Moving into Na'er's Home

As Bi Ji watched Bai Yushan go through this series of actions, a flicker of approval crossed her eyes.

The little fellow was even more cautious than she had imagined. First, he had sought out a constable to serve as a witness, then arranged a fallback by having someone notify the dean. He had thought every step through thoroughly. This did not seem like a disposition a six-year-old child could possess.

"Can we go now?" Bi Ji asked with a smile.

Bai Yushan nodded. "Let's go."

Bi Ji turned and walked out of the constabulary. Bai Yushan followed behind her, while Na'er still clutched his sleeve and stayed close beside him.

By the time they left the constabulary, it was completely dark outside.

The streetlamps on both sides of the road had come on, their dim yellow light spilling over the ground and stretching the three figures' shadows out long.

Bi Ji walked ahead at an unhurried pace. Her aqua-green dress swayed gently in the night breeze, and her emerald hair gleamed faintly beneath the lamplight.

Bai Yushan walked behind her, his eyes darting about.

He was memorizing the route.

Whenever they passed an intersection, he glanced at the street signs. Whenever they passed a distinctive building, he gave it a few extra looks. As a street child in his previous life, the first habit he had needed to develop was memorizing the route wherever he went, so that even if something happened, he could find his way back.

Na'er followed beside him, her little hand clutching his sleeve the whole time.

Her feet moved quickly, barely keeping up with Bai Yushan. Her short silver hair fluttered in the night breeze, and her amethyst eyes occasionally looked up at Bai Yushan before lowering again, like a kitten following its owner.

Bi Ji led them through several streets to an estate.

The estate had wrought-iron gates, their black bars covered with climbing vines. Two rows of emerald-green plants flanked the gates, giving off a faint glow beneath the streetlamps.

Bi Ji pushed open the gates and walked inside.

The estate was much larger inside than it appeared from outside. A path paved with bluestone slabs led inward, flanked by broad lawns planted with all sorts of flowers and greenery. A faint floral fragrance mingled with the scent of earth in the air, making it feel very pleasant.

At the end of the path stood a three-story villa with white exterior walls, a blue roof, and two warm yellow lamps hanging by the entrance.

Bi Ji opened the door and went inside.

"We're here. This is my temporary residence in Red Mountain City."

Bai Yushan stood in the doorway and looked inside.

The villa was spacious and tastefully decorated. Pale wooden flooring covered the ground, several paintings hung on the walls, and a few potted plants stood in the corners. A set of light-colored sofas occupied the center of the living room, with a solid-wood coffee table before them and a tea set arranged on top.

The entire room's furnishings were simple without being simplistic, exuding understated luxury at every turn.

Without a care for whether he was dirty, Bai Yushan flopped straight onto the soft sofa.

His body sank into it. That softness was simply incredible!

The soft foam supported his entire body, as though he were lying on a cloud.

Bai Yushan could not resist rolling over twice, rubbing dust from his clothes everywhere and immediately leaving several gray streaks on the pale sofa cover.

He did not care about any of that.

As long as he was comfortable.

No wonder everyone under heaven loved money so much! The joys of being rich really were unimaginable!

Bai Yushan lay sprawled on the sofa like a lazy cat basking in the sun. His eyes narrowed, his mouth stretched into the widest grin, and his face brimmed with satisfaction.

In his dormitory at Red Mountain Academy, he slept on a hard plank bed covered with a thin mattress that pressed uncomfortably against him. It was nothing like this sofa, so soft that it made him want to sleep on it.

Seeing Bai Yushan grinning, Na'er smiled too.

She stood beside the sofa, watching Bai Yushan roll around, her amethyst eyes full of laughter. Her mouth opened to reveal two rows of tiny white teeth, and her short silver hair trembled gently with her laughter.

Copying Bai Yushan, she began climbing onto the sofa.

Bai Yushan opened his eyes and glanced at her, then reached out, caught Na'er by the wrist, and pulled her up in one motion.

