Chapter 42 Braised Beef, You're a Devil
That evening, Ning Jia unsurprisingly worked overtime. After all, a client who doesn't change their requirements at the last minute isn't a true client (just kidding).
When she dragged her aching body home, she was too exhausted to even cook. So she heated up a large steamed bun in the microwave, added some braised beef, and wolfed it down. She then drank a glass of milk before she felt better.
Speaking of which, it's been quite a while since the Lilliputians last visited.
Looking at the empty sofa and coffee table, Ning Jia recalled the time when the little ones were eating and playing at home, and suddenly felt a little lonely.
But this loneliness didn't last long, because the next day was Saturday.
Ning Jia slept until after nine o'clock, rested at home for a while, cleaned up the house, had a hearty brunch, took a nap, and then couldn't wait to go to Hongmei Park.
The sun was blazing at three or four in the afternoon. Ning Jia, wearing a sun hat and a mask, was already drenched in sweat by the time she reached the Dwarf tribe's dwelling.
Ning Jia stood under the shade of a large tree, quickly took off her mask and hat, and kept fanning herself with her hat.
It's so hot today! It's only June, and it's already so hot that it's hard to breathe.
I heard the perceived temperature today is almost 40 degrees Celsius, it's terrifying!
"He Meng? Bai Su? Xue Cao?"
Ning Jia stood under the big tree and called out softly a few times.
Strange, usually whenever she appears here, the little people all pop out of the bushes or trees as if by magic. What's wrong today? Why isn't there a single one of them?
Could something have gone wrong?
Ning Jia became nervous, but yesterday morning, she clearly saw Daoya and the others watering the vegetable garden. The little ones were chatting and laughing, and nothing seemed wrong.
As for this morning... she woke up at nine o'clock and didn't see the little people at all, but the big apple she put in the yard last night was gone, which meant that Daoya and the others must have come by.
Ning Jia's mind was in turmoil as she hurriedly began searching for traces of the dwarfs under the blazing sun. At first, she walked, then gradually started running, and finally even lay down on the grass, meticulously parting the clumps of grass one by one—
It's so hot outside, maybe they'll hide in the grass?
She said this to herself.
But there was nothing there except for the green grass and wildflowers swaying in the wind; the place was completely silent, as if the existence of the little people was just her illusion.
Did they really leave?
Ning Jia's heart sank, and she stopped digging at the grass, turning over and lying down on the grass, letting the strong sunlight shine on her face.
Sweat dripped down her burning cheeks. She reached into her pocket, squeezed the mosquito repellent sachet inside, and stared at the empty blue sky for a long time without saying a word.
In a daze, the scene of Ning Fang saying "I don't need you to take care of me" reappeared in her mind. Could it be that the little people no longer needed her?
...
"Ning Jia, Ning Jia, what brings you here?"
The sudden appearance of the little figure wielding a spear startled Ning Jia. She sat up abruptly, staring wide-eyed at the familiar honey-colored face, speechless with shock.
"Where have you, you, you, all of you... gone!"
"I didn't go anywhere."
He Meng scratched her head, somewhat puzzled. Ning Jia seemed a bit off today, even a little fierce.
"Where did you all go?!"
Ning Jia picked He Meng up and held her in his hands, then asked her in a more serious tone.
Despite seeing that familiar, enormous face, He Meng felt a chill run down her spine as she was suddenly placed on the giant hand, instinctively sensing a dangerous aura.
A flicker of fear crossed her eyes. Without answering Ning Jia's question, she leaped up quickly, trying to jump off his palm, but Ning Jia's fingers gently pressed her down.
"Don't run away, answer my question first!"
"Waaah..."
He Meng's tears instantly streamed down her face. She struggled and sobbed, "You're not Ning Jia, you're a devil, waaaah..."
Although He Meng's cries were faint, they sounded like thunder to Ning Jia.
She snapped out of her daze, quickly released He Meng, and put the still-crying little girl back on the grass.
Oh my god, what have I just done?!
Ning Jia looked guilty and awkwardly began to comfort He Meng, "He Meng, don't cry, it's all my fault, it's all my fault..."
"Waaaaah, don't come any closer!"
He Meng refused to take the tissue Ning Jia offered, and instead climbed up the tree while crying, until she reached a branch higher than Ning Jia's head before stopping.
"I'm sorry, I was wrong. I was just out of my mind because of the heat. I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to..."
Ning Jia looked up at the little girl sitting on the lush tree branch, still shaken. She patiently apologized for a long time, until her throat was dry, before the other girl slowly relaxed her guard and was willing to communicate with her normally.
