Jingxia Rose

Chapter 118: I'm scared

When the plane landed, it was around 8:30 p.m. Moscow time. The night was dark and the wind was biting.

The two took their luggage, walked out of the airport together, took a taxi, had a meal together, and then returned to the apartment where Ji Xian lived.

Just as I took off my coat, Wen Qi called.

Ji Xuan was surprised. "Are you awake or still awake?"

Based on the time difference, it is currently around 5 a.m. in Beijing.

Wen Qi's voice was a little hoarse, "I slept for a while. I was worried because I didn't see any messages from you since you were about to land.

He slept very restlessly tonight, waking up and falling asleep countless times.

I had just dozed off for a little over an hour, and as soon as I reached for my phone, I called her.

"I landed safely and just arrived at my apartment."

"Have you got a meal yet?"

"I've already eaten," Ji Xian said. "It's still early, you should get some more sleep. I'm going to wash up and catch up on some sleep too."

"it is good."

Upon hearing her voice, Wen Qi felt his heart quickly calm down, and the previous turmoil subsided.

The next day, Ji Xuan woke up after 10 a.m.

Picking up my phone, I could see a message from Wen Qi sent an hour earlier, featuring the same three-piece set.

Are you awake? Did you sleep well? Have you eaten?
Ji Xuan was used to his straightforward way of chatting. After replying to each message, she started washing up. There was nothing in the refrigerator, and ordering takeout would take a long time, so she simply went out and bought some food at a nearby supermarket.

After that, I spent the rest of the day tidying up and cleaning at home, and also contacted seven or eight close colleagues to arrange to have dinner together the next night.

Including Anatoly and Polina.

The restaurant they booked was a local Russian restaurant. Ji Xian was the first to arrive that day and confirmed the dishes with the waiter. Xiao Guxing and Anatoly arrived shortly after.

The two greeted each other with a light hug, then sat down to talk about how she was no longer renting the apartment.

The Anatolians were straightforward; their contracts didn't specify any time limits or require a deposit. All they had to do was pay the rent for the next two months and sign a termination agreement.

As darkness fell outside, my colleagues gradually arrived.

Once everyone had arrived, Ji Xuan told them about his upcoming transfer back to China.

His colleagues were reluctant to part, but Ji Xian smiled and said, "There will always be opportunities to meet again in the future. Thank you all so much for taking care of me this year. I would like to raise a glass to you all and wish you all the best and great success in your careers."

Xiao Guxing looked at her empty glass and chuckled, "You're too honest. Drink less. This wine isn't strong, but drinking too much will always make you feel unwell."

"Remember to tell me before you go back, don't sneak off alone."

Ji Xian chuckled, "Don't worry, I probably have two suitcases, and there are a few things that are hard to carry, so I'm going to ship them. On the day I leave, I'll drag you along to help me out."

Xiao Guxing smiled casually and nodded in agreement, "Okay. So, when are you leaving?"

This is the most comfortable and natural way for two people to get along.

Ji Xuan thought for a moment, "The day after tomorrow, I'll sign the termination contract with Anatoly tomorrow, and check the plane tickets when I get back tonight."

If you think about it, the day after tomorrow is Monday.

As they were talking, Xiao Guxing's phone suddenly rang. He glanced at the caller ID and saw that it was the old lady calling.

Quite unexpected.

It should be around 11 or 12 o'clock in China right now.

He got up and went to a quiet place to answer the phone, "Hello, Grandma, it's so late, why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Ah Xing, you need to put down what you're doing and go to the police station right away," came the anxious voice from the other end of the phone.

"What's wrong? What happened?" "Oh dear, I just received a call from your grandfather's student, Shu Yang, saying that his daughter was robbed while traveling in Moscow and is currently at the police station."

“They couldn’t get there in time, they were so worried, and they thought of you in Moscow. The young girl must have been terrified to have experienced something like this, especially in a foreign country. She said even her cell phone was stolen, and she had to use the police station’s landline to call back.”

Xiao Guxing's expression turned serious, and he frowned. "Which police station?"

The old lady gave a vague address, which Xiao Guxing understood. "I understand, I'll go there now."

"Okay, go and take a look. Remember, the girl's name is Shu Tang."

Xiao Guxing responded, returned to the dining table, and told them that he had to leave first.

"Ah-Xian, Anatoly will take you back later."

Ji Xuan nodded, "You don't need to arrange this. I know what I'm doing. You go ahead and do it."

He deliberately didn't drink tonight because he was driving, and the police station the old lady mentioned happened to be nearby, not far, about 3.6 kilometers away.

He went into the police station and asked Officer Shu Tang about her whereabouts.

The police officer led her to a lounge. As soon as the door opened, the officer said in Russian, "Shu Tang, your friend has come to pick you up."

Shu Tang doesn't speak Russian, so she's been using a translator these past two days.

Now that the translator was gone, she felt like she was listening to gibberish, and all she could hear was a sound as she looked up at the doorway.

But when she saw Xiao Guxing, she froze, and the tears on her cheeks stopped flowing.

Xiao Guxing was also surprised; he hadn't expected her to be Shu Tang.

But unlike her delicate and lively demeanor on the plane that day, Shu Tang now can only be described as 'disheveled'.

Her off-white pants and furry shoes were covered in mud and were filthy. Her makeup was ruined from crying, and her hair was a mess.

Those wet eyes were like those of a frightened fawn, filled with lingering fear and apprehension.

"You...how...how could this be..."

The little girl, hiccuping from crying, asked between sobs.

Xiao Guxing pursed his lips. "I am Xiao Guxing."

Shu Tang opened her eyes wide in surprise, "I...I know you."

As soon as the sound faded, she rushed over without hesitation, wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed his smeared face tightly against her chest.

The golden beans kept falling like they were free.

"I am afraid."

Her soft, sweet voice, tinged with nasal tones and a sob, added to her pitiful appearance.

Xiao Guxing froze, his breath caught in his throat, and his pupils trembled.

The little girl was only a little over 1.6 meters tall, and her hair barely reached his shoulders.

He paused for a moment, raised his hand to pat her back to comfort her, and then wanted to push her away, but she was crying so hard that he hesitated for a moment before lowering his hand vertically.

Her voice softened, "It's alright, you're safe now, don't cry."

Shu Tang clung to him, refusing to let go, as if she were on a cliff and had grasped the only straw to save her.

Helpless, Xiao Guxing could only look at the police officer and ask if a case had been filed and what had happened.

The officer said, "The girl doesn't understand Russian, and we don't understand her either. A couple rescued her and told us the license plate number of the robber's motorcycle."

“When her bag was snatched, she wouldn’t let go and was dragged for two or three meters, sustaining some injuries. We’re already checking the security footage to investigate. You can take her away and let her rest; she’s probably quite traumatized.”

I think I need to make a point. When I said there wouldn't be any more stories featuring the Moscow map, I was referring to the main characters, not the supporting male and female characters. Also, the senior's story will most likely appear in later side stories.