171 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 171: You Can Call Me Axin Too... Xiao Mo immediately sat up on his bed upon hearing the commotion. He swiftly grabbed the iron shovel by his bedside, carefully opened the door, and stepped out into the courtyard. If it's a thief, he'll just secretly take him out with one blow of the shovel! It was already deep into the night, with the moonlight washing over the courtyard, casting a gentle glow on everything. The noise came from the kitchen. Guided by the moonlight, Xiao Mo treaded lightly, cautiously making his way towards the kitchen. The "thief" hadn't closed the door entirely, leaving the wooden door slightly ajar. Xiao Mo leaned against the door frame, cautiously peering inside. "Hmm?" Seeing the scene inside the kitchen, Xiao Mo couldn't help but be a little surprised. In the kitchen, there was a "kid" who looked no more than nine or ten years old. This "kid" had short hair, wore tattered and dirty clothes covered in dirt and dust, resembling someone who had crawled down a mountain. The face was smeared with black soot, even with some clumps of mud in the hair. [That little girl has appeared before the host.] Suddenly, the voice of the Eternal Tome echoed in Xiao Mo's mind. "So, she’s the little girl." Xiao Mo was somewhat taken aback. To be honest, if not for the Eternal Tome's reminder, Xiao Mo really couldn't tell she was a girl. After all, which stray child isn't thin? Moreover, half of her face was blackened, making her features indiscernible. Yet, her eyes left a remarkably deep impression. They reminded Xiao Mo of his first encounter with Qing Yi in his past life. Back then, Qing Yi looked the same, and her eyes were just as strikingly beautiful. The only difference was that Qing Yi's eyes were filled with caution. While this girl's eyes were crystal clear, reminiscent of an eternal snow mountain spring. Almost as if nothing could tarnish her pure gaze. She stared at the leftover food stored in cool water within the pot, swallowing repeatedly. The little girl looked extremely hungry, her throat moving continuously as she reached out to the pot more than once. But every time she was about to touch the food, she'd quickly retract her hand, hesitating repeatedly, visibly struggling internally. Struggling over whether to steal the food or not. In the end, the girl gripped her left wrist with her right hand and shook her head vigorously. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to leave the kitchen, hopping down from the wooden chair. But as she turned around and looked up, she was suddenly startled. Someone was peeking at her through the gap in the wooden door. Since he'd been discovered, Xiao Mo didn't bother hiding. He opened the kitchen door fully and approached the little girl step by step. She retreated continuously, picking up a branch from the kitchen in a panic, pointing it at Xiao Mo with both hands. At this moment, Xiao Mo could see fear in her eyes, but mostly confusion. Xiao Mo speculated that she originally had the ability to read others' thoughts and understand their emotions, giving her a sense of security. After all, most fear stems from the unknown. But encountering him, due to the Eternal Tome, she couldn't sense even the slightest thought from him. This unprecedented unknown made her genuinely fearful and bewildered. Every time Xiao Mo took a step forward, the girl took a step back. Eventually, Xiao Mo took out a bowl of leftover rice from the large pot by the stove and handed it along with a pair of chopsticks to the girl: "Would you like to eat? If you want to, it's yours." The little girl looked at the rice in Xiao Mo's hand, then at him, swallowing her saliva again. "Gurgle gurgle." Her stomach growled. Yet, she still hesitated, not stepping forward. Xiao Mo placed the bowl and chopsticks on the stove and stepped back a few paces. After a while, seemingly assured that he bore no ill intent, the girl moved forward cautiously, picking up the chopsticks and eating one bite at a time. She ate quickly, but with a small mouth, each bite filled her cheeks to the brim. "Eat slowly, don't choke," Xiao Mo gently advised, filling a bowl of water from the water jar to place beside her. In no time, the large bowl of rice and water were gone, her little belly now protruding. "Are you full?" Xiao Mo asked with a warm smile, trying to make the girl feel at ease, showing he meant no harm. "Yes, I am full. Thank you, you're a good person," the girl nodded earnestly. "In the Western Territory, being a 'good person' isn't necessarily a compliment," Xiao Mo muttered to himself, seemingly speaking to himself. "Why didn't you just steal the food earlier?" Xiao Mo asked curiously. "You didn't know I was watching." "Big Sister Zi said stealing is wrong. Even though I was hungry, it was your food. If I ate it, you wouldn't have anything left," the girl explained seriously. "Big Sister Zi?" Xiao Mo was taken aback, surprised there was someone so understanding in the Western Territory. "And where's this Big Sister Zi of yours?" Upon hearing Xiao Mo's question, the girl lowered her head. "I don't know. We lived in a cave, but two days ago when I went back, Big Sister Zi and the others were gone. I've been searching for so long, but I can't find them." "So you ended up here? Haven't eaten for two days?" Xiao Mo asked. The girl shook her head, "I had some fruit." Xiao Mo was at a loss for words. "How about this: I'm alone here too; why don't you stay with me for a few days? We can try to find news about your Big Sister Zi together," Xiao Mo proposed sincerely. "Otherwise, wandering around alone might starve you, and what if your Big Sister Zi also comes looking for you?" "No, no, I can't do that. Big Sister Zi said not to accept charity for nothing. I can't just eat your rice for free," the girl protested. "It's not for free," Xiao Mo assured, after thinking for a moment. "You can help with washing clothes, cooking meals, and assisting me. In return, I'll provide you with meals. How about that?" The girl, Heartfree, lowered her head, contemplating seriously and looking quite conflicted. Xiao Mo wasn't in a rush; he patiently awaited her response. Finally, with a small hand clutched over her heart, Heartfree looked up nervously, "Alright, I... I agree... but you... you can't bully me..." "Don't worry, I won't bully you," Xiao Mo replied with a smile. "I'm Xiao Mo. What's your name?" "Axin." The girl blinked her eyes. "My name is Jiang Xin. My Big Sister Zi calls me Axin. You can call me Axin too."