The streets of the Capital City were extraordinarily lively, bustling with carriages and pedestrians. The calls of vendors echoed without end as people in all sorts of attire wove through the crowds.
Beili was a nation that placed great emphasis on commerce. In the Capital City, hawkers sold specialty goods from every nation, and even here in the seat of the empire, foreigners could be seen everywhere.
Fourth Granny had brought Ye Qianning all the way from Nanyuan, and they had been through a lot.
They traveled every day, and even when they passed through towns, they never stopped to look around. Now, seeing such a prosperous scene, they felt a little dazzled.
"Pangtuan, look! That's something from our Nanyuan," Fourth Granny said as they passed a small stall, pointing at a lover's knot on display.
Ye Qianning's mind had been entirely focused on doing good deeds, but at the sound of the call, she looked up toward the stall. It was a flower woven from red string, a blossom unique to Nanyuan.
"Fourth Granny, let's buy one," she said, tilting her head.
Lover's knots represented longing, and Fourth Granny still had her parents back home.
"No. When we get back to Nanyuan, Fourth Granny will make you dozens of them." She couldn't bear to waste the money.
Ye Qianning nodded.
'Fourth Granny will have to return to Nanyuan eventually. After I meet that deadbeat dad of mine, maybe I can go to Nanyuan with her. From what I remember, it was a nice place.'
Fourth Granny led Ye Qianning into the stream of people.
Ye Qianning looked left and right. The street was completely peaceful, which made her a little anxious.
'Where are all the bullies from the stories, the kind who snatch maidens off the street?' Suddenly, her ears twitched. She looked back at a small alley nearby. 'My chance for good fortune is here!'
Ye Qianning pulled Fourth Granny out of the crowd and whispered, "Fourth Granny, I need to use the privy."
"Let's go. I think I just saw a small alley," Fourth Granny said, looking back over her shoulder.
"I know, it's just back there. Fourth Granny, you wait for me here." Ye Qianning pointed vaguely behind her with her small hand.
"I'd better go with you. There are too many people here, don't get lost." Fourth Granny was worried.
"No need, I can go by myself! Fourth Granny, I'm going, I really can't hold it!" Ye Qianning bounced on her feet, let go of the old woman's hand, and dashed frantically toward the alley.
Fourth Granny also broke into a jog to chase after her. "Slow down… Slow down."
Ye Qianning vanished in a flash. She darted through the crowd and soon arrived at a small alley. The alley was empty, save for one conspicuous sight: a child leaning against a wall, trembling in fear.
Across from the child was a snake with a red-and-black pattern. This type of snake was non-venomous and often lurked in dilapidated houses, commonly known as a house snake.
Even from a distance, she could hear the little house snake's resentful thoughts.
'Scare you to death, scare you to death! That'll teach you to wreck my nest…' The snake hissed at the child.
The child was too scared to move.
Ye Qianning saw her opportunity. 'A chance to do a good deed has arrived!'
And so, she let out a mighty yell, "Don't be afraid, little bro! Big Sis is here to save you!"
As her shout faded, Ye Qianning's hefty body leaped up, and her chubby little hand grabbed the snake.
Under the child's shocked gaze, she grabbed the snake's head in one hand and its tail in the other, crisply performing a nunchaku routine with it before finishing with a grand split.
Ye Qianning was extremely confident. 'This routine will definitely blow the kid's mind!'
However…
Things don't always go as planned…
"WAAAH…" The child burst into tears, thinking Ye Qianning was even scarier than the snake.
"…What are you crying for?"
Ye Qianning was speechless. She stood up from the ground, letting go of the snake's head with one hand. But her other hand wasn't idle; she held the snake by its tail, swinging it around in circles.
"WAAAH… Mommy… Help me, Mommy…" The child took off running. He tripped but didn't even pause, scrambling back to his feet and running again.
"What are you running for?" Ye Qianning chased after him, not giving up. "Don't run, I'm a good person…"