The Sorrowmender

Chapter 12 – How could the people of this world be my enemies?

Xu Qingzhou strolled to the window and pushed it open with a creak.

Skillfully, he took out a Fire Talisman and softly chanted an incantation.

With a "boom," the paper talisman ignited in the cold wind, blossoming into a captivating flame.

He brought it to his lips, taking several deep breaths.

Casually, he tossed away the half-burnt talisman, letting it drift away with the wind.

Whoosh—

Mist exhaled from his mouth and nose, floating away invisibly.

Xu Qingzhou wore a look of intoxication.

The wind that greeted him was slightly chilly.

His hair brushed against his face, gently lifting.

He took another deep breath, feeling truly refreshed!

Then he lifted his gaze, inspired by poetry, and recited aloud, "Leaning on the railing, inhaling the smoke, half enters the breeze, half enters the roar, even the breeze carries the sorrows of the world."

He gazed up at the vast sky, his eyes unfocused.

"Heh—such a familiar feeling."

[Warm reminder: The above short passage is a tribute to smokers. If you don't like it, please don't criticize. There will be no similar scenes in the future. Criticizing me for this would be Mister's fault. [Reminder: Smoking is harmful to health]]

The Worry-Free General Store, a feature provided by the System, allows Xu Qingzhou to purchase anything he desires.

From nuclear bombs and aircraft carriers to a simple lollipop.

From divine artifacts and supreme skills to an ordinary bun.

As long as you have money, your wishes can come true.

He relieves others' worries, driven by fate, while the System relieves his worries, driven by "yuan" (currency).

The cultivation version is manageable. Although Xu Qingzhou doesn't fully understand it, most items aren't exorbitantly priced.

But the modern version is purely a money trap.

A single cigarette costs 1500, an AK-47 costs 50,000, completely unaffordable.

That Browning pistol was a lucky draw from the two chances the System initially gave him.

Once, he got a pistol, and another time, a grenade.

That's all.

Moreover, the pistol only came with 10 bullets. Once they're used up, you can buy more, starting at 1000 per bullet.

It could easily rob you, but it doesn't. It just sells, with a bunch of reasons, mentioning three major planes. Xu Qingzhou dismisses it as nonsense. Anyway, he can't buy it. If he draws it, it's luck; if not, it's fate. But the cultivation version is quite appealing, affordable, and worth considering.

He works so hard, tirelessly relieving the Young Lady's worries, for only three reasons.

First: To hold the Young Lady's hand.

Second: To earn full attendance and gain Attribute Points to become stronger.

Third: For Merit Points, to acquire divine beasts, divine weapons, divine skills—to disdain all beings and become invincible.

"Master, a beautiful sister has come and brought you food."

Xu Qingzhou returned to his senses, carefully extinguishing the half-burnt cigarette, then took out a handkerchief, wrapping it meticulously, layer by layer, before placing it in his chest pocket and turning around.

The previous melancholy was gone, replaced by a smile as refreshing as a spring breeze.

Raising an eyebrow, he said, "Let's go, time to eat."

With that, he passed by Little Wuyou and went downstairs.

Little Wuyou remained standing there, gazing at his back with admiration, whispering to herself.

"Master is truly like an immortal, with smoke coming from his nose, so amazing."

"Wuyou, hurry down."

"Wuyou is coming, Master."

Wang Dong'er brought the food and started chatting with Little Wuyou, and the two hit it off, laughing brightly.

Anyone unaware might think they were together, while Xu Qingzhou was just an outsider.

But soon, she had to leave.

The weather was clear today, and she said the store was busy.

Little Wuyou offered to pick up the food herself in the future, to save Wang Dong'er the trouble.

Wang Dong'er refused, saying it was too cold and she was afraid Little Wuyou would catch a cold.

Little Wuyou insisted she wasn't afraid of the cold.

Wang Dong'er replied that it wasn't safe, saying there might be bad people on the way.

But the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries was only half a mile from her restaurant, and it was on the main street.

Before Little Wuyou could persist, Wang Dong'er hurriedly left.

Wuyou watched her departing figure, touching her little head.

"I beg on this street every day and haven't encountered any bad people."

Though her voice was small, Xu Qingzhou heard it clearly and couldn't help but smile.

"Alright, Little Wuyou, come eat."

Wuyou put down her hand and turned around, standing respectfully, smiling sweetly, "Wuyou isn't hungry. I'll eat after Master finishes."

Xu Qingzhou glanced at her from the corner of his eye, noticing her little throat moving.

It was easy to guess her thoughts.

"The food will get cold."

Unexpectedly, Little Wuyou tilted her head, puzzled, and asked:

"Master, isn't the food supposed to be cold?"

Xu Qingzhou was taken aback, his raised wine cup suspended in mid-air, staring blankly at the little figure before him.

The speaker was unintentional, but the listener took it to heart.

Indeed, for such a young beggar, wasn't she eating what others left behind, what others didn't want?

For her, wasn't food supposed to be cold?

His nose inexplicably tingled, and Xu Qingzhou set down the wine cup, looking seriously at Xu Wuyou.

"Come here, Master wants you to eat with me every day from now on."

Wuyou hesitated for a moment but then ran over.

She didn't dare disobey Master, even though she thought it was somewhat against the rules.

But she had promised Master that she would listen to everything he said.

Sitting at the table, looking at the array of delicious food, the enticing aroma made the little one's appetite surge, her eyes wide, swallowing hard.

A child is always a child. She's only six, and although she's sensible, a child's nature and instincts can't be hidden.

"Don't just look, eat. Master is already full." He said, pretending to be stern, "Eat it all, no wasting."

Little Wuyou nodded vigorously.

"Yes, don't worry, Master, Wuyou won't waste."

With that, she picked up her bowl and started eating.

Mouthfuls of rice mixed with dishes filled her small mouth.

Soon, her cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk's, looking cute yet somewhat poignant.

Though she seemed to be gobbling, it was clear she maintained her manners, carefully picking dishes and eating quietly, trying not to make noise.

Xu Qingzhou watched her quietly, the wine in his hand still untouched.

His mind drifted back to the side quest earlier, accompanying her as she grew, until she ruled the world.

Unknowingly, his eyes softened.

Little Wuyou looked up, meeting Xu Qingzhou's gaze.

"Mmm... Master, it's delicious, Wuyou really likes it!"

"Hehe, silly child, eat slowly, don't choke. There will be food every day from now on."

Upon hearing this, Wuyou swallowed the mouthful of rice, tears welling up at the corners of her eyes.

"Yes, having Master is wonderful. Wuyou will never go hungry again, hehe."

"Ahem, of course."

Wuyou continued eating, and Xu Qingzhou resumed drinking, the small room's fire burning ever brighter.

Xu Qingzhou broke the silence again, looking at the little one, and asked seriously.

"Wuyou."

"What is it, Master?"

"If in the future, everyone in the world becomes your enemy, what will you do?"

Wuyou held her bowl, looking seriously at Xu Qingzhou, her clear eyes full of confusion.

"Master, why would everyone in the world become my enemy? How could they?"

Xu Qingzhou looked around blankly, his gaze falling on the wine in his cup.

"Indeed, why would everyone in the world become your enemy?"

He muttered to himself, unable to understand, and downed the wine in one gulp, stretching lazily, heading to the room on the second floor.

"Master is going to take a nap. Don't wander off after you finish eating. In the afternoon, Master will take you to buy some clothes. These clothes are too big, not suitable."

"No need, Master, no need to waste money. I can wear these, I like them."

"It's settled."

"Oh—"