When the two returned to the Lianhua Courtyard, the sky was completely dark.
His phone had just rung in his pocket, and Xu Qingfan guessed it was either his mom or Xia Xiaoxiao calling to tell them to come back for dinner. Since they were almost there, he didn't answer.
After parking the car, Xu Qingfan instinctively looked at the patch of concrete under the banyan tree where Da Huang used to lie and sleep, which is why that patch was darker than the surrounding area.
There were also little plum blossom prints in the hardened cement, the pathway home.
Da Huang's departure seemed to herald the quiet end of an era. Where had those elderly who always enjoyed the shade under the banyan tree gone now, from his memories?
No trace of familiar faces to be found, yet the peach blossoms still smile at the spring breeze.
Xu Qingfan withdrew his gaze, feeling as if a piece of his heart were empty.