Chapter 307 Nanny Woes (1/2)

The sky was still dark when they returned to the campsite. The bonfires at the few tomb raider bases had been extinguished. That Tibetan Mastiff was curled up stiffly before a tent, completely stationary. Howling Celestial Dog had broken its ribcage and injured its lungs with that kick. If it had been operated on in time, it might have survived. But Zeng Xunlong clearly seemed like he had no intention to send it to the veterinarian.

The campsite was quiet. Climbers and management staff were hiding in their own tents, waiting for dawn. Nobody would be strolling around outside in such an extreme and precarious environment.

Ning Tao and Qing Zhui entered their tent while Howling Celestial Dog stayed outside guarding.

Just when Ning Tao had put down his small medicine chest, Hu Xiaoji started whimpering for attention, reaching out her pair of chubby arms, asking Ning Tao for a hug.

Ning Tao reached out to Hu Xiaoji, carrying her in his arms. He brushed her nose lightly with his fingers and smiled, saying, “Hu Xiaoji is your name. Remember it.”

“Hehehe…” Hu Xiaoji giggled and reached out to grab Ning Tao’s nose.

Ning Tao let her grab his nose and then kissed her tiny hand. “Hu Xiaoji, tell me what the content is of the Ancestor-seeking Elixir prescription, okay?”

“Heehee…” Hu Xiaoji continued giggling. A small finger found its way into Ning Tao’s nostril.

Ning Tao smiled wryly. “It’s still too soon to ask you such a question. How about you call me uncle. I’m your Uncle Ning.”

“Mama,” Hu Xiaoji blurted out with its tiny mouth.

Ning Tao was stunned instantly. He was only teasing the child for fun, and did not expect Hu Xiaoji to be able to speak at this young age, and with such clarity. But what had surprised him was not her speaking at such a young age. After all, Howling Celestial Dog was already memorizing the English alphabet. He was surprised that Hu Xiaoji did not call him uncle but rather, had called him mother. Even if she had wanted to establish a kinship, she should have called him father. Why mother?

Qing Zhui came closer, smiling as she said, “Aiyah, how obedient! Try calling me Mama.”

Hu Xiaoji looked away and made a sound with her small mouth. “Hmpf!”

Qing Zhui hit Hu Xiaoji’s butt. “You little thing, are you trying to anger me?”

Hu Xiaoji burrowed her little head in Ning Tao’s arms, evading Qing Zhui.

Ning Tao recalled something in an instant and said in shock, “Could she have taken me as… something like the Silvermoon Cherry?”

Qing Zhui said after pondering for a while, “Indeed, there could be that possibility. You’ve interfered with her reincarnation. It’s very normal for her to see you as her mother.”

Perplexed, Ning Tao said, “I’m a man, how could I be a mother?”

Qing Zhui smiled with pursed lips, “Men can be mothers too. In some same-sex families, there is a differentiation between who is father and who is mother.”

Ning Tao slapped right on Qing Zhui’s curvaceous bum.

With that loud smack, Qing Zhui did not shout out in pain, but rather, was staring intently at Ning Tao, like she was going to devour him.

There were many types of people in the world, and so be it.

Ning Tao realized something suddenly, then changed the topic of conversation. “Let’s rest for a while and we’ll go take a look at the Everest’s South Col. We’ll leave here once we’re done. I’m guessing that it’s also about time for the clinic to move.”

The two rested on a small mattress with not much space. Hu Xiaoji was stuck in the middle of them. A few minutes later, she climbed on Ning Tao, one hand pulling Ning Tao’s shirt and relentlessly moving her tiny mouth toward Ning Tao’s chest.

Ning Tao patted his head. “Oh dear, I’ve forgotten to buy her milk powder in Guan City. Qing Zhui, carry her for a while. I’m going to go buy her milk powder now.”

Qing Zhui said, “The sky is still dark. Where are you going to buy her milk powder? Once dawn breaks, I’ll go ask for some horse milk from the management for her to drink.”

“Hungry, hungry… I want… milk…” Hu Xiaoji murmured.

“What should we do now?” Ning Tao was slightly anxious. He had never cared for a child and was completely lost.

Qing Zhui reached out to carry Hu Xiaoji, and with one swift action, clothing was lifted…

Hu Xiaoji fell silent.

But Ning Tao was not feeling good.

Qing Zhui’s gaze grew enticing. “You’re staring so intently. Are you hungry too? There’s still space for you, do you want it?”

Even though Ning Tao did want it, the line of scripture line “I rest within the womb, listening to the sound of the Way” suddenly resounded in his head when he was about to get closer.

“Dong!”

The holy bell rang and no desire was left.

What was this situation?

The sky finally grew bright. Ning Tao let Qing Zhui hold Hu Xiaoji. He left the tent to ask for some horse milk from the management.

That management staff member was frowning as he looked at the carcass of that Tibetan Mastiff in front of the tent.

Ning Tao walked toward him, saying politely, “Hi friend, do you have any horse milk? Goat milk is fine too.”

The campsite manager said, “Yes, it’s in my tent, but you’ll need to pay for it.”

Ning Tao said, “No problem.”