Chapter 497: Chapter 497: Thoughts in Deep Sleep (part 2)

Liu Shiling followed Custard Pie on a long walk up the mountain road. The little girl may have had short legs, but she undoubtedly possessed good stamina. Moreover, after the minor mishap earlier, she was brimming with energy and high spirits as she marched along the mountain trail, as if she were the conqueror of these mountains.

Leading the way, Custard Pie took mighty steps, resembling a “mountain tiger descending rapidly.” Its chubby body and furry paws infused the surrounding air with an intimidating aura.

After an indeterminable period, after passing two villages situated at the mountainside and at the foot of the mountain, Liu Shiling decided to rest on a stone by the road.

She was tired, to begin with, after the long trek, and her feet were extremely sore.

Moreover, she could feel the subtle vibrations of the coin in her pocket—Alice’s secret signal to her to rest in this spot.

No sooner had she sat down on the stone at the roadside than sleepiness engulfed her. At the same time, hunger pangs began to assail her – she hadn’t eaten much for dinner because the dishes at her aunt’s place had been too salty. Now, she was famished, tired, thirsty and sleepy.

She had no idea why she was supposed to wait in this locale. The closest houses in the village were still tens of meters away. To make matters worse, the village was shrouded in darkness at this hour as most households were asleep.

Nonetheless, she put her trust in Alice, knowing that following her instruction was the right move.

Liu Shiling held her small backpack to her chest, tightened the strings of her hood, and rested her head on her backpack, soon drifting off to sleep.

Custard Pie kept watch by her side, eyes wide open and occasionally circling around its young master, trying to deter any mosquitoes.

After a while, a small car stopped not too far away. Following that, a tall young woman with a ponytail got out of the back seat of the car, phone in hand, and began to search around.

Upon seeing the woman, Custard Pie immediately ran towards her, meowing, and then returned quickly to nudge Liu Shiling awake by tugging at her trouser leg.

Suddenly awakened, Liu Shiling was blinded by the bright car headlights. She squinted against the light, raising her head off her backpack, appearing somewhat confused, as though she had not fully woken up.

She then felt a hand on top of her hooded head and heard a faint but familiar voice saying, “Little Lingdang, I’m here to pick you up.”

“Sister Roast Chicken Wings!” Liu Shiling exclaimed, her face lighting up into a smile.

Indeed! The tall girl who had come to pick her up was Xia Libing, who had bought a plane ticket at the eleventh hour to come.

Upon arriving at the Star City Airport, Xia Libing immediately hailed a car to come to the base of the mountain.

With Alice providing directions, there was no way she couldn’t locate Little Fatty.

Xia Libing walked to the car, holding Little Fatty Girl’s red backpack in one hand and taking her other hand.

The driver glanced at Custard Pie, following them, and then rolled down the window, seeming to want to say something.

The experienced young girl instantly understood the matter from the driver’s gaze. She squatted down to lift Custard Pie, directed its face towards the driver, and said, “Uncle, I’ll hold Custard Pie. It won’t run around and dirty the seat.”

Equally experienced, Custard Pie emitted a long and soft meow, tucking in its legs and slowly blinking at the driver.

The driver hesitated for a moment. According to company policy, passengers were allowed to bring their pets along, but only if they stayed inside their bags. He was about to issue this reminder when looking at Liu Shiling, who was standing there alone in the middle of the night at the base of this isolated mountain. Her forehead was covered in sweat that made her hair stick to it, her eyes appearing droopy with exhaustion. The sight of this young girl fatigued yet understanding enough to hold her cat and ask for his permission touched his heart as a father himself. His heart melted, and he shook his head quickly, saying, “It’s okay, place the cat on the car mat. I have seat covers on the backseat. If it’s dirty, it’s not a problem. I can give them a wash at home. I change the seat covers every day anyway.”

“Thank you, Uncle!” Little Fatty girl said cheerfully.

Xia Libing then opened the car door, helped her with Custard Pie – she had also planned to negotiate with the driver. She’d noticed the seat covers in the back and was ready to compensate the driver for those and maybe some extra compensation to win his approval. However, Little Fatty had swiftly beaten her to it and the negotiations had an even better outcome than throwing cash around.

Once they were in the car, Liu Shiling leaned on Xia Libing and immediately started nodding off again.

Xia Libing watched as the small red face, encased in a hoodie, settled down. She asked the driver for a pack of wet wipes and started wiping the sweat and dirt off the little girl’s face and hands, and even helped Custard Pie clean its paws.

