Section 117: Nannan

A tender childish voice sounded beside Ye Zhong’er: “Big brother, sunbathing will make you very, very dark!” A small hand gestured while the other shook Ye Zhong’er vigorously, trying to wake him, but the little strength was no match for Ye Zhong’er’s immobility.

Ye Zhong’er struggled to open his heavy, weary eyelids, turned his head, and looked at the little girl before him. He pulled at the corners of his mouth and forced a bitter, awkward smile. His complexion was pale with a hint of blue, and the smile, rather than comforting, appeared somewhat frightening.

The little girl was about five or six years old, with a delicately carved face and large blinking eyes. She wore a light green cap with several carved grooves. Ye Zhong’er immediately recognized it as a component of the Light Armor, made of a very special material unknown to him, but the craftsmanship astonished him.

Around her neck hung a red diamond-shaped patch, about the size of a palm, with four neatly arranged holes. Wasn’t this a cushion part from inside the Light Armor? Yet this little girl used it as an ornament!

Ye Zhong’er breathed a silent sigh of relief; it seemed his safety was not in jeopardy.

“Wow, big brother, your smile is so ugly! Did a dog bite you? How pitiful!” The girl sympathized. “Are you unable to move? Oh no, that will make you very, very dark in the sun. What if you become as dark as Blackie brother?” She frowned, pondering deeply, her expression irresistibly endearing. “Ah, I know!” She clapped her hands cheerfully and then ran off clumsily.

For some reason, the little girl’s innocent words eased a weight in Ye Zhong’er’s heart, as if something dormant deep within was awakening. Soon she disappeared from his sight, probably returning home. Ye Zhong’er smiled bitterly again, closed his eyes, and focused on steadying his breathing, hoping to recover his strength sooner. This feeling of fate slipping beyond his control was utterly miserable.

He breathed rhythmically, fighting to stay awake despite overwhelming exhaustion. Staying conscious in such a state was agonizing and a severe test of willpower. Waves of fatigue battered his soul, and many times he wanted to surrender to sleep, yet he persevered.

Though painful, this method proved effective. Ye Zhong’er felt his energy gradually returning, which greatly encouraged him. The fatigue lessened considerably. Yes, if only ten more minutes passed, he believed he would regain the ability to move.

Suddenly, something blocked the scorching heat on his face, and the burning sensation lessened considerably.

Ye Zhong’er opened his eyes.

Before him, a chubby, tender little hand held a wreath woven from fresh grass, shading his face from the fierce sunlight.

The little girl’s big, watery eyes blinked repeatedly, looking utterly adorable to Ye Zhong’er. Her soft voice said, “Big brother, this way you won’t get sunburned! Hee hee. Nana is smart, right?”

Ye Zhong’er smiled faintly, but the smile unexpectedly tugged at his wound, causing him to grimace and gasp sharply.

“Hee hee!” Seeing Ye Zhong’er’s pained expression, little Nana burst into laughter. Her laughter was like the tinkling of silver bells, far more pleasant to Ye Zhong’er’s ears than even Feng Su’s voice. After laughing, Nana furrowed her delicate eyebrows with sympathy: “Big brother, you’re so pitiful! You must have been bitten by a dog! Nana is scared of dogs! They’re fierce! Last time, one tore my little skirt! Big brother, was your clothes torn by a dog too?”

“Mmm!”

“Hee hee. Nana snuck out this time. Grandpa and Blackie brother never let me play outside, and I’m bored to death at home! Big brother, can I come play with you from now on?”

“Mmm!”

“Yay, big brother agreed…”

…

The three men clattered along the riverbank, their laughter coarse and lecherous. The short, ugly man on the left looked like a shriveled pumpkin pressed together in a crowd. Suddenly, his eyes lit up: “Hey, you two, look!”

The other two men, one plain-looking and the other burly with a scruffy beard, rolled their eyes shrewdly, clearly clever fellows.

Following the short man’s finger, they looked ahead. The bearded tough guy immediately sneered: “Old Pi, what’s so interesting? Just a little girl and a beggar. What’s the big deal?”

The plain man said nothing but his expression echoed the sentiment.

Old Pi snorted disdainfully, “You ignoramuses don’t know a thing. Old Meng, look at Old Ping—he’s not as single-minded as some people here. Take a good look at that little girl!”

Old Meng and Old Ping turned their gaze to little Nana. Old Meng muttered quietly, “Isn’t that just a little girl? What’s so special? Old Pi got a thing for kids now?”

Old Ping whispered, “Keep your voice down. How can you say that in front of others?” Yet his expression was one of agreement. Old Meng chuckled secretly.

