When Zhang Nan rushed to the restaurant, she only managed to catch a glimpse of the man’s departing figure. Even so, his astonishingly handsome appearance left her momentarily stunned.
The next second, when she saw the daughter she had been searching for so long happily feasting at the table, she stormed over, furious and ready to scold her.
“Madam.” The interpreter blocked her path and handed her a check along with a business card.
“This is Mr. Charles’ reward to thank your daughter for helping him find his parrots. Mr. Charles said that if you and your daughter encounter any difficulties in the future, you are welcome to contact him at any time.”
Zhang Nan looked at the check in her hand that read “100,000 US dollars” and froze on the spot.
So Wanwan’s disappearance earlier was because she helped that Western man find his parrots and even earned such a reward?
With mixed emotions, Zhang Nan walked up to her daughter. Seeing Wanwan’s cheeks puffed full from eating and her clear, innocent eyes, she suddenly couldn’t bring herself to dislike her anymore.
“Wanwan, you scared Mommy to death!” Zhang Nan pulled her into a tight embrace.
It was the first time little Wanwan had ever been held like this by her mother. Looking at her reddened eyes, Wanwan lifted her small hand and gently wiped them.
“Mommy, don’t cry. Wanwan loves you, mwah!” Her greasy little mouth left a mark on Zhang Nan’s face, smudging her makeup.
Yet Zhang Nan smiled, pinching her daughter’s soft cheek, her eyes filled with tenderness.
“Silly girl.”
…
Ever since leaving the port with her mother, Wanwan’s amazement never stopped. Everything she saw made her let out an exaggerated “Wow!”
Zhang Nan understood that it was her first time in the port city and everything felt new, so she let her be and even patiently explained some important landmarks along the way.
Only when they reached the Li family’s estate halfway up the mountain did Zhang Nan stop her curiosity and carefully remind her of the rules she needed to follow.
“Wanwan, did you remember everything Mommy said?”
Wanwan blinked her big, adorable eyes and nodded.
But in Zhang Nan’s mind, a three-year-old child couldn’t possibly remember so much, so she could only take things one step at a time.
Although Zhang Nan had married the eldest son of the Li family, she was only the fifth concubine. Moreover, she had just finalized her divorce with her ex-husband and hadn’t yet completed the formalities here.
So when she brought Wanwan into the estate, they entered through the side gate.
Unexpectedly, as soon as they stepped inside, they saw the family’s old matriarch—her mother-in-law—sitting in a grand chair, waiting.
“I told you to go pick up the child. Why did you take so long?”
The old madam valued punctuality above all else. Zhang Nan had returned nearly an hour later than agreed, and there was reproach in her expression.
Zhang Nan quickly lowered her head and explained, “Old Madam, there was a small accident with the ship. It stopped for half an hour before continuing.”
In the port city, it was normal for powerful men to have multiple concubines, but there was only ever one official wife.
Only the official wife could call her ‘Mother.’ All concubines could only address her as ‘Old Madam.’
Zhang Nan feared that mentioning the reward from the ship might cause misunderstanding, so she kept it to herself.
The Old Madam did not pursue the matter further. She turned her gaze to the little girl beside Zhang Nan, and her face instantly lit up. Leaning on her dragon-headed cane, she stood up, refusing assistance, and walked over.
“Little girl, what’s your name?”
She spoke in Cantonese. Wanwan didn’t fully understand at first, but quickly picked up the meaning from a few familiar sounds.
“My name is Tong Wanwan.”
“Oh, such a clever child! You’re not even afraid of me.” The Old Madam happily pinched Wanwan’s chubby cheek.
Seeing that the child only partially understood her, she switched to accented Mandarin.
“Just in time. Your grandfather has been hoping for a granddaughter. Come with me and meet him.”
Since the Old Madam had spoken, Zhang Nan dared not refuse. She took Wanwan’s hand and followed.
On the way to the main courtyard, they had to pass a pond.
Wanwan walked on her short little legs, trying hard to keep up.
At that moment, a large sea eagle circling above suddenly dove down toward the people below.
“Old Madam, be careful!”
The servants rushed to protect the Old Madam, while Zhang Nan and Wanwan, left unguarded, became the eagle’s target.
“Wanwan…” Zhang Nan’s eyes widened in fear. Instinctively, she pulled Wanwan into her arms to shield her.
But the huge eagle merely swooped past and did not harm anyone.
“That wretched beast must be eyeing the fish in the pond. It’s been coming here for days!” the Old Madam explained afterward.
Zhang Nan nodded and continued walking with Wanwan.
But Wanwan showed no fear at all. Instead, she stared at the eagle in the sky and smiled.
When they arrived at the Old Master’s residence, the Old Madam ordered the servants to open the door.
Zhang Nan subconsciously tightened her grip on Wanwan’s hand, so nervous she barely dared to breathe.
This was her first time formally meeting the head of the Li family. It was said that the old master had been ill for half a year, and unless it was something important, no one was allowed to disturb him.
Inside, the curtains were mostly drawn, blocking out the light and making the room dim and heavy.
“You all step back. Wanwan, come in with me alone,” the Old Madam ordered.
Zhang Nan’s breath caught.
So she still wasn’t qualified to meet the Old Master?
A trace of disappointment appeared on her face, but she dared not disobey. She let go of Wanwan’s hand.
“Wanwan, be polite when you meet Grandpa, understand?” she crouched down and reminded her nervously.
Wanwan nodded like a little adult and whispered into her mother’s ear, “Mommy, don’t be afraid. The bugs on Grandpa won’t bite us.”
“What did you say?” Zhang Nan didn’t have time to ask further before the Old Madam impatiently interrupted, “Wanwan will be fine with us. Stop fussing.”
“Yes.” Zhang Nan could only push Wanwan forward.
As Wanwan entered the room, she saw an elderly man with white hair and a grayish complexion lying on the bed.
His body was wrapped in black mist, within which countless pitch-black, eel-like worms wriggled, gnawing at his soul.
The old man let out occasional painful groans, like decaying wood, his body emitting a foul, rotting aura.
Even the Old Madam couldn’t help covering her nose. With a sorrowful and helpless tone, she said softly, “Girl, just stay here and watch your grandpa. Don’t go any closer.”
“But… those bugs are going to eat Grandpa up!” Wanwan raised her small hand and pointed at the bed.