Decent hotels wouldn’t allow pets unless prior arrangements were made, so Xia Libing opted to book a lodge in the town and informed the owner that she’d be bringing a cat along.

Considering it was quite late at this point, it was not feasible to travel back to West Sea Province or Chongyun Village right away. Besides, she needed to inform Shiling’s mother first. Hence, it seemed appropriate to stay the night here before proceeding any further.

Upon reaching the lodge, Xia Libing paid the driver the fare and even offered an extra three hundred yuan for the ‘cleaning fee.’ After that, she took Liu Shiling to a convenience store near the lodge to purchase some items.

Receiving the bottle of mineral water from Xia Libing, Liu Shiling immediately started guzzling it down. Midway through, she moved near the entrance of the convenience store, squatted down, poured some water onto her palm, and let Custard Pie drink it.

Custard Pie, who had been following her all the way, was equally parched.

Upon reaching the lodge, Xia Libing asked the owner for some hot water. She made noodles for Liu Shiling and herself and got a bowl of cat food for Custard Pie—the little red backpack that Liu Shiling carried had no other supplies except an ample amount of cat food.

After devouring the large bowl of noodles, Little Fatty Girl belched contentedly and began to feel tired once more.

However, before she could sleep, Xia Libing gave her a bath, blow-dried her hair, and changed her into one of her long-sleeved t-shirts, then tucked her into bed. Liu Shiling had forgotten to bring her clothes from her aunt’s house in Qing Mountain Village.

The moment her head hit the pillow, Liu Shiling drifted off immediately.

Meanwhile, Xia Libing picked up her phone and dialed Shiling’s mother’s number. When the call connected, Shiling’s mother sounded evidently weary. It was evident she had been asleep and that no one had informed her about Liu Shiling leaving Qing Mountain Village.

Xia Libing started by saying that she was in Star City on sudden official business. Then, she mentioned that she had received a call from Liu Shiling, who said she had run away from home. So, she immediately rushed to Qing Mountain and found her there.

Upon hearing this, Shiling’s mother was startled awake at once.

Fortunately, Xia Libing had already informed her that Liu Shiling was fine and sleeping now. He even sent her a photo over WeChat of little Fatty Girl sound asleep, which temporarily put her mind at ease.

Then, Xia Libing tactfully suggested that he would like to take Liu Shiling to stay in Chongyun Village for a while. Fearful and worried, Shiling’s mom who had been filled with self-blame, hesitated for a moment, and then half-heartedly agreed. She naturally knew that Xia Libing was helping her by taking care of her daughter and knew that Shiling was likely more reliable with Xia Libing than with her own family. She was grateful.

As soon as she heard that Xia Libing picked Liu Shiling up at the foot of Qing Mountain, she immediately realized that her mother had taken her daughter to their old hometown, Qingshan Village. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but from the outcome, it was obviously very serious.

If Miss Xia hadn’t hurried over to pick up Shiling, she didn’t know what could have happened.

As for why Miss Xia happened to be on a business trip in Star City and Liu Shiling happened to call Miss Xia by remembering her phone number, Shiling’s mom didn’t think too much about it.

She was just thankful that her daughter was safe and sound with Miss Xia.

After ending the call with Shiling’s mom, Xia Libing had just settled in for sleep when he was awoken by another call. This time it was Shiling’s grandmother who wanted to come and see her granddaughter.

So, at around four in the morning, a somewhat haggard and tired Shiling’s grandmother took a cab to the guesthouse and found her way to Xia Libing and little Fatty Girl’s room.

Sitting by the bed and looking at her granddaughter sleeping peacefully, Shiling’s grandmother finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She was awoken in the middle of the night by her daughter’s phone call and then found out that her granddaughter had left Qingshan Village all by herself.

She immediately called her youngest daughter, Shiling’s Aunt who was living in Qingshan Village, and was told that Liu Shiling had been taken away by a little girl with a knife who had also injured her daughter.

Upon hearing this, Shiling’s grandmother knew that her daughter was lying. Although she had not spent much time with her granddaughter Liu Shiling in the past, she had found her to be obedient, sensible, adorable, polite and extremely cautious around others, always careful not to trouble anyone. It was impossible for Shiling to have run away in the night without a major provocation.

So, when Shiling’s mom called to complain and even broke down crying, Shiling’s grandmother also felt pain but didn’t argue.

