Ye Anran nestled obediently in Wang Xiang’er’s arms, feeling the warmth surrounding her.
In her previous life, her parents had died early, and with few relatives, she had quickly been taken in by an orphanage.
The headmistress, worried about the children becoming too clingy if constantly held, seldom embraced them. As a result, the children rarely experienced physical affection growing up.
Because Ye Anran was quiet by nature, she would often sit with her doll, staring out the window, or ask the headmistress, “When will someone come to take me home?”
The headmistress felt sorry for her and would occasionally hold Ye Anran—but only for a short while before setting her down, afraid that Ye Anran would become dependent.
As a result, whenever Ye Anran had trouble sleeping at night, she would imagine herself being held in the headmistress’s arms—and that would quickly lull her to sleep.
Now, in Wang Xiang’er’s embrace, she felt as though she were experiencing maternal warmth anew.
Shivering at the thought, Ye Anran admitted to herself that, despite her twenty-something-year-old soul, she was selfishly craving this brief comfort.
She shook her head to clear away the jumble of thoughts.
Wang Xiang’er then carried Ye Anran to the neighboring village to see the local doctor.
The old doctor, with a long beard, was tending to his herbs when he noticed Wang Xiang’er and Ye Sanlang approaching.
He greeted them first, “What’s the matter? Is your child running a fever or catching a cold?”
Wang Xiang’er shook her head. “Please, help us take a look. My daughter was kicked in the stomach, and there may be some other injuries. Could you check if her internal organs are hurt?”
Hearing mention of potential internal injuries, the old doctor immediately grew concerned. After all, the child in Wang Xiang’er’s arms looked only about two or three years old.
He placed his hands on Ye Anran’s wrist. Ye Anran watched him quietly.
After taking her pulse for some time, he shook his head. “Her body is peculiar. The pulse is strong and vigorous, but her frame is extremely weak. Truly strange, very strange.”
Wang Xiang’er let out a sigh of relief when the doctor said her daughter’s body was otherwise unharmed.
“Should we give her some medicine?” she asked.
The doctor shook his head. “No medicine is necessary. Just feed her a bit more—she’ll gradually regain her strength.
But this child… her foundation is quite deficient. I don’t know what she’s eaten, yet her pulse is strong and vigorous. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Hearing this, Wang Xiang’er felt a pang of unease. One moment, the doctor says the child’s pulse is strong, the next, that her body is weak. What exactly is he trying to say? It seems contradictory.
She worried the old doctor might not be competent. If that were the case, they would have to borrow an ox cart and take the child into the city for proper medical care.
Wang Xiang’er patted Ye Anran’s head. “Don’t worry, don’t worry.”
Ye Anran nodded as Wang Xiang’er comforted her.
The old doctor looked at the child’s clear, bright eyes and chuckled. “You worry too much. The child has no major problems—just a weak constitution. Does she not get enough to eat at home?”
Sighing, the doctor knew that in surrounding villages, many families struggled to have enough food.
Moreover, for little girls, even if there was food in the household, it would primarily go to working men or boys. Very little actually reached a girl’s plate.
After talking with Ye Sanlang, they returned home with Ye Anran. On the way, Wang Xiang’er looked at Ye Sanlang.
“Sanlang, should we take her to the city for a checkup? I’m not sure that old doctor is very capable.”
Ye Sanlang stopped, worried as well. Taking her into the city could drain their finances completely.
At that moment, Ye Anran tugged at Wang Xiang’er’s clothes. “Mother, put me down. I feel fine now. I even feel completely okay, no problems at all.”
She tried to step down, and although Wang Xiang’er hesitated, she eventually let her.
“Xiao Ya, does it still hurt anywhere?”
Ye Anran looked up. “Mother, it doesn’t hurt anymore. I wasn’t really hit hard. I’m really fine. If you don’t believe me, watch.”
She jumped lightly in place, and seeing this, Wang Xiang’er relaxed.
Holding Ye Anran’s hand, she said, “Let’s go home and talk with your grandmother.”
Wang Xiang’er thought that if Ye Anran could win Old Madam Ye’s favor, life at home would certainly be easier.
She was also puzzled. Seeing Old Madam Ye so excited at first sight of Ye Anran, and even giving all her money for the child…
If a grandson got a minor bump or injury, would she be this generous? Probably not.
And yet this little girl, meeting Old Madam Ye for the first time, received such generosity? Wang Xiang’er couldn’t understand it, feeling uneasy on the way back. Perhaps Old Madam Ye, as villagers said, was acting strangely.
When they returned, Old Madam Ye immediately rushed forward.
“Third Son, your daughter—is she alright according to the doctor?”
Ye Sanlang quickly repeated what the doctor had said.
Old Madam Ye nodded. “My little granddaughter is truly blessed! Nothing bad will happen to her.”
Just then, a commotion came from outside.
Voices shouted, “Run! Run! Wild boars are coming down the mountain!”
Hearing this, Old Madam Ye jumped up from her stool.
“Third Son, quickly lock the doors! Don’t let the boars in!”
She worried about all the children in the house. If wild boars charged in and hurt them, what would they do? The boars in the mountains were no small creatures, and the village had no hunters.
Her calves trembled as she hugged Ye Anran closer, whispering, “Don’t be afraid, my precious! Your father will protect you. Let’s go—Grandmother will take you to your room first.”
Ye Anran shook her head. “I want to watch.”
Old Madam Ye said, “Alright, alright. You can watch from the courtyard, but you must not go outside!”
Ye Anran obediently replied, “Okay, Grandmother, I understand.”
Hearing this, Old Madam Ye pressed her face close to Ye Anran’s.
“My precious little granddaughter, Grandmother really loves you.”
Meanwhile, villagers gathered outside, armed with whatever they could find.
The old village head led the way, with Old Master Ye and several sons opening the doors to confront the boars together.
At first, they believed that with so many men, they could handle the wild boars. If the boars were killed, the village could feast on the meat.
But to their shock, they saw several wolves—snow-white wolves—fixing their gaze on the wild boars.
The villagers froze in terror.
They had expected only wild boars, but now there were wolves too?
Clearly, the boars were being chased by the wolves, which was why they had fled down the mountain in panic.
And the wolves, seeing a prime meal within reach, would not let it go—they were in pursuit.