At the very moment when everyone thought Yu Lixia or Bai Li was about to be shot, Bai Li suddenly pushed off with her feet, darting up from beside Yu Lixia. In an instant, she reached the middle-aged woman. With a leap, she hung from the woman’s left arm, her chubby little hand gripping the woman’s left wrist tightly.
Crack!
The middle-aged woman’s left arm dropped limply, followed by her agonized scream.
The handgun fell smoothly into Bai Li’s grasp.
Bai Li jumped back to the ground and kicked the middle-aged woman, sending her flying straight to Bai Dingting’s feet as he arrived at the doorway of the room.
Bai Dingting paused mid-step, his gaze meeting Bai Li’s, who stood inside the room.
For a moment, silence fell both inside and outside the room.
Seeing Bai Dingting’s stunned yet stern expression, Bai Li’s dark, gleaming eyes flickered with guilt as she met his gaze. Her chubby hand clutched the handgun tightly, its muzzle pointed behind Bai Dingting, while her other hand gestured toward the middle-aged woman at his feet. Her voice clearly lacked confidence.
“Daddy, this was self-defense. I don’t have to pay for her medical expenses, right?”
“I didn’t mean to. It’s just that she was too fragile. I didn’t even use much force, and she just… broke.”
Bai Dingting: “…For a moment, he didn’t know whether to marvel at his daughter’s innate strength or at how much she knew—even citing self-defense.”
“She brought this upon herself. You don’t have to pay for her medical expenses. However, Li Li, handguns are dangerous. Give it to Daddy.” Bai Dingting walked over to Bai Li, gently ruffling her hair as he spoke softly.
But Bai Li shook her head vigorously, hiding the handgun behind her back. “No! Li Li confiscated this handgun. Daddy can’t just take it for free. You have to give Li Li a reward!”
Although Little Pi Xiu was only 500 years old—in the words of the clan elder, just like a human toddler—in those 500 years, Little Pi Xiu had read countless storybooks from all realms.
The storybooks said that Little Pi Xiu had performed a meritorious deed, and the state should reward her. Even if it was her daddy, he couldn’t cheat Little Pi Xiu out of her reward.
Hearing Bai Li’s words, Bai Dingting was momentarily taken aback. The hard lines of his face softened considerably, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He spoke to her earnestly, “Alright, Daddy will help Li Li file a report when we get back and apply for a reward for you.”
“Now, can you give the handgun to Daddy?”
Bai Dingting reached out toward Bai Li.
Bai Li still shook her head, then pointed behind him at the little boy who was still unconscious. “Daddy, there’s another one over there. Li Li can get two rewards today!”
Daddy’s reaction just now had told Little Pi Xiu that this boy was part of their mission—another merit to her name.
Catching a bad guy was one, providing a clue to rescue the boy was another. They couldn’t be lumped together.
The rewards that belonged to Little Pi Xiu—not a single one could be missing.
Bai Dingting didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He instinctively glanced at Yu Lixia. His daughter was so clever and mischievous; his wife must have put a lot of effort into raising her.
Feeling Bai Dingting’s scrutinizing gaze fall on her, Yu Lixia felt somewhat uneasy. The hand resting on her daughter’s shoulder unconsciously tightened its grip.
Bai Li felt the change in the pressure of the hands on her shoulders. Her dark, grape-like eyes darted around thoughtfully before she fixed a serious gaze on Bai Dingting. “Daddy, these are Li Li’s rewards. The decision is in Li Li’s hands. Even Mommy can’t make Li Li give them up.”
Suddenly, a teasing voice sounded outside the room door, “Captain Bai, according to regulations, Li Li is entitled to two rewards. You can’t force Li Li to give up her rewards just because she’s your daughter.”
The two turned their heads and saw Yu Yingyi, who had somehow arrived at the courtyard gate without them noticing.
Hearing Yu Yingyi’s words, Bai Li flashed a sweet smile at him, “Uncle really knows a lot!”
Then, Bai Li held up two fingers in front of Bai Dingting and emphasized, “Daddy, according to the rules, Li Li gets two rewards.”
Looking at his daughter, who barely reached his thigh, her little face tense and serious as she held up two fingers—a stark contrast to her attitude toward Yu Yingyi—Bai Dingting didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He first smiled and agreed with his daughter, “Alright! Two, Daddy remembers.”
Then, without changing his expression, he shot Yu Yingyi a sharp glance. He had never intended to withhold his daughter’s rewards—as if you’re the only one with a mouth.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Yu Yingyi grinned slyly like a fox, raising his eyebrows and shrugging at Bai Dingting. You should reflect on why your daughter doesn’t trust you.
Reassured by Bai Dingting’s promise, Bai Li was delighted, her eyes curving into crescents as she handed the pistol to Bai Dingting.
At that very moment, Bai Li felt a sudden change in her body.
Two specks of Karmic Merit, as small as starlight, fell upon her, allowing Little Pi Xiu’s soul to fully harmonize with the little cub’s body. Little Pi Xiu’s senses sharpened further.
Moreover, she could now open her Companion Space. Although her original collection remained grayed out and inaccessible, she could now store items inside, and anything placed there could be retrieved at any time.
Wow, catching bad guys earns Karmic Merit!
Bai Li’s heart blossomed with joy as she began to calculate: helping Daddy catch four traffickers earned two points of Karmic Merit. If she could catch forty bad guys, would that mean twenty points of Karmic Merit? Would her Companion Space fully open then?
Clan Elder, Little Pi Xiu will soon be the Pi Xiu with the most Karmic Merit in the clan!
Standing behind Bai Dingting, Liang Junping watched the three-heads-tall little girl look up, her face stern as she seriously bargained with his cold-blooded, ruthless captain. His heart had long melted into a puddle. Hearing Bai Li’s emphasis, he immediately leaned out from behind Bai Dingting, flashing a bright, toothy grin.
“Don’t worry, Li Li. Uncle Ping will go back and write up two reports, have the captain sign them, and then submit them to the unit.”
Hearing Liang Junping’s words, Bai Dingting turned his head, his stern and icy gaze piercing Liang Junping, who couldn’t help but shiver.
Oh no, he’d forgotten his captain’s nickname and actually dared to tease him. He really wanted to slap himself twice—why did his mouth move on its own and say those words?
It was all because he couldn’t bear to see Li Li disappointed.
Sure enough, Bai Dingting’s cold voice rang in his ears, “After writing today’s mission report and the report applying for Comrade Bai Li’s rewards, run twenty laps around the training field.”
Hearing this, Bai Li’s eyes instantly sparkled. She flashed eight little teeth, her shallow dimples showing, and sweetly said to Liang Junping, “Thank you, Uncle Ping! Uncle Ping worked hard!”
Bai Li’s adorable little appearance made Liang Junping, who had been about to inwardly lament, instantly forget about tonight’s extra training. He instinctively smiled and replied, “Li Li, no need to thank me. This is what Uncle Ping should do.”
Seeing that matters were nearly settled, Bai Dingting reached out and ruffled Bai Li’s hair, saying softly, “Li Li, Dad has to return to the barracks. Go home first with your uncle and mom.”
After speaking, Bai Dingting nodded toward Yu Yingyi, turned around, and strode out of the room with his long, meter-long legs.
Bai Li was smoothing down her hair, which had been tousled by Bai Dingting. Seeing him about to leave just like that, her hand paused, and a glint flashed in her eyes.