Chapter 18: The Goddaughter

“Xiao Xiao, where are you? Don’t leave me here alone! This place is so scary, and I’m all by myself!”
“Ah! Help! There’s a crow!”
Wang Ruoruo seemed to have seen something terrifying. She scrambled to her feet and ran, but suddenly tripped over something, falling to the ground with a thud.
The crow’s feathers gleamed jet black, its small eyes darting about as it flapped its wings and flew toward Wang Ruoruo, aiming straight for the rabbit she clutched tightly in her arms.
Wang Ruoruo summoned all her strength to protect the rabbit, preventing the annoying crow from snatching it away.
Goosebumps erupted all over her body, and she pursed her lips.
“Help! The crow wants to peck out my eyeballs!”
Seeing it couldn’t get the rabbit, the crow shifted its target to Wang Ruoruo’s big, watery eyes.
She Yuqi heard Wang Ruoruo’s cries and followed the sound to find the little girl.
Relieved to see Wang Ruoruo unharmed, she was about to approach when she turned her head and saw a crow trying to peck Wang Ruoruo’s eyes out.
“Someone, please save me!”
“Waaah… I miss grandpa!”
Despair and regret surged in her heart all at once.
…
Meanwhile, Wang Pinghai was rubbing corn kernels between his fingers when a sudden pang struck his heart. He dropped the unfinished kernels and called over Guo San.
Seeing his state, Guo San rushed to steady him. “Ninth Master, what’s wrong? We told you we’d handle this work, but you still insisted on doing it yourself…”
“I’ve been uneasy all day. I keep thinking something might happen to Ruoruo! No, I have to go to Xiaogou Village and check. We can’t wait any longer!”
She Yuqi was quick and agile, delivering a swift kick that sent the crow flying away.
Holding a stick, she chased off the famished crow. Frustrated at having its plan ruined, the crow flapped its wings a few times and reluctantly flew off.
Seeing She Yuqi come to her rescue, Wang Ruoruo was so moved she didn’t even wipe her tears and snot, instead throwing herself into She Yuqi’s arms and crying loudly.
She Yuqi had been a bit annoyed by her stubbornness before but now had nothing to say, sighing helplessly and comforting her, “Alright, alright, it’s fine now. Next time, don’t run off like that, okay?”
“Mm-hmm, I definitely won’t dare next time!”
This time, Wang Ruoruo truly learned her lesson; even if given a hundred chances, she wouldn’t dare again!
“Sister, how do we get out of here?”
Wang Ruoruo was dazed, completely forgetting the way in. The surroundings were foggy and nothing was clear.
She Yuqi rubbed her chin thoughtfully but couldn’t come up with a solution.
They wandered until noon without finding an exit, both out of breath. The eerie caws of crows echoed through the deep woods, making the atmosphere feel straight out of a horror film.
“I really can’t walk anymore!” Wang Ruoruo sat down with a sulky face, and She Yuqi, equally exhausted, collapsed beside her, despair written all over her face.
She was terrible with directions and even more lost in these deep mountains! If only they had brought along some villagers who often hunted here; they wouldn’t have gotten lost.
Suddenly, a wild pheasant flew overhead. Before She Yuqi could react, a bullet whizzed past, hitting the bird with a sharp “thud” as it fell to the snowy ground.
“Who’s there?”
Startled, She Yuqi grabbed Wang Ruoruo and hid behind her, turning to face the source of the shot.
Jiang Bei froze momentarily upon seeing She Yuqi, his voice heavy, “Are you trying to get yourselves killed?”
“Don’t blame Sister. It’s my fault for running off and getting lost!” Wang Ruoruo lowered her head, full of guilt.
Jiang Bei sneered coldly, “Whether you live or die doesn’t concern me.”
His icy gaze made Wang Ruoruo shrink her neck in fear.
Such a fierce big brother—he was fine before, but just one day apart and he seemed like he’d swallowed explosives, so irritable!
Seeing Jiang Bei brought a sense of safety to She Yuqi. Embarrassed, she said, “We’ll have to trouble you to guide us out…”
She wasn’t angry at Jiang Bei’s cold remarks. After all, this was how their relationship had always been. The recent harmony was like a fleeting dream; now awake, she would find ways to repay Jiang Bei’s repeated help.
