Hokkaibo near the port.

On the slightly bustling wharf, there are constantly loud noises of crew members and stevedores dragging carts and wooden boxes, adding a touch of life to the quiet town. The streets are filled with pedestrians and horses, but in contrast to the crowds of residents who want to get onto the ferry with their luggage. Although the town is still prosperous on the surface, what is hidden behind it is a sad desertion and bleakness. The expressions of the pedestrians are without exception, and even under the smiles there is a faint trace of worry and anxiety.

"There are three ferries today......," Qi Lisa whispered, looking at the pier, "The ferry fare is getting higher and higher, and some people can't afford it." ”

"No, since the people are almost gone, the cost of travel should be less and less. With a look of complete incomprehension, Bernie questioned: "It's not the same as selling imported goods." ”

"But there are fewer ferries willing to stay. On the contrary, more and more people who were originally determined are also beginning to waver when they see their neighbors leave. Pointing at herself self-deprecatingly, Qi Lisa pursed her lips and said, "Including me." ”

"That little ...... Qilisa" almost added the honorific title again, Bernie hurriedly swallowed the words on his lips, and after clearing his throat, he said again: "Qilisa, since you have thought about leaving, why not do it?"

"I don't understand it myself. Shaking her head, Qilisha rejoiced that Bernie called her by her name, "Probably because I haven't saved enough money to buy a house, so I can't bear to leave." ”

"Which is more important, your house or your life?" Seeing that Bernie didn't seem to want to continue the discussion, Qi Lisa approached Bernie and asked tentatively, "I say, Bernie...... Doesn't anyone in Winterfell want to escape? I've barely seen a carriage coming from there. ”

"Of course you are, you just didn't pay attention. With a clear disdain for the cowards, Bernie sighed and said no more. Realizing that she had asked an extremely embarrassing question, Qirissa had no choice but to swallow the words that came to her lips and concentrate on leading the way for Bernie.

"Oh, here it is. Pointing to a tavern with no signboard in front of her, Qi Lisa said happily: "This shop has no signboard or name, it's very chic, isn't it? ”

"What's so special about this? Many of our stores in Neverwinter City don't have signs. Besides, the business is not booming, and it has nothing to do with its lack of signboards. Bernie looked at the tavern and frowned, "Why does it look so dirty? ”

"It just looked dirty, but the food was still good. The main thing is that it's cheap. Chilled by the sea breeze, Qi Lisa shrunk and fluttered the snow on the hem of her skirt: "How long have you been on leave, Bernie?"

"Since the outpost is in the process of negotiating a handover, I, the acquirer, have nothing to do for two or three weeks. Smiling bitterly, Bernie's expression was slightly excited: "It's an automatic paid vacation, I really don't know if I should be happy." ”

"Of course you should be happy! You can have a good time for two or three weeks! How can an ordinary guard have this opportunity?" Hearing this, Qi Lisa stopped excitedly and grabbed Bernie's arm: "How can you be unhappy?"

"It's not because of you!" Glancing at her, Bernie said dryly, "Who are you selling all these days?"

"Hey, this ......" was hit hard by Bernie's words, and Qi Lisa suddenly felt extremely disappointed. But the thought of having the opportunity to meet Bernie these days made Lisa's mood improve again: "Whatever it is, it doesn't matter - anyway, have you thought about where to go these days?"

"Not yet. I've never been very good at things outside of work, so ......" hesitated for a moment, and Bernie said dryly: "Anyway, I'm going to find a hotel to stay in Beihaiwang today." Hire a horse early tomorrow morning and go to Neverwinter to see your parents. After all, I haven't been back for a long time—"

"Oh, your parents live in Neverwinter? As soon as she heard about Eternal Winter City, Qi Lisha, who hadn't been to it for more than half a year, was a little expectant: "Then let's go together tomorrow morning, shall we meet the second elder." ”

"Hah, I'll go home to see Mom and Dad, what are you going to do?" Bernie muttered, "Don't you have your own job, stay here and work honestly." ”

"I don't have any goods on hand, and I can't get in for a while. What's wrong with you going to Eternal Winter City?" Pulling at her scarf, Qi Lisha lifted the curtain and protested: "What's wrong with going to your house, I'm so in the way? ”

"But Neverwinter is dangerous right now...... Looking around, Bernie leaned his head close to Qilisa's neck and whispered, "There are many corruptors and clones in ambush in Eternal Winter City, in case you encounter danger after you go......

"It's so easy to run into danger...... In case of danger, you will protect me like you did yesterday?" Because Bernie's cheeks were too close, Qi Lisa hurriedly turned her head and whispered, "I didn't misunderstand, did you? ”

"No, you're definitely mistaken. Shaking his head, Bernie reluctantly compromised: "Okay then, we'll go find a hotel after dinner later." After that, we will meet at the door of the hotel tomorrow morning......"

"There's no need for that, it costs money to stay in the hotel, so it's not cost-effective. As soon as the conversation changed, Qi Lisa took a step back and said excitedly again: "Bernie, do you remember that I said that my family lives around here?"

"I remember. Nodding suspiciously, Bernie asked puzzledly, "What's wrong?"

"Why are you so unskilled?" Pulling at the scarf, Qi Lisa said proudly, "I said that it is not cost-effective to stay in the hotel, and my house is still here - of course that is what I mean by letting you stay overnight!"

"Huh?" Hearing this, Bernie was stunned for a while, and then refused loudly with a red face: "This ...... How can this work?"

"What's not to do?" Excitedly pointing to a small house at the end of the street, Qi Lisa said quickly, "Look, that's my house." ”

"This house looks pretty big...... "Bernie said hesitantly, "That's what you're going to buy? ”

"I've saved up half of it now. Although she was still more than half a way away from the down payment, the house felt like she already belonged to her: after all, she had rented it since she was very young.

"How about staying at my house tonight, Bernie?" to get Bernie to agree, Qi Lisa hurriedly added, "Many of the hotels in this neighborhood are closed, and the rest are ridiculously expensive. ”

"That'...... All right. Blushing to death, Bernie reluctantly agreed to Lisa's proposal.