Chapter 6: Still So Prone to Anger Before Menopause…
“Seriously! Do you know what time it is! It’s almost twelve o’clock! Twelve o’clock!”
*Ahem, your voice is quite loud too. This is a residential area, so speaking so loudly might get you reported for disturbing the peace…*
Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud. It’s better not to add fuel to the fire.
So, I just covered Xiao An’s ears and continued to listen to Nana’s complaints with a humble attitude. Having been nagged by Teacher Xiaozhen so often, it had unknowingly become a skill of mine.
“You really are annoying. I didn’t want to deal with your life or death situation. But when you’re not here, your ‘younger sister’ starts crying uncontrollably! It’s so noisy! She even pestered me to find you! I’m so done! Tsk!”
She hmphed fiercely, fully expressing her displeasure.
She deliberately emphasized the word “younger sister,” indicating that she had already figured out that Xiao An wasn’t my sister.
Perhaps she had seen through my clumsy lie from the beginning. But why didn’t she expose me?
Xiao An was asleep in my arms at the moment, but even in her sleep, her little hands were tightly gripping my collar.
When I first saw her earlier, she was sobbing uncontrollably, tears flowing like a broken faucet.
Then, upon seeing me, she threw herself into my arms and finally fell asleep as if she had found peace.
We haven’t known each other for long, yet she’s already so clingy to me?
*Could she really have mistaken me for her father…*
Well, I had already decided to take care of her, so this is for the best. I should also embrace the role of her guardian.
I gently stroked Xiao An’s back and said to Nana.
“Thank you. Next time, before you go anywhere, report your whereabouts to me! Otherwise, I’ll just take this child with me!”
“Mm, no problem. I was planning to take Xiao An with me anyway. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
I bowed my head as a sign of respect and was about to turn away at the next corner when Nana called out to me, frowning.
“Wait, where are you going?”
“Hmm? I’m just going to find a place to crash for the night first, and then look for a part-time job in the morning.”
“You’re going to take a three-year-old child to find a place to stay? It’s this late, where will you find accommodation? You’re not planning to take her back to that park and sleep on a bench, are you! Do you have any common sense!”
“Uh, but I have nowhere else to go…”
“I told you yesterday, didn’t I? While we’re investigating your identities, I’ll provide for your accommodation and meals during this period.”
“Ah, then please take care of Xiao An for now. I’ll go find a job first.”
“Enough! Shut up! You’re coming with me too!”
*So, when people get angry, veins really do bulge on their foreheads… *
For now, I’ll just go along with her.
No matter which world, this person is always so assertive.
Nana seemed to have driven here. We walked out of the park to a parking space in a nearby residential area, where a car that looked very high-class was parked. To my limited knowledge, I couldn’t identify what kind of car it was.
More importantly than the car, I was concerned about other issues. How did she find me in such a vast city?
And she even drove here, with the car parked nearby… This means Nana knew I was here and came straight for me.
But that’s too strange, isn’t it? In this world, Lan doesn’t know me, so there shouldn’t be anyone keeping track of my whereabouts!
“You’re wondering how I found you, aren’t you?”
“Do you have to be so surprised? Let me clarify, I can’t read minds. It’s just that whatever you’re thinking basically shows on your face.”
It seems that unless I deliberately focus and enter a state of no-mind, my face will still betray my thoughts.
“It was her.” Nana pointed in a direction. “After we reached the vicinity of the park, she stopped pointing, so I got out to look for you. I didn’t expect to actually find you there.”
“Huh? Was it Xiao An who pointed the way?”
“Yeah. I didn’t believe you when you said she was your sister at first, but it seems there really is some connection between you… Or does this child have some special ability?”
Nana glanced at Xiao An, who was sleeping soundly in my arms. The frown on her brow relaxed a little. Indeed, anyone seeing this angelic child would feel comforted.
Even though Nana was complaining about Xiao An being noisy earlier, if she really didn’t care about the child, she wouldn’t have come looking for me, right?
So, it’s all thanks to Xiao An.
“An…”
I suspect it’s the latter. This child has been showing her miraculous side since she appeared.
“By the way, since you’re going to work, it’ll be inconvenient without an ID, won’t it? Come with me tomorrow to sort this out. I’ll give you a form later. Fill in your information and this child’s information for me. If you don’t remember, just fill in something random.”
“You can do that?”
*Ah, she knows people in the government… Hmm, it shouldn’t be a problem.*
Wow, that’s really impressive.
You see, Nana didn’t say she ‘knew some people in the government,’ she said, ‘people in the government know me.’
That’s quite a significant difference.
Since the ‘Organization’ doesn’t exist in this world, the influence it had in the underground world has now shifted to the surface world.