With Jiang Bei as their living map, they soon made it down the mountain.
As Jiang Bei turned to leave, She Yuqi called out, “Here’s the pheasant back.”
“No need.”
“No, I don’t want to owe you anything more.”
Jiang Bei paused, his expression unreadable.
She Yuqi forced the pheasant into his hand and walked off without looking back.
This time, she was smarter, no longer courting trouble.
Jiang Bei stood there, his tall, slender figure stretched long in the sunlight. A trace of helplessness flickered in his narrow black eyes.
“Sister, are you okay?”
“I’m fine. I’ll send you back to the county later…”
She Yuqi walked on expressionlessly, her mind a chaotic mess.
Wang Ruoruo bit her lip, saying nothing.
Guo San got off the ox cart and immediately spotted She Yuqi and Wang Ruoruo nearby. Wang Pinghai breathed a long sigh of relief upon seeing Ruoruo safe.
“Who’s that woman beside Ruoruo? Damn, she’s a real beauty!”
She Yuqi wore a floral jacket with cotton padding peeking out here and there. Though unassuming, it gave her a unique charm.
Her delicate, sculpted features and bright, clear eyes were like a tranquil pool, stirring warmth in the heart.
She Yuqi’s appearance could captivate a crowd of men.
Guo San almost drooled.
“Woman? What nonsense!”
“That’s enough. Bring her over here. And no more gossiping; if you ruin a girl’s reputation, I won’t forgive you!”
A displeased look crossed Wang Pinghai’s face as he scolded, and Guo San scratched his head sheepishly. “Hehe, Ninth Master, why don’t you just adopt her as your goddaughter?”
What began as a joke unexpectedly made Wang Pinghai consider it seriously.
Seeing his reaction, Guo San nearly dropped his eyes in surprise—Ninth Master seemed genuinely inclined to adopt the girl as his goddaughter!
Ninth Master’s status was extraordinary—not just a black market leader… he was from the capital…
“What are you standing there for? Go get her!”
Wang Pinghai frowned at Guo San’s sly expression and snapped. Guo San cleared his throat and headed toward She Yuqi and Xiao Xiao.
She Yuqi pushed open her courtyard gate, and Guo San, momentarily stunned, quickly followed.
Xiao Xiao’s eyes lit up when she saw She Yuqi return safely. Wang Ruoruo caught a glimpse of Guo San lurking behind and frowned, hastily bidding farewell to She Yuqi and Xiao Xiao.
“Xiao Xiao, I’m leaving now. This rabbit is for you. If it eats too much, you can sell it for some money.”
“Or… make a stew out of it!”
“…”
Guo San slowly approached. She Yuqi glanced at him before quickly averting her gaze. Xiao Xiao hugged the little rabbit and cheerfully chased after Wang Ruoruo. She Yuqi didn’t stop her and turned back inside.
“Ruoruo! Wait up!”
Wang Ruoruo, who had been like a wilted eggplant, perked up upon hearing Xiao Xiao’s voice. Xiao Xiao handed her a basket of freshly picked wild vegetables with a bright smile.
“We dug these together. Take them home for dinner.”
“Thank you, Xiao Xiao.” Wang Ruoruo’s eyebrows lifted as she hugged the basket, walking away happily.
Those two girls were inseparable, so touching that Guo San wiped away tears. “Oh my! These two little girls are so moving. If I had a kid brother like this, I’d die content.”
“…”
“Grandpa, I’m back.”
Wang Ruoruo’s eyes darted nervously, avoiding Wang Pinghai’s gaze. He said sternly, “Don’t run off alone next time, or we’ll have to leave Anyang County and go home.”
Hearing “go home,” Wang Ruoruo finally lifted her head, stubbornly saying, “There’s nothing good at home. I don’t want to go!”
“Hmph! If you don’t go now, how long do you think you can stay here?” Wang Pinghai snorted, picked up Wang Ruoruo, and climbed onto the ox cart.
Wang Ruoruo glanced back just in time to see She Yuqi rushing out.
“Stop the cart, hurry, stop it!”
Wang Ruoruo pushed Wang Pinghai aside and jumped down. Wang Pinghai frowned, annoyed, wanting to see who was being so inconsiderate.
