At that moment, Wentworth sat quietly in his seat as the plane began its ascent. As it climbed steadily into the sky, he stared blankly at the land of Japan below. Just as the plane was about to pierce the clouds, Wentworth murmured softly:
"I hate Japan…"
Several hours later, the plane landed smoothly at Beijing International Airport. Wentworth followed the crowd off the plane, the familiar hum of the language around him stirring something within, like returning from another life. It was inexplicably comforting.
As he walked with the stream of passengers, Wentworth turned a corner, and vanished. Not a single Muggle around noticed.
By the time Wentworth reappeared, he was already outside the airport.
Exhausted from the recent battle, Wentworth intended to find a hotel and rest for a while. His body, despite its youthful appearance, bore the weight of strain and weariness.
While deep in thought, someone suddenly stepped in front of him. Wentworth furrowed his brow and looked up, only to see a young man with striking white hair blocking his path.
The white-haired man, noticing Wentworth's gaze, spat out the toothpick he had been chewing, then opened his arms enthusiastically and exclaimed in English:
"Welcome to Beijing! If you're heading into the city, it's quite far, need a taxi?"
Wentworth considered for a moment, then gave a small nod.
Seeing this, the white-haired man beamed and led Wentworth outside, continuing to speak:
"Do you speak Chinese, kid?"
Kid? Wentworth blinked, then remembered, he was no longer Su Xinghe, but Wentworth. From the outside, he probably looked like a fourteen- or fifteen-year-old boy.
When Wentworth didn't answer, the man tried again in English:
"Did you come to Beijing on your own? Where are your folks?"
Wentworth simply shook his head.
Without further questions, the white-haired man guided him toward the taxi queue. But as they approached the car, something caught Wentworth's eye.
The name of the taxi company printed on the green vehicle was completely unfamiliar. In stark white letters, it read:
Go-Anywhere!
Go-Anywhere? Wentworth frowned. Does China really have such oddly named taxi companies?
But he didn't dwell on it. After all, he had never visited Beijing in his past life. Perhaps it's just a local company, he reasoned.
After they got in the car, the white-haired driver asked in English:
"Where to, kid?"
Wentworth thought for a second, then answered:
"Let's find somewhere to eat first."
The driver grinned and replied cheerfully:
"Alrighty!"
Then he started the engine.
During the ride, the driver chattered away in English, enthusiastically introducing various sights and features of Beijing. Wentworth, however, remained silent and expressionless, listening without responding.
After a while, the driver sighed in mild frustration:
"Come on, kid! I've been talking non-stop, you could at least say something! Give me a little reaction, will ya?"
Wentworth didn't answer. Instead, he reached into his coat and pulled out a small cloth doll, the one he had taken from Yukina's room. He held it up to the window and said softly:
"I've brought you to Beijing. Let's see what this era's Beijing is like… together."
The driver caught a glimpse of this through the rearview mirror and visibly shuddered, swallowing hard.
Just then, the radio crackled to life. The driver picked up the receiver and an elderly voice came through:
"Xu Si, you got a fare? Where are you? Coming home for dinner?"
The white-haired man, Xu Si, glanced again at Wentworth through the mirror. Seeing no reaction, he replied:
"No need for codes. This guy doesn't understand Chinese. These foreigners, even if they know how to say 'Ni hao', they can't help showing off once they get in the car."
There was a pause, then the voice on the other end responded:
"How many times have I told you, always be cautious. Have you figured out who he is yet?"
Xu Si shook his head helplessly.
"I haven't been able to find out anything. The guy barely says a word, like a mute. But… honestly, I think he's not all there."
"He said he wanted to get something to eat, so I'm planning to take him to one of our company's restaurants. That way, you can get a closer look."
The elder replied:
"Be careful. If anything seems off, signal immediately. And make sure to take a route with low foot traffic. You hear me?"
But just then, a completely different voice came through the radio, a calm and unfamiliar one:
"Quite a diverse business you've got. Taxis and restaurants? What else does your company do?"
There was a beat of stunned silence before the elder voice suddenly shouted, panicked:
"Xu Si?! Xu Si! Who was that? Who just spoke? Xu Si?!"
But Xu Si didn't answer.
Because at that moment, the blond boy he had thought to be withdrawn and harmless was now pointing a wand directly at his forehead.
Wentworth, expressionless, said coldly:
"He's talking to you."
A bead of sweat rolled down Xu Si's forehead. He swallowed and stammered:
"Our company… we also run logistics. It's called Go-Anywhere Express…"
But before he could finish, Wentworth shook his head and gestured at the radio:
"I meant him. The man on the radio is speaking to you."
Xu Si gave a pitiful smile and leaned toward the radio.
"Dad, it's fine. The guest just pulled out a chopstick and pointed it at my head. I think he's trying to say he's hungry…"
On the other end of the radio, Xu Si's father went completely silent. His expression darkened.
And then the strange voice returned:
"Just drive properly. If we flip off the overpass, I'll charge you with reckless endangerment and a threat to public safety."
"And you, listening on the other end, this boy and this car are now under my control. Don't worry, I'm not here to stir up trouble in Beijing."
"Of course… I'm no saint either."
With that, the radio clicked off.
Xu Si's father stared at the silent device, grim-faced. At that moment, a scruffy girl, perhaps eighteen or nineteen years old, walked in from behind.
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This fanfic has been fully translated!