Speaking of which, being able to casually be listed in a foreign embassy, and seemingly very reluctantly at that, isn’t that an incredible feat?
“What’s with that look? Although it’s better than those lecherous stares from stinky men, it’s still uncomfortable. So… you know what I mean?!”
“Alright, I won’t look at you like that again.”
*What a terrifying look. Is she going through menopause already?*
“You don’t need to be so formal either. Call me… hmm, call me Sister Yang, or Sister Nana… Wait, what’s with that look!”
*That look conveys: ‘Hey! Everyone come quickly! Here’s an old woman shamelessly asking to be called ‘sister’!’*
“It’s nothing. I just feel like I’ve been saved by someone very capable.”
“Hmph, are you questioning my age? Although I do have a child older than you, I’m only 39 this year. Theoretically speaking, I haven’t reached menopause yet… Well, I suppose I am at an age where I can be called ‘auntie’.”
“Then can I just call you by your name?”
“Hm? Call me by my name directly? It’s not impossible. Hmm, you don’t seem like you’re trying to butter me up… Fine, call me whatever you want.”
*Sigh…*
“Got it, Nana.”
“…You say it quite naturally…”
*That’s because I’m already used to calling you and Lily by your names directly.*
I remember in the beginning, there was always awkwardness and discomfort. I always wanted to add “Teacher” or “Principal” after your names, but every time I did, it would provoke strong protests. Lily would protest fiercely (although after I pushed her down, she seemed to have actively asked me to stimulate her in that way…). Nana would glare at me fiercely and then assign me impossible missions. Plus, I knew about the contract’s effect, so I naturally got used to calling you directly.
So, the issue of addressing each other is settled. It feels like I’ve recovered some fragments of my original world… Those experiences are still in my heart…
Speaking of which, did Nana just say she’s only nine years older than me?
I remember Lily just graduated from university not long ago, so she’s probably around twenty-four this year.
Wait, wait! Then at what age did you get Lily pregnant?! Fifteen?!
*Who on earth is that crazy person!*
Speaking of which, I’ve never met Nana’s husband, nor has she mentioned him. Lily also seems to have never met her father…
*Uh, it’s best not to pry too much into other people’s affairs…*
“By the way, what’s this child’s name?”
*Huh? Name?*
*Uh oh, I’ll have to think of one on the spot now.*
*What should I call her… Ah, I suddenly remembered what happened when I encountered Xiao An. The flames enveloped her, as if weaving a nest for her, right? And the fact that she breathed fire afterward was because I, an outsider, was approaching her, wasn’t it?*
*A child favored by fire… That’s what I’ll call her.*
I curved my lips, looking at Xiao An’s golden hair.
“An Yanling. Yan for flame, Ling for spirit.”
“Whoa. It’s like a name decided on the spot.”
“Cough, no…”
Nana didn’t say anything further, but I guessed she already believed it.
*What a terrifying woman… To be able to read minds to this extent. No wonder she’s a powerful woman who holds great influence in any world.*
At this point, we arrived near Nana’s house. I was familiar with this area, as I often came here during summer vacation to feed Xuan’er blood. However, I had to pretend to be a stranger now.
*So, in this world, is Xuan’er also living with Nana?*
After getting out of the car and entering the building, I remembered it was on the top floor of this high-end apartment, complete with a rooftop.
As we entered the elevator, Nana indeed pressed the button for the top floor.
Watching the elevator door slowly close, Nana suddenly asked me.
“So, how’s it going?”
“Hm? How’s what going?”
“Are you playing dumb with me? On the plane, you remembered something, right? That’s why you ran off as soon as we landed.”
“…Something like that.”
“So, did you find it?”
I shook my head silently.
Indeed, I hadn’t found it, nor had I met the person I wanted to see.
“It’s… Well, it’s getting late. You should sleep first. Maybe you’ll remember something after a good night’s sleep.”
Nana probably wanted to say something to comfort me, but in the end, she didn’t say it. She just forced a stiff smile, patted my shoulder, and said so.
*She’s really trying her best.*
*Actually, being able to meet you in this world and receive so much help is already a great fortune…*
It’s not good to keep troubling her like this. I need to gain my own capabilities. Perhaps I can achieve something with this Spiritual Power.
After solving the livelihood issue, I’ll investigate other matters.
Thinking this, I entered the room Nana had prepared for me, took off my clothes, and lay down on the bed.
*…Now I should call myself Lingling.*
Lingling was still sleeping next to me, but her small hand, which had been tightly gripping mine, had loosened.
Looking at her peaceful face, my jumbled thoughts gradually subsided.
*I need to work harder starting tomorrow.*
