Chapter 54

Uncle Qin was stunned.

Being the only son in the family, his mother had never laid a hand on him before!

"Mother..."

"Don't call me mother, I have no son like you!" Grandma Qin scolded angrily.

Pointing at Uncle Qin, she said, "When Wang Guihong was around, you always listened to her, disrespecting me and even helping her bully Ningning."

"Now that she's dead and Du Yuanwai took away Fangmei, you've come back, destitute and alone."

"But let me tell you, Qin Sheng, I will never forgive you for what you did to me and Ningning, not until my dying day!"

"If you dare come back to the village again, harassing Ningning, bullying her, don't forget, despite my age, I still remember how to butcher pigs. If you don't want to end up the same, get out!"

Qin Sheng was terrified.

His father had died early, and it was his mother who supported him by butchering pigs.

"How did my mother, always known for her soft heart and easy-going nature, change like this?"

Seeing him motionless, Grandma Qin glared, "Won't you leave?!"

She looked around and, seeing a sickle in the corner, went straight to pick it up.

It seemed she was ready to sever ties with her own kin.

The stunned villagers finally snapped out of it and rushed to intervene.

"Grandma Qin, you mustn't do this!"

"Yes, for such a wretch, committing a crime would land you in the magistrate's custody. It's not worth it!"

Shen Ningning, witnessing this, had a fierce glint in her watery eyes.

She called out loudly, "Wolves, come tear up the villain!"

Everyone heard a chorus of howls emanating from Wolf Mountain.

This was followed by the sounds of wild beasts running and howling.

Soon, a pack of wolves charged into the village from the entrance!

The intimidating sight turned the villagers, even those accustomed to it, pale with fear.

Shen Ningning pointed at the dumbstruck Qin Sheng, "Eat him."

The little white wolf she had previously saved suddenly leaped out of the pack.

"Its injuries had healed significantly, and after days of good food and care, its limbs were lean and strong, with glossy white fur."

"The little white wolf ferociously opened its mouth, aiming for Uncle Qin's throat!"

"At the last moment, Uncle Qin reacted, rolling swiftly to one side."

"The wolf missed its target and immediately turned to chase after him."

"Desperately scrambling to his feet, Uncle Qin ran for his life, shouting, 'The wolf is attacking! It's eating people!'"

"He didn't dare look back as he fled the village."

"Only then did Shen Ningning softly call out, 'Come back now!'"

"A scare was enough."

"She never really intended for the wolves to harm anyone."

"But for someone like Uncle Qin, a proper scare was necessary, or he might dare to return."

"The villagers, hearts racing, all patted their chests, exclaiming how frightening it was."

"Shen Ningning sweetly smiled, 'Don't be afraid, the wolves are actually quite gentle.'"

"The pack's gaze was icy and distant. Apart from obeying Shen Ningning, they retained their absolute wildness."

"Gentle? The villagers could only force a laugh and nod in agreement."

"Grandma Qin approached Shen Ningning and embraced the young girl."

"Ningning, let's go home."

"Okay!" Shen Ningning beamed, her cute dimples showing.

"She had bought so many wonderful things today and couldn't wait to show them to Grandma!"

"Once home,"

"Shen Ningning immediately took out her purchases from the mystical realm."

"Grandma Qin, seeing the two large seven-bladed fans, was immediately surprised, 'Ningning, these must have cost a lot of money, didn’t they?'"

"Not expensive!" the little one replied.

"She counted the remaining silver in the realm, only 120 taels left now."

"Time to earn some money soon!"

"Shen Ningning and Grandma Qin together washed out two old jars and moved them to their sleeping area."

"One for each of them in their room."

"After filling them with spring water, she placed the seven-bladed fans inside."

"Grandma Qin, skillful with her hands, set up a device behind the fans, similar to a water clock."

"As the water began to trickle slowly, a gentle touch on the fan blades set them spinning, creating a soothing breeze."

"Wow~" Shen Ningning lay by the edge of the jar, eyes closed, her rosy cheeks expressing pure bliss."

"Then, laying out cool mats and pillows."

"It was unspeakably comfortable!"

"The following days, Shen Ningning lived a life full of comfort and taste."

"With the automatic cooling of the seven-bladed fans, her room was cool and comfortable."

"The wolf pack had conscientiously divided themselves into two groups, some lying near Shen Ningning, others by Grandma Qin."

