Wolf-Raised Cub with a Space: Surviving the Disaster Years

Shen Ningning looked confused.

"But I’m not trying to shut you out!"

"If you weren’t, then why didn’t you trust me to return the supplies yesterday? And just now, why wouldn’t you let me help?" Jiang Zhi was blunt and couldn’t hide what was on her mind.

Her eyes held a wounded look as she continued, "Are you afraid I’ll steal something? Did Chen Shaobei say something to you?"

The more Jiang Zhi thought about it, the more convinced she became that Chen Shaobei had spoken ill of her.

There was no one else around, except for Chen Ye, who stood a short distance away, keeping an eye on them.

So Jiang Zhi didn’t hide it. She lowered her head, her gaze dimming. "Chen Shaobei guessed my connection to Jiang Xiaofeng. He must have told you."

"I might as well tell you the truth. Jiang Xiaofeng is my father, but he was a good man who robbed the rich to help the poor. Even as his daughter, I would never steal. Ningning, you..."

Before she could finish, Shen Ningning reached out a small hand and squeezed her fingertips.

Jiang Zhi froze.

She looked up to see the little girl blinking her bright eyes and saying earnestly, "Sister Jiang, I’ve never thought that about you."

Shen Ningning’s voice was soft. "Brother Chen Shaobei did tell me that your fighting style comes from a legendary bandit king."

"But he also said that Jiang Xiaofeng had an excellent reputation because he was honorable and loyal, and never robbed from common folk."

"He did warn me to be cautious of you, but only because he was afraid you might try to use me to get revenge for your family."

"But he also spoke of this bandit king, Jiang Xiaofeng, with great admiration. He said his loyalty and courage were a match for any of the great generals in the court."

As Jiang Zhi listened, her eyes reddened. She choked back a sob and asked, "Did he really say that?"

"Of course!" Shen Ningning had no reason to lie.

"Besides, the reason I didn’t let you return the supplies yesterday was because of the issues between you and Brother Chen Shaobei. Since we borrowed so much from him, we would have to thank him properly when we gave it all back."

The little girl’s smile was sweet and held a heartwarming radiance.

"I was worried you’d feel uncomfortable, so I asked Brother Chen to go for you. And I didn’t let you help hand out food just now because you didn’t look well on our way here. I thought you were feeling sick and wanted you to rest."

With that, Shen Ningning gave her own small cheek a cute little scratch.

"I didn’t realize you’d think that. Sister Jiang, you saved my life. That makes us friends, and I would never be suspicious of you!"

Tears streamed down Jiang Zhi’s face, and she was filled with regret.

"I’m sorry, Ningning. I misunderstood you."

Fearing the refugees would see her crying, the little girl thoughtfully pulled her toward a grassy slope behind them.

Seeing this, Chen Ye walked over to watch their stall.

Jiang Zhi wept into the wind. She hadn’t cried like this since her father died.

"Ever since I was born, my father had the martial arts instructors in our stronghold teach me how to fight, but he never let me go down the mountain with him."

"He said the world had forced him to become a bandit, that he had no choice if he wanted to survive. But he didn’t want his daughter to live that kind of life."

"To protect me, he raised me as a boy. But he knew that couldn’t last forever, so he accepted the court’s offer of amnesty. He thought it would secure a good future for me, a life where I no longer had to hide. But..."

At this, Jiang Zhi gave a bitter laugh.

"You know what happened next. He and the uncles I grew up with went into the Capital City... and they never came out again."

"The colt he raised from birth managed to run back, and it carried his final letter to me."

"My father told me not to seek revenge, just to live my life well."

Shen Ningning’s heart ached as she listened.

This bandit king must have known how harsh the world was. For Jiang Zhi, a woman, to seek justice from the court would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot—an impossible task.

And yet, Jiang Zhi had still come to the Capital City.

"I just wanted to find out where they buried my father, but I was never able to. Eventually, I ran out of money and became a refugee, right up until I met you, Ningning."

The little girl took her hand. They stood together on the grassy slope, feeling the hot sun on their skin and the summer wind tugging at the hems of their clothes.

