Murong Lin, who had been sitting quietly nearby without speaking, noticed Bai Li’s curious gaze sweeping over them repeatedly. Her black gem-like eyes sparkled with intelligence, brimming with life, which stirred a fondness in Murong Lin’s heart. She beckoned to Bai Li, “Comrade Bai Li, come over here to Auntie. I’ve brought a little gift especially for you, to thank you for saving Jingbo.”
Bai Li didn’t go over immediately. Instead, she blinked her eyes and looked at Yu Jianguo, waiting for his signal. Little Pi Xiu knew that in this world, when adults gave something to a child, the child couldn’t take it directly—they had to ask their elders first.
Only after Yu Jianguo nodded did Bai Li walk over to Murong Lin’s side.
Murong Lin took out a wooden box carved with intricate patterns from the bag she carried with her and handed it to Bai Li. “Comrade Bai Li, this is a small token of our gratitude for saving Jingbo. It was Jingbo’s suggestion to give this to you. Open it and see if you like it.”
Bai Li took the wooden box and first smiled gratefully at Murong Lin. “Thank you, Auntie Murong!”
Then, her eyes darted around as she glanced at Guo Jingbo. Seeing him nervously twisting his fingers together and offering her an ingratiating smile, she bared her teeth at him before opening the box.
Instantly, Bai Li’s eyes lit up brighter than the planet Venus. Inside the box lay a golden lock, about the size of Bai Li’s palm, adorned with several small golden bells, gleaming brilliantly.
Gold was considered a treasure in this world!
Little Pi Xiu loved collecting treasures the most—collection +1!
“Thank you, Uncle Guo, thank you, Auntie Murong. Li Li really likes this gift!” Bai Li’s eyes curved into crescents as she smiled, her voice rising several pitches with joy.
Wei Linlang watched as Bai Li received praise from unfamiliar uncles and aunts and now a gift, while she herself got nothing. A sour feeling welled up inside her. Seeing Bai Li’s happy smile, she couldn’t help but mutter resentfully, “Country bumpkin!”
Yu Jianguo, hearing Wei Linlang’s sudden interjection, felt she was being a bit impolite. He shot a stern glance at Wei Linlang, then looked at Yu Qingqiu, his eyes filled with warning.
Yu Qingqiu caught her father’s gaze and knew he was angry. Worried that Wei Linlang might lose control again and say something unpleasant, she immediately reached out and hugged Wei Linlang, giving her hand a firm squeeze.
Wei Linlang understood that her mother was upset. Pouting, she sat quietly without saying another word.
Seeing Wei Linlang’s displeasure, Bai Li immediately picked up the golden lock and waved it in the air a few times. Noticing Wei Linlang’s expression darken further, she contentedly tucked the lock into her little pocket.
Guo Jiayan pretended not to notice the interaction between Bai Li and Wei Linlang, maintaining a warm smile as he looked at Yu Jianguo. “Commander Yu, I’ll entrust Jingbo to your care for this period. I apologize for the trouble!”
Yu Jianguo smiled in response. “Researcher Guo, Researcher Murong, no need to be so polite. You’ve dedicated yourselves wholeheartedly to the nation’s scientific research efforts, and that deserves our respect.”
“I promise to fulfill the task assigned by the organization and take good care of Comrade Guo Jingbo. Please rest assured!”
Finally, Yu Jianguo solemnly assured Guo Jiayan and Murong Lin.
Unconcerned with the adults’ exchange, Bai Li listened to their conversation, her eyes widening in shock. What? This Taotie was going to stay at Grandpa’s house??
Did anyone know about Taotie’s appetite?
Thinking of this, Bai Li couldn’t help but glance at the bags in Guo Jiayan and Murong Lin’s hands. They were flat, clearly indicating they hadn’t brought much money, and her eyes unconsciously filled with concern.
Oh no, the Yu family is going to be eaten into poverty!
However, Yu Jianguo was unaware of Bai Li’s worries and continued chatting warmly with Guo Jiayan and his wife.
Perhaps because Guo Jiayan and his wife were genuinely busy, within half an hour, they mentioned having matters at the laboratory and needed to leave. Before departing, Guo Jiayan looked sternly at Guo Jingbo and said, “Jingbo, while you’re at General Yu’s home, remember to follow his arrangements. Do not leave without permission, understand?”
Guo Jingbo nodded, waving his little hand repeatedly. “Dad, I understand. Goodbye!”
After repeatedly reminding Guo Jingbo a few more times, Guo Jiayan and Murong Lin reluctantly left the Yu residence.
As soon as Guo Jiayan and his wife departed, Guo Jingbo “tap-tap-tapped” over to Bai Li, obediently sitting on the sofa beside her, and nervously called out, “Li Li!”
Bai Li looked Guo Jingbo up and down, surprised to find his body no different from that of a mortal. However, she knew it wasn’t appropriate to question him in front of the Yu family, so she looked up at Yu Jianguo and said crisply, “Grandpa, can I take this little brother out to play in the yard?”
Seeing Guo Jingbo nodding eagerly beside her, Yu Jianguo was pleased to see the children getting along and smiled kindly at them both, agreeing, “Go ahead, but don’t wander too far. Come back soon for dinner.”
Bai Li and Guo Jingbo nodded and skipped out of the living room.
Once outside, Bai Li led Guo Jingbo out of the Yu residence to a quiet corner under a large tree. She extended her left hand, pushed him against the trunk, raised her right fist, and was about to strike.
Seeing this, Guo Jingbo hurriedly pleaded for mercy. “Pixiu sister, don’t hit me! My magical power has been sealed. I’m just like a mortal now and can’t withstand even half a punch from you!”
Hearing his words, Bai Li paused her raised fist mid-air and asked angrily, “Don’t call me Pixiu sister! Tell me, why are you in this boy’s body? And why is your magical power sealed?”
Remembering the beatings he had endured in the Beast Realm, Guo Jingbo trembled involuntarily and said pitifully, “Li Li, your clan leader is too terrifying, wuwuwu!”
Recalling the tyranny of the Pixiu clan leader, Little Taotie could no longer hold back, and tears of grievance began to stream down his face.
After learning that he was the one who kicked Little Pi Xiu into this world, the Pixiu clan leader immediately flew into a rage. He stormed into the Taotie territory, kicked his parents aside, grabbed him, and gave him a thorough beating. He even stomped him into the ground. If the Beast God hadn’t arrived in time, his parents wouldn’t have needed to dig a pit—they could have just covered Little Taotie with a layer of soil and erected a tombstone.
Later, even though Little Taotie’s parents apologized and promised to give Little Pi Xiu a cave full of treasures upon her return, and despite the Beast God’s mediation, the Pixiu clan leader refused to back down.
After several days and nights of back-and-forth, the Pixiu clan leader finally relented. The agreed-upon compensation would still be given to Little Pi Xiu, but Little Taotie also had to accompany her in this small world until she lived out her life here and returned to the Beast Realm.
Coincidentally, this little boy had also been killed in the recent kidnapping incident, so Little Taotie possessed his body.
Upon hearing the word “apology gift,” Bai Li’s eyes lit up, completely ignoring the fact that she would have to spend her entire life in this world. She immediately stretched out her chubby little hands in front of Guo Jingbo and said, “Where’s my apology gift? Give it to me now!”
“Wah! Wah!” The little Taotie was still sobbing. “Li Li, the apology gift is with Grandpa Pixiu, the clan leader. He didn’t bring it over for me.”