Yao Yao took a deep breath, squared her tiny shoulders, and gave Su Mi a confident nod.
"Let's go."
Su Mi hesitated, glancing nervously at the noblewoman. "Are you sure about this, Yao Yao?"
"Of course!" Yao Yao huffed, flipping her silky black hair over her shoulder. "Look at me. There's no way she can just ignore someone this adorable."
Su Mi still looked unconvinced.
Yao Yao waved her hand, brushing off the doubt. "Either way, it's time for my grand reintroduction."
After all, she couldn't stay in that shabby little house forever. She was only five—her new life was just beginning. It was going to be bright. Luxurious. Her gaze slid to the woman ahead. And that… is my ticket out.
Before Su Mi could open her mouth, Yao Yao strode forward with the confidence of a queen trapped in a five-year-old's body. Her chin lifted, her back straight. The coarse fabric she wore didn't matter—she carried it like silk. In her head, even the crowd parted around her.
…Of course, that was just in her head.
Still, she had nothing to fear. She was a woman in her forties, wasn't she? That made them equals. Woman to woman.
And besides, what kind of woman could resist a precious little girl with flawless skin, wide pink eyes, and an angelic face? Exactly. No one. And once she won her over, she'd be walking back into the luxurious life she was born for.
Yao Yao stopped before the carriage and called out sweetly, "Good day! Lady Sh—I mean, my dearest mother! What a lovely surprise to see you here!"
Her voice rang warm, affectionate, innocent. She even gave a slight tilt of her head for an extra sprinkle of cuteness. For a fleeting moment, the noblewoman's eyes landed on her.
She heard her.
She saw her.
And then… she turned away.
The two girls at her side glanced too. The younger blinked in surprise, the older paused—but in the end, both followed their mother into the carriage without a word.
The door shut with a hollow thud. The driver flicked the reins, horses tossed their heads with a sharp neigh, wheels creaked forward, and the carriage began to roll forward.
Yao Yao stood frozen.
…Excuse me?
Did—Did she just get dismissed like air?
Her small hands balled into fists. Heat flushed her cheeks, puffing them red. That woman had ignored her. Ignored this! Fury bubbled, spilling over, and before she could stop herself, her foot stomped down the road.
"Oi! You rude woman!" Yao Yao shouted.
She flailed her arms, tiny body trembling with fury. "How dare you ignore someone this cute?! Don't you know who I am?! I'm—"
Her words broke off as power surged from her palms.
CRACK!
A burst of energy shot forward, striking the wheel.
The wooden spokes split apart with a snap.
Time seemed to slow. The carriage wobbled violently and then—
THUD!
The carriage crashed onto its side with a ground-shaking slam. Dust burst into the air, screams rippled through the crowd as people scattered.
Yao Yao stood there, her tiny arms still raised and her eyes wide with shock.
Su Mi, who had been watching everything unfold, stood with her mouth slightly agape.
Slowly, Yao Yao lowered her hands. Her gaze flicked from the wrecked carriage… to Su Mi… back to the carriage… then Su Mi again.
Su Mi blinked.
Yao Yao blinked back.
"Su Mi," Yao Yao whispered, her voice small, lips twitching.
"…Yes?"
"Pick me up and run."
"…."
There was half a second of silence. Then Su Mi lunged forward, scooping her up without hesitation.
Behind them, the noblewoman's furious voice pierced through the chaos. "GRAB THAT CHILD!"
"STOP THEM!" a guard shouted from behind.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!" Yao Yao screamed as Su Mi bolted through the streets.
"RUN FASTER, SU MI!" Yao Yao cried, craning her neck to look behind them.
"DO YOU THINK I'M A HORSE?!" Su Mi shot back, breathless but sprinting for dear life.
Guards swarmed, pushing through the crowd in hot pursuit. Yao Yao's pink eyes lit up. A thought hit her like lightning. If I blasted a carriage, then I can blast some guards too!
She wriggled in Su Mi's grip, twisting around to face them.
"Yao Yao, what are you—don't—!" Su Mi gasped, trying to hold her steady.
But Yao Yao ignored her. She drew in a sharp breath, eyes squeezing shut as she reached for that strange pulse deep in her chest. Heat thumped there, alive and restless. She clenched her fists, dragging it out, shaping it, pushing it toward her palm until her small hand tingled with warmth.
Her eyes snapped open. She lifted her hand, palm aimed at the charging guards.
BANG!
A blast struck the ground, throwing up a burst of dust and debris that filled the air. The guards staggered back, coughing, arms raised to shield their faces.
Yao Yao gasped. "It worked…!" Her whole face lit up, glowing with excitement. "I'M AMAZING!"
Su Mi nearly dropped her. "STOP MAKING THIS WORSE THAN IT ALREADY IS!" she shouted, veering into a narrow alley, disappearing from sight.
***
The twisting path led them deeper into the city's maze of backstreets. Su Mi was now breathing heavily, her pace slowing. She wasn't built for long-distance sprints, especially while carrying an overly confident five-year-old.
After another turn, the alley opened into a garden. She stumbled to a stop, gasping for breath as she set Yao Yao down, then dropped heavily to the ground. "No more running… I can't… breathe…"
Yao Yao hopped down, dusting herself off, utterly unfazed. "Tsk. If only there's flying magic."
Su Mi shot her a glare, too tired to retort.
Yao Yao ignored it, her gaze sweeping across the garden. A soft breeze stirred the branches of a cherry blossom tree, petals scattering across the stone. The faint scent of tea drifted in the air. Off to the side stood a conservatory, elegant but seemingly empty.
And at the center of the garden—
A boy sat at a table, sipping tea as if it were nothing more than an ordinary afternoon. He looked no older than twelve, dressed in a robe of fine tailoring, silver embroidery glinting faintly in the light. Dark brown hair framed his face in neat lines, and when his gaze lifted toward them, sharp golden eyes shone—a rare, striking shade.
He placed his teacup down with grace, his gaze brushing over them with quiet amusement. "You two seem… troubled."
Yao Yao blinked. Troubled? That was one way to put it.
For years, she'd worked in the corporate world, surrounded by people who hid power behind charming smiles. It gave her a nose for it—that weight people carried without saying a word. And this boy, delicate and young as he looked, carried that same weight. A presence that pressed at the edges, subtle enough to pass unnoticed by others, but she could feel it.
It was clear that he was no ordinary child.
She tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "Who are you?"
"I could ask the same of you," he said lightly. Then, after the faintest pause: "Especially when you've wandered into my private space."