Chicken Fork Bones, Na'er

"Na'er, what do you want to eat?"

Fang Ming led Na'er toward the bustling snack street.

The moment she heard the word "eat," Na'er instantly lifted her head. Her purple eyes sparkled, and the shyness from before was immediately replaced by anticipation.

Stalls lined both sides of the snack street, and the scents of all kinds of food mingled in the air, whetting appetites.

Na'er found everything novel, looking left and right as her little head kept turning.

Those purple eyes found everything interesting.

But she soon caught a rich aroma.

"Brother Fang Ming!"

Na'er tugged Fang Ming's hand and pointed with her other hand toward a stall ahead. "That smells so good. I want to eat that!"

Following where Na'er pointed, Fang Ming saw a sign above the stall: "Secret Recipe Chicken Fork Bones. No Charge If It Doesn't Taste Good."

Today's special: buy one jin of secret recipe chicken fork bones, get half a jin free!

He nodded. "All right, then let's buy some chicken fork bones."

When they reached the stall, the owner was a middle-aged man wearing a grease-stained apron, his movements extremely nimble.

He expertly scooped golden, crispy chicken fork bones from the fryer and drained off the oil.

With a flick of his wrist, he skillfully sprinkled them with cumin, chili, and other seasonings, then lightly shook a little white sesame over them.

A powerful spicy fragrance mixed with the distinctive, domineering scent of fried food rushed toward them.

Na'er stared eagerly, unconsciously swallowing.

"Boss, give me ten jin of chicken fork bones."

Fang Ming spoke.

He knew Na'er had a huge appetite. One jin would never fill her up.

"Got it!"

The owner moved swiftly and immediately began frying.

Before long, he scooped up batch after batch of golden chicken fork bones, expertly dusted them with cumin powder, and added white sesame.

He packed the chicken fork bones into several paper bags and handed them over. "Fifteen jin of chicken fork bones in total. Here you go!"

Fang Ming paid, put the extra paper bags into his storage ring, and kept one bag to hand to Na'er. "Here, eat them while they're hot."

Na'er carefully opened her mouth and gently took a small bite.

"Crunch—"

The crispy coating shattered between her teeth, while the chicken inside was tender and juicy. The flavor of cumin instantly filled her mouth.

Her eyes lit up, narrowing happily into two crescent moons.

"Delicious!"

Na'er said indistinctly, but she ate rapidly in small bites, her cheeks puffing out slightly like a contented hamster.

Fang Ming could not help smiling.

"Brother, you should eat too."

Na'er took a golden, crispy chicken fork bone from the bag and held it up to Fang Ming's mouth.

Fang Ming took a bite, chewed carefully, and nodded. "Mm, it really is delicious."

"Right?"

Na'er happily shook her little head, her silver hair swaying softly. "Chicken fork bones are the most delicious thing in the world!"

She took out another chicken fork bone, intending to feed Fang Ming again.

"Brother isn't hungry. You eat, Na'er. These are all yours."

Fang Ming smiled and waved his hand.

Na'er looked at him, then at the chicken fork bone in her hand.

After hesitating for a moment, she obediently nodded. "Then... all right."

After that, Na'er stopped holding back and focused on the food before her.

Before long, she had polished off the entire bag of chicken fork bones.

Then Na'er looked at Fang Ming with lingering desire.

How could Fang Ming fail to see what she was thinking? Smiling, he took out two more bags of chicken fork bones and handed them to her. "Eat slowly. No one's going to steal them from you."

"Brother is the best!"

Na'er's eyes brightened. She took the paper bags and began eating again with complete satisfaction.

And so, one patiently kept her company while the other focused on eating.

At last, after Na'er had finished all fifteen jin of chicken fork bones, she was full and wore a satisfied smile.

Fang Ming took out a tissue and gently wiped the oil stains from the corners of her mouth and her hands. "Na'er, are you full?"

"Mm."

Na'er nodded, her voice soft.

"Come on, let's go home."

Fang Ming took Na'er's hand.

Hearing that, Na'er obediently nodded.

