Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Returning to Edinburgh, looking at the familiar streets, Bai Yujing realized that he had taken a big loop around Scotland and finally returned to the starting point.
By the time they arrived, it was already afternoon. Bai Yujing felt extremely hungry; he hadn't eaten much on the way from Sterling to Edinburgh. Suddenly, he felt that after seeing so many castles, he had lost interest. After all, along the way, he had encountered various castles—new and old, intact and damaged—Bai Yujing had seen them all.
"Emma, let's find a place to eat!"
Emma shook her head and drove directly to another location. "No need. Did you forget what you promised me?"
Bai Yujing immediately recalled, "I didn't?"
Emma replied angrily, "You said you would come with me to meet my father. You're having dinner at our house tonight!"
Bai Yujing realized he had forgotten something very important. For Chinese people, meeting the parents is a significant ritual. Although it's not as emphasized for foreigners, when a father hands his daughter over to someone, he will definitely evaluate this young man.
Generally, foreigners only introduce their partners to their parents when they are sure about marriage. Bai Yujing and Emma hadn't known each other for long, so things were indeed moving a bit fast. However, Bai Yujing certainly wouldn't say anything inappropriate; since Emma was willing to take him home to meet her father, he felt quite happy about it.
"I'm really sorry, Emma. I forgot! I haven't prepared a gift." Bai Yujing felt a bit flustered.
After hurriedly buying some fruit and bringing along a bottle of whiskey—simple items that weren't too expensive but suitable for a first visit—he felt somewhat relieved.
Emma's father lived in New Town. At this time, Edinburgh was still bustling with activity; there were many tourists, and the streets were filled with a festive atmosphere. However, Bai Yujing felt somewhat nervous.
Eventually, the car stopped on a street in New Town next to a flower shop. Emma opened a small door nearby and walked in immediately. Bai Yujing followed her inside; although there wasn't a spacious main entrance, there was a large living room that was cozy and simply decorated yet full of charm—flowers and plants adorned the space, and there was even a parrot kept there. The floor was spotless.
A well-dressed middle-aged man with neatly combed hair came down from upstairs. He was handsome, with fine stubble and deep-set eyes that exuded charm, especially with the pipe in his mouth; Bai Yujing felt as if he were looking at Sherlock Holmes.
What an extraordinary presence! This appearance could easily make him a heartthrob among women; indeed, good looks seem to run in families—without good genes or some mutation, it just doesn't add up.
"Emma, you're back," the man said as he walked down the stairs with a smile, taking down his pipe and glancing at Bai Yujing before addressing Emma.
Emma immediately rushed forward and threw herself into the man's arms. "Oh, Dad, I missed you so much!"
The man expressed his displeasure. "It seems you haven't missed me at all these past few days. If I hadn't seen you in the newspaper, I wouldn't have known what you've been up to."
Emma pouted and asked, "So how did I do?"
The man gave a thumbs up. "You did very well. My precious daughter is the best, just like I was in my youth."
Emma quickly replied, "Dad, you're still very young! By the way, I want to introduce you to someone."
Emma took her father's hand and brought him in front of Bai Yujing. Although Bai Yujing felt a bit nervous, he stood up straight, trying to appear confident and capable. "This is my boyfriend."
Emma's father immediately interrupted her. "I know, I've seen him in the newspaper. Ian, nice to meet you. I'm William Bruce."
Bai Yujing stepped forward. "Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Bruce. You can also call me by my Chinese name, Bai Yujing."
"White, Bai Yujing, is it? My Chinese isn't very good; it sounds a bit awkward. I'll just call you Ian," Mr. Bruce said, appearing somewhat stiff and polite but giving off a cold demeanor typical of an Englishman.
"Alright, Mr. Bruce."
Dinner was served on the second floor at a restaurant where Emma's stepmother, a tall black-haired English woman named Daisy, cooked. She was very slim with prominent features. Emma's younger sister, Bethany, a black-haired girl under ten years old, contrasted sharply with Emma's golden hair.
Bethany was a shy girl who didn't like to talk, which was quite different from Emma's boldness and extroversion. It seemed that even within the same family and environment, children could grow up to be very different.
