The Amusing Adventures of a Directionally Challenged Dad and Daughter-Chapter 129

The small village was left far behind by the father and daughter as they wandered off with their mule, lost under the sunset.

The silver wolf returned from scouting only to find its hired hand had vanished.

If it weren’t already a native wolf, it might have howled, "One step from happiness, yet we scattered before holding hands."

With a frustrated "Awoo," it vented—just once—before resigning itself to the search.

Losing track while tracking? Could anything be more absurd?

Descending the mountain…

Well, there was more than one path anyway.

It was no surprise these two got lost. The mountain was vast, and even those with a good sense of direction could easily stray.

For a pair who’d lose their way a hundred steps from home, blindly trudging through the wilderness only took them farther from the exit.

The mule panted exhaustedly, wondering if it would ever escape this ordeal.

It never should have followed them. Brother Wolf, save this mule!!!

Dazed, they stumbled upon a large village with wooden stilt houses and thatched roofs.

Father and daughter: !!!

Realizing they’d trespassed, they stealthily led the mule away.

But before they could take two steps, a girl in traditional Miao attire, adorned with silver ornaments, blocked their path.

Chang'an wasn’t sure how this world referred to the Miao people, so she defaulted to terms from her past life.

"Where are you from?"

The girl’s eyes sparkled with naïve foolishness, reminding Chang'an of her fresh-out-of-college self—so gullible she’d been swindled out of three thousand coins before even starting her first job.

Her grandfather, knowing her nature, had managed her life meticulously, leaving her only pocket money for snacks.

Back then, she’d wondered: What did a penniless graduate like her have to offer scammers? Did they really need her meager savings?

Turns out, they did—every last coin was taken.

The memory brought such despair she’d wailed for her mother, only to remember she had none.

Then she’d sobbed to her grandfather, who found the whole ordeal hilarious.

Thank heavens she’d been reborn here—no one knew her past embarrassments, or she’d have dug a hole to hide in.

Suddenly, Chang'an blurted, "Are those silver ornaments on your head real? Aren’t they heavy?"

The girl: "...They are. Do you like them? My Father made many—I can give you a set."

Now it was Chang'an and Old Gu Six’s turn to be speechless. Such generosity—did her father know?

He did. A middle-aged man stormed toward them, bellowing, "Baonier, what are you up to now?"

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‍word "now" said it all—this wasn’t her first time intercepting outsiders.

Baonier pouted. "Father, I’m not doing anything! They seem lost."

Chang'an and Old Gu Six: Was it that obvious?

The man approached, feigning anger but radiating fond exasperation as he tapped his daughter’s forehead.

"What’s their being lost to you? Why stop them?"

"I just want to know what’s beyond the mountains!"

"How do you know they’re from outside? Maybe they’re mountain folk too."

"Impossible. They’re different." Mountain people didn’t get lost.

"Once I’m free, I’ll take you and your Mother to see the outside world. Now let them go—no more stopping travelers."

After reprimanding his daughter, the man clasped his hands toward Old Gu Six. "Sir, my apologies for my daughter’s mischief. Please forgive her."

Old Gu Six returned the gesture. "No harm done. It’s we who trespassed—we should apologize."

After exchanging courtesies, the man advised, "Head east, and you’ll descend the mountain in three days."

"Many thanks for the guidance," Old Gu Six replied, lifting Chang'an onto the mule while inwardly wondering: Could you point out which way is east?

Too proud to ask, he discreetly checked his compass after turning away.

As Chang'an and Old Gu Six departed, Baonier sulked. She wanted to follow, but her Father would never allow it.

Knowing his daughter too well, the man hauled her home before she could scheme an escape.

Just as they figured out east, the silver wolf found them.

It "awoo"-ed incessantly, its eyes radiating the exhaustion of a beleaguered caretaker.

Father and daughter wisely let it rant—neither understood wolf-speak anyway.

Fearful they’d stray again, the wolf now scouted shorter distances before returning.

This time, the journey went smoothly. Three days later, they emerged from the mountains into a sparsely populated village.

Their first sight? A juicy drama about a broken engagement.

The groom’s mother, boasting of her Youngest Son’s success as a town merchant, insisted he now deserved a town bride—so the village betrothal had to end.

She told the girl’s Mother, "Marriages should match in status. You’re clinging to this match only because my son’s success could give your Youngest Daughter a better life. If you refuse to break it, let him take her as a concubine—that’ll fulfill the arrangement."

The girl’s Mother spat in her face, snatched the engagement token from her daughter, and smashed it to pieces.

"Treacherous wretch! Let’s see how long the Chen family’s pride lasts!"

"Oh, it’ll last. But your daughter, rejected by us? She’ll never find a good match now."

Smugly, the woman picked up the shattered trinket and strutted away, nose so high Chang'an—perched on the mule—could see the hairs in her nostrils.

Old Gu Six waited for her to leave before moving on. They needed a secluded spot to retrieve their carriage—having a spectator wouldn’t do.

"Kid, that woman’s son is in for disaster by tomorrow at the latest."

"How do you know?" Chang'an mused that her Old Gu Six might turn magical if soaked in water. Maybe a few hours in the South Sea would do the trick.

Her sparkling gaze sent a chill down his spine. What devious plot was she hatching now?

"I just know," he replied.

Chang'an: …

"Dad, how long will I live then?"

"Longer than me."

Wow. Profound.

The old fox was getting too slick. Chang'an rolled her eyes and gave up.

Old Gu Six curled his lips slightly as he leisurely guided the mule cart along, glancing up at the sky. "Youngest Daughter, we’ll stay in the next town tonight. There’ll be rain after dark."

"But the sun’s blazing right now? Ah, I get it—you can just tell." This was exactly the living weather forecast she’d wanted—her wish of soaking in seawater practically granted already.