CH 149

Chapter 149 - Mystery-Flavored Kiss (2)

Xiao Ji's mom came home. When she passed by them, she asked with a smile, "Isn't wavy hair nice? It looks so pretty."

An older married woman came to the entrance of the courtyard and waved at Xiao Ji's mom.

"Li Dahua, my family made fresh liangpi noodles. Do you want to come over to take some?"

Eh? What did she say? Li Dahua? Li Dahua?!

Bei Nuan abruptly stood up. She knocked over the shelf with the basin of water in her haste and splashed water over herself and startled Lu Xingchi.

Bei Nuan didn't care about this. She incredulously asked Xiao Ji's mom, "What did she call you?"

Xiao Ji's mom shyly smiled. "Li Dahua, that's my real name. I don't like it at all. It doesn't sound good. My grandpa gave me that name. He said a child's name shouldn't be too good, so that it's easier to raise."

(T/N: There's an old Chinese superstition that evil spirits are less likely to harm children if they're not valued i.e. don't give them a carefully thought out name or even give them a derogatory name to be extra safe.)

Bei Nuan remembered that Xiao Ji's mom had been by the stone steps when the lottery wheel was choosing a name, so the system hadn't chosen a cat. It was Xiao Ji's mom.

Bei Nuan was distraught. So what was the point of her working so hard the past few days? She had thought her target was impossible, but Li Dahua had been right under her nose this entire time.

Bei Nuan glanced at the limited time left on the countdown and the "0 out of 3 completed" behind Li Dahua's name.

"Aunty," Bei Nuan said, "We're going to leave soon. I recently decided to fulfill three wishes for a few people. Do you have any wishes?"

"Wishes?" Xiao Ji's mom shook her head. "The world has come to this, and my family can be together with food and shelter. I'm already satisfied with what I have."

Bei Nuan encouraged her, "Just say any three wishes. I'll do my best to fulfill any that I can."

Xiao Ji's mom smiled. "Okay, help me find where Fatty Yellow laid her egg today. I looked everywhere in the courtyard and couldn't find it."

Fatty Yellow was one of their hens.

Bei Nuan: "..."

Bei Nuan tried to change her mind. "That's such a waste of a wish. You should change it."

Xiao Ji's mom insisted. "Finding an egg is a big deal!"

Bei Nuan haphazardly searched the courtyard, and she actually found the egg hidden in the grass that was in a nook.

Bei Nuan handed the precious egg to Xiao Ji's mom and hastily looked at the task bar. It had changed to 1 out of 3 completed.

Bei Nuan really wanted to cry.

Xiao Ji's mom's second wish was for Bei Nuan to chat with her while she was cutting vegetables. That wish was also fulfilled without any difficulty.

"What's your last wish?" Bei Nuan asked her after dinner.

Xiao Ji's mom said, "Nothing else. You're leaving tomorrow. My wish is that your group will be safe and sound."

Bei Nuan sniffled. She didn't know how to fulfill this wish and consulted Little Three.

Little Three quickly answered, "As long as your group is safe and sound when the countdown is over, it'll count as fulfilling her wish."

***

Early next morning, the team set off for the road.

Bei Nuan had left behind food and other supplies under the blanket in her room. This time, Bei Nuan didn't plan on telling Lu Xingchi or taking a photo to show him.

Bei Nuan didn't know why, but she didn't want to use this to increase her holy mother value. She purely did this because she wanted to help Xiao Ji and his family.

When they arrived at the town's gate, Xie Yuanqing was there too, and he was holding his little princess.

He made eye contact with Lu Xingchi. They paused for a moment, but neither spoke.

Xie Yuanqing took out a bracelet strung with emerald green jadeite beads. Each bead was carved with strange characters and had flawless coloring. It was top quality goods.

He offered the beads to Bei Nuan. "Are you guys planning on heading west? Yanhe River might not be passable. If you're going to detour to get to the other side of the border, having my thing might be useful."

This bracelet looked like it was worth upwards of hundreds of millions of yuan. Bei Nuan didn't accept it.

Xie Yuanqing put the bracelet on Bei Nuan's wrist. "It's not anything valuable. Food is more useful than jewelry now, but many people at the border will recognize my token.

Then, he offered the cat to Bei Nuan. "Dahua wants one more hug."

The little princess didn't want to be hugged. With a reluctant expression, she still let Bei Nuan hold her and pat her before burrowing back into Xie Yuanqing's arms.

"Have a safe trip," Xie Yuanqing said.

He looked at Lu Xingchi and opened his mouth to speak, but Lu Xingchi interrupted, "I know."

Xie Yuanqing nodded and didn't say anymore.

The town gate was opened. Bei Nuan and the others left the ancient town in the early morning mist with bags on their backs.

Before the gate closed, Bei Nuan suddenly remembered something and quickly turned back.

"Xie Yuanqing, I forgot to tell you. Your little princess doesn't insist on eating delicacies or having luxurious playgrounds. She likes to eat sweet dried potatoes soaked in hot water and will be happy if you use crested dog's tail grass to play with her!"

Xie Yuanqing: ???

The little princess, who's lofty image had been broken: "Meow?"