"He Meng, I'm so sorry."
Ning Jia sincerely said, "I was just too anxious. I thought... you left without saying goodbye, and I was so upset. Then you suddenly appeared, and I got anxious and..."
"Then you can't be that rude!" He Meng said indignantly.
Ning Jia nodded vigorously, "It's all my fault. I was very bad just now, but I promise I won't do it again."
"……All right."
He Meng plucked at the leaves on the tree, feeling that the dangerous aura from before had completely disappeared. She then snorted coldly and jumped down from the tree.
By now, He Meng had returned to normal and was back to her usual talkative self:
"I really don't understand you. Why are you in such a hurry? Do you think we're the kind of people who are rude to leave without saying goodbye? You really scared me to death just now!"
Ning Jia gave a wry smile. "Actually, I haven't had any particularly close people growing up, but now I consider you all very important friends, which is why I'm so nervous."
A very important friend?
He Meng found these words very pleasing and immediately forgave Ning Jia's earlier threatening behavior:
"Alright, let's forget about what happened earlier. I won't tell the clan leader or the others."
"No, we can't just let it go like this."
A familiar female voice suddenly rang out, soft yet firm.
Bai Su had returned sometime earlier, her face tense and her expression unusually serious. He Meng glanced at her face, instinctively shrinking back, wanting to say something but not daring to.
Good heavens, Bai Su looks fierce today too!
Ning Jia glanced at Bai Su, "I was indeed wrong just now, there's no need to hide this."
"But I promise that I will never do anything to harm He Meng again, no, to harm your clan. If I break my oath, may I be punished by being a workhorse for 007 for the rest of my life!"
This oath was even more vicious than the previous one, but Bai Su remained unmoved upon hearing it:
"In the world of giants, such oaths are probably quite common, and they don't really have any real effect, do they?"
Well, that's true. Ning Jia had to admit it.
Nowadays, there are all sorts of vows online, like "I'll eat my keyboard" or "I'll be a dog if I don't lose weight," but very few people actually keep them. As long as the person making the vow is shameless, they can just delete what they said and pretend it never happened.
But what did Bai Su mean by saying that? Did she want him to write down the oath in black and white?
However, even so, it has no legal effect, since the dwarfs are outside the law in the world of giants.
Bai Su continued, "Actually, my clan has a soul contract that can be made with other races since ancient times. If you are willing..."
"Bai Su!"
Before she could finish speaking, Canglan, who had rushed over, interrupted her, saying, "The matter of the soul contract should not be mentioned again."
Not only Canglan, but all the other little people also returned. Bai Su's words about "soul contract" surprised many people.
"The soul contract is of great importance. The last giant to make a contract with us was a hundred years ago."
Seeing Ning Jia's bewildered expression, Ze Lan explained softly.
Upon hearing this, the other villains wisely shut their mouths and stopped gossiping.
The dwarfs' mysterious reaction made Ning Jia even more curious:
"What exactly is this soul contract? Clan leader, if you don't explain it clearly today, I won't be able to sleep!"
Canglan had no choice but to give a rough explanation:
It turns out that the ancestors of the little people established a contract using magic to protect their descendants. As long as you sign this contract with the little people, you will suffer double the damage if they harm the little people in the future.
Ning Jia: ? ? ?
Good heavens! She was shocked as she recalled the "backlash" skill in the game. It turned out that such a contract could actually be realized in reality.
What's wrong with that?
She glanced at Bai Su and nodded without hesitation, "If this will reassure you to continue your relationship with me, I am willing to sign this contract."
What? As soon as Ning Jia said this, the little people immediately erupted in an uproar, all staring at her with wide eyes.
Canglan's face also showed a very complex expression. After a moment of silence, she said:
"Once a soul contract is made, it cannot be revoked. Have you really thought this through?"
Ning Jia nodded. "Actually, I think this contract is pretty good."
“There is indeed an inherent inequality between us. I must admit that sometimes I haven’t treated you as friends of the world of giants, but I genuinely enjoy interacting with you, and I hope you feel the same way…”
Ning Jia didn't put it too bluntly, but Cang Lan and the others clearly understood.
Canglan sighed softly, "In that case, let's hold the ceremony to sign the contract now."
Hmm, so casual? Don't you need to wait for an auspicious day? Or at least wait until it's dark and the moon is out before starting?
Ning Jia's questions left Cang Lan speechless for a moment. "There's no need to go to such lengths. The ceremony itself is very simple."
Well, Ning Jia was somewhat disappointed. It turned out that the mysterious contract of the Little People was so lacking in ritual.
“Then let’s begin now,” Canglan said.
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