Xu Qian's eyes narrowed slightly. A physical disability, even for the high and mighty head of the Tang Corporation, could lead to insecurity.
"Xu Qian, thank you."
At least, she was there.
Suddenly, a tremor shook the ground above, followed by the sound of rocks being shoveled.
Tang Zhishen's dark eyes flickered, and he said faintly, "Rescue has arrived!"
He sat up straighter, raising one hand. The hand began to elongate upwards, avoiding the debris above. He successfully cleared the stones and continued to rise.
After an unknown amount of time, with a "snap," his hand felt a breeze.
He snapped his fingers. The man digging nearby was startled, his hair standing on end.
Do you know what it feels like when a hand pops out next to you while you're digging someone out?
"Boss, boss, there's a hand here!"
Xie Shi hurried over at the sound. He stared at the familiar hand and immediately clasped it with both of his.
"Mr. Tang, Mr. Tang, I'm here, I'm here! Don't worry, I'll dig you out right away."
The buried Tang Zhishen, of course, couldn't hear him. He struggled free of the hands and groped upwards, touching his head.
Xie Shi squatted down, allowing him to touch.
Tang Zhishen immediately recognized Xie Shi by the feel of his hair. He quickly flicked his hand and retracted it.
The young girl stared curiously at his hand. Could a shapeshifter ability extend a hand so far?
"Xie Shi is here. Don't worry."
The man wanted to rub her little head but stopped himself after touching that thing.
"Mmm... can you become as big as a Transformer?"
The man paused. "I haven't tried. I can try it when we get back."
The girl's eyes lit up. She didn't quite understand shapeshifters.
Could they grow bigger anywhere?
Could they transform into any shape?
Of course, Xu Qian didn't ask directly, but instead, she kept looking him up and down.
Seeing her intense curiosity, the man transformed into several small animals for her, such as rabbits, hamsters, and cats. They were all small in size, the kind of things little girls liked.
Xu Qian sat to the side, watching with great interest. Shapeshifters were indeed interesting.
"Crack!" The rocks above were lifted, and light streamed in through the gap.
Tang Zhishen willed it, and his body returned to its normal form.
He looked up at the gap and, after a moment of thought, said, "Xu Qian, my ability can only make myself grow at the moment. I'll hold you in my palm, and we'll revert when we get back."
He had forcibly shrunk them both and maintained it for so long that his energy reserves were low.
Xu Qian didn't mind and nodded.
Tang Zhishen closed his eyes, and his body slowly grew larger and larger. When the rocks pressed against his head, he carefully cradled the girl in his palm, not daring to use too much force.
Soon, the man emerged from the soil and rocks, his handsome face and black clothes covered in dirt.
The people carefully digging were stunned. Was that... Mr. Tang?
"Mr. Tang! Mr. Tang!! You're finally out. We were so worried."
Xie Shi shouted as he rushed forward. Tang Zhishen coldly stopped him, "We'll gather later. It's too dirty."
"Oh, okay." The man grinned and stood up straight. He glanced down at the man's lap and then quietly ordered, "Bring the wheelchair."
"Yes."
Tang Zhishen's private security team, naturally familiar with their master, immediately brought the prepared wheelchair.
Xie Shi didn't say anything. He grabbed Tang Zhishen's arm and helped him into the wheelchair, showing no aversion to his dirt-covered state.
"Mr. Tang, let's go back."
"Mhm."
The thumb-sized girl emerged from his breast pocket, her small hands gripping the swaying black fabric, her large eyes peering out curiously.
So, this was what a Thumbelina was like.
People were big, roads were long, and everything was magnified.
Suddenly, a soft laugh came from above.
The girl looked up. The man was looking down at her, his eyes full of amusement.