[A Duodecade Of Nomadic Journey] – The Little Girl’s Guide – Val’s Path to Jiaying

Casting a glance at Val's quivering hands and his feeble appearance, clad in tattered, ill-fitting garments, the vendor's initial assumption was that this stranger must be homeless. However, quickly dispelling such notions, he cleared his mind and inquired, "Who are you referring to?"

Val, his voice tinged with hope, stammered, "J-Jia-Jiaying?"

Shaking his head regretfully, the vendor responded, "I'm sorry, kid. I don't know anyone by that name."

Exhausted and disheartened, Val let out a defeated sigh and approached another vendor adjacent to the previous one. With a glimmer of hope still lingering, he posed the same question once again, his voice trembling, "D-Do you happen to know anybody by the name of... J-Jia-Jiaying?"

Once more, the vendor shook their head, their expression apologetic. "Sorry, kid. I'm afraid I don't know anyone with that name."

Val's shoulders slumped as he battled 'disappointment'. Undeterred, he persisted, moving on to yet another vendor, repeating the same inquiry. This pattern repeated itself for a considerable duration, as Val faced repeated rejections from each vendor he approached.

As hours slipped away, the vibrant morning gradually transformed into the subdued hues of the evening. Val, maintaining his guise of weakness and vulnerability, persisted in his quest for Jiaying, approaching vendors and random passersby with the same inquiry, only to be met with repeated denials.

Yet amidst the rejections, Val began to notice lingering gazes from certain individuals in the market. A glimmer of realization sparked within him, and a faint smile played at the corners of his lips as he discerned the effectiveness of his act. Bolstered by this newfound observation, he pressed on, unwavering in his performance.

Evening descended upon the sky, casting a twilight glow upon the bustling marketplace. Undeterred by the advancing hour, Val continued his relentless journey from one vendor to another, persistently seeking any information regarding Jiaying's whereabouts. His sharp senses now detected that some of the onlookers were not merely staring but discreetly shadowing his movements.

To further convince these vigilant observers of his vulnerability, Val steered himself toward a bread stall. With deliberate intent, he fumbled in his pockets, retrieving crumpled RMB notes. His countenance transformed into one of profound sadness and devastation, captivating the vendor with the depth of his expression. Moved by Val's apparent despair, the vendor, cognizant of the exorbitant prices imposed by the ongoing famine in China, empathetically handed him a loaf of bread.

Carrying the loaf of bread, Val retreated into the refuge of an alley, yet the persistent followers continued to tail him. Settling into a secluded corner, he sat down and began nibbling on the bread, purposefully allowing counterfeit tears to stream down his cheeks, enhancing the illusion of his destitution.

As he consumed the last morsel of bread, he hung his head low, lost in his feigned despair. Suddenly, a gentle tap on his shoulder jolted him from his reverie. Raising his eyes, he found himself confronted by a young girl, her countenance devoid of expression.

Though Val recognized her, he couldn't resist posing the question, his voice filled with feigned ignorance, "Who are you?"

Met with silence, Val's guilt-ridden expression betrayed his knowledge of the girl's identity. With a tremor in his voice, he confessed, "I... I don't have any bread left. I ate it all."

Still, the girl offered no verbal response, but instead darted deeper into the alley, leaving Val alone with a mix of curiosity and anticipation swirling within him.

Val chose not to chase after the girl but instead maintained his position, observing her as she stopped and glared at him with unmistakable anger. A sense of satisfaction welled within him, affirming that his plan was unfolding as intended. Curiosity piqued, he addressed the little girl, his voice tinged with caution, "What is it that you want?"

However, the girl remained silent, her eyes fixed on Val with an indignant expression. Intrigued, Val rose to his feet and pivoted in the direction she had fled, intending to approach her.

Yet, before he could take a single step, the girl swiftly darted away, prompting Val to call out in a mix of urgency and curiosity, "Hey! Wait! Little girl!"

Val swiftly gave chase to the retreating figure of the little girl, their pursuit weaving through narrow alleyways and labyrinthine paths. Each step resonated with a sense of purpose, as he realized that his carefully devised plan had yielded the desired outcome—the girl was undoubtedly guiding him closer to the whereabouts of Jiaying.

Amidst a flurry of twists and turns, the girl's gaze met Val's, and a subtle smile played upon her lips, fueling his resolve. Without hesitation, she led him further into the maze of alleyways, eventually vanishing into a nearby house. Unwavering in his pursuit, Val closely followed, aware that his relentless efforts were drawing him nearer to his ultimate objective.

Inside the house, the atmosphere thickened with anticipation as Val shadowed the girl's every move. She glided through the dwelling, eventually disappearing into a window. Without hesitation, Val gracefully entered through the same opening, his eyes fixed on the girl's form as she descended into the depths of the basement. Intrigued and undeterred, he trailed behind her, descending into the mysterious depths that awaited below.

As Val descended into the basement, he found himself encircled by a formidable array of individuals brandishing an assortment of firearms and weaponry. Standing at the center of this gathering was a woman who commanded attention with her regal presence.

This woman possessed an aura of elegance and grace, radiating wisdom and strength. Her figure, slender yet athletic, spoke of her physical prowess and mastery in combat. The way she stood exuded confidence and authority, marking her as an exceptional leader.

Her lustrous locks, a jet-black cascade, were expertly arranged in an elaborate updo, adorned with intricate hairpieces and traditional accessories. Her flawless complexion emitted a subtle, almost ethereal radiance, revealing a hint of her Inhuman nature.

The woman's eyes, captivating in their almond shape, bore a deep intensity, their hue oscillating between shades of dark brown and deep amber. They mirrored both her indomitable strength and the warmth within her spirit.

Draped in flowing garments, her attire embraced her cultural heritage, combining traditional elements with intricate designs that added to her mesmerizing presence.

Fixing her gaze upon Val, the woman narrowed her eyes and spoke with a fiercely threatening tone, "My name is Jiaying. What is it that you want, kid?"

A surge of satisfaction washed over Val as he locked eyes with Jiaying, silently acknowledging, 'Found her!'