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

Shen Ningning reacted in a flash.

She wrapped the gold back up, placed it in the bucket, and tossed the bucket back into the dry well.

Grandma Qin gritted her teeth, and in a decisive moment, shoved Wu Zuchang.

Wu Zuchang instantly lost his balance and plopped onto the ground.

"Ouch, it hurts..." he cried, rubbing his bottom. He was wailing like a five-year-old.

Hearing the commotion, Qian Siniang rushed over.

She paled. "My son, are you alright?!"

Grandma Qin pulled Shen Ningning back. "We just saw Zuchang take a tumble, and Ningning was about to help him up. Quick, get him on his feet and see if he’s hurt!"

Fortunately, Wu Zuchang had only bruised his rear.

Shen Ningning blinked at him. He wiped away his tears and began to laugh foolishly.

Qian Siniang dusted off his clothes and sighed. "I’m sorry you had to see that, Grandma Qin. How embarrassing."

Grandma Qin squeezed Shen Ningning’s little hand. "It’s nothing, really. But I think I should take Ningning home for now."

Qian Siniang’s heart clenched. "Why? Ningning is my biological daughter. Grandma Qin, if you have any other demands, please, just tell me."

"You’ve misunderstood me. We still need to confirm whether she’s truly your daughter. At my age, I have to be cautious. I don’t want to do anything that could harm Ningning for the rest of her life."

After Grandma Qin spoke, Shen Ningning stepped forward.

She was already a beautiful, lively child, and she looked especially precious and sweet when she spoke so politely.

"Aunt Wu, every two days, you can come to Xiangyun Village to spend time with me. Once we get to know each other better, it might be easier for us to grow closer."

Grandma Qin shot Shen Ningning a surprised look.

’The little one must know they’re a pair of frauds. Why would she say that?’

Qian Siniang hesitated.

But in the end, she nodded. "Very well. You’re right. Your father and I have failed you these past four years. As we spend more time together, you’ll see that we truly want to make it up to you."

Grandma Qin led Shen Ningning toward the exit.

Just then, Wu Cui returned, carrying a chicken he had just slaughtered.

He had planned to stew chicken soup for Shen Ningning for lunch.

Seeing them about to leave, he asked in astonishment, "What’s happening? Why are you going?"

Grandma Qin explained the situation in just a few words.

Wu Cui immediately looked to Qian Siniang. Only after she nodded did he relent, though his brow remained furrowed.

"Alright then, Ningning. We’ll come see you in Xiangyun Village in two days."

Seeing Shen Ningning leaving, Wu Zuchang hurried out after her.

He called out, "Ah, ah, ah... Little girl, little girl..."

The little one looked back and told him, "Brother Zuchang, see you in two days!"

Wu Zuchang trailed right behind her.

Finally, Qian Siniang had to hold her son back. "Zuchang, don’t fuss. We’ll go to Xiangyun Village together in two days to see your sister."

Only then did Wu Zuchang quiet down, though he watched with a worried expression as Shen Ningning disappeared into the distance.

They had just left the village entrance, and the family was no longer in sight.

Only then did Grandma Qin ask, "Ningning, have you decided to acknowledge them? But they aren’t your parents!"

Shen Ningning shook her head. "Grandma, I’m being targeted."

Grandma Qin’s heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"Someone must have deliberately hired Wu Cui and his wife to claim me as their own. And that person knows me well. They know I have a red mole on my hand and that I have a keepsake from my parents."

However, Grandma Qin had always taught the little one to keep her Ruyi well hidden.

That’s why no one else had ever seen it, forcing them to guess it was a longevity lock. This was the flaw in their story.

Grandma Qin drew a sharp breath and then hissed angrily, "It must have been my worthless son, Qin Sheng! He must have blabbed about you."

Shen Ningning was getting a small reputation now. She could command wolves, had earned a bit of silver from the loquat tree, and had even befriended several influential people.

The number of people showing up to falsely claim her would only increase.

The little girl’s eyes were dark, like two black jewels.

Now that she understood their objective, she wasn’t afraid anymore!

"The gold Wu Zuchang ’accidentally’ showed us must have come from that person."

Whoever could afford that much gold was likely no ordinary person.

Both Shen Ningning and Grandma Qin immediately thought of Landlord Du.

But for the moment, they couldn’t figure out his motive.

After all, if this was revenge for Aunt Qin, Landlord Du should have arranged for Shen Ningning to suffer as much as possible. Why would he find a relatively well-off family for her?

The little girl’s voice was soft and sweet. "That’s why I need to stay in contact with them—to draw out the person pulling the strings."

Grandma Qin was astounded. "Ningning, you’re being far too daring! These people are vicious. Who knows what they’re plotting?"

Shen Ningning tilted her head and gave a sweet smile. "If I don’t catch them now, they’ll just stay hidden in the shadows. Who knows what kind of nasty trick they’ll try next!"

So, Ningning wasn’t scared. She was going to turn the tables on them!

The two of them had just left the village entrance when they saw a cloud of dust billowing in the distance.

It looked as if a large group of horses was thundering toward them, kicking up a storm of dust.

Grandma Qin quickly pulled Shen Ningning to the side of the road.

To her surprise, the lead rider wore dark robes and a golden crown that held his hair in a high ponytail, and he sat astride one of the fine horses.

He galloped toward them, pulling sharply on the reins right in front of Shen Ningning.

Mo Lingwei’s familiar, icy gaze met hers.

"Brother!" The little girl’s round eyes lit up.

Before the horse had even come to a complete stop, Mo Lingwei dismounted, sword in hand.

He was like a surge of cold, dark fire. He looked at Shen Ningning and asked, "It was people from this village who tried to falsely claim you, wasn’t it?"

Before the little girl could answer, Mo Lingwei gave a sharp nod.

He gave the order—

"Surround them. I’d like to see who dares to spout such lies." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Shen Ningning quickly grabbed his wrist. "Brother, don’t!"

Mo Lingwei glanced sideways at her. "Are you pleading for them? Shen Ningning, can’t you see this is a scam?"

Seeing his reckless temper, Grandma Qin quickly explained, "Ningning did see through it."

Chen Shaobei came up from behind. "Your Highness, perhaps we should hear what Miss Shen has to say. Besides, this isn’t a good place to talk."

Mo Lingwei took a breath to compose himself.

He pulled Shen Ningning up, set her on his horse, and then swung himself into the saddle behind her.

Chen Shaobei then helped Grandma Qin onto his own horse.

Mo Lingwei had left in such a rush that he hadn’t brought a carriage, so the old woman would have to be inconvenienced for now.

Fortunately, Grandma Qin was hale and hearty.

The group proceeded slowly toward Xiangyun Village.

On the way, Shen Ningning told Mo Lingwei everything she had discovered and what she was planning.

After she finished, the young man’s sharp brows knitted together time and again.

"How can you be so reckless? Do you have any idea who might be behind this? And you want to play mind games with them?"

The little girl blinked her round eyes innocently. "I’m not scared. At least I have my big brother to protect me!"

Mo Lingwei seemed satisfied with this answer, and his brow relaxed slightly.

But his tone remained harsh, and he let out a cold laugh.

"I protect you, yet you skip my birthday banquet for these obviously fake parents? You’re a heartless one, Shen Ningning."

The little girl silently took something from her pocket, hiding it in her small hand.

Her voice was a mixture of grievance and sweetness. "It hurts my feelings when you say that, Brother. I spent a lot of my silver on a present for you!"

"Sigh... since you’re angry, I guess you won’t accept my gift. In that case, I just won’t give it to you."

Mo Lingwei’s long brows twitched.

He decisively held out his hand. "Give it to me."