The sun was just beginning to peek through the heavy curtains in Tang Ning's bedroom. She awoke with a sense of calm, her small body well-rested. As it was her habit, she neatly arranged her bed, smoothing out the sheets in a practiced manner before moving to tidy the rest of her room. Her small hands were steady, her actions deliberate. She had always been precocious—far more mature than other children her age.
Once satisfied with her surroundings, she took a deep breath and headed downstairs. As she descended, soft footsteps echoing on the grand wooden staircase, she paused halfway when she heard familiar voices drifting up from the living room below. One voice belonged to her grandfather, but the other was new—a youthful male voice, firm but warm. Intrigued, Tang Ning lingered on the steps, straining to catch more of the conversation.
"Maybe it's about me again,"* she muses as she pads down the stairs, careful not to make a sound
The name "Gu Yan" was mentioned, and her small heart skipped a beat. She had overheard conversations about Gu Yan before—her mother's godbrother, someone the family trusted deeply. He had never met her mother in person, but his loyalty to their family was unquestioned.
"...trying to track Ning down," her grandfather's voice said with concern. "We don't know who sent the message, but we can't take chances. Gu Yan, I want you to take her with you for a while, just until things calm down."
Tang Ning's small hands clenched on the wooden banister. **She** had sent that message, thinking it was a harmless attempt to gather more information about her family. Now, her actions were leading to a misunderstanding. She had to stay calm. Her grandfather could never know the truth.
"Little Ning!" her grandfather's voice suddenly broke through her thoughts. "Come down and greet your uncle."
Tang Ning inhaled sharply and straightened herself, descending the remaining stairs with measured steps. Her mind raced, but her face remained calm. When she reached the bottom, she looked up at the man sitting beside her grandfather. Gu Yan wasn't what she had expected. He was much younger, looking barely older than a teenager. He had sharp features and an air of quiet confidence about him.
Tang Ning tilted her head slightly, studying him. **This uncle is so young**, she thought. **He looks more like my brother.**
Still, she approached respectfully. "Hello, Little Uncle," she greeted with a mischievous glint in her eye.
Her grandfather frowned, his stern gaze meeting hers. "Call him Uncle," he corrected gently.
Tang Ning nodded and corrected herself. "Uncle Gu Yan." But in her mind, she was already thinking, **When Grandpa's not around, I'm going to call him Little Yan.**
Her grandfather, satisfied, turned his attention back to Gu Yan. "Nanny Zeng will help you pack your things, Ning. You'll stay with your Uncle for a little while."
Tang Ning didn't argue. Instead, she glanced toward Nanny Zeng, who was already bustling about, gathering her essentials—clothes, her favorite stuffed panda, and of course, her laptop. That would be crucial. She might be leaving the house, but her mission to uncover more about her family wasn't over.
After everything was packed, Tang Ning followed her grandfather and Gu Yan out to the car. Nanny Zeng placed her belongings in the trunk, and Tang Ning slipped into the back seat. As she looks out of the window Tang Ning notices her grandfather is watching her leave with a heavy expression. It's clear he's still concerned about her safety, but the moment she locks eyes with him, she gives him a brave smile and waves at her grandfather as the car pulled away, watching as he waved back until he was out of sight.
©Beersheba