At this thought, her palms were sweating, not out of fear nor excitement, but a complex mixture of emotions she couldn't explain herself.
Gu Tingyun had barely stepped out of the courtyard with Helian Qiao when Ma Xiulian dashed out, scooping up her little granddaughter, "Guibao, you went out without eating?"
While speaking, she scrutinized her beloved granddaughter. Confirming that the girl wasn't hurt, she sighed in relief.
"I was looking for Gu Tingyun."
Helian Qiao nestled against Ma Xiulian's thigh and softly said, "Granny, I'm hungry. I didn't eat enough this morning."
Ma Xiulian picked her up, smiling. "Guibao is hungry? Let's go inside and eat. Did the swarm of locusts today scare my little Guibao?"
Helian Qiao shook her head energetically, her babyish voice belting out daring words, "I'm not afraid of these silly bugs!"
Ma Xiulian replied, "That's right, our Guibao is the bravest."