"I'm leaving then, make yourself at home," Ye Wan said, getting up to go.
Upon hearing she was leaving, the previously sulking little boy's expression changed instantly. He quickly pulled her back and said, "Hey, since this is a public place, you can sit if you want. I'm not unreasonable."
Ye Wan looked at the child strangely. Seeing his nervous and fearful expression, she realized he was scared. It was understandable; the hotel was at the foot of the mountain, and they were in a secluded spot. It was normal for a child to be afraid.
Curious about whose child he was, Ye Wan asked, "Where are your parents?"
"What's it to you? Sit down when I tell you to, why so many questions?" The little boy saw she wasn't leaving anymore and turned his head away from her.
Well now, this child certainly had a temper.
"Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat," Ye Wan said, looking at him.
He looked like a runaway, and she didn't know how long he'd gone without food. He was probably hungry.
"Don't try to trick me, what could you possibly eat here!" the child said, but his eyes were fixed on her, clearly showing he was also hungry.
"Follow me, don't worry, I'm not a child trafficker, I don't sell kids!" Ye Wan stood up, brushed the dirt off her clothes, and started to walk away.
The child didn't follow, so Ye Wan looked back at him and smiled, "What? Scared?"
His vigilance was quite high, not bad.
"Who... who said I was scared? You can't steal me!" The little boy stood up and followed Ye Wan.
"My name is Hui Hui, what's yours?" the little boy asked proactively.
Hui Hui sounded like a nickname.
"Hui Hui, so cute. My name is Ye Wan," Ye Wan smiled and stated her name.
"Oh, Wan Wan," Hui Hui mumbled.
Ye Wan: "..."
It was just a chance encounter with a child; if he wanted to call her whatever he wanted, so be it. But, "Shouldn't you call me Auntie?"
"How old are you? You're more like a sister," the child retorted.
"..."
Ye Wan found Hui Hui to be a child wise beyond his years, a sharp little mind that wouldn't be easily fooled by most people.
Ye Wan led Hui Hui to a patch of leafy ground and began to dig.
"You're not going to dig something up for me to eat, are you?" Hui Hui blinked, looking incredulous.
"Yes, digging it up fresh. Delicious things, you'll know soon," Ye Wan was digging up sweet potatoes.
Though she didn't know why sweet potatoes were planted here, Ye Wan recognized the crop. She dug up five and placed them in front of Hui Hui, whose expression was a mixture of disbelief and something else.
"Don't rush, we'll start preparing it right away." Ye Wan instructed Hui Hui, and together they gathered some firewood. She buried the sweet potatoes, then took out her lighter to start a fire and roast them.
Hui Hui glanced at her small bag, surprised by its contents. Ye Wan knew he was curious, so she let him look.
Ye Wan's safety awareness was high now, so her bag contained everything: pepper spray, a small stun gun, a lighter, and even a little alcohol – like a versatile treasure chest.
Hui Hui, full of curiosity, picked up each item to examine it. Looking at the pepper spray, he sprayed it twice, making himself cry. The little guy quickly dodged back, tears streaming down his face for a long time.
"What kind of weird stuff is this?" Hui Hui shouted indignantly.