My Little Pink Crocodile - Chapter 5

Chapter 5: How About We Go to the Police Station?

The young girl sat on the bench, holding a cup of warm water with both hands. She took tiny sips with her head lowered, but her beautiful silver-grey eyes remained fixed on the tall, slender woman before her. A look of inexplicable joy danced in her gaze as her feet swung cheerfully back and forth. Meanwhile, the Golden Retriever lay terrified on the floor, refusing to even lift its head.

Three meters away stood the woman. Dressed in a white turtleneck, light-colored trousers, and an apricot trench coat, her simple attire only served to highlight her height and ethereal temperament. Coupled with a face that was stunningly beautiful even without makeup, she was an undeniable focal point.

Using her peripheral vision, the woman surreptitiously observed the girl on the bench. The girl, who had been watching her all along, caught her look immediately. A smile curled onto her lips, and she gave a small wave.

Qi Yan instantly retracted her gaze, her brow furrowing slightly. For some reason, she felt an odd sense of familiarity, as if she had seen this person somewhere before.

But she quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought. The girl’s appearance was extraordinary—exquisite like a fragile porcelain doll. Furthermore, with that long pink hair and unique outfit, she would stand out anywhere. If Qi Yan had seen her, why was there no trace of her in her memory?

As she pondered this, a shadow of seriousness crossed her deep eyes.

The receptionist nearby couldn’t help but steal several glances at Jiang Yu. The girl smiled back sweetly, her face lighting up so brightly that the sunlight seemed to pale in comparison. The receptionist’s heart instantly melted. She turned to her boss and whispered:

“Boss, is she your friend? She’s so cute and pretty.” Like a doll. I want to pinch her face to see if she’s real. She realized the second part was rude and kept it to herself, but her eyes were already filled with maternal affection.

Qi Yan was momentarily stunned by the question. She glanced back at the girl and shook her head. “I’ve never seen her. She’s probably a runaway from some family.”

The receptionist’s disappointment was visible, though it didn’t stop her from admiring Jiang Yu’s face. “She said she was looking for you earlier. You should go talk to her,” the receptionist urged.

Qi Yan couldn’t let Jiang Yu stay here forever. She walked over and sat down beside her.

Seeing her approach, joy flashed in Jiang Yu’s eyes, and she looked up expectantly. For the first time, Qi Yan found herself being looked at this way by a “child.” In those eyes—perhaps it was an illusion—she seemed to see a trace of deep reliance.

She composed herself, her smile turning gentle as she asked, “Little sister, are you lost?”

To her surprise, Jiang Yu shook her head. She set down her water cup and began counting seriously on her fingers. Her answer was entirely nonsensical:

“I’m not little. I’m… I’m…” She paused, counting intently, then her eyes lit up. “I’m two hundred and thirty-seven years old!”

Qi Yan: “…”

On the other side, the receptionist was covering her mouth, trying desperately to stifle her laughter. She saw a crack appear in her boss’s gentle mask, and behind it was a look of pure speechlessness.

Qi Yan frowned, thinking it was a pity that such a beautiful girl seemed to be “special.” This thought only made her tone more tender. “Do you remember where your home is?”

At this question, Jiang Yu lowered her eyes, her petal-pink lips pouting. “I remember. It’s in the mountains. I don’t want to go back.”

She looked so aggrieved that it seemed she might burst into tears at any second. Qi Yan went silent for a moment, deciding to comfort her first. “Alright, we won’t go back. Do you have anyone you know here?”

Jiang Yu immediately looked up, smiling at her. “You. I know you.”

Qi Yan shook her head and said patiently, “I mean a relative.”

Jiang Yu gripped her skirt. “You are my relative.”

In Jiang Yu’s mind, they had formed a soul-bond. In her tribe, that meant the other person was already her mate. Seeing Qi Yan fall into a long silence again, she grew anxious. Her eyes filled with hurt and accusation.

“Did you forget me?” It had only been a few days, and it was Qi Yan who had left her back in the mountains. The thought made her feel miserable; her eyes reddened, making her look like a doll about to break.

Before Qi Yan could say a word, the receptionist rushed over to comfort her. “It’s okay, it’s okay, little sister! Our boss has a bad memory; she probably just can’t remember right now.”

Jiang Yu pulled back her tears and looked at Qi Yan searchingly. “Is what she said true?”

Under the weight of one expectant gaze and one accusing gaze, Qi Yan could only nod.

