The Snail Princess and Her Benefactor

Huachao stood on the bank of the Shelong River. The clear water flowed slowly, willows shaded the river bank, and butterflies chased the fragrance of flowers among the flowers.

In order to avoid causing panic and suspicion among the villagers, the god of the Shelong River deliberately avoided the crowd on the shore where the child was rescued, and found an empty bank downstream for Hua Chao to go ashore.

He also told Hua Chao that as long as he walked upstream along the river bank, he would see Lingmi and the villagers not far away.

Everyone in the village was looking for Hua Chao in the river over there, and almost all the dozen households in the village were there.

Ling Mi and Xiao Maomao were both going crazy. Ling Mi had fainted from crying several times, and Xiao Maomao even jumped into the river to look for Hua Chao, but was saved by a kind villager.

He even took Maomao back to the village and found a bamboo basket to hold it, otherwise it would jump into the river when no one was paying attention.

After Hua Chao heard what the old turtle river god said, he became extremely anxious. Something had happened to him, and the two little ones at home were at a loss.

Now I have to go back to see them quickly and let them know that I am fine and not injured, and they don’t have to worry about her anymore.

After bidding farewell hastily to the god of the Shelong River, Hua Chao quickened his pace and ran upwards in a hurry. From afar, he saw a large group of people watching by the bank of the Shelong River, with their voices making a noisy mess.

But no matter how hard Hua Chao looked, he couldn't find Ling Mi's pretty figure. Could it be that she had fainted again?

Hua Chao's heart tightened and sweat broke out on his forehead.

She ran into the crowd at a quick pace and looked around for Lingmi.

Suddenly, Lingmi was surrounded by several village women, with her eyes closed and tears streaming down her face, leaning in the arms of a thin young woman.

"Ling Mi...what's wrong with you!"

Hua Chao took a quick step forward, pushed away the people surrounding Ling Mi, and pounced on her.

Ling Mi, who was leaning against the woman, heard Hua Chao's call and immediately opened his eyes to look for the source of the voice.

When she saw clearly that the person in front of her was Hua Chao, Xiao Lingmi burst into tears and hugged Hua Chao tightly.

"Sister... is it really you! Ah... Sister... it's you... are you okay!... Woohoo... but Lingmi is so scared!"

Hua Chao held Reimi in his arms, patting her back gently to comfort her.

"I'm fine. Look, I'm fine! Have you forgotten that I'm a good swimmer?...Okay...Okay...I'm not afraid anymore!"

"Miss Lingmi, is this your sister?"

Hua Chao and Ling Mi were just hugging each other and crying. A woman watching nearby asked.

Ling Mi burst into tears and said, "Auntie, my sister is back. Please tell everyone to stop looking for her. My sister is back safely."

The women who were watching all around called out in unison: "Hey... everyone, take a break. The girl who went down to the river to save people has returned."

A lot of villagers gathered around at once, and everyone greeted Hua Chao in a flurry.

"Oh!...Little girl, are you okay? You are not hurt!"

"Miss...are you okay?"

"Girl! Are you feeling unwell?..."

…………

Hua Chao was a little embarrassed by everyone's enthusiasm, and now she appeared in front of everyone unharmed, which was really incomprehensible to these strangers.

What should I do? It seems I have to find an excuse to get away with it.

"Hua Chao would like to thank all the neighbors for their care. I am fine now and have no injuries. My sister was just in a hurry and forgot that we grew up by the water. I am a good swimmer, so this small river is no problem for me."

Hua Chao paused, sorted out his thoughts, and continued.

"I just rescued a child from the water, and my feet were tangled by seaweed. I had no choice but to dive underwater and untie the seaweed from my feet, and then I swam to shore. When I got to shore, I realized I was far away from here, so I had to hang my clothes out to dry before I turned back to look for my sister."

Hua Chao breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

"Hey... it's really not easy to make up a lie!"

"Oh! I see. It seems that you are really good at swimming."

"Hahahaha...that's good, that's good..."

…………

Hua Chao and Ling Mi could not resist the enthusiasm of the villagers and had to follow them back to the village.

When the little boy's parents learned that their son was rescued, they were extremely grateful and wanted to invite Hua Chao and the other boy to their home, insisting on keeping Hua Chao for a simple meal.

Hua Chao is now only concerned about Xiao Maomao and wonders how it is doing now.

The family of the rescued child knew that the giant panda cub was their benefactor, so they took it home.

Afraid that the little guy would jump into the river again when no one was paying attention, they put it in a large bamboo basket.

Hua Chao knew that Maomao was at the boy's house, so she rushed to his house. Before she even entered the yard, she heard Maomao's shrill cries from afar.

"Oh oh oh……"

When Hua Chao heard Maomao's cry, she felt extremely painful in her heart. Maomao seemed to have been shouting for a long time, her voice was hoarse, and her sobbing voice was even trembling slightly.

Hua Chao pulled Ling Mi a few steps into the courtyard and followed Maomao's voice to find the direction.

In a corner of the yard, there was a big bamboo basket shaking constantly. Maomao's voice came from inside.

Hua Chao rushed over and opened the bamboo basket. Little Maomao was curled up into a small glutinous rice ball, wrapping his body tightly and shivering.

The little round ears kept trembling with the shaking of the body, and the whole little body looked so helpless.

Even though the bamboo basket holding it had been opened, the little guy still buried his big head deep in his chest and did not look up.

“Maomao…”

Hua Chao called out in a low voice with a trembling voice.

Little Maomao's chubby little body trembled vigorously, and he raised his eyes to meet Hua Chao's. His little obsidian eyes were actually filled with tears.

Those lovely eyes, widened into round grapes, looked at Hua Chao in disbelief. The tear marks on both sides of her nose were still dripping down.

“Maomao…”

Hua Chao picked up Maomao lovingly and held the fluffy glutinous rice ball in his arms, pressing it tightly against his chest.

"okokokok……"

Little Maomao's trembling body gradually calmed down in Hua Chao's arms, and his big head kept rubbing against Hua Chao's face.

Suddenly, a little fluffy head popped out from Maomao's chest.

"Hissssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss..."

Xiaowo jumped onto Hua Chao's shoulder in a few seconds, gently wrapped his pair of little paws around Hua Chao's ears, and kept calling in a low voice.

Ling Mi hugged Hua Chao from behind and burst into tears.

"Sister, please don't do this again! You scared us to death this time. Woo woo..."

"Oh... Miss Hua Chao, you guys take a rest first and don't cry! Look, everything is fine now! As long as people are okay..." a fat old lady advised.

"That's right! The two girls are so kindhearted that even God will have pity on them. Look, isn't this blessing for Miss Hua Chao to return safely?"

…………

With the comfort of the villagers, Hua Chao's mood gradually improved. The two of them sat on the bamboo chairs in the yard to rest, and a group of villagers surrounded them and asked them questions.