During dinner, Gu Nian met Mrs. Lin and the Lin Family's two younger sons. It was said that the two older ones were apprentices in town.
Sitting at the dining table, she looked at the steaming egg custard in front of her and the kind looks the Lin Family gave her. She couldn't help but sigh, thinking that there are indeed more good people in this world.
Unlike Fenglai Village, where people insist on forcing the orphaned mother and child to despair.
The two sons of the Lin Family were named Lin Santu and Lin Xiaohu. Little Hu seemed to be about the same age as Gu Nian, and he occasionally glanced at the egg in front of Gu Nian, secretly swallowing his saliva.
"Uncle and Auntie, I'm feeling much better," Gu Nian pushed the egg in front of her forward a bit, smiled with her lips pressed together, and a small dimple appeared on her cheek, making her look very obedient: "Let the two big brothers have the egg, so they can grow strong."
Moreover, the egg wasn't something she particularly cherished, but perhaps due to the aftereffects of merging memories, she felt a bit reluctant when she pushed the egg away.
This made the Lin couple see her as exceptionally sensible.
Such a young age, yet despite her evident desire, she still considered others.
Mrs. Jiang couldn't help but reach out and touch Gu Nian's little head, "Sweetie, this egg was made just for you. These two rascals are strong and robust, but you're so thin and fragile, you need to be nourished."
Little Hu wanted to eat, but he held back with great effort. He took a gulp and pushed the egg back in front of Gu Nian, "Sister, eat up! Mother is right, my brother and I are very strong, even Little Niu next door can't beat me, I don't need to nourish my body."
"Wow!" Gu Nian couldn't help but laugh, graciously joining in, her big eyes bright and moist, "Little Hu is really amazing."
Little Hu was praised, showing a bright set of teeth, smiling happier than if he'd eaten candy.
However, he soon saw Gu Nian lift the egg and divide it into three portions, one for each brother, and only the last one for herself.
Gu Nian smiled, her voice soft and delicate, "This way, we can all have some."
The Lin couple liked Gu Nian even more, and even Lin Santu, who usually didn't talk much, was smiling.
Little Hu took a spoonful of egg custard, tilted his head, looked at Gu Nian, and asked her, "Sister, can you stay in our house as our sister forever?"
Before Gu Nian could answer, Lin Sanshui cut in, "What are you talking about? Sister has her own family. If she doesn't go back, her family will worry."
Little Hu responded with a disappointed "oh," and continued eating the egg custard without saying more.
Lin Sanshui also felt a bit of melancholy in his heart. He too wanted a sweet, soft little daughter, but unfortunately, his wife was hurt during the birth of their fourth child, so they couldn't have any more. This wish naturally faded away.
At night, Gu Nian didn't have a fever. Half-dreaming, half-waking, she seemed to arrive at an unfamiliar place.
There were rivers, mountains, vast fields, and many fruit trees...
Considering her body was still that of a five or six-year-old child, she swallowed hard, reaching out to pluck a peach, wiped it with her hand, and took a bite.
"Wow..."
The sudden sound of crying startled Gu Nian, waking her up abruptly.
All she saw was darkness; there were no peaches, only the pitiful crying of Lin Xiaohu. And... as she loosened her grip on the arm she was holding, it revealed a row of teeth marks and some accidental saliva.
Gu Nian was utterly shocked!
Mrs. Jiang, in her nightclothes, came running hurriedly, "What happened? Were you bitten by something?"
As she spoke, she went to unbutton Little Hu's clothes.
Lin Xiaohu, sobbing, clung to Mrs. Jiang, wailing and showing her his arm, "Sister bit me... Sister bit me..."