He Will Come Back Before Dawn

38

Bei Yao was woken up by the driver, “Miss, wake up, this is your stop.”

Her eyes opened and realised this was the bus stop near home. The seat beside her was empty.

“Uncle, where is the boy sitting beside me?”

The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, “He left long ago, and told me to wake you up at this stop.”

“Thank you.” Bei Yao alighted. The night was drizzling. She was a little disappointed, Pei Chuan left again. She fished out her phone and dialed his number.

The bus drove away. The boy in the last row accepted the call.

The driver couldn’t help but rant inside his mind. At this old age, he was forced to lie to a little girl together. He didn’t leave but sat in the last row. Tsk, young people.

“Pei Chuan.”

He gently replied, “Yeah.”

“Are you not coming home with me?”

Pei Chuan turned back. Her silhouette appeared in the lonely night. The bus drove slow, yet no matter how slow, her silhouette would disappear.

He said, “Not going back.”

No more manipulating you, leaving would be the obvious choice.

A gush of sadness flowed into Bei Yao. It was as if he regretted his words right away after speaking.

Pei Chuan added, “You should hurry home, be careful.”

He ended the call and told the driver to stop. He wanted to alight here.

The driver couldn’t hold back and scolded, “Do you know where this is? Public transport can’t just stop out of nowhere.”

“Stop the bus.”

The driver raged, “Be logical!” There was a bus stop just now yet you didn’t alight, and you told me to stop after 3 minutes of driving!

Pei Chuan grabbed the emergency hammer beside the window.

A moment later, the driver stopped the bus with his face in an ugly colour. Pei Chuan handed the cash inside his wallet to the driver. One glance, the driver’s face colour changed again. A whole thick stack of cash, stopping this bus was worthy.

He turned back. The boy’s silhouette already faded into the night.

-

Bei Yao ended the call. The street lights here were spoiled. She walked along the rows of trees.

The autumn breeze carried a light scent of flowers. Bei Yao didn’t bring a jacket when leaving. One section of the road was pitch black. She hugged herself tightly while walking towards home.

After some distance, she turned back. The area was empty, not a single soul was spotted.

Finally, she reached the area where street lights were functioning. Relief flowed in, her pace slowed down. She was actually familiar with this area since she takes this path every day to school. However much the greenery changes, the direction home remains.

She could still go back home. However, Pei Chuan lost his home.

Vividly recalling the cold relationship from the Cao Li family, her heartfelt stuffy. Anyone who stays in such a place will be upset. That’s why Pei Chuan chose to leave again.

Pei Chuan lit a cigarette, following her from far behind. Before Bei Yao turned back, he put out the cigarette. Her thin silhouette reached the lit area. He stared from afar, witnessing her return to the neighbourhood.