Na'er tumbled onto the sofa, her whole body sinking into the soft foam. She froze for a moment, then laughed even more happily, patting the sofa with her little hands like a bunny that had found a nest.

The two nestled on the sofa like that, one lying on his back and the other on her stomach, leaving it in complete disarray.

Bi Ji came out of the kitchen, saw the scene, and shook her head helplessly.

These two children-each was more unruly than the other.

But she said nothing, merely smiling before turning and entering the dining room.

She clapped her hands.

The crisp sound echoed through the dining room.

Several maids emerged from the kitchen, each carrying a tray. Steaming dishes sat on the trays, and their aroma instantly filled the entire room.

The maids placed the dishes on the dining table one by one: braised pork, steamed fish, sweet-and-sour ribs, stir-fried greens, egg soup, and a large bowl of white rice. Every dish steamed, giving off a tempting aroma.

Bi Ji called to the two of them, "Xiaoshan, Na'er, come have something to eat."

The aroma perked Bai Yushan right up.

Driving those electric currents these past two days had practically starved him to death!

His Martial Soul was Bioelectricity. Making his cells generate electricity through friction while maintaining a current to stimulate his entire body consumed a great deal of energy. After every fight, he was so hungry his belly practically clung to his spine. He had fought Bi Ji for so long tonight that, although he had hardly been injured, he had consumed an enormous amount of energy.

If lunch at the academy had not been free, allowing him to wolf down food for a while, he would nearly have fainted from hunger!

Bai Yushan sprang off the sofa and rushed into the dining room, taking the steps two at a time.

Na'er climbed down from the sofa too, following him on her short little legs.

The dining table was covered with dishes. One glance nearly made Bai Yushan drool.

The braised pork gleamed red, its layers of fat and lean meat looking delicious. Shredded scallions and ginger covered the steamed fish, its tender white flesh giving off steam. The sweet-and-sour ribs wore a glistening coating of sauce, their sweet and tangy scent wafting straight into his nose. The stir-fried greens were a vivid emerald, looking fresh at a glance. Wisps of egg and chopped scallions floated atop the egg soup, light and appetizing.

Without another word, Bai Yushan picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of braised pork, and stuffed it into his mouth.

The meat had been braised until meltingly tender, rich without being greasy, with a hint of sweetness amid its savory flavor. He chewed twice, swallowed, and picked up another piece.

"Delicious!"

He spoke indistinctly, his mouth stuffed with meat.

Watching him wolf down his food, Bi Ji could not help laughing.

"Slow down. Don't choke."

Bai Yushan paid no attention. He always ate this way, sweeping through food like a gale scattering clouds, wishing he could swallow the whole tableful in one bite.

Na'er sat beside him, holding chopsticks in her little hand. She picked up a piece of fish, slowly placed it in her mouth, and chewed in tiny bites.

Bi Ji sat across from them, watching the two children eat, her eyes full of tenderness.

She picked up the ladle and served Bai Yushan a bowl of soup.

"Have some soup. Don't just eat meat."

Bai Yushan took the bowl, gulped down half of it, set it on the table, and went back to eating furiously with his head down.

He ate three bowls of rice, half a plate of braised pork, more than half the fish, five or six ribs, and more than half a bowl of greens. Finally, he finished that bowl of egg soup as well before setting down his chopsticks, leaning back in his chair, and rubbing his belly.

"I'm full."

Bai Yushan let out a burp, his face brimming with satisfaction.

Na'er had finished too. She had not eaten much: a scant half bowl of rice, a few pieces of fish, and a few leaves of greens. She set down her chopsticks, looked at Bai Yushan, and smiled again.

Looking at the aftermath on the table, Bi Ji did not know whether to laugh or cry.

This child really had an enormous appetite.

She summoned the maids to clear away the bowls and chopsticks, then had two plates of fruit brought over.

"Have some fruit. It'll help with digestion."

Bai Yushan picked up a grape and tossed it into his mouth. Leaning back in his chair with one leg crossed over the other, he ate the grapes one after another, feeling that his life had reached its peak.