Bethany kept staring at Bai Yujing with her big eyes as if she were very curious about him. Emma's stepmother Daisy was very warm and sat next to Bai Yujing, continuously asking about the relationship between him and Emma.
"How did you and Emma meet?"
"Oh, it's such a romantic story."
"Can you tell me the details about the manuscript of Gulliver's Travels that you found?"
At the dining table, once the topic was opened, the atmosphere became lively, and the discussion caught the attention of Emma's sister, who tilted her little head to listen as Bai Yujing and Emma laughed while recounting their exciting journey.
When Bai Yujing mentioned encountering the Loch Ness Monster, even the usually composed Mr. William Bruce turned his gaze towards Bai Yujing. Bethany, holding her fork, seemed eager to speak but appeared to lack the courage to do so.
Bai Yujing immediately looked over and asked, "Bethany, do you have any questions for me?"
Finally gathering her courage, Bethany asked, "Is it really three stories high?"
Bai Yujing nodded, "That's right. In fact, it's even taller than that. Its neck is about seven or eight meters long, and with its head and massive body submerged in the water, it’s even larger—not to mention its long tail."
"Weren't you scared at that time?" Bethany asked curiously.
Bai Yujing replied, "Of course I was scared. Facing such a giant beast, it could swallow me whole in one bite like a piece of cream cake. But I knew I couldn't run because if I did, I would expose my weak spot on my back without being able to see its movements. It would attack me, and then I would really be done for. It was a very critical moment; my best option was to stand still."
Bethany then asked, "So how did you get away later?"
Bai Yujing pretended to be mysterious and said, "I have a magical treasure that the Loch Ness Monster dared not harm. After circling around me a few times, it left."
"Is it that staff in your hand?" William Bruce interjected. Bai Yujing was startled; how did Emma's father know about this?
William Bruce continued, "Don't be surprised; I saw it in a photo. Although it seems unremarkable, I found it strange that you had a staff with you."
Bai Yujing thought for a moment and nodded, "I'm not sure either; it might have been an illusion. At that time, I felt it had no ill intentions towards me. It seemed intelligent and recognized the staff in my hand while observing me. After circling around me once, the residents by the river noticed it, and it immediately panicked and fled."
William Bruce nodded and asked, "Can I take a look at it?"
"Of course!" Bai Yujing retrieved his backpack from downstairs and took out the staff, placing it into William Bruce's hands.
The Dark Brown Cane fit perfectly in hand, its thickness just right, with a top that resembled the head of a dragon, seemingly formed by nature itself. Holding it prevented slipping, "Indeed, this is Holy Oak Wood."
"Holy Oak Wood?" Bai Yujing did not expect William Bruce to mention such a term, and Emma was also surprised that her father recognized the origin of this cane.
This was a great opportunity to uncover the cane's origins, and both of them immediately pressed for more information: "What is this?"
William Bruce shook his head, "I have only heard of it; I learned about it from records. This is the first time I've seen one. According to legend, a cane made from Holy Oak Wood has a master you should have heard of."
"His name is Merlin."
At this revelation, everyone at the dining table was stunned. Although Bai Yujing was not British, he had heard of Merlin's great name. He was the source of Western wizards and sorcerers; the legends of wizards began with him. According to legend, he was King Arthur's close friend who guided Arthur to obtain the legendary Excalibur and unified England. He was indeed a renowned legendary figure.
Emma immediately asked, "Father, are you saying this is Merlin's staff?"
William Bruce shook his head again, "I don't know either; I've only heard stories. I can't confirm if it's true or not."
William Bruce continued, "However, there are records and legends about Merlin in the National Library of Scotland. If you're interested, you can go take a look."
Bai Yujing carefully took the cane. If what William Bruce said was confirmed, this would be a true treasure. Not to mention its legendary status, who had ever seen a staff like this? It seemed he truly had an eye for heroes back then, recognizing it as a staff at first glance.
The little girl Bethany curiously leaned in, and Bai Yujing let her touch and examine it, satisfying her curiosity.
Comment 0 Comment Count