
No one spoke during breakfast.
Normally, mealtimes at this table were filled with laughter and chatter, but today the atmosphere was a bit awkward.
Bai Mo usually liked to joke and chat with his family during meals, but with guests present, he was embarrassed to show that side of himself, especially in front of his former subordinate.
Naturally, he had to maintain his big boss image.
Another reason was that today he would be parting with his eldest daughter, sending her off to the magic academy.
Every time he thought about it, he felt reluctant in his heart.
Only the two girls were still chatting and laughing.
Bai Ting smiled as she picked food for her little sister, and Bai Ling happily accepted it.
Of course, she also picked food for Bai Ting.
This was normal, and it was one of the reasons Bai Ting liked her little sister so much—she was not only cute but also very thoughtful! But today, Bai Ting was acting a little differently.
Normally, she just ate whatever Bai Ling picked for her, but since she was leaving today and might not see Bai Ling for a long time, she felt a bit down, though she still smiled.
What she didn’t know was that, even though she was smiling, Bai Ling could see right through her.
After all, Bai Ling had lived two lives and was good at reading people.
She just didn’t want to bring it up.
In fact, they both understood each other.
While picking food for Bai Ling, Bai Ting spoke in a mock-elder tone, “I know you’re picky, so eat more veggies.
Otherwise, you’ll be malnourished and won’t grow tall.
You have no idea, there are more and more weird uncles out there, and they especially like cute, adorable little lolis like you.
You don’t know how dangerous you are.”
Bai Ling was completely immune to this kind of talk by now.
She’d lost count of how many times Bai Ting had said this.
Now, all she could do was give a wry smile.
“I won’t!”
“If you keep this up, you’ll get taken advantage of, you know.
I can protect you now, but when I’m not around, you have to be careful.” Bai Ting’s expression was serious, giving Bai Ling a sense of solemnity.
“I get it!” Bai Ling was a bit helpless, but didn’t want to hurt Bai Ting’s feelings.
Hearing Bai Ling say that, Bai Ting smiled.
“Good.”
As for Qiao Shan, ever since Bai Ling came downstairs, his eyes were glued to her like a magnet, barely looking away.
The more he looked at her beautiful face, the more he liked her.
He was so distracted by Bai Ling’s every move and smile that he almost shoved food up his nose, which his father Qiao Yun noticed.
Qiao Yun gave him a smack on the back of the head.
That snapped him out of it, and he looked a little embarrassedly at Bai Ling across the table.
Bai Ling had noticed him long ago.
He’d been staring at her the whole time, making her a bit uncomfortable.
Even though she thought of him as just a kid, being stared at by someone so much younger made her feel a bit useless.
She gave an awkward smile.
Bai Ting had been watching Bai Ling the whole time, and she noticed that awkward smile.
Of course she knew what was going on.
Bai Ting shot a fierce glare at Qiao Shan across the table.
She really disliked this brat always hanging around Bai Ling, so she had no patience for him.
Then she leaned over and whispered to Bai Ling, “Ling’er, be careful of that guy across from you.
He keeps staring at you, and from the look of him, he’s definitely up to no good, so watch out.”
Hearing Bai Ting say that, Bai Ling took it a bit more seriously—not for any other reason, but because it was Bai Ting who said it.
She always listened to the people she cared about, not wanting them to worry about her.
Especially when it came to her closest sister, Bai Ting.
Even if it was just a biological connection, Bai Ling didn’t care much about right or wrong, only about who was saying it.
Bai Mo, wanting to maintain his “tall and mighty” image, didn’t pay much attention to these little things.
Qiao Yun, feeling a bit embarrassed by his son’s behavior, also didn’t notice Bai Ting’s glare.
Only Yue Xin, sitting next to Bai Mo at the head of the table, saw all these little interactions clearly.
How could she not understand what was going on in their minds? She’d been through it herself, so she just smiled and said nothing.
After breakfast, Bai Ting was about to leave for a long trip.
Everyone gathered around a carriage in front of the Bai family’s main gate, with Bai Ting standing in the center.
Qiao Yun took Qiao Shan onto the carriage first, leaving the last moments for the family to say goodbye.
“Daughter, when you get there, study hard and don’t embarrass the Bai family.
At least become a female general for me.
There have always been few female generals, but those who made it all had great reputations and honor.
So work hard and don’t let your father down~” Bai Mo said earnestly.
“Is this really the time for that kind of talk? Can’t you say something nice? It’s always ‘general, general’ with you.
Aren’t you afraid of scaring your daughter?”
Yue Xin, unhappy with Bai Mo’s words, spoke up to refute him.
This blockhead, what was he thinking, not considering his daughter’s feelings? That was what Yue Xin was thinking.
Then she turned to Bai Ting and said, “Don’t listen to your father’s nonsense.
When you get there, take care of yourself and be careful.
Don’t be too mischievous.
At home, it’s fine because your family spoils you, but it’s different outside.
People won’t care about that, so try to avoid unnecessary trouble.
And take good care of yourself—don’t let yourself suffer.” That was a mother’s love, all her worries showing as her daughter was about to leave.
No mother wants her daughter to have a hard time, and Yue Xin was no exception.
“I know.
As long as no one messes with me, I won’t cause trouble.
No one’s going to bully me.” As she spoke, Bai Ting couldn’t help but clench her delicate little fist and wave it in a show of strength.
“You!” Yue Xin was helpless in the face of Bai Ting’s stubbornness, but didn’t want to say anything too harsh for fear of hurting her.
Still, she worried that with Bai Ting’s personality, she might get bullied outside, since people could be unpredictable.
“All right, it’s getting late.
You should get going so you don’t keep your Uncle Qiao waiting.” Bai Mo sighed inwardly.
What must come will come, and what must go will go.
“Okay, I’m off! Father, Mother, take care!” She turned to Bai Ling and said, “You too, Ling’er!” Then Bai Ting threw Bai Ling a wink and turned to leave.
Just as Bai Ting turned away, Bai Ling called out, “Sister!”
“Hm?” Bai Ting turned back in confusion, and in that moment, a soft body threw itself into her arms—it was Bai Ling.
Bai Ling hugged Bai Ting tightly, then leaned her head to Bai Ting’s ear and whispered something.
After that, she let go, blushing as she stepped back.
After hearing those words, Bai Ting immediately got excited and nodded.
As she climbed into the carriage, Bai Ting stuck her head out and said to Bai Ling, “Yeah! I’ll be waiting for you~” Then she ducked inside, and the carriage slowly rolled out of the Bai family estate.
Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Bai Ling clenched her fists and muttered to herself, “I’ll definitely come find you.
I won’t let anyone hurt you, no matter who they are.
Never.” With that, she turned and went back inside.
