Chapter 135

This morning.

Ning Jinli led a black tall horse to the factory's small warehouse.

Initially, Xiao Qidi rode this horse to the suburbs and rescued her when she was kidnapped.

Later, seeing that the horse was fated with Xiao Qidi, she bought it from its original owner.

At that time, since she couldn't transmit large living beings, she kept the horse at the factory, waiting until the spacetime portal upgraded to allow transmission, then she would send it to Xiao Qidi.

After yesterday's events, she now not only can move the spacetime portal and open a new time-space gate, but also can bring several living people through together, so sending a horse over is no problem.

Ning Jinli probed the spacetime portal with her thoughts, confirmed the other side was at the Shenxian Temple in Lin Xian Cheng, then led the horse into the fluorescent vortex.

As expected, the horse also passed smoothly.

Next she found Xiao Qidi and handed him the reins.

The black tall horse bounced in place several times, then kept lowering its head to rub against Xiao Qidi's chest.

One could tell it was also very happy.

Xiao Qidi was so pleased he couldn't stop grinning, he swung onto the horse, then reached out to Ning Jinli, saying, "Come on, I'll take you for a ride."

All right!

Ning Jinli was also pulled up onto the horse's back, sitting in front of him.

"Giddyap!" Xiao Qidi flicked the reins, and the black tall horse flung open its hooves and galloped forward.

Half an hour later, the horse stopped on a hilltop.

From here one could overlook most of Lin Xian Cheng.

The sky was a pure blue, with occasional clouds drifting by; a gentle breeze swept over expanses of greenery and farmland, making it pleasing to the eye.

Xiao Qidi faced the wind, spread his long arms, took a deep breath of plant-scented air, "In just a few short months, this place has been completely transformed; I never dreamed that one day this barren, dry land would be so full of life. The people here could live in abundance and comfort."

Ning Jinli gazed into the distance, a great sense of fulfillment welling up inside her.

She still remembered what the scene looked like when she first arrived.

The earth was cracked, yellow sand filled the sky, no trace of green or vitality; the people were sallow and thin, lacking water and food, struggling on the brink of death.

"It will get even better," Ning Jinli said, her large eyes flashing with light, "I believe that by then, not only Lin Xian Cheng but people everywhere will be able to live good lives."

"Ning Jinli, thank you," Xiao Qidi said softly.

Ning Jinli laughed and said, "What's there to be formal about between us? Besides, you also played a big role; if you hadn't rushed here at all costs to help the people, this place would have long been ravaged by bandits and enemy troops."

Xiao Qidi took her hand, gazed toward the northwest, and his expression grew somewhat solemn.

"I've received much intelligence about Yu Guo; the Yu Guo King, to wage war against Daxuan, has spared no expense in conscripting soldiers from his people..."

"Now it's almost autumn harvest, and Yu Guo's eastern region also faces drought, and a locust plague is very likely."

"Under these circumstances, those people..."

Having said that, Xiao Qidi's expression became even more complex; he paused, then asked seriously, "Ning Jinli, do you think I've done something wrong?"

Ning Jinli replied in surprise, "What have you done wrong?"

Xiao Qidi lowered his eyes and spoke softly, "If I hadn't slain the Yu Guo Crown Prince and his envoys, thus angering the Yu Guo King, he wouldn't have exhausted the people and drained the treasury; ultimately, it's still those ordinary folk who suffer."

"So you'd better quickly take over Yu Guo," Ning Jinli said. "You needn't blame yourself; as long as you treat those people well when the time comes, and with the equipment and supplies I provide, you can not only minimize casualties among the Yu Guo people forced onto the battlefield, but also help them—perhaps you won't even need to fight, and you'll win their hearts all the way."

Xiao Qidi nodded, "That's what I think. Of the 100,000 Daxuan troops here, only a small portion is selected for elite combat training; the rest mainly handle logistics, delivering supplies to each place to persuade surrender. I hope the Yu Guo people and soldiers can feel my sincerity."

"That's only natural!" Ning Jinli beamed. "Who under heaven wouldn't want to live without hunger and cold? If you let them live in stability with food, clothing, and shelter, no longer worrying about surviving today but not tomorrow, they'll surely understand your sincerity."

"Ning Jinli..." Xiao Qidi felt a warm surge in his heart, opened his arms and pulled Ning Jinli into an embrace, "They're right—you truly are an Immortal, a genuine Immortal who can save the masses and bless the world. Thank the heavens for bringing you into my world, to my side."

