The noise from the second floor drifted down. Zhu Yanyi asked, "When does this ship leave?"
Yan Aohan glanced at his watch. "5:40. It is 5:33 now. Seven minutes left."
Zhu Yanyi nodded. She kept looking at the horizon where the sea met the sky, glowing with orange light. "I noticed something. Chinese people are always noisy on public transport. Whether it’s a bus or a ship, it’s always loud."
"Chinese people like liveliness," Yan Aohan replied simply.
Zhu Yanyi shrugged. "But isn’t it annoying? Ships have fixed seats. One ticket, one seat. You have a number. Why not just find your seat and sit quietly?"
"I don’t know. Chinese thinking is complex," Yan Aohan said seriously.
"You’re just making that up," Zhu Yanyi laughed. She was only complaining lightly, not demanding an answer. But Yan Aohan insisted on giving one.
Yan Aohan smiled too. "Are you feeling better now?" she had been chatting just to cheer her up.
A smile touched Zhu Yanyi’s lips. She felt sad leaving home, but didn’t want to worry anyone. She hadn’t shown it, yet Yan Aohan saw through her. She even used boring talk to lift her spirits. "I’m actually fine. Just a bit reluctant to leave home."
Yan Aohan nodded. No one likes leaving their birthplace. Even if Zhu Yanyi returned later, it would only be her hometown. Her household registration had moved. She was no longer from Sicheng Town in Yao City. "If you left without hesitation, you wouldn’t be you. Girls are naturally soft-hearted. It’s normal."
"That comfort sounds strange," Zhu Yanyi smiled. She looked at the distant light. "I knew I would leave. With my medical skills, I couldn’t stay in Sicheng forever. Leaving was inevitable. I just didn’t expect it three years early. I thought I’d leave after college. It’s a surprise. That’s why it’s hard to let go. But now, seeing the sea, I realize leaving opens my eyes. I see a different world. This is my first time seeing the sea. The waves, the sun… The ship rocks a bit, but it’s steady. Seeing the sun ahead, I know I’ll reach Kyoto smoothly, no matter the difficulties. Life should be like this."
Yan Aohan looked at Zhu Yanyi steadily. "Ani, I’m glad you think this way. But I hope you are happier. You are only fourteen, not forty. Don’t overthink."