Looking at her granddaughter sleeping peacefully on the bed, Shiling’s grandmother sighed softly and didn’t insist on taking her granddaughter with her. The circumstances with both Shiling’s Aunt and Shiling’s maternal aunt were indeed not conducive for Shiling to continue living there.

Since Liu Shiling called Miss Xia after she left the mountain alone, and Shiling’s mom also agreed to let Xia Libing take her away, then Xia Libing must be a trustworthy person. So, when she came this time, she also brought the cat bag and iPad left behind at Shiling’s Aunt’s house.

As Shiling’s grandmother was quietly talking to Xia Libing, the Little Fatty Girl on the bed suddenly sat up and mumbled, “Monsters of the abyss, wait! My magic is ready! Destroy you…”

Then she smacked her lips a few times, and with a plop, she lay back on the bed, sprawling and snoring loudly.

Realizing her granddaughter was sleep talking without even opening her eyes, Shiling’s grandmother couldn’t help but smile. She gently tucked the blankets back around her and then got up to leave.

“Why don’t you stay the night and rest? I’ll go book another room,” Xia Libing suggested.

“No need. If Shiling’s cousin wakes up and can’t find anyone, it’ll be a problem. Shiling’s… Aunt, got a little bit hurt, she’s still in the hospital, and I need to help her look after the child,” Shiling’s grandmother said.

Xia Libing naturally didn’t say much, just nodded and said, “If you encounter any difficulties and need help in the future, don’t hesitate to tell me, Shiling’s mom has my number.”

From Alice’s previous report on the Little Fatty Girl’s experiences and her own recent observations, it was evident that Shiling’s grandmother genuinely cared for the Little Fatty Girl.

Xia Libing could tell that Shiling’s grandmother felt guilt and regret for both Liu Shiling and Shiling’s Mom. These feelings went beyond simply feeling guilty for not taking care of Little Fatty Girl well today. Shiling’s grandmother’s concern for Little Fatty Girl was genuine, but it was clear she was also taking into consideration her son and her younger daughter’s situations, caring more about her grandson’s condition.

Therefore, it was clear when Old Xia finally spoke, she offered to help if Shiling’s grandmother had any troubles or difficulties. However, she wouldn’t get involved with matters relating to others, such as things concerning Shiling’s aunts’ families.

Shiling’s grandmother instinctively said thanks, likely assuming Old Xia’s offer was merely politeness.

The next day, Xia Libing asked the innkeeper to buy some clothes for the Little Fatty Girl, then after breakfast, she rented a car and hit the expressway back to Haixi Province.

Since they had Custard Pie with them, they needed a quarantine certificate to take the high-speed train or plane. So, Xia Libing simply chose to rent a vehicle, which would only take about eight to nine hours anyway.

On the way, Liu Shiling wasn’t bored. She sat in the back seat of the car, learning her primary school science course on an iPad with Xia Libing’s help.

Though Alice couldn’t speak because the driver was present, with Old Xia answering her questions, Liu Shiling still learned a lot.

Compared to the content being learned, who she learned from was more important.

After all, the “Sister Roast Chicken Wing” was her idol and the person she strived and learned from.

Alice had told her that her ability to co-manifest primarily came from Xiang Kun, but Xia Libing also played a crucial role. Xia Libing found the specific co-manifestation method.

In Little Fatty Girl’s eyes, the person who brought Alice into the world, “Sister Roast Chicken Wing,” is the “most powerful magician!”

Moreover, she could also make roast chicken wings, crispy pig’s elbow, and cakes! Along with other tasty food that had appeared in her dreams!

However, after happily studying for five to six hours, Liu Shiling fell asleep. By the time the car arrived at Chongyun Village in the evening, she woke up by the meowing of Custard Pie.

Xiang Kun, who had finished his blood-drinking period in the morning, along with Tang Baona, Yang Zhen’er, Xiao Pingguo, and others, had already received the news and were waiting for them at the gate.

So, the moment Little Fatty Girl woke up, she saw them through the car window.

As soon as the car stopped and the back door opened, Liu Shiling hopped out and ran towards Xiang Kun, yelling “Uncle Bald” with a wide smile. But once Uncle Bald picked her up, Liu Shiling suddenly burst into tears, sobs and snot smearing her face: “Uncle Bald! Save my daddy! I’m going to lose my daddy! Uncle Bald! I’m so scared! I don’t want to be an unwanted child!”