Chapter 2
Under Song Ling’s meticulous care, Li Xinjun’s once frail body gradually recovered its health. Her cheeks, which had been sunken due to days of starvation, began to fill out. Though not plump, she regained a healthy and balanced physique.
During this half-month period, Song Ling rarely ventured into the city. Aside from buying Li Xinjun new clothes and procuring food and medicinal herbs to nourish her body, she spent most of her time in the small thatched cottage, tending to Li Xinjun’s diet and preparing medicinal meals.
After all, Li Xinjun was still a child, and the prolonged period of starvation had taken a toll on her body. Song Ling didn’t dare to neglect her health, fearing it might hinder her future development. As usual, Song Ling went out early in the morning to hunt in the forest behind the cottage. Li Xinjun, who was accompanying her, heard a rustling sound from the nearby bushes. With agility, she raised her bow and arrow. Two “whoosh, whoosh” sounds pierced the air, and Li Xinjun confidently stepped into the bushes, bending down to retrieve two rabbits pierced by her arrows.
“Jun’er’s archery skills have improved tremendously. You’ve only been learning for a short while, and you can already hunt small animals on your own. Well done!”
“It’s all thanks to Sister Ling’s excellent teaching,” Li Xinjun said with a happy and confident smile.
“Jun’er, you’re naturally talented and have the potential to become a skilled martial artist. As long as you keep practicing diligently, I believe your abilities will surpass mine in no time.”
“Alright, then I’ll protect you in the future.”
“Jun’er, you’re so sweet. Now that your body has mostly recovered, how about we go into the city in a couple of days?”
“What are we going to do in the city?”
“To help the disaster victims. In these difficult times, everyone is fearful, and the imperial court doesn’t have the capacity to care for everyone. There must be many vulnerable elderly and children, and even unclaimed bodies left exposed in the wilderness. As a cultivator, I feel it’s my duty to contribute whatever I can, no matter how small.”
“But those refugees are heartless. They would harm innocent people and steal from others just to survive. They don’t deserve sympathy.”
“Jun’er, you can’t think that way. Although those who harmed your parents are indeed hateful, think about it, aren’t you also a victim of this disaster? But you haven’t resorted to such extreme measures, have you? You must understand that while not everyone in this world is good, you must believe that there are more good people than bad.”
“Jun’er understands.”
After their conversation, Li Xinjun and Song Ling returned to the cottage and began preparing their meal. Li Xinjun, who had once been unfamiliar with household chores, was now capable of handling basic tasks like cooking and laundry. It was hard to believe that she was once a young mistress served by dozens of servants.
Noticing that the firewood for the stove was running low, Li Xinjun, without hesitation, went to the open space behind the cottage. With an axe in hand, she skillfully chopped the thick logs into evenly sized pieces, creating a sizable pile of firewood. She put down the axe, gathered the firewood in her arms, and returned to the kitchen to continue tending the fire.
Soon, the fire in the stove reached the desired temperature for cooking. Song Ling, in perfect coordination, brought a basket of washed wild vegetables and a plate of prepared rabbit meat to the stove and began cooking. Li Xinjun didn’t idle either. She went to the cupboard beside the stove, took out the seasonings, and handed them to Song Ling. Working seamlessly together, they quickly finished cooking and carried the dishes to the dining table.
“Is it delicious?” Song Ling asked, looking at Li Xinjun expectantly.
“Delicious! Everything Sister Ling cooks is delicious!” Li Xinjun said, savoring her meal with a blissful expression. Perhaps because of her previous experience with hunger, she now cherished every meal.
“Eat more if you like it,” Song Ling said, picking up a piece of braised rabbit meat and placing it in Li Xinjun’s bowl.
“Sister Ling, you’re going to turn me into a pig. I think I’ve gained weight.”
“Nonsense! You look much better now. You were so skinny before, it was painful to look at. You’re perfect the way you are now.”
Song Ling pouted, disagreeing with Li Xinjun’s words, and proceeded to add more food to her bowl.
