Chapter 43: That's Just Wonderful! - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

### Chapter 43: That's Just Wonderful! Reflecting on the past, is it akin to carving a notch on a boat to mark a moving spot in the river of time? Luo Cong An found herself unable to answer this question. Yet, if it were possible, she wished to remain forever in that time spent with him. --- In the fourth year of Tianxuan, a tremendous snowstorm blanketed Guanping City. In the few years since the new emperor ascended the throne, there had been harsh, heavy taxes. Combined with such extreme weather, it was uncertain how many would starve or freeze to death. Especially the homeless beggars, who had no one to rely upon. Due to the snow, the streets were nearly deserted, leaving no one for the beggars to seek help from. They could do nothing but huddle in corners, wailing and awaiting the end. Luo Cong An was one among them. She tightened the thin, tattered clothes around her, merely seven or eight years old. Her eyes lacked the innocence and liveliness typical of her age; they were filled only with deathly numbness and cold detachment. The little girl clung to the corner deep within the alley, her body stiff and frozen. She thought to herself that if nothing unexpected happened, she wouldn't survive the night. The night's snow and wind were often more brutal, claiming the lives of many homeless beggars. They were not worthy of sympathy, nor did anyone offer it. For every pitiable person wandering the streets, there was always some despicable tale awaiting silent acknowledgment. Just like Luo Cong An. From birth, she was seen as a curse that should never have existed. The year she was born, her mother, too weak from a difficult childbirth, did not survive the winter. The news spread, and neighbors came to offer condolences. Yet within two years, her father also passed away, dying on a hunting trip in the mountains, never to return. Gradually, vague rumors gathered around the bewildered young girl. People said she brought misfortune, bringing death to her parents and destroying a once-happy family. Thankfully, her uncle stepped up to adopt her. However, the whispers didn't fade; they lingered around Luo Cong An, resurfacing from time to time. Until, at the age of six, her uncle abandoned her too. Having collected the inheritance, her existence was no longer necessary for him. What's more, a wandering Taoist had visited her uncle’s home that year. The Taoist stared at the little girl for a long time before staggering backward in shock, denouncing her as a demon. His declaration met with universal agreement. After all, with such unusual, snow-white hair, could she possibly be an ordinary person? Her white hair and red eyes became the evidence of her sins, supposedly proof that she had personally killed her parents. Her uncle naturally discarded her, relieved to have one less mouth to feed. Though Luo Cong An never considered herself a bearer of bad luck, at her young age, she had no means to resist. All she could do was endure it. Today, she seemed on the verge of liberation. Early release might not be so bad after all... As Luo Cong An dumbly mused, she suddenly heard the sound of footsteps nearing. Instinctively, she considered reaching out, to supplicate herself for alms, as survival was a natural instinct. It was rare to encounter someone outdoors on such a snowy day. But she forcibly stopped herself. Instead, she buried her head deeper between her knees. The footsteps suddenly halted. Then, a gentle male voice spoke. "Would you like to come home with me?" In that instant, Luo Cong An thought she must be so starved that she was hallucinating. She didn't move. The male voice spoke again, this time with a hint of regret. "Do you not want to?" This time, Luo Cong An heard it clearly. She suddenly lifted her head, disbelief filling her eyes beneath that dirty, foul-smelling, white hair. She hadn't misheard, nor was it an auditory illusion. Someone was truly offering those words to her. Her fleeting desire for death was instantly overwhelmed by a much stronger will to live. The little girl hurriedly knelt before the young man, bowing her head vigorously with all her remaining strength, repeatedly pleading, "I do, I do, please take me in. I can do anything… I'm very capable, anything you ask…" Chen An bent down and lifted her. Then he carefully examined this first life's designated female lead by the System. Her hair, once bright white and lustrous, was instead coated in a foul, rotting grime. Her eyebrows were fine and long; her small face marred by tiny cuts. She wore something that was barely more than scraps of cloth, with blue-tinted skin exposed to the cold, her petite body trembling incessantly. Aside from her eerie red eyes, she wasn’t much different from any other beggar. As Chen An scrutinized her, Luo Cong An also stole cautious glances at him. Her feet clutched tightly together, she nervously rubbed her fingers, and just as her eyes met Chen An's, she quickly lowered her head, too afraid to look directly at him. Fearing she might irk Chen An and that he would leave. After a few moments, seeing the young man remain silent, the hope that had just ignited in the little girl's heart visibly dimmed once more. She couldn't help but think, indeed, who would take a liking to someone as filthy as her? If it were her, encountering such a repulsive beggar on the road, even if nothing was said aloud, there would surely be secret disdain in her heart. If it were those wealthy men from the Zhu Yi Alley, they would have probably ordered their servants to kick her aside, to avoid catching her bad luck. After all, it wasn't her first time being treated so. With such thoughts, the light in her eyes faded back to its original numbness. These days, the least valuable thing was life. Even if someone needed a servant, it wouldn't be a weak, useless girl like her. As Luo Cong An wallowed in self-pity, dragging her feet, she retreated to the wall once more. Though cold and biting, it was still something to lean on. Suddenly, her hand was grasped by another. The warm touch felt comfortably pleasant. It made Luo Cong An's heart race a little faster. Then, the man's voice rang out again, still with that gentle, calm tone. He laughed, "Sorry, your snow-white hair and red eyes startled me at first." White hair, red eyes. Luo Cong An instinctively caught onto these words. She lowered her head, trying to pull her hand away. But it didn't come loose. The other held it firmly. Luo Cong An's voice trembled, with a hint of a sobbing edge. "I know, I'm born unlucky, you don't need to remind me, just let go..." Her agitated, anxious appearance brought a look of surprise to Chen An's face. He thought for a moment, then smiled knowingly. "It seems you've misunderstood." "What I mean is, white hair and red eyes, that truly is... wonderful." (End of Chapter)