Do... I... Know English?

Chu Yao's bowl was no longer a bowl. It was Mount Everest, rising higher by the moment and giving off an irresistible aroma!

(Chu Yao's inner monologue: Boo-hoo... enough, enough... I really can't eat much more... but... but Master picked this out for me himself... Senior Sister gave me this... Senior Brother picked out the bones... nom! I can still eat! Help me up!)

She struggled to swallow as she continued to "demolish" the food in her bowl at an astonishing speed. Her cheeks were stuffed full, a dab of sauce clung to the corner of her mouth, and her eyes glistened with tears of happiness (and from being stuffed).

Nom! So delicious!

Chu Yao ate to her heart's content, her belly round and her happiness overflowing. It was as though every craving for good food from both her past and present lives had finally been satisfied.

But happy times were always short-lived.

Still immersed in the happiness of her meal, Chu Yao had no idea that once she set out for Hogwarts, the good days of enjoying Martial Uncle Zhang's heavenly cooking at every meal, with her bowl always piled high with food lovingly offered by her senior brother, senior sister, and master, would soon... be gone forever!

After a feast that had been devoured in a whirlwind, leaving host and guests alike delighted, Dumbledore rubbed his stomach, which had been utterly conquered by Eastern sweets (and his blood sugar, which might have risen slightly), and prepared to take his leave, thoroughly satisfied.

He rubbed his cheek, though, thinking he should ask Severus for a bottle of "tooth-strengthening potion" when he got back.

The last rays of the setting sun bathed the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's pavilions and towers in warm gold. The evening breeze rustled through the bamboo grove, carrying away the last tempting traces of the meal's aroma.

Dumbledore stood beneath the sect's imposing, timeworn archway, his silver-white hair and beard stirring gently in the wind.

With great patience and his trademark kindly smile—the sort that could calm a bristling young wizard—he bent down slightly and said to Chu Yao, "My dear child, in a little while, probably around the end of July, a very reliable professor from our school will come especially to pick you up. He'll take you to an interesting place to buy everything you'll need for studying and living at Hogwarts."

His blue eyes gleamed gently behind his half-moon spectacles. "I look forward to seeing you at Hogwarts."

(Dumbledore's inner monologue: Oh, I hope Severus won't be frightened by this child's... hmm, "energy" when he comes to pick her up. Perhaps I should warn him in advance? Never mind, surprises are always nice.)

Chu Yao stood straight, her hands folded obediently in front of her. Her little head bobbed like a chick pecking at grain, and her voice was sweet enough to make a bee sick. "Yes, Headmaster Dumbledore! I'll be good and wait! Thank you!"

She was the very picture of a model student.

(Chu Yao's inner monologue: A professor? Shopping? Is it Diagon Alley? Wow! I'm finally going to see the legendary Wizarding World! I wonder if I can exchange the lowest-grade spirit stones for Galleons? Or... system, I'm counting on you when the time comes!)

Dumbledore smiled at Chu Yao, then turned and gave his old friend Chu Kuangren a hearty hug. They patted each other on the back.

The pats landed with resounding thumps, showing that they were still hale and hearty despite their age.

Then, without further hesitation, he turned and stepped beyond the range of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect's mountain-protecting formation. His figure blurred and twisted, as though seized by an invisible hand, and with a soft pop, he used Apparition to vanish from the spot, leaving only a faint trace of magic.

After seeing the guest off, Chu Kuangren's smile vanished in an instant. He turned to his youngest disciple, who was still trying hard to maintain her "well-behaved" persona. His brow slowly furrowed, and he asked the soul-searching question: "Little Yao'er..."

His tone held a hint of uncertainty. "Do... you know English?"

Author's note: Thank you, my lovely readers, for the favorites, likes, check-ins, comments, flowers, gold coins, and memberships. Love you all. Finger hearts ♥