In fact, Ji Yuan appeared so thoroughly immersed in whatever heavy memories were occupying his mind that he did not even notice the sound of her approaching footsteps.
"Teacher Ji." Bai Xifeng called out softly, stepping into the room.
Only then did Ji Yuan finally react. His gaze slowly refocused, and he turned his head toward his student. For a brief, fleeting moment, there was a deeply complicated look hidden in his eyes before it quickly disappeared into the void, replaced once again by his usual calm, unreadable expression.
Bai Xifeng walked over casually and sat down on the mat across from him. Neither of them spoke immediately. Outside, the bamboo leaves rustled gently in the afternoon breeze, filling the brief silence between them with a soothing sound.
Eventually, Ji Yuan was the first one to break the quiet.
