After showing Gemini where to put the luggage, the group watched in amazement as Coby and Kreacher apparated back and forth, moving and arranging everything.
"What species is this? Unique to Britain?" Sun Aihua marveled at the house-elves working.
"These are house-elves. Originally magical creatures defeated over a thousand years ago. After generations of domestication, they became what they are now. Mine are pretty good. You haven't seen those so-called pure-blood families—treated worse than slaves. Yet they think it's right. Can't understand their thinking at all. Make one small mistake, they punish themselves severely." Gemini spread her hands.
Sun Aihua's face darkened. "Isn't this exploitation? Never thought of liberation?"
Gemini's mouth twitched. This guy thought just like Hermione!
"Can't be done. This servility is in their bones. American house-elves at least have a union. Can earn wages. British ones are all traditional and conservative. House-elves are just private property of various families. If you suddenly tell them they're free, they'll just hate you." Gemini said.
Sun Aihua immediately turned and left. Said he couldn't stand this. Better not to see it.
Soon everything was packed. Gemini had her owl deliver letters. Said in the letter to have Dumbledore keep it temporarily. When Sterling moved over, send the owl back. Only then said they could leave.
"Set sail!" With Sun Aihua's command, the Flying Ark slowly rose. After reaching high altitude above the clouds, rapidly advanced toward China.
Everyone inside felt no shaking at all. If not for the changing scenery outside, they'd think they were still in place.
Sun Aihua brought the woman over to find Gemini. "This is who I found for you. Good at caring for children and elderly. Plus she knows English. Went to school when young. Just during a special period in China, she was suppressed. Fortunately lucky enough—married one of our outer sect disciples. Life was passable. Later had a child. Average talent. Joined the Daoist sect. Also an outer sect disciple. All well-known and trustworthy. Absolutely reliable."
Gemini smiled and nodded at the woman. "Hello. I'm Gemini Black. These two children are my brothers. They're cousins. One is Harry Potter, one is Dudley Dursley. That elderly woman is my grandmother, Walburga. We don't have many formalities. Just call us by name."
"H-hello. I'm Wu Xiuqin. You can all call me Aunt Wu." Though stiff, Aunt Wu still introduced herself in English.
Gemini was quite pleased. Took Aunt Wu to meet Walburga and the two children. Also introduced the two house-elves to Aunt Wu. And gave Kreacher a death order—if he couldn't speak properly, shut his mouth. If Gemini heard him cursing, she'd immediately pack him back to the old house alone.
Kreacher quickly covered his mouth. Indicated unless necessary, he absolutely wouldn't speak.
Coby, following Gemini around everywhere, was already familiar. Knew about China's situation too. Just don't let people see him when idle. Besides, he still had the large bottle of Polyjuice Potion Gemini gave him.
Felt like not much time passed. The Flying Ark gently stopped. Gemini looked out the window. "We're here?"
Sun Aihua walked in happily to notify them. "We're here, Gemini. Get off! Outside the door is the house arranged for you. A courtyard house. Recovered by the state years ago. Couldn't find the owners. Specially allocated one to you. Come down and look. We cleaned it up nicely. Guarantee you'll live comfortably."
Gemini brought Walburga. Aunt Wu pushed the two children in a stroller. Everyone got off together.
Coby and Kreacher continued miserably moving luggage. Put it in the middle of the courtyard.
Entering the courtyard, Gemini looked around. Though called a small courtyard house, the area wasn't small. Nearly 300 square meters. Main hall plus side rooms and wing rooms—over 10 rooms total. Enough for these people. The rooms were all renovated. Very thoughtfully divided one wing room into two identical small rooms. Perfect for the two children, one each. Though they were still small now. Just needed to live together.
Aunt Wu's room was with the two children. Convenient for care. Walburga had Kreacher. Plus she wasn't some old lady who couldn't walk. Didn't need Aunt Wu's care. Daily housework and cooking—Kreacher and Coby handled it. Worst case, there was Dobby. Aunt Wu's work was very easy. Just take good care of the two children.
Gemini lived in the west wing room. That side was opened up into a suite. The hall was a reception room. Left side was her bedroom and bathroom. Right side was a study. All wired with electricity. Besides traditional Chinese brush, ink, paper and inkstone, there was also a thick stack of parchment thoughtfully placed.
In the middle courtyard was an old tree. Even in this season, still lush with branches and leaves. Could imagine in summer, half the courtyard would be under tree shade. Gemini studied it for a while before recognizing it as an osmanthus tree. Could imagine what fragrance the courtyard would have in October.
"This is a hundred-year-old tree. When it blooms, have Aunt Wu make osmanthus honey for you. Very sweet." Sun Aihua gently patted the thick trunk.
Gemini was also satisfied with this tree. Stone table and stools were placed under it. Definitely a good place in summer.
After roughly touring the house, Sun Aihua took his people and left. Told Gemini to settle in properly. When settled, according to Chinese custom, moving required a housewarming feast.
Gemini had researched this of course. Sun Aihua also said he'd sponsor a chef to help prepare several tables. Gemini smiled. Pulled out a cookbook from Sun Aihua. Supposedly some imperial cuisine. After Sneezewort translated it, decisively handed it to Kreacher, who had the best cooking skills. Told him to study hard these days. Don't let people look down on them.
Though the courtyard was cleaned up nicely, many things were personal items. After resting briefly, Gemini took the money Sun Aihua left, brought Aunt Wu and the two children out.
All along the way, Aunt Wu smiled and greeted neighbors. Introduced the newly arrived Gemini and others.
