The little child that Shen Xiang saved the previous day woke up, drawn to the delicious aroma of food.
The child got out of the room, following the smell of food, drooling.
"Did you sleep well?" Shen Xiang asked with a smile as he noticed the little one drooling while looking at the food on the table.
Hearing Shen Xiang's question, the child simply nodded without saying a word, her attention fully focused on the food.
"Come here, it's time to eat." Shen Xiang walked over, lifted the child, and sat her on his lap since her small body couldn't sit on the chair by herself.
The child didn't resist. She sat comfortably on Shen Xiang's lap, enjoying every bite he fed her. After feeling full, the child got off his lap and began exploring Shen Xiang's house.
"Alright, kid, it's bath time now." After finishing the meal, Shen Xiang took the child to the bathroom, where he finally realized the child was a girl.
After they were clean and dressed, Shen Xiang took her outside to enjoy the view. The little girl was captivated by the magnificent scenery from the hilltop.
After exploring and enjoying the view, Shen Xiang took her back to the house. It was time to ask about the identity of the little girl.
"Alright, little girl, what's your name?" Shen Xiang sat in front of her, ready to ask.
Hearing Shen Xiang's question, the little girl looked at him with innocent eyes and answered with a soft voice, slightly unclear.
"Xia Ning Chang."
Although her answer wasn't entirely clear, Shen Xiang was surprised to hear it. The name matched one of the characters from a novel he had read in his previous life.
"Is your name Xia Ning Chang?" Shen Xiang asked again, still uncertain. When the little girl nodded, he decided not to ask any further.
Thus, Shen Xiang's new life began, now with Xia Ning Chang living with him.
---
Three Years Later.
That morning, the aroma of cooking once again filled the air in Shen Xiang's house. As usual, Xia Ning Chang woke up lazily, sniffing the delicious smell that drifted into her dreams. With her eyes half open, she got out of her room, walking slowly toward the kitchen, following the aroma of food.
Shen Xiang, who was busy in the kitchen, turned around and smiled. "Good morning, little kitten. You're waking up later than usual today. Did you sleep well?" he asked while preparing a bowl of hot porridge on the table.
Xia Ning Chang only nodded, still half-asleep, before sitting on her favorite chair. However, her small body was too short to reach the table. As usual, Shen Xiang approached, lifted her, and sat her on his lap.
"You won't grow big if you keep eating in my lap like this," said Shen Xiang in a teasing tone.
Xia Ning Chang looked up at him, her eyes sparkling. "But I like being held by you, Brother Shen," she replied with a pure smile.
Shen Xiang shook his head while smiling. This little girl had truly become an important part of his life. He fed her spoonfuls of porridge, making sure she ate well, before finally letting her down to explore the house.
Three years wasn't a short time. During that time, the bond between Shen Xiang and Xia Ning Chang grew even stronger. Xia Ning Chang had changed from a shy, tearful little girl into a cheerful and curious child.
But that change didn't happen overnight. Along the way, there were many moments that strengthened their relationship. One of them was when Shen Xiang left her to go hunting.
That day, Shen Xiang was gone longer than usual because he had to travel further to find food. When he returned, he was greeted by the loud sound of crying from inside the house.
"Ning Chang!" Shen Xiang rushed inside, worried. He found Xia Ning Chang sitting on the floor, crying while hugging a small doll that she had made for him.
"I thought you wouldn't come back," she cried, hugging Shen Xiang tightly.
Since that day, Xia Ning Chang became even more clingy toward Shen Xiang. She wouldn't let him go far without making sure she knew where he was headed. She often insisted on going along, even just to collect firewood around the house.
Shen Xiang didn't just spend his time looking after Xia Ning Chang. He also continued to train. Every morning, after making sure Xia Ning Chang had eaten and was safe at home, he would go out to train. Push-ups, sit-ups, running in the forest, and even trying to climb the small cliffs around the hill became part of his daily routine.
Sometimes, Xia Ning Chang would follow Shen Xiang to his training spot. At first, she just watched from a distance, fascinated by Shen Xiang's persistence. But over time, she began to mimic some of the simple movements.
"Brother Shen, I want to be strong like you," she said one day.
Shen Xiang was surprised by that request, but he didn't refuse. He started teaching Xia Ning Chang basic movements like stretching and walking on tree branches to improve her balance.
Even though she was still young, Xia Ning Chang showed extraordinary enthusiasm. Even when she fell or became tired, she always got back up with a smile.
In addition to training and hunting, Shen Xiang and Xia Ning Chang often spent time exploring the forest. They found many interesting things, from rare flowers to a small cave hidden behind a waterfall.
"Brother Shen, look at this!" Xia Ning Chang would often exclaim excitedly whenever she found something interesting.
Shen Xiang would always smile, seeing her enthusiasm. This little girl had brought joy into his life, which had once been so lonely.
The days passed quickly, and Shen Xiang knew that one day, he and Xia Ning Chang would have to leave the forest and face the outside world. But for now, he decided to cherish every moment he had with Xia Ning Chang.
"Brother Shen, hug me," Xia Ning Chang said, as usual, curling up in his arms.
Shen Xiang just smiled. "Of course, Ning Chang. I'll always be here for you."
In his heart, Shen Xiang knew that their relationship was more than just that of a brother and sister. Xia Ning Chang had become the light in his life, and he was determined to protect her, no matter what happened.
And so, the story of Shen Xiang and Xia Ning Chang continued, filled with love, challenges, and hopes for a brighter future.