I don't get a say in this, do I?

Part 4

Minju/Ningjing pov

Today, we'll be arriving at the town Bǎo mentioned. On the way, I decided to go hunting and gathering, so that I could sell some meat and plants or fruits to the locals. As I was on it, I also reached level nine.

"Well that's fortunate." A small smile appeared on my face.
[That's an understatement, host! As of right now, you're able to rival soldiers! Do you understand how uncommon it is for a 16 y/o?] little Bǎo chimed in, making me snort.

"What?! Isn't a beginner cultivator level 15? What even is supposed to be in the middle?"
[There are commanders and generals. Commanders are on level eleven and the generals are on 13. You'll need to fight/spar against actual people or demons to get to their level. The stronger your enemy, the more exp points you get.] Bǎo explained to me, clearing most of the question marks in my head.
.
.
.
It was during the afternoon that I arrived at the town. Immediately, I put on an exhausted and a worn out expression. 'If I want my story to be believable, I need to play the part of a scared boy who just lost his everything.' I even slightly hunched my back and swayed side to side. My clothes and face was already dirty from my month in the forest. Then I slightly raised my head, catching a glimpse of the people around me.

They all had commoners clothes on, but unlike me, they mostly looked well kept. Some looked at me warily, some in slight discomfort. But most looked at me in pity. Jūn was safely on my side and was guarding me. I tiredly smiled at him.
"Bǎo, knock me out." I said under my breath, making sure no one else heard me. In turn, I felt my legs giving out under me and black dots appeared in my vision. The last thing I heard was the worried voices of the villagers.
.
.
.
I woke up with bandages on my bruises, without a shirt. 'Wtf? Why am I half naked?!' I quickly sat up to inspect my surroundings. I was in a simple and bright room with only a kang bed (where I was laying) and a drawer by the bed. I also found Jūn beside the bed. I reached down to him, to put him on my lap like usual, but the door opened before I could and a little girl came in. She was small and didn't look above seven. Once she saw me, she quickly ran out of the room, calling out to her mother.

Two pairs of quick footsteps were heard, and soon a pretty woman rushed over to my side with the little girl behind her. "Oh lord, you're finally awake! Let me check your condition!"

I was now confused, "Um, excuse me, who are you? Where am I?", I asked her, my voice coming out softer than I intended it to be. 'The month without talking to an actual human being is coming to bite me in the arse.'

Noticing my confusion, she quickly finishes taking care of my wounds and stands up 'Wow, she's fast.' She introduces herself : "My name is Xue Yanli and this is my daughter, Xue Xīng. You're in the town that resides under the snowy mountain near the capital. You collapsed immediately after entering the town yesterday." She finished explaining me my situation, making me freeze. 'Yanli? Xue Xīng? Really, what are the chances?' My hand immediately went up to my face. 'Now I know where tf I am.'

Seeing this, little Xīng rushed to my side, worrying about me, "Elder brother, what's wrong? Does it hurt?", she gripped on my trousers, looking up at me with big eyes. 'Srsly, how does this girl even end up as a ghost?'

I smiled reassuringly at her, patting her head. 'Time for the introduction.'

"Is that so? Then firstly, thank you for taking care of me and sorry for the trouble. My name is Zhang Ningjing. I'm 16 years old and the reason why I immediately collapsed is because I've been running through the forest for the last few weeks, without a break. You see, my village was attacked by a group of bandits a few weeks ago -I don't know how many weeks it has been-, and I've been trying hard for them to not catch me. I don't know whether there are any other survivors or not..."

I grimaced, why did it feel like this actually happened? My chest felt stuffy and before I even knew it, Jūn jumped up to my lap, nuzzling his head in my stomach. Then, I felt two small arms wrap around me. "I don't really understand what's going on, but please don't cry, Ningjing-xiōng! A-Niang always says that smiling is the best way to feel good!"

"A-Xīng, give the poor boy some space! His situation isn't one that can be solved with a simple smile..." Shi-zǐ immediately reprimanded A-Xīng, who sulked like a rejected puppy. "Pfft."

"Huh, are you alright, young man? Does it hurt anywhere?" Shi-zǐ asked as I simply wiped away my tears, 'Strange, why did I start crying so suddenly? I had plenty time to mourn the loss of my loved ones in my old world...'

"Sorry, it's just that my a-niang i- was also named Yanli, I found it funny... apologies."
"None needed. You said you've been in the forest for the last few weeks? You must be starving. Let me prepare you some congee." With that, she left me alone with the curious little future ghost general. I tilt my head right, she mirrors me. I tilt my head left and she mirrors me again. I then raise my eyebrows, confused.

She then hastily sits on the bed in front of me. "Can you do my hair, please?", she asks, flustered from embarrassment. 'Adorable' I lay the sleeping Jūn to my side and start brushing her soft hair with my fingers.

"A-Niang once told me that playing with my hair calms her nerves. Are you feeling calm?" A-Xīng asks me, trying her best to not move her head. "Yes, your hair is really soft." I braided her a French braid as painlessly as I could, which must have worked, because she didn't flinch even once. 'All those years at the orphanage, taking care of the younger children has paid off. She looks adorable!'

I grabbed the hand mirror on the drawer and gave it to her. Her eyes shone when she saw her hair, 'But really, how did SHE become a ruthless ghost general?'

Just then, Shi-zǐ came in with a bowl of congee and a spoon. "A-niang! Look how Ningjing-xiōng made my hair! Isn't it pretty?" A-Xīng ran to Shi-zǐ's side.

"You look really pretty, A-Xīng. He really did a good job. Did you thank him yet?" A-Xīng perked up with realization, quickly turned around, ran to me and looked up at me with sparkling eyes, "Thank you, Ningjing-xiōng!"

'My heart!'