"Sister Jiang, you’re not alone anymore. You have me. We’ll find Uncle Jiang’s remains together."

Jiang Zhi’s face filled with gratitude. "Ningning," she said, "thank you."

She was about to thank her again when she suddenly heard something. Her brow furrowed as she focused, listening intently.

"Sister Jiang, what is it?" Shen Ningning asked, noticing how Jiang Zhi’s expression had suddenly turned serious.

"It sounds like someone’s calling for help." Jiang Zhi started walking toward the sound.

Having trained in martial arts since childhood, her hearing was exceptionally sharp.

Shen Ningning hurried after her.

When they crested the hill, they saw a child trussed up tightly. Two refugees had already built a fire pit, and a third was sharpening a knife.

It looked as if they were preparing to eat the child!

Jiang Zhi bellowed, "What do you think you’re doing?!"

Shen Ningning took a closer look, and her expression changed drastically. "It’s the boy whose mother died! Sister Jiang, save him!"

At the little girl’s command, Jiang Zhi drew the soft whip from her waist and sprang into action.

A sharp CRACK! echoed as her whip struck the fire, scattering the burning wood.

The little boy, who had been utterly weak, turned his head and saw Shen Ningning. He immediately began to struggle with all his might.

Jiang Zhi lashed out with her whip again, sending the refugee who was sharpening the knife tumbling to the ground.

"Dammit, where did these busybodies come from!" With their meal about to be snatched away, the refugees started cursing angrily.

"Right under the Emperor’s nose, in broad daylight, you dare to eat a living person? You’re animals!" Jiang Zhi lunged forward.

Her martial arts skills were impressive; the three refugees were no match for her.

Seeing Jiang Zhi tie up one of them, the other two realized the tables had turned and tried to flee.

Shen Ningning called out, "Langlang, get them!"

The Black Wolf King’s ears twitched. Hearing the command, it bounded over swiftly.

A moment later, the two refugees were pinned under the wolf’s paws, screaming and wailing in terror.

A flicker of irritation and impatience crossed the Black Wolf King’s eerie, yellow eyes.

’I haven’t even bitten them. What are these two making so much noise for!’

Shen Ningning and Jiang Zhi untied the little boy.

He was sobbing and trembling with fear.

"Some people from the city came and took my mom away. They said they were laying her to rest, that she was going to a good place. I was scared that when Mom came back from the good place, she wouldn’t be able to find me, so I came back outside the city walls to wait for her."

The little boy wiped his tears as he spoke, his eyes filled with terror. "But then these men grabbed me and tied me up. I heard them say... they were going to eat me."

Shen Ningning’s expression was grim.

Jiang Zhi angrily kicked one of the captured refugees.

"These absolute monsters... Still, this has happened before. When the refugees have nothing to eat, they resort to cannibalism... even exchanging their children to eat."

Some even resort to eating those who have just died.

Jiang Zhi had once witnessed a man being dragged away and carved up by six others.

She felt her stomach turn and dry-heaved a couple of times.

Shen Ningning looked at the crying boy. He had lost his mother; now he was an orphan.

’I was able to save him today, but what if this happens again when I’m not around? Will he be so lucky a second time?’

Shen Ningning couldn’t help but ask, "Little brother, what’s your name?"

"I don’t have a name. My mom just called me Wuer."

"Alright, Wuer. From now on, you can live with us."

Hearing this, the Black Wolf King glanced back at the little girl, letting out a series of low whines.

Only Shen Ningning could understand what he was saying.

The Wolf King was trying to tell her that taking in refugees one by one wasn’t a sustainable solution.

’She can save one, or two, but what about the rest? Can the little one possibly save them all?’

’In the end, she’ll only exhaust herself!’ The Black Wolf King’s heart ached for her as if she were his own cub.

And so, he objected.

Shen Ningning walked over to him, stood on her tiptoes, and wrapped her arms around his furry neck. "Don’t worry, Langlang," she whispered. "I have a plan."

’In fact, it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time!’