“Old Wang, I made some braised pork. Take it home and try it.”
“Oh, it’s She Yuqi! Alright, I won’t refuse then.”
Guo San twitched his mouth watching nearby.
Ninth Master’s mood swings were truly unparalleled.
…
After sending the grandfather and granddaughter off, She Yuqi returned to the courtyard. She found Xiao Xiao sitting alone on the threshold, quietly wiping away tears.
Sighing, She Yuqi approached, taking Xiao Xiao’s small hand and leading her inside. Xiao Xiao couldn’t hold it anymore and burst into tears.
“Sister, can I go to the county with you next time? Ruoruo is so nice; I promise I won’t let her run off again!”
“All right, I promise you.”
Xiao Xiao was first stunned, then excitedly hugged She Yuqi, clinging like a little monkey.
…
Elsewhere, Wang Pinghai led Wang Ruoruo home. She was distracted the entire way and didn’t come out of her room afterward.
Guo San couldn’t help but say, “Ninth Master, since Ruoruo likes playing with that… little girl, why not let her stay in Xiaogou Village?”
“Enough of your chatter…”
“That brat can’t think things through. Hmph, if she refuses to eat, let her starve and see how long she lasts.”
Wang Pinghai was truly angry this time, glaring at Guo San before turning away.
Wang Ruoruo peered through the door crack and saw it all, tears welling up in her eyes.
Wang Pinghai carefully placed a bowl of braised pork on the stove to warm. When cold, it was just ordinary braised pork, but once heated, the aroma seemed to sprout wings, instantly invading his nostrils and making his mouth water.
Anyang County was so poor, eating chaff and rough vegetables daily; even with money, you couldn’t buy such delicious braised pork.
Wang Pinghai’s impression of She Yuqi improved, and just as he was about to bring some to his granddaughter, Guo San’s startled shout came from outside!
…
Late at night, She Yuqi’s spiritual awareness drifted into her space, where she saw Han Dazhi’s corpse lying stiffly on the ground. His expression was grotesque, a perfect portrait of terror.
“What to do now?”
“You can’t just leave a dead body lying here; it’s bad luck!”
She Yuqi rubbed her chin and pondered deeply.
Suddenly, a transparent panel appeared above Han Dazhi’s head, asking if she wanted to remove the “item” (removing it would make it disappear completely).
She was given ten seconds to decide.
Ten, nine, eight…
“Yes!” She Yuqi’s slender finger pressed the confirmation, and Han Dazhi’s corpse instantly turned into sparkling stardust, vanishing without a trace.
Anyone from the old Han family trying to find him now would find it harder than climbing to the heavens.
She Yuqi was still thinking about swapping for something better in the space when Xiao Xiao’s anxious voice came from outside.
“Sister, what’s wrong?”
Xiao Xiao’s small hand gently shook She Yuqi’s thigh.
She Yuqi opened her eyes, relieved to see Xiao Xiao was okay.
“Sister, why did you call out? I couldn’t wake you up.”
“I… I was just too tired and accidentally fell asleep. Xiao Xiao, what’s the matter?”
She Yuqi looked puzzled. Xiao Xiao was usually very gentle and quiet when she noticed She Yuqi asleep. This time was unusual.
Apologetically, Xiao Xiao said, “Sorry, Sister. The little rabbit is hurt. I didn’t know where the gauze was, so I had to wake you up.”
Her voice grew softer, clearly worried.
She Yuqi wasn’t one for fussing. Hearing this, she jumped off her bed to get the gauze.
But they didn’t know how to treat the wound. The rabbit’s snowy white fur was stained bright red with blood; the wound was already festering and oozing.
She Yuqi could handle simple injuries herself, but this time she had no choice but to ask the barefoot doctor in the village for help.
The barefoot doctor thought She Yuqi was sick again and rushed over with his medicine box like a whirlwind.
But upon arriving, he saw two figures—one large, one small—anxiously tending to a rabbit.
Seeing the doctor, She Yuqi hurriedly handed over the injured rabbit.
“Please help me check its wound.”
The doctor glanced at She Yuqi, noticing her flushed cheeks that didn’t look like illness, then looked down at the rabbit in her arms.
It was the first time someone had asked him to bandage an animal’s wound.