"Oh... you're so cheesy," Ning Jinli teased, though her face was full of happiness, and she tightly hugged Xiao Qidi back.

After embracing for a moment, Ning Jinli recounted everything that had happened yesterday when she went to the ruins of the Kuchiberg nuclear power plant.

And she told Xiao Qidi that today she would bring her father and mother back.

After hearing this, Xiao Qidi suddenly fell silent.

Ning Jinli blinked her large eyes, stared at his face, and asked, "What's up? Aren't you happy?"

Xiao Qidi whispered, "Uncle and Aunt have been away from their hometown for over ten years; finally they can go home, and in your original world the family can reunite—this is good, I'm certainly happy too, but... you'll all be back there, so will you not come here anymore?"

Ning Jinli laughed, "So you were worried that after I take my parents back and the family reunites, I'd leave you behind? You're afraid I won't want you?"

"Cough..." Xiao Qidi's ears flushed red, "I'm afraid you'll abandon these people here and not care for them."

"You're still stubborn," Ning Jinli said, wrapping her arms around his neck and smiling, "Rest assured, whether it's these people or some little brother who fears being abandoned by me, I won't let go and walk away!"

Xiao Qidi firmly wrapped his arms around Ning Jinli's waist, lowered his head, and said in a low voice, "Even if one day you truly want to leave me, I'll go find you there."

Ning Jinli pressed her lips and laughed straight out, "Heh heh heh, sticky candy, you've got me wrapped up."

Xiao Qidi moved even closer, "Anyway, I've decided on you for this life."

"Actually, I feel the same," Ning Jinli said, lifting her chin and pressing her lips to Xiao Qidi's.

After a long, passionate kiss, Ning Jinli blushed, released her lips, panted, and said, "Can't kiss anymore; you've bitten my lips sore."

"Then I'll be gentler," Xiao Qidi said, still wanting more, and leaned in again.

Ning Jinli cupped his face, gave a quick peck, "All right, I still need to go find my parents; I can't keep being all lovey-dovey with you."

"All right..." Xiao Qidi said, "I'll give you a ride; they should be at the Oil Mine right now. These days, Uncle and Aunt have indeed worked hard—not only teaching the people various skills, but also overseeing all construction. Take them back to rest for a while."

Okay, let's go!

Ning Jinli swiftly mounted the horse.

Xiao Qidi leapt up, spurred the horse, and galloped toward the distance.

—

As noon approached, Ning Shan and Ye Zhiqiu, under Ning Jinli's guidance, walked out of the fluorescent vortex.

Upon seeing the familiar modern warehouse, the two stood there dazed for a while.

"This... this is really our family's factory?" Ning Shan asked in disbelief.

Ye Zhiqiu strode forward, reaching out to touch the rolling shutter door, while walking and touching the wall, then to the shelves in the small storeroom, even the light switch and socket, "Honey, we... we really came back."

Ning Shan pinched his arm hard, pain twisting his face, "Hiss, indeed not a dream."

Honey...

Husband!

The couple's eyes filled with hot tears, they embraced.

Ten years.

They accidentally crossed into the ancient world of a parallel universe, and ten years have passed!

Now they have finally returned to their own world—how could they not be excited?

"Are you two going to keep hugging here, or come with me to lunch?" Ning Jinli asked, standing beside them with a grin.

The couple swept her into their embrace at once, planting fierce kisses on both her cheeks.

"Come on, come on, let's eat!" Ning Shan waved his hand, "I've been dying for the food of this world!"

Ning Jinli hurriedly said, "You can't just go like that—you just came out of the Oil Mine, covered head to toe in grime. Wash up first; I've got clothes and shoes ready for you both. Besides, you're having lunch with Su Yi later—you wanted to see her, right? Have you prepared a gift?"

The couple stared, never expecting to return so suddenly, with no time to prepare a gift.

Ning Jinli chuckled, "Just teasing you—let's meet first and talk later. Remember, Su Yi still doesn't know about your time travel, and the Spacetime Portal is now a top‑state secret; don't let it slip, or you'll cause her trouble."

In unison, the couple said, "Yes, yes, Miss Ning, we've got it."

Afterwards, Ning Jinli took her parents to a hotel to wash up and change clothes, booked lunch at a high‑end restaurant, and called Su Yi to have her driver pick her up when the time came.

