Chapter 11: Chapter 11

The White Creature And The Scripture of Bai (1)

Bai Ye turned to the source of the voice and saw a familiar old face. “Mr. Village Chief?”

“Little Ye, it’s really you! Come quick!” the village chief of Banruo village, Ji Fu, called out. The girl who was covered in mud was indeed Bai Ye.

Before Bai Ye said anything, Ji Fu quickly took her hand and guided her to the village square. She could feel the coarseness of his palm on hers.

As they walked, Ji Fu explained, “The village knows about your grandfather’s passing and that bastard, Qing Xuantian’s attempt to kidnap you. You shouldn’t be alone, you can stay at my place for now.”

Bai Ye was not used to receiving kindness from others. The complicated nature of her troubles made her wary of accepting the village chief’s offer. “Mr. Village Chief…”

Before she could voice her concern, Ji Fu interrupted her, “Little Ye, don’t worry. Everything will be alright, we’ll take care of your grandfather.”

They rounded a corner and Ji Fu tugged her into an alley.

The sudden change in direction jarred her and she fell into the soft embrace of a stranger.

“Little Ye,” a familiar voice crooned. The voice belonged to a middle-aged woman.

“Let’s not spend too much time here. Quickly take Little Ye home. I’ll go have a look at their house,” Ji Fu ushered his wife, Yao Cuihua.

“Yes, yes. Come with me Little Ye,” Yao Cuihua said as she coddled Bai Ye like she would her own child.

Bai Ye did not say anything. Truthfully speaking, she was not used to being treated this way.

As they walked, Yao Cuihua rubbed her back and said, “Little Ye, don’t be afraid. You’re safe with us now.”

Bai Ye did not have the heart to turn down their offer. Resting in the village chief’s house sounded like a good idea when she had so many things to figure out.

In her memory, the people of Banruo Village always treated the Bai family well, and the village chief’s family was especially friendly.

…

The first thing Bai Ye did upon arriving at Ji Fu’s house was to take a bath. Then, she laid down on

the heated platform

. Yao Cuihua sent in some food and left the tired girl to her own devices.

Bai Ye nibbled on a bun then spoke into the empty room, “Come on out. Or am I supposed to go to where you’re at?”

Pop! A furry, round ball emerged from Bai Ye’s neck.

The furry creature stared hungrily at the buns on the table. “Little Ye! I want a bite too!”

Bai Ye was speechless.

“Little Ye,” the ball of fur begged pitifully. Despite its pleas, it did not try to grab the buns.

A moment passed before realization hit her. “You can’t leave my body?”

“That is correct. I will die if I leave you,” the furry thing said poutily. The creature gave Bai Ye a forlorn look.

Bai Ye pursed her lips and mused. Then, she grabbed a bun for the creature.

“Little Ye is the best!” The creature took the bun and traveled up Bai Ye’s head. There it sat, munching on the offered food.

Bai Ye suspected she would have to wash her hair again after this but she let the creature be.

Minutes passed in silence before she asked a question, “Tell me, how did my grandfather die? Was it the Qing family?”

The kang (Chinese: 炕) is a traditional long platform for general living, working, entertaining and sleeping used in the northern part of China, where the winter climate is cold.