By the time they returned to Red Mountain Academy, the sky had gradually darkened, and the setting sun painted the courtyard walls a warm orange-red.

Fang Ming pushed open the courtyard gate and led Na'er inside.

"Old man, I'm back."

He called out as soon as he entered.

"You brat, you finally came back?" Cang Xuan's voice rang out.

He walked out and looked at the small figure beside Fang Ming. He paused slightly. "What's this... did you pick someone up and bring her home?"

"Old man, this is Na'er."

Fang Ming briefly explained what had happened.

Na'er hid behind Fang Ming, only peeking out with half her head as she timidly studied Cang Xuan.

Her purple eyes held a trace of nervousness.

"All right, I understand."

After hearing everything, Cang Xuan did not say much, only nodding slightly.

He took out his Soul Guidance Communicator and sent a message to the Aolai City Law Enforcement Bureau.

A moment later, Cang Xuan looked at Na'er and asked gently, "Na'er, have you awakened your martial soul?"

Na'er did not answer. She only gripped the corner of Fang Ming's clothes tighter, nearly hiding completely behind him.

Fang Ming softly reassured her, "Na'er, don't be afraid. This is my grandfather."

Na'er hesitated for quite a while after hearing that.

Only then did she slowly loosen her grip on his clothes and step out from behind Fang Ming.

"Martial soul...?"

Na'er thought for a moment, as if trying hard to remember something. Then she raised her right hand, palm upward.

A silver-white spear appeared out of thin air.

The spear was slender and long, with silver light flowing across its entire body. Faint dragon patterns could vaguely be seen coiling around it.

Tilting her head, she asked earnestly, "Is this... a martial soul?"

"Yes."

Cang Xuan nodded.

Naturally, he had sensed the fluctuations of Soul Power.

Na'er blinked her purple eyes, nodded as if she half understood, and put away the Silver Dragon Spear.

"Then..."

She hesitated before asking softly, a cautious trace of hope in her eyes, "Can I stay? I don't want to leave Brother."

"Of course you can."

Cang Xuan smiled gently. "But you have to call me Grandpa Cang."

"Grandpa Cang."

Na'er's voice was quiet, but she called him earnestly.

Cang Xuan answered with a smile. "Mm, such a good girl."

Then he added, "A granddaughter is still better. So much better than you, you brat."

"You're a terrible old man."

Fang Ming retorted as he took Na'er's hand and led her into the house.

Cang Xuan merely smiled without saying anything, but his gaze rested on Na'er's small retreating figure, deep in thought.

Fang Ming led Na'er to the bathroom, adjusted the water temperature for her, and carefully taught her how to use the Soul Guidance water heater.

"Na'er, take your bath. I'll wait outside." Fang Ming turned to leave as he spoke.

"Brother..."

Na'er's voice sounded, carrying a trace of unease.

Fang Ming rubbed her silver hair. "Don't be afraid. Brother will be right outside the door. I won't go far."

Only then did Na'er nod, feeling somewhat reassured as she took her clean clothes into the bathroom.

Before long, the bathroom door was gently pushed open.

Na'er walked out wearing Fang Ming's clothes. The oversized clothes draped over her tiny body, the sleeves extending past her arms, making her look even more petite and adorable.

With the dust and grime washed away, her silver hair finally revealed its original luster.

Paired with those amethyst-like eyes, she looked like an exquisite porcelain doll.

"Na'er is really pretty." Fang Ming smiled.

Na'er's little face reddened. She lowered her head, though the corners of her lips could not help curving upward.

Cang Xuan came in from the courtyard, looked at Na'er, then at Fang Ming, and said calmly, "It's getting late. You two should rest first."

"Tomorrow morning, you still have to take Na'er to class."

"All right."

Fang Ming nodded and led Na'er toward the room prepared for her.

Inside, the bed had already been made, and the bedding was clean and soft.

"Good night, Brother."

Na'er lay down on the bed and closed her eyes, her soft voice heavy with sleepiness.

"Good night, Na'er."

Fang Ming said softly, then turned off the light, closed the door, and left.