Chapter 6: Farewell

The next day dawned early; because of what had happened yesterday, the breakfast stall didn't open at all. Qin Ge rose early, washed up, grabbed the backpack he had packed the day before, and headed straight out the door—not because he wanted to slip away unnoticed, but because he feared the two elders would become upset again.

But just as he stepped out of the shop door, he saw two familiar figures standing at the entrance, silently watching him.

"Tu Zaizi, what's up, thinking of leaving without a word?" Lao Wan looked especially spirited today, and seemed to have changed into a new set of clothes, making him look several years younger.

"How could I? I was just afraid you two would get upset again, so I left a note on the table." Qin Ge said somewhat embarrassedly.

"You say, this kid, it'd be great if you stayed. Elder Lady doesn't have a son either; you could live here, marry, have kids, and live a simple life—that would be wonderful." Elder Lady said to Qin Ge, her words full of reluctance. Moreover, it's no wonder: since Qin Ge came to this shop, he's taken care of all the chores inside and out, and occasionally chats with the two elders to pass the time; after all, what he learned in school was how to be a good son of the people.

Qin Ge didn't dare to speak, for Elder Lady's heartfelt words made him, who had lost his mother's love since childhood, feel a special lingering attachment. He didn't dare speak, afraid he'd involuntarily agree; he wanted to go home, back to his roots.

"Alright, stop urging him. This kid is just like our old boss—he's a stubborn sort. Once he's made up his mind, not even nine oxen could drag him back." Lao Wan grinningly cut off his wife's words, then turned to the silent Qin Ge and said, "Tu Zaizi, you haven't forgotten what you told me yesterday, have you?"

"No way! I will definitely make it through!" Qin Ge declared firmly to Lao Wan.

"Alright then, since that's the case, we won't urge you either. Twenty years ago, right here, I personally saw my old boss off. Today, it's the same place, and I too will personally see you off. However, Xiao Tu Zaizi, remember to live well." Lao Wan said solemnly, then took off the backpack from his back and handed it to Qin Ge, saying, "This is what Elder Lady prepared for you on the road—take it, don't starve out there."

Qin Ge quickly waved his hands. "Lao Wan, what's this? Didn't we agree earlier? I only need my meals and lodging covered for working here; I can't accept anything else."

"Lao Wan!" Lao Wan glared at him. "I'm not some damned landlord, and you're not my long-term hired hand. Don't give me that 'just cover food and lodging, nothing else' nonsense. Take it, quit the chatter, or I'll break your leg and you won't be able to walk out today."

"Well..." Qin Ge was speechless. He knew his principles forbade taking it, but if he didn't, trouble was certain today, leaving him torn.

"Quit dawdling!" Lao Wan said, slinging the backpack onto Qin Ge's neck. "Now get lost."

"Lao Wan, if you spoke nicely you'd die." Elder Lady said somewhat glumly, "Little Qin's about to leave, yet you're still throwing your stubborn tantrum."

Qin Ge smiled at Elder Lady and said, "Elder Lady, it's fine; I know Lao Wan's temper, and he's doing this for my own good, so I won't take it to heart."

"Mm-hmm, as long as you know." Elder Lady laughed.

"Elder Lady, it's getting late; I should head out now, or I'll miss the passenger ship." Qin Ge glanced at the sky and told Elder Lady.

"Mm-hmm, be careful on the road." Elder Lady hurriedly said.

Qin Ge glanced at the hesitant Lao Wan, smiled, bowed to both of them, then turned and walked toward the distant main road. After walking a long stretch, Lao Wan's voice came from behind.

"Live well!"

Qin Ge didn't look back, but kept walking, raised his right hand to his head, shook it, then clenched his fist and stuck out his thumb. Thus he marched straight out of the street and disappeared into the avenue.

"Xiao Tu Zaizi," Lao Wan sighed deeply, losing all his earlier stubbornness.

"You say, Little Qin's about to leave, yet you're still wearing that stubborn streak—at the very least treat him decently and leave a good impression." Elder Lady said with a look of disdain.

"What do you know? If I were really like you, speaking gently to him, what if he didn't leave? The most important thing in a lifetime is to have something to hold onto; he's like a fledgling eagle just flown from the valley, exactly the time to soar freely. If you cage him now, would he still be an eagle? The eldest son wasn't any different—though his wing broke mid-flight, he still had no regrets walking this path in the human world." Lao Wan gave Elder Lady a sideways glance and defended himself.

"Alright, alright, you're right. I'm just a woman; what do I know? Then you'd better not eat today—go ahead and starve yourself for a day." Elder Lady snapped.

"No, my mouth has no filter—I just blurt things out. You're the pillar of our family, the head manager." Lao Wan hurriedly waved his hands.

"Hmph."

Lao Wan turned, glanced at the old shop behind him, and muttered to himself, "Old lady, why don't we find a suitable buyer and sell this shop? We're both getting up there, soon we won't be able to work, and there's no one to help us—might as well sell it. Then we'll take our savings and travel around; best to die halfway."

"Where to?" Elder Lady showed no anger at Lao Wan's decision to sell the shop, and simply asked him.

"I think Shenhua City isn't bad; otherwise we could choose there." Lao Wan smiled.

"Well, after a lifetime of busyness, you old coot finally thought to take me out for a spin. Shenhua City is indeed nice; let's make it our first stop." Elder Lady also laughed.

The two walked into the shop, laughing and chatting.

But Qin Ge could no longer see this scene; he was now hurrying toward the harbor.

The city's civilian harbor district and the one used by the Grand Fleet stationed here are separate, facing different directions. The military harbor directly faces the sea, built for swift access to anywhere. The civilian one, however, has many considerations—traffic and scale—so it's usually located closer to the urban core.

By the time Qin Ge reached the harbor, the sky was fully bright; he quickly bought a ticket to Shenhua City at the ticket office and successfully boarded the passenger ship.

Since the trip to Shenhua City takes two days, Qin Ge bought a regular ticket when boarding, as his remaining money couldn't cover first-class expenses. He was also wondering whether, upon arriving in Shenhua City, he'd need to immediately find a part-time job.

Stepping onto the ship's deck, Qin Ge didn't immediately look for his berth; instead he stood by the rail, watching the bustling morning harbor. He casually opened the backpack Lao Wan had given him, discovering inside the breakfast Elder Lady had prepared, two thick stacks of money, and a letter. Qin Ge chuckled lightly, ignored the money, and opened the letter.

"Little rascal, when you see this letter, you must have already boarded the ship to Shenhua City. Old man I, the one regret of my life is sending my son to become a commander, yet this is also my proudest achievement. Among tens of thousands, my son is the bravest; he did what many dared not dream of, making him my pride

Today I have done the same thing; I don't expect you to become an outstanding commander, I only hope you can live well. Only by living does one have a future; if you die, there is nothing.

Moreover, the money in the pack isn't given out of pity for you; it's what you've earned by helping us these days, so you shouldn't feel guilty. Lastly, you must eat all the breakfast—your Elder Lady made it staying up all night.

"Lao Wan!"

Putting away the letter in his hand, Qin Ge took out the breakfast from his backpack and began to eat it in big mouthfuls. Slowly, tears fell down, mixing into the breakfast, and Qin Ge ate them bite by bite. That warm feeling made Qin Ge feel that this flavor he would deeply remember for a lifetime.

As the time arrived, the passenger ship let out a long whistle and slowly pulled away from the dock; as the ship drifted farther and farther, the city behind it also gradually became blurred.

"Goodbye, Minghai City!"