The Sorrowmender

Chapter 37 – Ragged Child

The black-clothed person rested a hand on the hilt of his sword, calmly looking at the white-haired child before him, and replied unhurriedly:

"You'll have to tell the Lady yourself."

The ragged child stopped beside him, looking up with eyes as clear as a pristine lake, a stark contrast to her disheveled appearance.

She stared at him and spoke again.

"Why won't you speak for me?"

The black-clothed man stepped aside to clear the way, looking down at the child with a smirk:

"No reason, I just don't want to help you."

The ragged child lowered her head, naturally withdrawing her gaze.

Then she threw a punch—

With a "bang," the black-clothed man was sent flying, like a cannonball, across the overgrown courtyard, crashing hard into the mottled courtyard wall.

"Boom!"

The wall partially collapsed, dust rising in the sunset, scaring the passing beggars who quickly scattered and fled.

The ragged child calmly retracted her fist, while the black-clothed man clutched his chest and got up from the dust, looking much worse for wear.

Covered in dirt, blood trickling from his nose and mouth, his black clothes stained dark red, clearly injured.

With red eyes, he gritted his teeth and asked, "Why did you hit me?"

The ragged child's previously cold face broke into a grin, revealing two sharp canine teeth, looking quite menacing, but she squinted her eyes and said with a smile:

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"No reason, I just don't like you."

With that, her smile froze, and she headed straight for the courtyard gate, not forgetting to add:

"Remember to tell her, or next time we meet, I'll hit you again."

Watching the ragged child's retreating figure and hearing her fading voice, the black-clothed man punched the remaining corner of the courtyard wall, causing it to collapse as well.

"Damn it—"

The ragged child left the abandoned temple, unfolded the note in her hand, and stared at it with her clear eyes, recognizing only the word "kill."

"Sure enough, it's another kill order. This is the tenth time, and also the last."

"But before that, I should find a scholar who can read and ask about it."

Three days later.

In Frostsky City, at the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries, everything had returned to normal. In the morning, there was still a long queue, Wuyou drew lots, then went to school, and Xu Qingzhou would go to the Wang's restaurant to drink and tell stories, then return home—

Life was simple. As for the deaths at the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries, it was old news, from initial rumors to now being ignored, all as expected.

These days, a few deaths were too common to be surprising.

At night, with sparse stars, Xu Qingzhou was not at home but had gone to the theater to listen to music. After all, knowing how to earn money meant knowing how to enjoy it.

It wasn't about romance, just a love for music.

Little Wuyou wasn't surprised by this, as her master liked to drink and appreciate elegance, which was nothing unusual. It was just that tonight, her master returned a bit later.

Little Wuyou, as usual, cleaned the house, and when she went out to dump the dirty water, she saw someone squatting in the corner by the door.

In the moonlight and the dim yellow light spilling from the room, she could see it was a half-grown child, older than herself.

Though spring had arrived and summer was near, it wasn't cold anymore, yet this person was still dressed warmly, albeit in ragged and sloppy clothes.

With long hair growing wildly and falling freely.

At a glance, it was clear she was a beggar.

Little Wuyou, having been a beggar herself, naturally had little guard against beggars. She patiently walked forward and called out:

"Who are you, and why are you here?"

The ragged child slowly turned her head upon hearing this, her clear eyes still striking in the moonlight, scanning Little Wuyou up and down.

With a hint of curiosity, but without speaking, she turned her head back.

Little Wuyou was momentarily stunned, for the ragged child's eyes were the clearest she had ever seen, seemingly free of any distractions.

Seeing the other not responding, she proactively walked to face the ragged child and asked, "Don't be afraid, I'm not a bad person."

Ragged Child: "——"

Little Wuyou asked again, "Can't you speak?"

The ragged child raised an eyebrow: "——"

Little Wuyou pouted, her eyes rolling upward as if pondering something.

"Do you want something to eat? If you do, I can get you some."

Hearing about food, the previously unresponsive ragged child suddenly looked up, meeting Little Wuyou's gaze, her clear eyes once again visible in the moonlight.

She said firmly, "I eat."

Wuyou was visibly taken aback again, then her eyes turned into crescents as she smiled brightly.

"Then come in, I just made a new dish, I'll serve it for you."

With that, Little Wuyou carried the basin inside, not forgetting to call out to the ragged child:

"Hurry up and come in, there's no one home."

The ragged child slowly stood up, looked at Little Wuyou's back, then looked up at the sign above, before spreading out the note in her hand, carefully comparing it.

Muttering softly, "Pavilion of Forgetting Worries, it's the same."

She was puzzled, how did a little girl come out of the Pavilion of Forgetting Worries, younger than herself.

—And somewhat cute.

Most importantly, this child seemed very kind, which inexplicably made her feel a sense of closeness.

This feeling was strange, something she hadn't experienced before.

"Hurry up and come in, quickly."

She hesitated for a moment, but the aroma of the food carried by the wind tempted her taste buds, and after a moment of indecision, she walked in.

Stepping into the house, it was like entering another world.

One side was darkness, the other bright.

Outside, the ground was dusty and chaotic, but inside, it was spotless.

The floor seemed to glow, and the ragged child wrinkled her nose.

She had seen more luxurious places than this house, but this was the cleanest place she had ever seen.

She looked up, watching the little one inside holding a bowl of steaming food, her steps hesitated, frowning, standing still.

Little Wuyou placed the hot dish on the table, looked up to see the ragged child still outside, and urged:

"What are you doing standing there? Come over."

"I—I'm dirty, you just cleaned, bring it to me, I'll eat outside."

Hearing this, Little Wuyou ran over, unconcerned, and pulled the ragged child's arm, dragging her inside.

"It's okay, it's okay, when Master comes back, I'll clean again, I don't mind, come in and eat."

The ragged child was pulled to the table, sat down, and looked at the steaming bowl of noodles Little Wuyou pushed over, her fingers twitching, instinctively swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

Little Wuyou sat opposite, pushing the bowl half an inch closer, smiling as usual:

"I just learned this from Sister Wang today, eat quickly, or it'll get cold."

"Mm, okay."