Little Yu Niannian had only walked a few steps when she felt something was off behind her.
She whirled around abruptly, but saw nothing.
Scratching her head, Niannian was filled with confusion.
Didn't Master tell her that her intuition was always spot - on? Just now, she clearly felt there was someone behind her, but how come there was nothing?
Gurgle...
Her stomach growled at this moment. Niannian, who was already starving, promptly gave up thinking.
She quickened her steps towards the outside of the community.
Not long after she left, a middle - aged man's head suddenly poked out from behind a big tree.
The man stared at Yu Niannian's back, patting his chest with a look of relief.
"Phew, I almost got caught by little Niannian. How come this kid's spiritual sense is getting more and more sensitive?"
"Master, if you're so worried, why did you send little junior sister away in the first place? Since you've already sent her away, why are you acting like a thief and following her?"
There was also a young boy beside the man.
The boy was extremely good - looking. With a straight and upright posture, he was dressed in a simple Taoist robe, yet his aura was extremely noble.
His facial features were delicate and three - dimensional. In particular, his peach - blossom eyes seemed to hide all kinds of charm.
He hadn't fully grown into his looks yet. In a few more years, he would surely charm thousands of girls with his good looks.
"Humph, I have my reasons for doing this. What do you, a mere disciple, know? Your little junior sister had to leave. She can only be safe at home. Do you think I don't feel heartache when I send her away?"
Daoist Qingyun raised his chin proudly, assuming the airs of a master to lecture his disciple beside him.
But the boy didn't show the slightest bit of awe. Instead, he rolled his eyes dramatically, looking like he was waiting for his master to spin more tales.
"Hey, I'm really not lying to you. Stop talking for now. Let's follow her quickly. Otherwise, your little junior sister will be out of sight soon."
Daoist Qingyun watched as the little girl in the distance walked further and further away. He promptly left his disciple behind and scurried after her in a hurry.
The boy had no choice but to follow closely, continuing to lurk secretly with his master.
By now, little Niannian had left the community. Looking at the bustling traffic on the street, her big, watery eyes were full of confusion.
Where were the mountains? The rivers? And the woods?
Without these things, how could she catch fish, hunt rabbits, or find wild fruits?
Niannian hung her head dejectedly. She stroked her empty stomach and felt like crying.
Tears welled up in her eyes and circled around, but she managed to hold them back.
Her pitiful little look would surely make anyone's heart ache.
"Little tummy, hold on. I'll definitely find something to fill you up!"
"Must be because I haven't walked far enough! Come on, walk a bit more, and I'll find something to eat!"
Niannian comforted herself while cheering herself on.
Once again full of energy, she randomly picked a direction based on her intuition and walked aimlessly.
Daoist Qingyun followed behind his disciple, looking anxious. He mumbled, "Where is your junior sister going? Why is she wandering around alone? There's no adult at home watching her. What on earth is Yu Shanhe doing? Isn't he afraid of losing his just - found daughter again?"
"Who knows? If he had a conscience, he wouldn't have let Niannian be abandoned right after she was born. I said if little junior sister had to go down the mountain, our family could afford to raise her. But you just had to send her back to her parents. And now you're coming here to secretly follow her. It's just a waste of effort."
The boy replied huffily, full of resentment in his heart.
His little junior sister, who was carved like a jade doll!
His cute and charming little junior sister!
His sensible, well - behaved, and the most caring junior sister in the whole universe!
What if she got lost, or worse, was targeted by bad guys?
No, he had to snatch his little junior sister back.
"Chu Chen! Come back here!"
Daoist Qingyun saw his disciple's eager feet about to take a step forward and quickly stopped him.
Niannian seemed easy - going, well - behaved, and obedient.
But in fact, she was very stubborn.
Although she wasn't shy around strangers, she was very particular about who she got close to and was exclusive.
She had just returned home and hadn't yet formed a deep bond with her biological parents. If she saw them now, she would surely cry and make a fuss to go with them.
By then, even he couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't soften his heart and agree.
Even if he managed to resist the urge and firmly refused, it would break the child's heart.
If that happened, all their previous efforts would be in vain.
So for now, none of them could appear in front of Niannian.
He had thought it through carefully. He was just too worried, so he secretly came here to stalk her and see how his little disciple was doing.
Liu Chuchen knew from his master's tone that there was no way to change the decision about his little junior sister going down the mountain.
He dejectedly retracted his feet and began to resent his master a bit.
Half a month ago, Master had discussed with them, the disciples, about sending little junior sister down the mountain and back to her parents.
All the disciples had firmly opposed this decision.
But their opposition was in vain.
Master had made the decision on his own and insisted on sending little junior sister away. He also told them that if little junior sister didn't return to her parents now, she would surely face a great calamity in the future, a life - and - death one.
They loved and doted on little junior sister. They definitely couldn't harm Niannian just because of their own reluctance.
In the end, they hesitantly agreed.
They all knew that Master loved little junior sister just as much as they did. He definitely wouldn't joke about such things, nor would he drive Niannian away for no reason.
But no matter how they questioned him, Master wouldn't tell them the specific reason, only saying that they would understand in due time.
Originally, he was a bit dissatisfied with Master for keeping things secret.
Now, seeing Niannian wandering aimlessly on the street alone with a small bundle on her back, his dissatisfaction reached its peak.
Was Niannian really living a good life at home?
Did her biological parents really love her?
If they did, how could they let a five - and - a - half - year - old child wander alone in the city?
Liu Chuchen tightened his fist hidden in his wide sleeve, trying hard to suppress the urge to pick up his little junior sister and carry her away.
After taking a deep breath, he said, "Master, I want to stay by Niannian's side to protect her."
"You! Why are you being so disobedient? Do you want to piss me off?"
Daoist Qingyun pointed at Liu Chuchen's nose, ready to scold him.
But the next second, he was interrupted by Liu Chuchen.
"I won't force Niannian to go with me. I'll go home and take over the family business. After I've dealt with all the family matters, I'll come back to find Niannian. Don't worry, I definitely won't disrupt your plan."
Liu Chuchen's handsome face was full of stubbornness, and his attitude was extremely firm.
He looked like a naughty kid.
Facing this rebellious young man, Daoist Qingyun could only sigh helplessly.
"Fine. I'll feel more at ease with you watching over her. Remember, before the matters of the Yu family are completely resolved, you must never take Niannian away from the Yu family. After it's resolved, if Niannian is not living well, you can decide for yourself."