Old Pi twitched his eye and his wrinkles rippled like waves, but he ignored it and said, “Look at what that little girl’s wearing on her head and around her neck!”

Before the others could react, he continued: “You fools with no eye for value. That cap she’s wearing is a leg inner ring buckle from Light Armor. Yeah, light green, probably made from green beast bone or the brain bone of the ‘Li Zui’ bird. Tsk tsk, do you know how much this thing is worth?”

Old Ping and Old Meng’s eyes widened as they stared at Old Pi and asked in unison, “How much?”

“Heh heh!” Old Pi’s face was smug. “Don’t know? I’ll tell you, this isn’t some cheap junk. Look at the craftsmanship—handmade! I doubt there are many places on Harrison Star that could make something this fine!”

“Stop bragging. Just tell us the price!” Old Meng looked disdainful, with Old Ping nodding beside him.

“Well, at least a hundred thousand,” Old Pi said hesitantly, unsure of the exact figure.

Old Ping’s doubtful look made Old Pi uncomfortable. Blushing, he insisted, “I’m not sure exactly, but it’s definitely not less than that!”

“Really?” Blunt Old Meng scoffed, “This broken thing worth a hundred thousand? Ha! Ten thousand of these hats would be worth less!”

Old Ping was silent but thoughtful.

Old Pi straightened his neck, face flushed, “You know nothing. Hats? Who’d be crazy enough to wear this as a hat? The red patch around the girl’s neck is even more valuable. I’m sure it’s worth more than that buckle!”

“Yeah, keep dreaming,” Old Meng sneered.

“You…” Old Pi started to retort.

Old Ping quickly interrupted to smooth things over: “Hey, we don’t even have these things yet, why argue? Once we get them, it won’t be hard to find out if they’re valuable. First, grab those two pieces from the little girl. That kid won’t be much trouble, and the beggar’s barely alive anyway. Old Meng, you go get those from the girl, then we’ll go to Huang San for an appraisal. We might strike it rich!”

Old Meng grinned excitedly and headed toward little Nana.

Lying on the ground, Ye Zhong’er became increasingly alert to the approaching footsteps. The heavy, steady strides painted an image of a large, burly man drawing near. Ye Zhong’er snapped his eyes open; little Nana was still diligently fanning him with the grass wreath. His eyes were shielded, so he couldn’t see the man’s face, but the feet were visible.

Ye Zhong’er grew cautious. Although he didn’t know why, he absolutely did not want any harm to befall the little girl who had made the grass wreath for him. The reason was unclear, but this conviction was unshakably firm. If only Mu and Shang were here, he could discuss this with them.

The footsteps grew louder. Little Nana had not noticed—was this man looking for her family? Ye Zhong’er felt his strength returning and prepared to respond.

Old Meng quickly reached Nana’s side before she noticed, turning around with a puzzled look, asking, “Big brother, is this your friend? Is he here to help you?”

Ye Zhong’er’s heart skipped a beat—Nana didn’t recognize him! Who was this man, and what did he want?

Old Meng smiled wickedly as he approached. His naturally fierce appearance became even more intimidating with that grin. Nana had never seen such a terrifying smile and immediately hid behind Ye Zhong’er, timidly peeking from behind his back before shrinking back, trembling with fear.

“Big brother, Nana is scared. The big-bearded man is scary! He’s a bad person!” Nana whispered behind Ye Zhong’er, shaking him gently, her voice tinged with helpless tears.

Old Meng forced a smile: “Little sister, how about giving me that green hat on your head? And that red thing around your neck…” He scratched his head and mumbled to himself, “Uh, what’s that called again? Old Pi just said it. How could I forget? This is embarrassing!”

Nana suddenly burst out laughing, scattering her fear like dust on the wind. She stuck out her little tongue and made a face at Old Meng: “Big beard, you’re silly!”

Ye Zhong’er suddenly understood—this was why the man had come. He cursed himself for forgetting in his injured state. Had his ability to think diminished along with his strength?

Mu had once said when the value of what one possesses surpasses one’s own strength, it easily attracts covetous eyes. It seemed that was exactly the case here.

Old Meng looked at the barely alive beggar on the ground, feeling no threat. He cursed himself for his hesitation and thought, why bother with all this talk? Just snatch the things already—it would be an easy catch.

He dropped the smile and strode toward the little girl.

Smart Nana sensed the danger and clung tightly behind Ye Zhong’er, her small body trembling.

Old Meng reached the beggar’s side and reached out to grab the little girl hiding behind him.

At that moment, Ye Zhong’er, who had been lying like a lump of rotten mud, moved!