Two relaxed days passed. On the fifth day, Tang Siran took Qiu Xi and a few others out to play again.
This time, however, was different; they traveled a great distance to see the archipelago.
"Such beautiful scenery, it was worth traveling this far."
"Yes~"
Sitting on the sandy beach now, they looked out at the distant horizon, feeling exceptionally happy.
Just watching the waves crash against the rocks along the shore was enough to keep them captivated for a long time.
Especially under the sunlight, it was truly beautiful.
"Quick, come here, I'll take photos of you."
Hua Linglong's professional interest was piqued again.
"Coming~"
At this moment, the other three were happy to cooperate.
And so, the four of them happily ran around the beach for an entire afternoon.
...
For the next two to three days, the four of them didn't venture out again.
This was because Tang Siran had some business to attend to during these days, so she let the other three explore the surroundings on their own.
"Tangtang, we're going to buy tickets to go back."
That evening, as soon as Tang Siran returned, she heard this sentence.
She froze for half a moment before casually nodding, "Alright~"
"You've been here for almost a week, it's indeed time to go back."
"When are you planning to leave?" Tang Siran asked the three of them.
"In another two or three days. We haven't bought tickets yet~" They were just informing Tang Siran in advance.
Upon hearing this, Tang Siran became happy again, "Then there's no rush. It just so happens there's one more place I haven't taken you to yet~"
"It's perfect timing as I've finished my busy schedule. I'll take you out to see more in the next two days, and we'll go to the last place on the final day."
"Okay, we'll listen to you, our great guide~"
During their stay here, they were truly impressed.
Tang Siran had been working very hard for the past few years. Before they arrived, she seemed to have planned everything meticulously.
She never forgot the casual promise they made when they parted ways; instead, she had been eagerly anticipating it.
"Deal!"
"It's all on me!"
Suddenly, the silent atmosphere that had fallen upon hearing about their departure lifted, and the four of them started laughing again.
Over the next two days, Tang Siran truly took the three of them to visit nearby cities, and their eyes had briefly taken in the scenery of foreign lands.
"We won't be going out in the morning today. We'll go out in the afternoon."
"Okay."
On their last day planned for outings, Tang Siran did not take the three out early in the morning. Instead, she let them sleep in.
Around three or four in the afternoon, she called for the three of them to get ready, as they were about to head out.
"Tangtang, where are we going?" Watching the scenery recede on the street, the three of them were a bit curious.
"To a bar. I want you to experience the bar culture here."
"Ah?" Hua Linglong's mouth fell open, and her eyes fixed on her friends.
Four years ago, she was still a quiet little girl who just followed them around.
And now, on their last day out here, Tang Siran was going to take them to a bar?
Had her innocent little sister secretly turned into a wild party girl?
"Hahahahaha~"
Tang Siran couldn't help but laugh provocatively as she saw Hua Linglong's astonished expression.
"Linglong, why are you so surprised~"
"Hurry up and close your mouth. You'll know when we get there."
"...Okay." Hua Linglong still couldn't quite believe it.
Even the usually quiet Ni Xue seemed a bit taken aback.
Only Qiu Xi appeared relatively normal.
Qiu Xi showed no significant change in her expression and felt quite calm.
This was not for any particular reason, but because she had some understanding of bar culture in Country Y.
Moreover, there were many types of bars here. She guessed that the one Tang Siran was taking them to was probably not the kind that only involved singing, drinking, and dancing, so her expression remained normal.
"We've arrived. Let's go." Tang Siran stopped in front of a rather nondescript doorway.
"Here?" Hua Linglong asked doubtfully.
It didn't look like much at all.
"Come on, you'll know once we go inside." Tang Siran smiled gently, pulling Hua Linglong along with Qiu Xi and Ni Xue as they entered.
After stepping through the small outer door and walking down a long corridor, they finally reached the actual entrance to the bar.
"This... is this a bar?"
"Are you sure this isn't a hotel?" Hua Linglong stared blankly at the entrance for a while.
Even after entering, she was still somewhat in disbelief.
The double metal doors, the exquisite chandeliers casting a dim, yellowish light, and the reception desk by the entrance – it all looked exactly like a hotel reception...
