Call me Brother Lin Chen

"How is this child in Shrek City?" Shen Yi's words interrupted the two who were staring at each other. She paused, then looked at Na'er: "Little one, where are your parents?"

Na'er shook her head timidly, her lowered eyelashes masking the confusion in her eyes. She didn't say a word, simply bowing her head.

Lin Chen took a half-step forward, his tone gentle: "Don't be afraid. What is your name?"

Na'er looked up, her clear eyes veiled by a layer of mist. "I... I'm called Na'er."

"Gurgle..." An untimely sound rang out, and the gazes of both Shen Yi and Lin Chen shifted to Na'er simultaneously.

Her face was a bit dirty, but a faint blush could still be seen beneath the grime.

Lin Chen reached out his hand: "Let's go, Na'er. I'll take you to get something to eat."

Na'er froze for a moment, looking at Lin Chen. After a brief hesitation, she reached out and took his hand.

Holding Na'er's hand, he turned to look at Shen Yi beside him, his tone natural: "Sister Shen Yi, let's go eat."

Shen Yi agreed. She could see that the child was in a truly poor state, and she couldn't feel at ease leaving her out there alone.

The three soon arrived at a small restaurant. Lin Chen was worried Na'er wouldn't be full—after all, he understood the Silver Dragon King's astonishing appetite—so he ordered almost every signature dish in the shop.

The table was soon covered in food. At first, Na'er was a bit reserved, only taking small bites of rice.

Not long after, it was as if a switch had been flipped by the food; the speed of her chopsticks increased, becoming almost unstoppable. Bowl after bowl of rice was emptied, and the dishes on the table vanished at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Na'er puffed out her cheeks, devouring the food without any intention of stopping.

Shen Yi, watching from the side, was stunned. Out of consideration for Na'er's self-esteem, she didn't say a word.

It wasn't until the dishes on the table were wiped clean that she finally stopped. She straightened her body in satisfaction, and a crisp, involuntary burp escaped her lips.

Her small face flushed bright red, and she hurriedly covered her mouth with her small hand, looking timidly at Lin Chen and Shen Yi.

After paying the bill, Lin Chen took Na'er's small hand and said to Shen Yi: "Sister Shen Yi, let's take her back to Shrek Academy. We'll see what my mom and dad say about what to do next."

Shen Yi nodded, and the three walked out of the restaurant together, heading in the direction of Shrek.

Di Tian hovered high above, his golden vertical pupils piercing through the crowd to lock firmly onto Na'er, who was being led by Lin Chen. His eyes churned with incredibly complex emotions; he certainly didn't want to be on the receiving end of one of Yun Ming's Sky-Piercing Sun-Shooting strikes.

The group soon arrived at the Sea God Pavilion of Shrek Academy. Zhuo Shi and Feng Wuya swept their gazes over Na'er, then looked at Lin Chen, a sense of gratification appearing in their eyes.

Ya Li asked Na'er in a gentle tone, trying to see if she could find any details regarding her parents.

Na'er only remembered her name; all other memories were extremely blurry.

Seeing her dirty appearance, Ya Li had no choice but to take Na'er to wash up first. She was a bit scared at first, but after Lin Chen gave her a reassuring look, she followed Ya Li.

Not until Ya Li and Na'er had walked far away did Zhuo Shi speak: "You're quite the lad." He didn't continue, but anyone could understand the implication behind his words.

The corner of Lin Chen's mouth twitched slightly, thinking, This old lecher, where is his mind wandering? Am I, Lin Chen, that kind of person? He ignored Zhuo Shi's teasing.

Before long, Ya Li walked over, holding a refreshed Na'er. Her small face was clean and delicate, the previous dishevelment gone, making her look as exquisite as a porcelain doll.

She was wearing a white garment that was clearly too large, hanging loosely on her frame, leaving her fair, slender calves exposed.

Na'er's amethyst-like eyes were fixed steadily on Lin Chen.

The atmosphere was quiet for a moment before Ya Li spoke slowly: "Tomorrow morning, I will take Na'er to the Shrek City magistrate's office to see if we can find any clues about her parents."

Time flew by, and soon it was the next morning. Ya Li took Na'er out; Na'er rarely spoke, following her away in silence.

Lin Chen had no choice but to stay alone in his residence on Sea God Island to meditate. He didn't know how much time had passed, but when he woke from his meditative state, he was given a fright.

Standing not far away was a figure—it was none other than Yun Ming.

Yun Ming said: "Not bad, keep it up. Your mother is back with Na'er; go take a look."

Lin Chen patted his chest and muttered to Yun Ming: "Dad, please give a heads-up next time. You nearly scared my soul right out of my body."

The result was the same as in the original story: nothing was found.

Ya Li said to Yun Ming: "Brother Ming, there are no records of this child. We can only send her to an orphanage."

"No! Mom, let Na'er stay." Lin Chen hugged Ya Li's legs, looking up at her in supplication.

"Ahem." Yun Ming coughed lightly, his gaze falling on his wife. Their eyes met briefly, and both understood the other's look.

He stepped forward, his voice steady and gentle: "Lin Chen, don't make decisions for others so easily. Ask Na'er first if she is willing to stay here."

Lin Chen released his grip on Ya Li and turned to walk toward Na'er. He said softly: "Na'er, stay here. I'm here, and Mom and Dad are here too. No one will be able to bully you."

Na'er looked at him, a mist appearing in her amethyst pupils. Her small hand tightened around the clothes Ya Li had bought her that morning. After a moment of silence, she nodded vigorously.

Ya Li and Yun Ming smiled at each other, having already silently consented.

Yun Ming said calmly: "Since you have chosen to stay, then from this day forward, you shall remain in the Sea God Pavilion."

Hearing this, a brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Lin Chen's face, and he reached out to take Na'er's hand.

Just as he held it, he seemed to remember something and asked Na'er: "By the way, Na'er, do you remember how old you are?"

Na'er frowned slightly, thinking hard for a moment. Her amethyst eyes blinked as she replied: "I am five and a half years old this year."

"I'm six, half a year older than you. Why don't you call me Brother Lin Chen? How about that?"

Na'er looked at Lin Chen, one purple eye and one glass-colored eye meeting each other. A moment later, she spoke in a soft, clear voice: "Okay, Brother Lin Chen."

Lin Chen turned to look at Yun Ming and Ya Li, revealing a slightly ingratiating smile. Since he had returned the card to Zhuo Shi earlier, he didn't have a single cent of money on him, so he had to ask Ya Li for some.

"Mom, could you give me some pocket money? I want to take Na'er to the snack street in Shrek City and treat her to something delicious."

Ya Li shook her head helplessly, gently taking a card from her soul storage ring as she urged, "Don't go too far, and make sure you come back early, you hear?"

"Don't worry, Mom!"

Lin Chen snatched the card, took Na'er's small hand, and ran light-footedly toward the exit of the academy.

Before long, the two arrived at the bustling snack street, where the noise was deafening and the aroma of various foods wafted through the air.

The charred scent of grilled skewers, the sweet fragrance of sugar cakes, and all sorts of savory soul beast meat snacks made Na'er widen her eyes in wonder as she curiously took in her surroundings.

Lin Chen led her through the stalls, generously buying a variety of snacks and handing them to Na'er.

"How is it? It's delicious, right?" Lin Chen asked triumphantly.

Na'er beamed, a smudge of cream still lingering on the corner of her mouth: "It's really delicious."