Hearing this was a foreigner who contributed to the country, specially invited to live in China, neighbors immediately exploded. Everyone spoke very friendly to Gemini. The two children were also praised repeatedly. Learning they were out shopping, enthusiastic neighbor aunties accompanied them the whole way. Even helped bargain.
When they discovered Gemini and Aunt Wu couldn't carry everything, they enthusiastically delivered it home before leaving. Didn't even drink water.
Gemini was completely confused by this situation. This kind of Chinese social interaction gave her a headache. Simply handed it all to Aunt Wu to handle.
Aunt Wu was also happy. New work for her. In this house there was almost nowhere she could help. Cooking had Kreacher. Housework had Dobby. Miscellaneous things had Coby. Made her feel like she just came to enjoy life. Very uneasy. Only now did Aunt Wu suddenly find her position. Wasn't she just like an old-time housekeeper?
After a lively housewarming feast, Gemini noticed Walburga seemed off. Asked and learned she didn't understand Chinese much. Going out didn't know what people were saying. Very distressed.
Gemini slapped her forehead. Pulled out a translation earpiece for Walburga. Came with Sneezewort. A small earpiece in the ear, completely comfortable. Attach a small component at the jawbone position. Could synchronously translate Walburga's words.
Walburga was very happy. Changed into the kind of suit Chinese old ladies wore. Sat at the courtyard gate listening to the lively atmosphere outside. Bit by bit distinguishing what they were saying, what it meant.
Days in China were very comfortable for Gemini. Just call back regularly each week. Every few days mail letters by international express. Then have Sterling use owls to send to the shops. If anything came up, could use phone to contact quickly. Couldn't be more convenient.
Time passed bit by bit. Soon it was Dudley's 2nd birthday. His birthday was one month different from Harry's. Now both learned to run. All day running wildly in the courtyard. Also taken out by Aunt Wu to run wild with other children.
Now was the time to learn speaking. English at home. Chinese outside. The two children often got mixed up speaking. English and Chinese mixed together. Made the little friends around them learn many English words.
Dudley's birthday wasn't a big celebration. Just invited surrounding little friends to eat a meal. Kreacher even baked a cake. For children this was a huge treat. In China at this time, cake was still a rare thing.
Sun Aihua only learned about it days later. Immediately brought a stuffed toy to the door. Said it was a makeup birthday gift for Dudley. A hand-sewn tiger stuffed toy. Made Dudley so happy.
Sun Aihua sat in Gemini's reception room. Slurped his tea. "How's it been since you moved here? Still getting used to it?"
Gemini smiled and had Coby bring snacks. "Of course I'm used to it. Life here is much more comfortable than Britain. Just too few things available to buy. You still need to speed up development."
Sun Aihua also smiled. "Soon, soon. Aren't we developing? You don't know—our country changes every day now. Thanks to the materials you sent."
Gemini waved her hand. "Already said this isn't my credit. If you say that again, next time I won't welcome you."
Sun Aihua laughed heartily. "Alright, alright. Won't say it. Let's talk about something else. I remember you said you went to the Heavenly Court?"
Gemini nodded. "I remember saying that. Went up from your Celestial Ladder. What about it?"
Sun Aihua rubbed his teacup. "On our side, honestly, the Heavenly Court is just a legend. Even the Celestial Ladder—we haven't seen it."
Gemini was immediately shocked. Then reacted. "This should be the difference between worlds."
Sun Aihua began asking curiously: "What's the Heavenly Court like? Did you see the Supreme Lord? The Jade Emperor? And Erlang Shen? Sun Wukong?"
Gemini's mouth twitched. "I saw the Jade Emperor. Also the Queen Mother. Also saw Taibai and the Supreme Lord. But the others—even if you told me, I wouldn't recognize them. The Heavenly Court has many people."
Sun Aihua looked at the sky outside the window with awe. "Really didn't expect—in other worlds, these legendary immortals of ours still exist. Then China in your world must be doing very well. Those tragic eras probably didn't happen."
Gemini was silent a moment. Still told the truth. Made Sun Aihua quite angry. Didn't even drink tea. Immediately grabbed his sword and left the room. Flew straight from the courtyard. Who knows where he went to vent his anger.
A week before Harry's birthday, Gemini's door was knocked. Went out to look—several police in uniform.
Invited them in to ask. Said to have her come to the police station to pick someone up. Gemini was confused. Her family had no friends in China. Why would they have her pick someone up?
Gemini could only have those police wait. Called Sun Aihua herself. Had him send someone to accompany her to look. In case someone was targeting them.
Sun Aihua arrived quickly. Followed those police to the station. Not the main building, but a small house in the back courtyard. Surrounded by people with alert eyes holding swords or talismans from the relevant departments.
Gemini frowned. When the door opened, Gemini's eyes nearly popped out.
"Professor Snape?! Dumbledore?!" Gemini exclaimed.
The Snape before her was quite disheveled. Clothes edges showed scorch marks. Hair slightly curled. Even his face had bruises. Though Dumbledore was in better shape, his robes had holes.
Dumbledore smiled awkwardly. "Gemini, long time no see."
After explaining the misunderstanding, Gemini brought Dumbledore and Snape home.
"What happened to you two?" Gemini asked after they cleaned themselves up.
Dumbledore sighed holding his teacup. "You kept saying it's safe here. But Severus didn't agree. He thought just a bunch of Muggles—how could they do good protection? This time during summer vacation, we came to find you. He wouldn't let us notify you. Just carefully searched for your location using his own methods. Who knew those Chinese ladies were all like specially trained. We hadn't even reached the street corner before police surrounded us. After knocking out a few police, we were besieged by the Daoist sect. If I hadn't said in time we were your friends, we'd probably be in the hospital now."
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