"How did this child end up in Shrek City?" Shen Yi's words broke the gaze between the two. After a pause, she looked at Na'er. "Little one, where are your parents?"
Na'er timidly shook her head. Her lowered lashes concealed the confusion in her eyes. She didn't say a word and lowered her head.
Lin Chen took half a step forward and spoke gently. "Don't be afraid. What's your name?"
Na'er raised her head. A mist clouded her clear eyes. "I... I'm Na'er."
"Gurgle..." An untimely sound rang out. Shen Yi and Lin Chen both turned to look at Na'er.
Her face was a little grimy, but a faint blush could still be seen.
Lin Chen held out his hand. "Come on, Na'er. I'll take you to get something to eat."
Na'er froze for a moment and looked at Lin Chen. After hesitating briefly, she reached out and took his hand.
Holding Na'er's hand, he turned to Shen Yi beside him and said naturally, "Sister Shen Yi, let's go eat."
Shen Yi agreed. She could see that the child was in a terrible state, and she really couldn't leave her alone outside.
The three of them soon arrived at a small restaurant. Lin Chen was afraid Na'er wouldn't get enough to eat. After all, he knew all too well how astonishing the Silver Dragon King's appetite was, so he ordered almost every house specialty on the menu.
The dishes covered the entire table. At first, Na'er was still a little shy, taking small bites of rice.
Before long, it was as if the food had flipped a switch in her. Her chopsticks moved faster and faster, barely pausing. She emptied bowl after bowl of rice, while the dishes on the table disappeared at a visible rate.
Na'er stuffed her cheeks and wolfed down her food without the slightest intention of stopping.
Shen Yi stared in astonishment. Out of consideration for Na'er's pride, she didn't say anything.
Only after every dish on the table had been wiped clean did Na'er finally stop. She straightened up in satisfaction, and a crisp burp escaped her before she could stop it.
Her little face flushed bright red. She hurriedly covered her mouth with both hands and timidly glanced at Lin Chen and Shen Yi.
After paying the bill, Lin Chen took Na'er's little hand and said to Shen Yi, "Sister Shen Yi, let's take her back to Shrek Academy. We can see what my parents think about the rest."
Shen Yi nodded. The three of them left the restaurant together and headed toward Shrek.
Di Tian hovered above them. His golden, vertical pupils pierced through the crowd, fixed firmly on Na'er, who was holding Lin Chen's hand. His eyes churned with emotions too complex to name. He didn't want to take a strike from Yun Ming's Sky-Piercing Sun-Shooting.
They soon arrived at Sea God Pavilion in Shrek Academy. Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuya glanced at Na'er, then at Lin Chen, and a hint of satisfaction entered their eyes.
Yali gently questioned Na'er, hoping to learn some details about her parents.
Na'er remembered only her own name. Everything else was a blur.
Seeing how filthy she was, Yali could only take her to have a bath first. Na'er was a little afraid at first, but Lin Chen gave her a reassuring look, and she followed Yali away.
Only after Yali and Na'er had disappeared from sight did Zhuo Shi speak. "Not bad, kid." He didn't continue, but anyone could tell what he meant.
Lin Chen's mouth twitched. What's this old lecher thinking? Do I look like that kind of person? He ignored Zhuo Shi's teasing.
Before long, Yali returned, leading a completely transformed Na'er by the hand. Her little face was clean and delicate, and the disheveled look she'd had before was gone. She was as exquisite as a porcelain doll.
She wore an oversized white shirt that hung loosely on her, leaving her slender, fair legs bare.
Na'er gazed steadily at Lin Chen with amethyst eyes.
The room fell quiet for a moment before Yali spoke. "First thing tomorrow morning, I'll take Na'er to the administrator's office in Shrek City and see if we can find any clues about her parents."
Before long, the next morning arrived. Yali took Na'er out. Na'er rarely spoke and quietly followed her away.
Lin Chen had no choice but to stay behind at their residence on Sea God Island and meditate by himself. He didn't know how long had passed before he came out of his meditative state—and nearly jumped out of his skin.
A figure stood not far away. It was Yun Ming.
Yun Ming spoke. "Not bad. Keep it up. Your mother's brought Na'er back. Go see her."
Lin Chen patted his chest and muttered to Yun Ming, "Dad, give me a heads-up next time. You nearly scared my soul right out of me."
As in the original story, they found nothing.
Yali turned to Yun Ming. "Brother Ming, there's no record of this child. We can only send her to an orphanage."
"No! Mom, let Na'er stay!" Lin Chen wrapped his arms around Yali's legs and looked up at her imploringly.
"Ahem." Yun Ming cleared his throat and glanced at his wife. Their eyes met briefly, and they understood what the other was thinking.
He walked forward and spoke in a steady, gentle voice. "Lin Chen, don't make decisions for other people. Ask Na'er first if she wants to stay here."
Lin Chen let go of Yali and turned to Na'er. In a soft voice, he said, "Na'er, stay here. I'm here, and so are my mom and dad. No one will bully you."
Na'er looked at him, a glimmer of moisture appearing in her amethyst eyes. She clutched the clothes Yali had bought her that morning. After a moment of silence, she nodded firmly.
Yali and Yun Ming exchanged smiles. They had already agreed in their hearts.
Yun Ming said calmly, "Since you've chosen to stay, you can remain at Sea God Pavilion from now on."
At his words, a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Lin Chen's face. He reached out and took Na'er's hand.
As soon as he held it, he seemed to remember something and turned to Na'er. "By the way, Na'er, do you remember how old you are?"
Na'er furrowed her brow slightly and thought carefully for a moment. Her amethyst eyes blinked as she replied, "I'm five and a half."
"I'm six, so I'm half a year older than you. Why don't you call me Big Brother Lin Chen? Okay?"
Na'er looked at Lin Chen. Their eyes—one purple, one the color of colored glass—met. A moment later, she answered in a soft, clear voice, "Okay, Big Brother Lin Chen."
Lin Chen turned to Yun Ming and Yali, flashing them a slightly ingratiating smile. Since he'd returned his card to Zhuo Shi, he didn't have a single penny on him, so he could only ask Yali for some money.
"Mom, could you give me some pocket money? I want to take Na'er to stroll around the snack street in Shrek City and get her something tasty."
Yali shook her head helplessly. She gently took a card from her soul storage ring and handed it to him, reminding him, "Don't go too far, and come back early, understand?"
"Don't worry, Mom!"
Lin Chen took it at once, grabbed Na'er's little hand, and headed briskly out of the academy.
Before long, they reached the bustling snack street. It was packed with people, and the aromas of all kinds of food filled the air.
The smoky fragrance of grilled skewers, the sweet scent of sugar cakes, and all kinds of delicious Soul Beast meat snacks made Na'er's eyes widen slightly as she looked around curiously.
Lin Chen led her through the stalls, generously buying all kinds of snacks and handing them to Na'er.
"How is it? Tasty, right?" Lin Chen asked proudly.
Na'er smiled brightly, a little cream still clinging to the corner of her mouth. "It's delicious."
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