Chapter 5: Xiaomei Returns Home
The hired car came to a stop in front of a white wooden fence with a sign no wider than two palms, etched with the words "Wu Farm." Before her lay a cornfield just beginning to tassel, the soft golden sunlight casting a warm glow over the lush greenery Grandma had lovingly cultivated. The sight alone brought a deep sense of peace to Xiaomei's heart.
"When we meet Grandma, don't come out yet, okay?" Xiaomei warned Bao Pei, worried her grandmother would be shocked to find her suddenly bringing home a tiger cub—no matter how adorable.
Bao Pei poked his small head out of her shoulder bag and shifted into the form of a large bee—larger than average, that is. He had meant to become something smaller, but his power wasn't quite enough for that.
"Bao Pei will scout around. I won't let Grandma see me," he chirped, then buzzed off without a second thought, leaving Xiaomei blinking rapidly after him.
"How could I forget he's a guardian…" Xiaomei muttered, watching as he vanished into the cornfield beside the farm.
She was just about to drag her big suitcase through the gate when she spotted someone rushing toward her.
"Xiaomei! You're finally here!" Grandma Wu Liju pulled her into a gentle embrace.
Wu Liju, aged seventy-five, was still lively and strong. Her hair was black streaked with white, and though her skin bore the wrinkles of age, her fair complexion made the sun-reddened blush on her cheeks stand out. Even now, she looked graceful and healthy, a portrait of timeless elegance.
Grandma Liju gave her granddaughter a thorough once-over, spinning her lightly in place before taking her hand and guiding her toward the house.
"You said you'd arrive around this time, so I've already prepared all your favorite dishes."
"You're the best, Grandma. I figured I'd get something delicious here, so I came with an empty stomach. I'm starving now!" Xiaomei cooed, leaning her head affectionately on Grandma's shoulder as they walked hand in hand.
"Aiya, if you're that hungry, let's hurry, then!" Grandma Liju beamed, quickening her steps.
Xiaomei lugged her suitcase up to her bedroom before coming back down to find Grandma busy dishing up food.
"Here, let me help." She took a bowl of dandan mian from Grandma and set it on the table.
Together, they brought out the rest of the food and sat down to eat.
"How did you get so skinny? Can't find anything good to eat on your own?" Grandma Liju dabbed the corner of her eyes with her sleeve. She had raised Xiaomei since infancy. Their bond was stronger than that of mother and daughter.
Xiaomei got up and sat beside Grandma's chair, wrapping an arm loosely around her shoulders. She gently brushed away her tears with a fingertip.
"No crying, okay? You'll mess up your pretty face," she teased softly.
It worked—Grandma chuckled at her words.
"All right, all right, I won't cry anymore. Eat up, sweetheart. Eat as much as you can."
To ease Grandma's worries, Xiaomei made a conscious effort to eat more than usual. Grandma Liju, watching her closely, seemed satisfied to see her with an appetite again. Soon, the atmosphere was filled with the warmth of laughter and smiles as Xiaomei continued to shower Grandma with affection.
After dinner, Grandma sent Xiaomei off to unpack while she tidied up the kitchen before heading out to check on her crops.
Later that night, unable to sleep, Xiaomei sat in a rocking chair on the front porch. Bao Pei had returned from scouting and remained in his giant bee form, perched on a blooming peach tree beside the house, its pink flowers in full glory.
"Xiaomei, what are you doing out here?" Grandma Liju appeared with a light blanket and draped it over Xiaomei's shoulders before sitting beside her, her voice full of concern.
"I've felt something weighing on your mind since earlier tonight. You can talk to me, you know."
"Grandma… do you think it's possible that a disaster could happen one day? Like... the end of the world?" Xiaomei's voice was barely a whisper. She didn't meet Grandma's eyes, simply gazing out into the night.
"Well, anything's possible. We hear about disasters all over the world these days, don't we?"
"I mean like, really the end of the world. Like in The Walking Dead, the show we watched together." This time, Xiaomei turned to meet her grandmother's gaze. Worry and hesitation swirled in her eyes.
"Xiaomei, is something going on? Why are you suddenly so afraid of this?"
Xiaomei had always loved sci-fi, often pulling Grandma into watching it with her.
"I have something to show you," she said, standing up and walking to the peach tree.
She extended her hand, and Bao Pei fluttered down to land gently on her palm. Then she walked back to Grandma.
"This is Bao Pei. He's my guardian."
Grandma stared at the fist-sized bee sitting calmly on her granddaughter's hand, struggling to believe her eyes.
"Where on earth did you get that?"
"From a meteorite. Bao Pei came with it."
Xiaomei let Bao Pei return to his original white tiger cub form, then sat back down and cradled him on her lap. She began to explain—though she didn't mention the time reversal or her item storage dimension. She only said that Bao Pei had come to her as an egg and had revealed a future apocalypse.
Grandma Liju listened silently, never interrupting or questioning the incredible tale. She simply chose to believe.
"Grandma... my master isn't lying. Bao Pei really knows the future!" the little cub suddenly blurted out, his voice a mix of urgency and earnestness.
Grandma flinched slightly at the talking tiger cub—but after seeing it morph from a bee earlier, this hardly seemed surprising anymore.
"If that's really true… what do you plan to do now?" she asked calmly. Xiaomei had clearly sold off her belongings. She must've already planned for this.
Bao Pei, sensing no fear in Grandma, mustered up his courage and clambered off Xiaomei's lap to nuzzle against Grandma's legs. He knew—human women loved small, fluffy animals.
Grandma Liju looked down at him for a moment. Seeing that he was sweet and sensible, she reached down to stroke his back and then lifted him onto her lap.
"Little Bao Pei, you'll look after Xiaomei, won't you? Please take care of my precious girl," she said softly. She wasn't afraid of danger or hardship—her only fear was losing Xiaomei.
Bao Pei rubbed his tiny head against her arm in response. He was her guardian, after all—protecting her was his duty.
Xiaomei felt a wave of relief wash over her. She had feared Grandma would either disbelieve or be terrified. But as always, the wisdom of the older generation prevailed. Grandma had stayed far calmer than she had when she first met Bao Pei herself.
"I want to turn our farm into a safe haven," Xiaomei explained. "Stock up on supplies, stay here... it might be enough to survive."
Of course, she knew it wouldn't be that simple. If disaster truly struck, food would run scarce. If zombies appeared… the darkness within humanity was even more dangerous than monsters. Reinforcing the house and securing the land would cost money—money she didn't have anymore.
"I want to build a wall around the farm. Install solar panels. Set up a water pump and a filtration system too," she said in a single breath.
"Haha! Xiaomei... you're about to ask me for money, aren't you?" Grandma laughed heartily. So much urgency and roundabout talk—turns out, she just had a shopping list but no budget.
She reached over and gently patted Xiaomei's head. This old woman had worked hard all her life—if her granddaughter wanted money, of course she'd give it.
"Tomorrow I'll give you my card. Whatever you need, just buy it. No need to ask me again."
Xiaomei jumped up, eyes gleaming with excitement. Finally—she had funding! No more poor Xiaomei!
"Grandma, I love you the most!" she cried, hugging and smothering her grandmother in kisses. Poor Bao Pei, squished in the middle, could barely breathe.
Waaah! This woman completely loses it whenever she has money. It's fine to kiss Grandma, but why kiss me too?! Grossss! Your spit's all over me—my fur's soaking wet!!