While the omegas and alphas worked hard under the bright, hot sun, PD Xu Cui walked slowly through the village with Mo Yan cradled gently in one arm. Shen Guoxing stayed close beside him, both small hands clutching the fabric of his pants as she looked around with quiet curiosity.
The village was alive with movement. Adult men and women passed in both directions, carrying tools, baskets, or bundles of greens, their footsteps and soft conversations filling the air with steady purpose.
As they moved along the path, a man accidentally brushed against Shen Guoxing. He stopped at once, looked down, and offered a gentle smile.
"Sorry 'bout that, little one," he said. "You okay?" He asked, his tone friendly and open.
Even so, Shen Guoxing tightened her grip on PD Xu Cui's pants and nodded rapidly, her heart thumping with sudden anxiety.
