Chapter 070: I Forgot, Just Playing Around
Even Bai Guofu, who had mentally prepared himself, was startled out of his wits and stammered, “A-Ancestor.”
Bai Chuwei calmly sorted the spiritual herbs in her hands. “What brings you to me?”
Bai Guofu bit his tongue hard to keep his head clear and hurriedly replied, “Ancestor, it’s about Xiaofu’s useless granddaughter. I heard she angered you, so I punished her by forbidding her to speak. Please don’t take offense at a child’s mistake.”
Sixty years had left no trace on Bai Chuwei’s face. Bai Guofu had never regarded her as an ordinary person.
Without even looking up, Bai Chuwei said, “Wake her up.”
Snowball, who relished the spectacle, scrambled up onto the desk, grabbed the half-cup of cold water Bai Chuwei had left from the night before, and splashed it hard across Bai Yinyin’s face.
She woke instantly.
Bai Yinyin shivered from the cold, wiped the water from her face, and, seeing the white-furred mouse and three tiny paper figures working diligently, let out a silent scream and nearly fainted again.
Crying, Bai Yinyin hid behind Bai Guofu.
At last, Bai Chuwei’s gaze shifted from her herbs to Bai Yinyin, her brows knitting slightly. “You are of the Bai family. By rights, I should protect you. But Bai Yinyin, if this happens again, I will ensure you are never able to speak another word for the rest of your life.”
With that, Bai Chuwei snapped her fingers crisply in the air.
It was as if something pent up was suddenly released—Bai Yinyin blurted out, “Grandpa, she’s a demon! Why did you bring a demon home?”
She… she could speak again?
Yes, it was that snap of Bai Chuwei’s fingers just now…
Bai Yinyin’s eyes drifted to the small paper figures on the desk. Her whole body trembled like a leaf, her face as pale as death.
Bai Guofu felt awkward. Hadn’t his granddaughter just heard the Ancestor say she would protect her? Demon, my foot—had she ever seen a demon rescue someone at death’s door, provide them with food, and help them prosper all the way? If she really were a demon, would the Bai family’s ancestors have worshipped her for thousands of years as their progenitor?
Bai Yinyin dared not remain a moment longer. In terror, she turned and fled, racing straight to her room to grab her phone.
She was going to call the police!
Meanwhile, in the attic, Bai Chuwei was working on her medicine, listening serenely as Bai Guofu spoke with caution, “Ancestor, it truly was Yinyin’s fault, but Xiaofu has only this one granddaughter… She’s about to take her college entrance exams, and I don’t want this to affect her.”
There was one thing Bai Chuwei rather admired about Bai Guofu—perhaps because of her influence, the old man had never favored sons over daughters. Even though several of his grandsons in the main branch were quite outstanding, Bai Guofu still doted on his second son’s little granddaughter.
Bai Chuwei pondered for a few moments. Bai Yinyin had a loose tongue—if word got out, it could cause trouble.
A faint smile appeared on Bai Chuwei’s lips. “She’ll forget everything that happened today, but the fear will remain etched in her heart. Xiaofu, I can make her forget today, but I can also make her remember it on any day I choose.”
As Bai Guofu gazed at Bai Chuwei’s exquisite features adorned with a serene smile, she seemed as distant as mist-veiled mountains—so close, yet unreachable. A chill ran down his spine, and he nodded repeatedly.
Bai Guofu left the attic and saw Bai Yinyin not far away, red-eyed and clutching her phone as she called the police.
The line connected. “Hello, how can I help you?”
Just as Bai Yinyin opened her mouth, her mind suddenly went blank. She wanted to speak but couldn’t recall what she was going to say.
“Hello? What would you like to report?”
Bai Yinyin stammered, “Um… I forgot. Just playing around.”
The voice on the other end instantly turned stern. “According to the Public Security Administration Punishment Law, deliberately making prank emergency calls disrupts public order and is subject to detention and a fine.”
Bai Yinyin: “…”