Li Xinjun looked helplessly at her overflowing bowl but obediently finished everything. Song Ling nodded in satisfaction and began eating her own meal.
After dinner, they cleaned the dishes together. Once everything was tidy, they went outside to light the fireplace before returning indoors to prepare for bed.
Although the cottage was simple, it was well-equipped. The fireplace they had just lit was connected to the stone bed inside the house. When the fireplace was lit, the base of the stone bed would radiate warmth, ensuring they wouldn’t feel too cold to sleep during the winter. They took off their outer garments, and Li Xinjun jumped onto the bed first, pulling back the covers and patting the space beside her, waiting for Song Ling to join her.
Song Ling quickly followed suit, climbing onto the bed and lying down next to Li Xinjun.
“Sister Ling, it’s especially cold tonight. Come closer so you don’t get cold.”
Li Xinjun tucked the covers securely around Song Ling before settling down herself.
“Why do I always feel like Jun’er is older than me? Hehehe.”
Song Ling had grown accustomed to Li Xinjun’s mature demeanor despite her young age.
“That’s because Sister Ling often kicks off the covers at night. It’s particularly cold tonight, and I’m afraid you’ll catch a cold.”
Li Xinjun continued explaining, ignoring Song Ling’s teasing words.
“Thank you, Jun’er.”
Song Ling hugged the covers and closed her eyes, preparing to rest. Soon, her breathing became steady, indicating that she had fallen asleep.
Li Xinjun looked at the sleeping figure beside her with a helpless smile and embraced her arm, seeking warmth. Compared to Song Ling, Li Xinjun had trouble falling asleep. However, being next to Song Ling gave her an unparalleled sense of security and peace.
This was the first time she had felt such warmth and security since her parents’ death. Although they hadn’t known each other for long, Li Xinjun trusted Song Ling unconditionally. The reason was simple: Song Ling was the only person who had shown her unconditional kindness.
She gently lifted Song Ling’s arm, tucking it under the covers to prevent her from getting cold, and then snuggled close, closing her eyes and trying to sleep.
As soon as Li Xinjun closed her eyes, she saw the scene of her parents’ murder replaying in her mind. In her dream, she was like a ghost, watching everything unfold from a distance. She screamed desperately, urging her parents to run, but they seemed unable to hear her cries.
She watched as her father fought bravely against the thugs, while her mother shielded her young body with her own. Overwhelmed by the sheer number of attackers, her father was beaten to death. The thugs stepped over his body and began looting the food and belongings from the carriage.
Seeing her husband’s demise, Li Xinjun’s mother tried to intervene but was mistaken for resistance. A thug slashed her throat with a knife, killing her instantly. Before taking her last breath, Li Xinjun’s mother managed to utter a single word, “Run,” before collapsing lifelessly on the ground.
Witnessing this horrific scene unfold again before her eyes, the buried resentment and grief within Li Xinjun erupted. She screamed and lunged forward, wanting to kill the thugs with her own hands. However, her hands couldn’t reach them because it was all just a dream.
“Jun’er, Jun’er! Wake up!”
Song Ling was awakened by Li Xinjun’s sudden scream. She found Li Xinjun still asleep but shouting incoherently, clearly having a nightmare. This wasn’t the first time Li Xinjun had experienced such nightmares. Song Ling had witnessed them several times before. Feeling heartbroken for the child, she gently shook her awake, unwilling to let her continue suffering in her dream.
Li Xinjun gradually emerged from the nightmare, her eyes fluttering open. Seeing Song Ling before her, she immediately sat up and hugged her tightly. Song Ling soothingly patted her back, helping her to calm down.
“It’s alright, it’s alright. It was just a dream. I’m here.”
“I dreamt of my parents again,” Li Xinjun mumbled, burying her face in Song Ling’s embrace.
“I know, it’s all in the past now. Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. Come, I’ll hold you while you sleep, and you won’t have any more nightmares.”
Song Ling patiently coaxed Li Xinjun back to sleep. Once she was peacefully slumbering again, Song Ling closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep as well.
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