Upon hearing that Ning Jinli's birth parents had returned, Su Qinglan was overjoyed, quickly tidying herself up, hoping to make a good first impression in front of them.

Although she had raised Ning Jinli for ten years, she never considered it a merit; instead, she feared that as a lowly woman unfamiliar with etiquette, she might offend those from a wealthy family.

At the same time, she secretly felt some worry and loss.

After all, Xiao Li's parents are back—so in the future… when the family of three reunites, she'll become an outsider……

But no matter what, Su Qinglan's heart was happy for Ning Jinli.

After putting on the fine outfit Ning Jinli had bought for her but she had been reluctant to wear, she went out and got into the car the driver had prepared.

She felt both happy and nervous, utterly unaware that, from the moment she stepped out of the villa gate, a man in the distance had fixed his gaze on her.

Until she got in the car, the man watched her all the way, seeing the vehicle drive toward the villa district exit, then withdrew his gaze, looked at the villa she had just left, and muttered sourly:

Tsk… just how rich is Ning Jinli now? She even got me a mother such a nice villa—if it weren't for this accidental encounter, I'd hardly believe it! Damn!

Su Qiang! What are you doing over there!" someone shouted not far off, "The young masters and bosses are about to arrive—if it weren't for your good performance last time, I wouldn't have brought you to their party! Don't waste time!"

Hey! I'm on my way!" Su Qiang replied.

Damn it…" Su Qiang took three steps back, muttering as he walked, "I thought my luck was good, getting to know a few gangster bosses and striking it rich, but Ning Jinli turned out so wealthy—if I'd known, I should have clung to my mother and fought tooth and nail."

As he said that, a hint of malice flickered in his eyes.

Because he recalled that night a few months ago when Su Qinglan was hospitalized, he had gone to the ward intending to extort money from Ning Jinli.

He didn't get any money, to say nothing of that.

Moreover, he was beaten badly by the people Ning Jinli summoned.

Oh right, Ning Jinli even laid hands on him herself!

That beating left him with three broken ribs; it took a long recuperation to heal, and that's not even counting the fact that, unable to work due to injury, his boss found an excuse to fire him!

The family lost its source of income, and his wife was demanding a divorce.

That period could be called the darkest moment of his life.

He drowned his sorrows in drink day after day; once, after getting drunk and getting into a scuffle, he nearly got beaten again—fortunately, the other party turned out to be a friend he hadn't contacted in years.

And that friend, who had once been so poor he was pissing blood, had received his help for several months; now the friend had transformed, wearing designer clothes and sporting a big gold chain.

Soon he learned that this friend was mixing with a few underworld figures, often engaging in borderline‑legal activities, yet even in a low‑income year the friend still made a hundred‑plus thousand.

Furthermore, the friend said those underworld bosses all have backing, so even if they get in trouble they can be bailed out.

Thus, Su Qiang also joined in, driven by his lust for money, and not long ago earned the boss's favor, seeming poised for great success.

A few days ago he was still pondering, planning to regain the face he lost when he got beaten outside the hospital a few months earlier.

Whether it was Ning Jinli or Wu Sanye, who had helped her back then, Su Qiang intended to let none of them off the hook.

Now seeing that Ning Jinli could give Su Qinglan such a fine villa, his resentment flared like oil on fire.

Su Qiang, thinking of the past, walked to the vicinity of another large villa, where he waited with a few others at the gate; shortly after, several luxury cars arrived one after another.

Su Qiang put on a fawning smile, bowing and scraping as he went to meet them.

The first car to open held a young man in his early twenties, dressed sharply; the occupants of the other cars, though also bosses, were obviously very courteous toward him.

"Good day, Young Master—welcome, Young Master Yang!" Su Qiang shouted loudly.

"Damn your mother's…!" the man he called Young Master Yang spat, glaring, then suddenly kicked Su Qiang.

Su Qiang was dazed—he'd done nothing, yet somehow he'd provoked the man.

The few bosses who came with Young Master Yang said nothing, seemingly not wanting to invite bad luck at this moment.

After those individuals entered the villa where the party was being held, Su Qiang's friend pulled him up from the ground and whispered, "Yesterday Young Master Yang had taken a liking to an antique, but that Wu Sanye snatched it away; Young Master Yang is in a foul mood, so don't take it to heart."