“Grandma.” Di Ling Yan squirms into Bai Ning’s arm to gain a sense of protection after noticing the oppressive air around everyone.
“Ling Yan,” the woman’s heart ached at the little fella’s innocent gaze that’s staring up to herself, “why are you out here? Is your father awake already?”
Shaking her little head: “No, Father is still asleep in the bedchamber…. When will Mother come back? She’s been gone for an awful long time. If Mother is back then I’m sure there will be a way to wake up Father….”
The poor grandmother only kept silent at the careless remark. She wanted to say everything would be fine and that Bai Yan would return very soon, but that would be a lie and she couldn’t do that to this little baby that’s so innocent and kind. “Ling Yan, I’m going to send you to a good place, okay?”
“Huh?” The girl blinks in a confused manner, “Is Grandmother going to leave me behind?”
“No, of course not silly.” Swiping the baby’s nose as a little tease, Bai Ning forms a smile to reassure her depressed granddaughter, “The place I’m sending you to is where a friend of mine lives. He’s a demon like you. I saved him by coincidence a long time ago and now he’s currently resting there to heal. If I send you there then I’m sure he will protect you knowing you’re my family.”
This time it was Di Ling Yan to go quiet. Staring downwards in a contemplative manner, the girl apparently had to take a moment to process the idea before looking back up: “Grandmother, is something going to happen to the Demon City? Can’t you solve it? Are those bad people coming back?”
Bai Ning undoubtedly became shocked by how perceptive this little child was. It’s true she’s trying to keep the baby out of harms way by sending her away, but to be so easily exposed went beyond her imagination.
“You need to believe in grandmother here Ling Yan, the city is fine.” Showing a helpless smile, “If something really is about to happen then I wouldn’t be able to send you away, would I?”
“Grandma is lying, something is clearly happening in the city. I’m not going! I’m going to stay here and wait for Mother to come back.” Pouting her lips, the demon princess stubbornly refuses.
Unfortunately for the lass, the grandmother there didn’t intend to give her a choice. Right as she’s distracted, Bai Ning used one of her needles and poked the child’s sleeping point.
“Ling Yan, I’m sorry… You’re too smart so grandmother here can only resort to such means.”
“Gra… Grandma…” Growing increasingly faint as her little mind became more and more tired. Try as she might, Di Ling Yan eventually succumbs to the trick and fell fast asleep, but not before a trickle of tear came rolling down those eyes.
“Grandma.” It’s then another soft and childish voice came from the rear. It’s Di Jin Tian, the baby girl’s twin brother. He didn’t hear the whole conversation but did catch the part where his sister fell asleep. “What is Ling Yan doing?”
“Your sister is tired and needs to rest.” Bai Ning smiled as the boy tries to check up on his sister, “Jin Tian, do you want to go visit a paradise I own? There’s a lot of delicious things there like fruits and candies. I’m sure you will find a lot of surprises there.”
That did it. The little glutton could be seen drooling right then and there, a sure sign he’s been baited. “I’m going, I’m going, Grandma take me.”