Chapter 17 - If There’s Fate … (1/2)

Mister Pi hurried after Qiu Ling, which wasn't that hard, considering that Qiu Ling had tried to walk extra slow, to match his outer appearance.

Qiu Ling was cursing his bad luck inside, but he still turned around with a sagely smile plastered on his face. ”May I be of help?”

”Ah, it's like this.” Mister Pi stopped in front of Qiu Ling and folded his hands behind his back, trying to look as sagely as Qiu Ling. ”I happened to hear, what you told Madam Zhong just now. You know, the mother of that child.”

”Is that so.” Qiu Ling glanced at the house of the Zhongs. Jing Yi was already inside. What if something happened? I can't let this Mister Pi hold me back here for long. Maybe I should use some magic to solve this problem?

Qiu Ling turned back to Mister Pi. His hands twitched, but he still held back. No, too many people are leaving their houses right now. If anybody notices, this could turn out badly for Jing Yi. I'll just have to talk him into leaving soon.

”Yes, indeed. I was just wondering … That boy is normally so well behaved … You wouldn't know, why he was in the forest?”

”No.”

Mister Pi waited, but nothing more came after that. ”Ah … Then, was he really alone?”

”Yes.”

”Are you … are you sure? Maybe his father was somewhere around there? Or somebody else from the village?”

”No.”

”Mn … Maybe some other children?”

”I didn't see anyone.”

Mister Pi stared at the old man in front of him. He felt, like he had somehow offended him … But examining his face, a sagely smile still hang at the old man's lips, he hadn't furrowed his brow and nothing else seemed out of place. Huh, maybe I imagined it?

Considering that it was only his imagination and that he seldom had the opportunity to talk to such a dignified person, Mister Pi didn't even think to let him leave. Madam Zhong is really not that bright, to let this man go. She should have invited him! Certainly, it would benefit her greatly, to know such a great personage!

But of course, for inviting such a person, one couldn't be too straightforward. It had to be done in a roundabout way.

”That is quite strange”, remarked Mister Pi and looked at the village just like Qiu Ling. See that? I'm standing in the same posture as you, looking at the same thing as you! Don't you feel like there is fate between us? Don't you just feel like striking up a friendship with me?

”Mn.” Qiu Ling's eyes narrowed. How about some lightning? He'd certainly hurry right back home if a storm came …