"Despite the scorching weather outside, cracking the earth with its heat,"

"Shen Ningning and her grandmother stayed inside, safe from the sun and cooled by the gentle breeze from the fans."

"The little girl savored the big bowl of cold noodles and chunks of braised beef prepared by Grandma Qin."

"When hungry in the afternoon, there was the refreshing lotus seed soup made by her grandmother."

"Come evening,"

"Shen Ningning harvested a batch of loquat saplings in her mystical realm, sweating profusely from the effort."

"After bathing with spring water, she lay under the grapevines in the yard, legs crossed."

"With a bean paste bun in her left hand, her little face smeared with it, and her right hand petting the Black Wolf King beside her, she relished the fluffy touch."

"She spent seven or eight days in utter comfort."

"Until one noon, when the sun blazed fiercely in the sky,"

"Shen Ningning was playfully asking her grandma for a minced meat and egg cake,"

"But then heard threatening growls from the wolves at the door, as if they were warding off an intruder."

"Shen Ningning immediately ran outside."

"Wolves, who's come?"

"The Black Wolf King growled lowly towards the tightly shut gate."

"It seemed to recognize the scent outside the door."

"Just then, Shen Ningning heard a series of knocks at the door."

"Shen Ningning," came a clear, cold, and melodious voice.

"The young girl paused, then suddenly realized who it was."

"It's Brother!"

"She flung open the door to see Mo Lingwei's handsome face flushed with heat, his sword-like eyebrows glistening with fine sweat."

"He leaned on the doorframe, his lips slightly parted, breathing lightly."

"His piercing black eyes, upon seeing Shen Ningning, showed a hint of relief."

"'Did you forget something?' he asked through gritted teeth, his tone cold."

"Shen Ningning suddenly remembered, 'Ah? That's right! I had agreed to meet Brother at the private school…'"

"But when the master announced the holiday, she had completely forgotten her promise to Mo Lingwei."

"She hadn't expected him to come looking for her, braving the blazing sun and crossing mountains."

"The little girl hurriedly took his hand, 'Brother, come in and cool down!'"

"Wolf Three peeked out from behind her, seeing Mo Lingwei, it couldn't help but growl softly."

"This annoying guy is here again."

"'How did Brother find this place?' Shen Ningning asked, looking up at him with her bright, dewy eyes."

"She even offered her small handkerchief for Mo Lingwei to wipe his sweat."

"Seeing this, the Black Wolf King snorted again."

"Mo Lingwei looked around the entire residence, his thin eyes shining with a snow-like clarity."

"She really did find herself a home deep in the mountains."

"And it seems she's been living quite well."

"Even her face looks a bit rounder."

"'It wasn't difficult. After entering the mountains, I noticed many wolf paw prints and followed the direction where they were most concentrated,' Mo Lingwei said calmly."

"Indeed, it wasn’t hard, though he had entered the mountains before dawn and took the wrong path three times."

"If Mo Lingwei hadn't known how to find his way, he might have been completely lost in the mountains."

"'Ningning, who has come?' Grandma Qin, hearing the noise, hurried out from the kitchen."

"Upon seeing Mo Lingwei, she immediately recognized him, 'Your… Your Highness, the Crown Prince?'"

"She quickly moved to pay her respects."

"Mo Lingwei stepped forward, promptly helping her to stand."

"'Madam Qin, please, no formalities. I never properly thanked you for your care last time. I was free recently, so I decided to visit you,' he said."

"Grandma Qin smiled and nodded repeatedly, 'Our place is hard to find. You must be tired, Your Highness.'"

"'Ningning, make sure His Highness is comfortable. Grandma will prepare some food. Your Highness, please stay for lunch!'"

"Shen Ningning nodded, her eyes sparkling, and led Mo Lingwei to sit in a cool spot under the eaves."

"Brother, wait for me, I'll get you some refreshing sour plum soup!"

"Saying this, she turned and scampered towards the backyard."

"Watching her retreating figure, Mo Lingwei used her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead."

"Then, looking up, he saw the Black Wolf King staring coldly in his direction, like a male elder of the household."

"Mo Lingwei narrowed his eyes slightly, and then, he tucked Shen Ningning's handkerchief into his chest."

"As expected, the Black Wolf King showed an annoyed expression."