Perhaps it was due to her limited experience, or perhaps she hadn't visited enough bars, but Hua Linglong was completely overwhelmed.
Upon entering, her eyes widened further in disbelief.
This... English classical design style, the vintage tiled carpets...
It looked like a library, or perhaps a concert hall. It was truly unlike what she had imagined.
"Doesn't it feel different?"
Hua Linglong nodded, "Yes, it's different."
After entering, she realized they were already on the third or fourth floor.
Looking down from above, a beautiful grand piano was placed in the center. The piano music they had heard earlier was coming from there.
"This is just the beginning. This piano is a signature feature here. However, the actual pianist hasn't performed yet. We can find a seat, and after listening, we can go further inside."
"Sure!"
"Let's sit for a while first." Those who were seeing this scene for the first time were filled with curiosity.
"Okay~ Then let's head over there. The view is good, and there are still seats available now."
"Okay."
At seven o'clock, the piano music began precisely on time.
At that moment, it was incredibly quiet. Apart from the piano music, no other sounds could be heard.
A few minutes later, the piano melody faded.
"Why are some people already leaving?" Hua Linglong asked curiously, watching those who had just sat down and left as soon as the music ended.
"That's quite normal. Most of the people who sat here to listen to the piano music came specifically for this piece. Now that it's over, they naturally leave."
"Hmm, is it worth it?"
To travel all this way just for a piece of piano music?
"Perhaps..." Tang Siran nodded.
She didn't fully understand either, but if it weren't worth it, people probably wouldn't come.
Everyone has their own perspectives. Since they came, it means it was worth it to them.
Just like her now, she wasn't concerned about whether it was worth it; she just wanted to not have regrets in the present.
"Let's go, we're moving on."
"Alright."
The four of them didn't linger, exchanged a few words, and then walked away.
"It's different in there. We'll go see later. For now, let's order some drinks."
"Okay."
"But you can only have some soft drinks or something with a low alcohol content. I'll also get you some sausages and mashed potatoes."
"Sure, you decide."
"Then let's go."
A short while later, the group of four, holding their drinks, sat on nearby wooden chairs, chatting and listening to music.
Not far from them, another group of people were engrossed in reading books.
After a while, perhaps engrossed in their reading, they reached out to take their drinks and took a hearty sip.
The scene, though somewhat incongruous, was inexplicably harmonious.
As Qiu Xi and the other three drank, they struck up conversations with those around them.
...
The group's bar excursion concluded at ten in the evening.
"Don't you think we look a bit familiar like this?"
Walking back, Ni Xue turned and asked with a smile.
"Mmm... a bit~" Hua Linglong, feeling a little dazed, nodded vigorously.
"It is a bit familiar," Tang Siran said happily, her eyes narrowing slightly as she nodded at the three.
"Four years ago, when we graduated and I was just preparing to go abroad, that night was very similar..."
"But it's different now..." This is the path you've taken to come to me.
"Tangtang, if you put it that way, it really is a bit similar..."
The wish made four years ago was finally fulfilled in the year of their graduation.
"This time, we'll wait for you to come back in our country!"
"Okay!"
"Very soon~"
Her sisters had all graduated. She had actually graduated last year but chose to stay for further studies. By this time next year, she should be able to return.
...
"Come on, we should go back."
"Mmm..."
Upon returning home, the four of them washed up and lay down in bed.
"Xiao Xi, Xiao Xuehua, and Linglong, I've been so happy these past few days you've been here~"
"It's been so long since I've been back, I almost forgot..."
"But thankfully, you really came~"
"Of course!"
"If we couldn't get together, maybe we would have come much earlier~"
This wasn't a lie. Among the four of them, Xiao Xi was the busiest. Of course, she and Xiao Xuehua were also very busy...
Both Xiao Xi and Xiao Xuehua attended excellent universities with intense competition. Even during holidays, they had competitions scheduled. Moreover, Xiao Xi also had a master, making her even busier.
And her, when studying her major, she spent her holidays on fieldwork.
"Mmm, I know~" Tang Siran turned her head and replied.
Who wasn't busy!
She herself hadn't returned home for four years while being abroad...
"Alright~ Let's change the topic..."
"Okay."
The four of them chatted until late into the night before falling into a deep sleep.
...