Yao Ling could feel her whole body sweating in fright. Was she making a stupid decision? She prayed that this little girl wouldn't attempt to do bad things to both of them. Yao Ling tried to reassure Xiao Yu, "Nothing is going to happen."
They watched Xiao Xia bouncing happily. Before Yao Ling could ask when they would arrive at their destination, they heard Xiao Xia said, "We've arrived!" She jumped happily and pointed her house to show it to Yao Ling and Xiao Yu.
The house was pretty big, but it was quite broke down. Everywhere was dirty and there were holes everywhere, even the roof was in bad condition. When it rained, it would certainly leak into the house. The lawn was unkempt and messy. There were several little children scattered here and there. They wore the same tatteted clothes as Xiao Xia and their faces were also smudged in dirt.
Yao Ling felt sympathetic with their living condition. "I thought you live alone with your Ning jie." Yao Ling asked Xiao Xia with loving eyes. Somehow, she liked this little girl.
"No. Ning jie isn't only saving me, but also my other sisters and brothers."
"How old are you now?" Yao Ling asked out of curiosity.
"I'm six years old this year, Pretty Lady." Xiao Xia smiled happily while proudly showing off her age.
Yao Ling felt lucky that nothing had happened. She should be more careful next time. She berated herself inside her mind, feeling stupid. If this were a trap, she would have been easily killed or kidnapped. Although her instinct was good, luck wouldn't always happen every time.
Her gaze softened when looking at the old and broken house. So… Xiao Xia was five years old when she was bullied and kicked out from her house? Luckily, she was still a bright and cheery girl.
After hearing their talk, several of the kids' curiosity was piqued and they went closer to the broken gate. At first, they held a certain vigilant attitude, but when they saw Xiao Xia chatting happily with the strangers, they started to get relaxed. They were in confusion though, why would Xiao Xia bring strangers here? Their minds were distracted when they saw the snacks that were held by both pretty ladies and Xiao Xia. They could feel their saliva started to drool, wanting to taste those heavenly-looking snacks.
Yao Ling seemed to understand the meaning of their gaze. She smiled softly and asked, "Do you want these snacks?"
The several hungry-looking children nodded excitedly. They were hoping that this deity would let them taste a little bit of heaven.
Yao Ling grinned widely, tilted her head for a little bit and asked, "So… why don't you come and get it?"
Hearing her positive answer, the children were swarming to Xiao Yu and her. She was a bit surprised with their aggressiveness, but she somehow understood. If it was the old her, she would do the exact same thing. She gave them one by one. Some got tanghulu and some got meat buns. Fortunately, she bought a lot and they were enough for the kids. She didn't think buying snacks like a lunatic just now was a blessing in disguise.
"Can I meet your Ning jie?" Yao Ling asked Xiao Xia, while looking at the kids' grinning face. They were eating without restraint, making Yao Ling's heart feel a sudden burst of warmth in her heart. She was happy that she was able to put happiness on their dirty and sad little faces.
Xiao Xia looked around and finally decided to ask another kid, "Xiao Li, where is Ning jie?" Then, Xiao Xia pointed at Yao Ling, "The pretty lady wants to talk to her."
The little boy called Xiao Li was slightly taller than Xiao Xia, probably two or three years older. His face was common and if he was blending with the crowd, probably no one would notice him. It was just an ordinary face in the crowd, and yes, he was that unnoticeable. He seemed to think for a while and answered, "Ning jie was gone since this morning. She is probably trying to get some funds for us. She didn't say when she would be back. So I don't know."
Xiao Xia frowned. "I'm sorry, pretty lady. It seems Ning jie isn't available." Xiao Xia felt a bit disappointed. She hoped that both of them could meet and this seemingly wealthy lady could help Ning jie for a little bit. She felt uncomfortable because Ning jie had to lower herself to help them all and it wasn't even her job to start with.
Yao Ling could see the disappointment in Xia Xia's eyes. She partly understood the current thought of the little girl. However, she couldn't stay here any longer. She needed to get back to 'Fu Rong' as soon as possible. She knew her every move was being followed, so she would pretend that this place was of no importance to her.
Yao Ling patted Xiao Xia's head. "Don't worry. This sister will be back again tomorrow. Can you let your Ning jie know that I'll be back at the same time tomorrow?"
Xiao Xia seemed happy with her answer. "This slave will tell Ning jie."
"Can you take me back to the main road?"
Xiao Xia nodded, but before she went, she talked to Xiao Li again. "Xiao Li, I'll take these two pretty ladies back to the main road."
Xiao Li grunted and nodded in agreement. "I'll go with you." Xiao Li didn't talk much and stayed beside Xiao Xia all the time. He kept lingering beside Xiao Xi protectively and his eyes held a certain tenderness for the little girl.
Yao Ling wanted to laugh at the cute affection in the little boy's aloof expression. "Xiao Li, have you been here longer than Xiao Xia?"
Before Xiao Li could answer, Xiao Xia was the one who answered for him with excitement, "Xiao Li has been with Ning jie for two years – longer than me. Xiao Li is the best ge ge that Xiao Xia's could ever have!"
Yao Ling could see the disappointment in Xiao Li's eyes. She wanted to laugh at his expression but felt that it was inappropriate. The little guy was being brother-zoned by Xiao Xia. Poor him!
Watching a lot of people's interactions for the last few months made her feel that she missed out a lot in her past. Her life was revolving only around her and her mother. Her mother never let her interact with too many people for an unknown reason and she didn't dare to disobey her. After that, the only one that came into her life was Yao Ying.
When they left for the journey, she didn't realize they could build a new life with so many new people involved. Indeed, there were good people and bad people, but the experience that she got was beautiful in its own way. 'Niang, Yao Ling is happy now. Please rest assured, I will cherish this life and live for your part too.' Although at last, she knew she wasn't her real birth mother, she still cherished Jiu Lan. After all, they lived as mother and daughter for so long and their feelings to each other were real.