The little baby, who was originally to be fostered at a Taoist temple, was suddenly adopted by someone else.
Master Xu looked intently at the young couple before him and asked, as if confirming, "Are you really willing to adopt this child?"
"Yes, Daoist Master, rest assured, my husband and I will definitely raise Yanbao as our own daughter!" Zhong Jingyi and Li Qicheng exchanged a glance and made a solemn vow.
"Very good." Master Xu nodded, then turned to look at Xiao Xinyan, a meaningful smile on his face: "This is fate between you two. You must treat her well. Heaven will surely bless those who have good intentions! This child may be able to fulfill your wishes."
The couple simply thought it was fulfilling their wish to have a daughter and didn't think much of it.
Master Xu took out a red string bracelet from his wide sleeve, with a small, somewhat cute rooster carved from ebony hanging from it.
"Put this on this girl; it will ward off evil and ensure her safety."
"Thank you, Taoist priest."
After thanking the Taoist priest again, the couple prepared to take Xiao Xinyan down the mountain and go home.
Just then, a young Taoist priest rushed in to report: "Master, something terrible has happened! The reservoir in Lingxing Village at the foot of the mountain suddenly burst, causing a huge flood. The entire village is almost washed away."
Upon hearing this, Master Xu's face darkened: "When did this happen?!"
The young Taoist priest gave an approximate time when the reservoir collapsed. Li Qicheng and Zhong Jingyi exchanged another glance, and their expressions both turned grim.
They had just entered the Taoist temple when the reservoir burst.
In other words, they were very lucky to have avoided a catastrophic disaster, but looking back, they still couldn't help but feel terrified.
When trouble struck down the mountain, Master Xu quickly arranged for his disciples to go down the mountain to help.
Zhong Jingyi and Li Qicheng also took Xiao Xinyan down the mountain. They heard that something had happened in the village and the little girl was worried about her grandfather's safety.
Although Grandpa Jiu couldn't keep her in the village, he did his best to arrange a place for her to stay.
At this moment, Lingxing Village is flooded, houses have been destroyed, and the cries and wails of the villagers can be heard everywhere.
The reservoir had been built for many years without any problems. It was even reinforced three years ago. The villagers thought it was foolproof, but it suddenly collapsed without any warning.
The village, which was picturesque just over an hour ago, is now a scene of devastation.
Zhong Jingyi, who had come down from Yongyang Mountain, hugged Xiao Xinyan again and said to Li Qicheng, "Fortunately, we took Yanbao with us."
Li Qicheng nodded, patted Xiao Yanbao's head, and said softly, "I'll go and inquire about Ninth Grandfather's situation."
After saying that, he got out of the car.
Xiao Xinyan hurriedly peered out the car window, her brow furrowed and her face filled with worry.
"Don't worry, Yanbao, Grandpa Jiu is a good person, everything will be alright!" Zhong Jingyi gently patted the little one's back to comfort him.
A dozen minutes later, Li Qicheng returned to the car and informed Xiao Yanbao about his grandfather's situation.
When the reservoir collapsed, Grandpa Jiu was tending his vegetable garden in the fields behind the mountain. Because he was standing on high ground, he escaped the impact of the flood and was fortunate enough to survive. He has now been taken away and is being cared for by the rescue team.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Xinyan's eyes lit up again, and she breathed a sigh of relief.
It's good that Grandpa Jiu is safe and sound.
This child is quite discerning and knows how to repay kindness.
Zhong Jingyi gently rubbed her little head and asked, "Yanbao, do you want to go see Grandpa Jiu?"
Xiao Xinyan shook her head and said in her childish voice, "Grandpa Jiu needs to rest well, Yanyan won't disturb you."
Grandpa Jiu was lucky enough to escape the disaster, and she didn't want to bring him any more misfortune.
"Then... shall we go home?" Zhong Jingyi asked tentatively.
Xiao Xinyan looked up at her with her little face, smiled sweetly, and said with shallow dimples, "Yes, let's go home!"
So cute!
Zhong Jingyi couldn't resist and kissed her precious daughter on the forehead.
Li Qicheng glanced at the mother and daughter with affection, started the SUV, but after only a few dozen meters, a figure suddenly darted out, startling Li Qicheng so much that he slammed on the brakes and couldn't help but curse, "Do you want to live?!"
"Alright! We finally caught you!" Li Fa, completely fearless, lay down on the hood of the car and yelled at the people inside, "Hand over Li Xinyan right now!"
His face was contorted with rage, his eyes bulging with fury, which terrified Xiao Xinyan, who clung tightly to Zhong Jingyi's neck, refusing to let go.
"Don't be afraid, Yanbao. We're here, and we'll never let him hurt you." Zhong Jingyi hugged her tightly and comforted her softly.
Li Qicheng immediately got out of the car and grabbed Li Fa by the collar: "What do you want to do?"
"It's all because of that little jinx! If she had stayed far away from our village sooner, we wouldn't have suffered this disaster!" Ignoring Li Qicheng's threats, Li Fa pointed at Xiao Xinyan in the car and cursed, "This disaster was brought on by her!"
The village was gone, everything was gone, and he couldn't help but blame all his resentment on Xiao Xinyan.
"Bullshit! The disaster in your village was caused by your own negligence and lack of maintenance of the reservoir. What does it have to do with a child who is only three and a half years old?"
Li Qicheng wished he could grab a handful of mud and stuff it into Li Fa's mouth. He said coldly, "Your village only had problems after Yanbao left. If you say she's a jinx, then how come your village was safe and sound when she was there? In my opinion, Yanbao is not only not a jinx, but a lucky star. Maybe your village was supposed to have a disaster long ago, but it was because of her that it was safe and sound!"
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