"I am also from Mao County, during the war I followed my clansmen here by boat, and it’s been fifteen or sixteen years now." The elderly woman dressed in ethnic attire indeed had the facial features of a Han Chinese, looking quite different from the dark-skinned people around her.
"Why have you come to be here, young lady? Is there war outside again?"
Lin Wanwan made a fork-hand gesture respectfully and replied, "I was traveling the world with my elder martial brother and unfortunately got separated. Madam, may I ask how to get to the dock?"
"You wish to take a boat back?" The elderly woman raised her eyelids and looked eastward saying, "Then you head east, you’ll soon walk out of this forest. Then you’ll see the official road, if you encounter a Han gentleman on the official road, do seek his help. If not, you keep heading in this direction.
Remember, apart from a Han gentleman, do not seek help from any other tribe. Well, I won’t keep you any longer, you should leave, this isn’t a place you should be."
With that said, the elderly woman gave a gesture of salute, turned and retreated into the crowd, soon disappearing, as if unwilling to say anything more.
Lin Wanwan found her attitude somewhat strange and gave up the idea of visiting and deeply interacting with the tribe.
Although this place was full of sediments of history, she wasn’t here for archaeology, so she continued heading toward the harbor. Just as she lifted her foot to leave, several short men blocked her way, speaking in gibberish while trying to grab her.
Lin Wanwan stepped back, raised her trekking pole to sweep away the people in front of her and coldly said, "What are you doing?"
Someone attempted to grab her trekking pole but was promptly swept and thrown near the stream, almost falling into it.
This move astonished the onlookers, probably not expecting the fair-skinned, delicate-looking Han girl to have such strength.
Someone pulled the elderly woman from earlier over, gesturing at her in a babble, but she just shook her head and remained silent.
At this moment, an eleven-or-so-year-old girl with a small green snake coiled around her wrist walked over, Lin Wanwan looked at the snake’s head, sharp like a cone, placed her trekking pole in front of her to prevent her from coming closer.
The girl with the venomous snake was best kept at a distance.
The little girl lifted her face which bore some Han features and spoke in a slightly inaccurate Mao dialect, "Han sister, our clan leader invites you to visit our tribe, no harm intended."
Lin Wanwan felt her intelligence insulted, did these Qiong State natives think she was foolish to stay as a guest in such an odd situation?
She immediately shook her head, declined the girl’s invitation, and responded coldly, "No need, I’m in a hurry."
With that, Lin Wanwan ignored them and walked directly east. With every step she took, the natives retreated one step until Lin Wanwan and the little elephant’s figures disappeared from their sight.
After leaving the crowd, Lin Wanwan tucked away her trekking pole, taking only the multi-functional axe hammer to walk with—yes, she had proceeded smoothly earlier because she unhesitatingly pulled out the axe hammer from her bag and chopped down a small mulberry tree by the stream.
Although language at the tip of the tongue may not be understood, body language remained simple and clear.
There’s nothing a hatchet couldn’t communicate, and if there is, then strike another.
Lin Wanwan checked the time, patted the little elephant’s head and said to it, "I’m leaving, if you wish to go you may do so now. If you are still here when I return, then I’ll consider you as having decided to follow me."
The little elephant shook its tail and nodded, radiating joy all over, Lin Wanwan smiled slightly, creatures from a thousand years ago were indeed more adorable than humans. In the next moment, Lin Wanwan directly opened the Space-Time Gate and disappeared in place in the little elephant’s dazed gaze.
Back in her hotel room, Lin Wanwan went straight into the bathroom, peeled off the mud-covered clothes and pants, placed them in a plastic bag intending to throw them away later. Clothes full of mud, she might clog the hotel’s plumbing if she washed them in the sink.
After showering and changing clothes, Lin Wanwan dried her hair while checking her phone’s WeChat.
As expected, Lu Shouyue had sent her several texts, the latest one asking if she was awake, as they were to set off at 6:30.
Lin Wanwan replied, "Awake now, I’ll be at the door promptly at 6:30."
Apart from Lu Shouyue, Chen Jinyu also sent her several WeChat messages, all photos from the stadium’s backstage. Though no specific program was mentioned, the excitement was palpable, impatient to share with someone.
Lin Wanwan responded, "I’m here at the venue watching the performance today, you go girl."
Chen Jinyu: "(⊙o⊙)!!!"
"When did you arrive in Yeyu City? Why didn’t you say anything? Your lips are really sealed tight!"
Lin Wanwan replied, "Just arrived today."
Chen Jinyu continued, "Planning to play here a few days? Which hotel are you staying at? I’ll come find you when my show ends."
Lin Wanwan sent over her hotel’s location, and Chen Jinyu immediately replied on WeChat, "We’re at the same hotel!!! I’ll come find you tonight!"
Lin Wanwan replied, "Okay."
"I won’t say more, I have to prepare, see you tonight."
"See you tonight, keep it up!
Putting down her phone, Lin Wanwan looked at herself in the mirror, adjusted her mood, casually tied her dried hair into a high ponytail, picked up her dirty clothes and fully charged phone, and left the room.
With a little time remaining, she planned to head to the second-floor restaurant and casually order some food to satisfy her hunger.
The New Year’s Eve party was indeed lively, with a live broadcast, all the staff in the stadium were very tense. The source of thɪs content is ⓝovelFire.net
The audience seats were packed with people, the noise overwhelming.
Frontmost of the stage were two rows of side-by-side vip zones, ticket prices went up to five or six thousand each, scalper prices nearly ten thousand, yet at such high prices still without seats. Sold only to those aged between eighteen and thirty-five, as the spot required standing for several hours, fearing people from other age groups couldn’t endure it.
Lin Wanwan and Lu Shouyue’s seats were behind this craziest vip zone, spacious, with an orderly row of black-clad security maintaining order.
Though not the closest to the stage, they could clearly view the stage nonetheless.
Lu Shouyue turned, leaned toward Lin Wanwan’s ear and asked, "Do you find it too noisy? I brought earplugs."
Lin Wanwan was surprised, "Isn’t the point of watching live to listen to the singing? Why wear earplugs, what kind of operation is that?"
Lu Shouyue laughed, "The performances haven’t started yet."
Lin Wanwan joyfully said, "No need, it’s rare to have such a live experience opportunity, I want to fully enjoy this excitement."
Lu Shouyue showed a faint smile, handed her a bottle of mineral water, sat upright and looked towards the stage where the opening dance performance had started.