As soon as she got the answer, Jiang Yu grabbed her arm. “I knew it! How could you ever forget me?” In her tribe, everyone she met claimed her beauty was unforgettable.

Suddenly having her arm hugged by something soft and fragrant, Qi Yan froze. Her instinct was to pull away, but seeing the smile returning to the girl’s eyes, she found she didn’t want to see that look of disappointment again.

Once Jiang Yu was calmed down, the receptionist asked Qi Yan, “So, what do we do now?”

Qi Yan rubbed her temples. Through their brief interaction, she was convinced the girl was mentally unstable, yet strangely lucid—a “rational” patient. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll make some calls later,” Qi Yan said. “How many appointments are left for today?”

“Two this afternoon,” the receptionist replied.

Qi Yan acknowledged this and went to prepare.

Jiang Yu sat there in high spirits. Although her eyes were still slightly red, it only made others feel more protective of her. She watched Qi Yan enter a small room. Beside her, the Golden Retriever whimpered, appearing terrified of the place.

She knelt and stroked the dog’s fur. “Don’t be scared. The pretty sister’s place is so nice.”

But the dog didn’t listen. Instead, it shook harder and wagged its head frantically, wanting to leave. Jiang Yu ignored its silent pleas. “We have to stay with the pretty sister. She’s so busy.” She felt a pang of heartache that she couldn’t help more.

The receptionist, having nothing to do, walked over. Seeing the cowardly dog, she said, “This is yours, right? He’s quite a scaredy-cat.”

Jiang Yu nodded in agreement. “He is, but he runs very fast when he’s scared.”

The receptionist had been hesitating for a while, and seeing Jiang Yu distracted, she reached out and pinched the girl’s cheek. It was just as she imagined—delicate and soft.

But then, Jiang Yu looked at her in horror and backed away half a meter. “You can’t touch me! Only my mate can touch me!”

Having successfully pinched her, the receptionist laughed at the girl’s “outraged” expression. “Little sister, even if you live in the mountains, the Qing Dynasty ended a long time ago.”

Jiang Yu hoisted the massive, cowardly dog into her arms to use as a shield/pillow, making her look even smaller and more endearing. “I saw it end,” she pouted, unhappy with the woman’s rudeness. In her tribe, no crocodile would dare be so disrespectful; they only looked up to her with reverence.

“You saw it on TV, right?” the receptionist joked.

Jiang Yu shook her head. “No.”

At that moment, Qi Yan finished her work and came out. Jiang Yu immediately ditched the dog and flew into Qi Yan’s arms, complaining aggrievedly, “She pinched my face!” I’m not “clean” anymore.

The little “crocodile” buried her face in Qi Yan’s chest and sniffed. Qi Yan’s body stiffened, but she didn’t push her away.

The receptionist walked over, looking between the two. “This kid is interesting.”

Qi Yan gently patted the girl’s back. “She meant no harm.”

Jiang Yu, being obedient to Qi Yan, peeked at the receptionist and whispered, “Then I forgive you.”

The receptionist laughed so hard she could barely stand. “Boss, where on earth did you find her?”

Qi Yan wished she knew. “Go home early today. You can get off work now.”

No one refuses an early day off, so the receptionist happily packed her things and left. Qi Yan led Jiang Yu outside to her car and opened the passenger door. “Get in.”

Jiang Yu found the car fascinating, looking around curiously but refusing to buckle her seatbelt. Qi Yan stuffed the Golden Retriever into the backseat and sat in the driver’s seat. Seeing Jiang Yu’s curious face, she sighed and leaned over to buckle the belt for her.

Being so close to her, Jiang Yu’s heart raced. She found the scent of white orchids on the woman intoxicating.

After starting the car, Qi Yan asked, “What is your name?” She was genuinely worried the girl wouldn’t even have one.

“Jiang Yu. My name is Jiang Yu.”

“Alright, Jiang Yu. How about I take you to the police station?” Qi Yan said, her smile remaining gentle.

Jiang Yu didn’t know what a police station was, but she interpreted it her own way. “Is that going home with you?”

Qi Yan’s eyes were as gentle as spring water. She didn’t answer directly, choosing her words carefully. “Yes. Going home.”

“Going home!” Jiang Yu cheered.

Qi Yan surmised the dog was a stray the girl had picked up, so she dropped it off at her other pet shop first. Then, she brought Jiang Yu to the police station. By the time Qi Yan finished giving her statement and came out, Jiang Yu was already fast asleep on a bench in the station, looking peaceful and sweet.

Qi Yan watched her for a long time, but finally, she got into her car and drove away.