Chapter 33: Unmasking the Truth, Little Girl Turns Into the Mountain Elder

The crying and wailing of the “cheap girl” suddenly stopped. Her hair was a mess, her gaze evasive, and she stammered, unable to explain herself.

The train conductor quickly understood but didn’t say much. He placed a hand on the little girl’s shoulder. “Young lady, which car are your parents in? I’ll take you back. Don’t wander around; it’s too dangerous.”

“Who knows why she’s randomly calling people her parents,” the plump woman’s voice was sharp and grating.

Low chuckles erupted around them. “I think she’s eyeing that generous young couple.”

“Exactly. They even bought her a boxed meal.”

These remarks made the little girl seethe with anger. She lifted her head and glared fiercely, her gaze like that of a small beast, so piercing it made people uncomfortable.

Xu Jiaojiao began to sense that something was off. Her eyes scanned the child up and down. Although the child appeared to be an ordinary little girl, Jiaojiao felt a distinct air of menace about her—a sinister aura likely shaped by a twisted upbringing.

The sharp blade of a utility knife glinted under the fluorescent lights. Before anyone could react, the knife was plunged into the woman’s leg.

Xie Zhi quickly stood up and restrained the child. His grip was so strong that the little girl’s face twisted in pain.

“Ahhh! Murder! Murder!” The woman’s piercing screams filled the train car. Blood stained the floor and the blade.

The injured woman lifted her uninjured leg and kicked the girl hard in the stomach. “Crazy! She’s gone mad! She tried to kill me!”

The conductor wrested the utility knife from the child’s hands, his stern eyes glaring. “Calling random people your parents and now trying to kill someone? Are you a demon?”

Xu Jiaojiao hurried forward, checking the wound on the woman’s leg. Fortunately, the child didn’t have much strength. While the wound looked alarming, it wasn’t deep and hadn’t caused serious damage.

She quickly removed her handkerchief and tied it around the wound, her face full of concern. “Don’t worry. It didn’t hit the bone.”

“This child is a demon! Send her to the police!”

“Yes, send her to the police!”

The crowd’s anger erupted instantly, demanding severe punishment for the “little devil.”

The broken light flickered over Xie Zhi’s sharp features. He decisively grabbed the child’s jaw and applied pressure, forcing her to open her mouth. Yellowed, fully developed teeth were revealed.

The little girl struggled fiercely, even putting on a pitiful expression to garner sympathy from the onlookers. But most of them were too frightened to approach.

Though she appeared to be only six or seven years old, her teeth were far too mature for a child of her age. Xie Zhi let out a low laugh. “You think looking like a minor will save you? How many normal kids have teeth like these?”

Xu Jiaojiao felt her temples throb violently as she heard this. The day’s events felt like something out of a TV drama.

She examined the child again. The teeth were indeed too well-developed, and upon closer inspection, there were even signs of smoking.

“A dwarf?”

The girl, realizing she’d been exposed, thrashed about desperately, screaming, “Help! Help!”

The conductor, seasoned from years of working on trains, had seen all kinds of people. Though he hadn’t encountered a dwarf, he’d heard of them. Plus, it wasn’t unheard of for adults to disguise themselves as children. But if this was an adult pretending to be a child and attempting murder, it was a whole different matter.

With this realization, his grip tightened, and he twisted the girl’s arms behind her back, his gaze fierce. “Behave yourself and come with me to the dining car.”

“Ma’am, please come with us too,” he said, addressing the injured woman.

Most of the crowd was stunned by the dramatic turn of events, struggling to process what had just happened. Only after the conductor repeated his request did they begin to follow.

When the situation finally settled, Xu Jiaojiao let out a long sigh of relief, her tension draining away. Xie Zhi pulled her into his lap, wrapping her securely in his arms.

Xu Jiaojiao’s eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling. “You don’t know how terrifying that was.”

Xie Zhi’s heart ached at her distress. He hugged her tightly, feeling the trembling of her body and her unease. He pressed gentle kisses to her lips and nose, his voice low and soothing. “Jiaojiao, it’s okay. I’m here.”

---

The next day, Xie Zhi woke up early. There was still an hour left before they reached their destination. He decided to let Jiaojiao sleep a bit longer, his gaze fixated on her peaceful face, utterly captivated.

His slender fingers couldn’t help but graze her cheek. The smooth, jade-like texture left him dazed, a flicker of emotion stirring in his dark eyes.

Though asleep, Xu Jiaojiao seemed restless, her brows furrowing in discomfort. It felt as if something was lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce and bite her at any moment.

She tossed and turned in irritation before suddenly waking up. Her blurry gaze collided with Xie Zhi’s intense stare, startling her so much that her heart skipped a beat. The man’s eyes were filled with an obsessive intensity.

Xu Jiaojiao shivered slightly and asked softly, like a frightened bunny, “H-husband, what’s wrong?”

Seeing her flushed cheeks, Xie Zhi leaned in to kiss her lightly. “I just think you’re so obedient, Jiaojiao.”

An uneasy feeling churned in her heart, as if ants were crawling all over it. Her long lashes quivered, catching teardrops. “Are you… a yandere?”

“What’s a yandere?” Xie Zhi asked, confused.

“It’s nothing. I’m going to freshen up,” Xu Jiaojiao mumbled, brushing off the question as she quickly got up and headed to the restroom at the back of the car. She didn’t notice the sudden shift in Xie Zhi’s expression.

Dark emotions simmered beneath his gaze, his voice murmuring ominously, “Jiaojiao, you smell so sweet.”

---

After the chaos of the previous day, Xu Jiaojiao had sweated through several layers. Her green dress was no longer wearable, so she changed into a long, pale yellow dress paired with slightly heeled white sandals. She tied her hair into a ponytail in front of the mirror, securing it with a bracelet and hairpin gifted by her brother. The overall look was elegant and poised, the kind of appearance elders would approve of.

Xie Zhi held her hand tightly as they moved through the bustling train station. The crowded, narrow space made it easy to get separated. Had Xie Zhi not kept her securely in his arms, she might have been swept away by the tide of people.

Xu Jiaojiao covered her nose with a handkerchief to minimize the unpleasant smells. The station was dilapidated and overcrowded, the shaky iron railings making her anxious.

Thankfully, they made it out eventually. As Xie Zhi stepped outside, he felt like the world had changed. The city he’d left years ago had undergone a massive transformation. Bustling streets, a rejuvenated skyline, fashionable crowds—everything exuded vitality.

It was nothing like the somber, shuttered scene he remembered from before.

Xu Jiaojiao, too, took in her surroundings with wide, sparkling eyes. She clung tightly to Xie Zhi, observing the city’s construction. Though it wasn’t as advanced as the future she knew, there was an infectious optimism on everyone’s faces—a zest for life.

The girls on the street were dressed fashionably, with spaghetti straps and short shorts catching her attention. One particularly striking girl in a white tank top and denim shorts ran toward them, her sweet voice calling out, “Xie Zhi gege! Xie Zhi gege!”

Wen Jing approached with a bright smile, waving energetically before lunging forward to hug Xie Zhi. But he swiftly stepped back, dodging her. His tone carried a sharp edge of anger. “Stay away from me.”