34 Save Me (1/2)

After all these years, whether it was before or after returning, Ye Qingxuan always felt that Avalon was a crazy place. One could run into anything, such as pests that one would not want to encounter, like that nude man running at midnight.

But what had happened today was really testing the limit! It was not that he could not take a lot of pressure, but that Old Phil's level of intensity was too high! Throughout these years, Old Phil had brought back money, dingy lanterns, unopened bottles, copper cups stained with unknown substances, old rings, tattered books of foreign languages, a pot with a hole, jewelry that would cause hallucinations. Ye Qingxuan had just assumed that Old Phil had a wide range of interests, and then would throw it all out. But this time, he brought back a living human?!

Under the still moonlight, the little alley was more serene than usual.

Ye Qingxuan stared blankly at the girl in front of him. The dirty kid wore a tattered dress. The original color seemed to be white. The shoulder straps were about to tear, and the dress looked like a pile of rags.

Bruises and scars covered her face as if she had been beaten. Her bare legs were covered with wounds. It was as if she had been chased and ran away blindly.

Sensing that Ye Qingxuan was looking at her, she stubbornly raised her head to stare back at him. Her pupils quivered, but her eyes were full of defiance. The moonlight cast over them so that they glowed like silver.

”Hey, Cousin.” Ye Qingxuan glanced at the kid he had just met and forced a smile, ”Long time no see.”

The girl stared at him and opened her mouth, but did not say anything, then closed it tightly.

”That kid disappeared!”

”Keep looking! I saw her run over here!”

Someone banged a metal rod in their hands. ”She can't be far!” The clamor of voices—a mess of broken sounds—approached from a distance. They were running and searching. Countless people were running around outside, but here, it was still.

Old Phil stared at Ye Qingxuan impatiently, telling him to shut up and hurry.

Ye Qingxuan finally understood. When he studied the girl, his eyes had a storm of emotions. ”What is your name?”

Under his stare, the girl chewed on her lips but refused to speak. Just as Ye Qingxuan was about to give up, he heard a soft voice, ”…Bai Xi.”

”My name is Ye Qingxuan.” He reached out his hand, ”Come with me.” The boy held onto her wrist. It was so weak and soft. The girl did not protest, but her trembling revealed her fear.

”She is but a child, after all,” Ye Qingxuan thought.

--

”There's a white-haired kid just like you. She's a distant relative staying with you?” Seton asked the next day, glancing at him coolly. ”And she's out of travel money and decided to spend a few days here?”

”Uh, sorry but there really isn't…”

”Where is she?” Seton interrupted.

Immense pressure suddenly pressed down on Ye Qingxuan. After stuttering, he finally waved his hand, and Old Phil excitedly grabbed onto the corner of the girl's shirt, dragging her out.

She was no longer dirty. She had showered and treated her wounds, and was wearing Ye Qingxuan's old shirt. The sleeves and pants were rolled up and she looked even smaller in contrast. Her white hair was hidden in a tweed hat. With her head lowered, she looked like a poor family's kid—self-loathing and insignificant. She was silent under Seton's scrutiny.

She looked like an obedient and quiet kid. It was pitiful. ”Yeah, right!” Ye Qingxuan thought, he would not take it. His hand was still wounded from when the kid bit him last night.

Her eyes were lowered because her gaze was so piercing, as if she wanted to find fault in anyone, at any time. She did not speak because whenever she did, her words were provocative. She looked cute, but her personality was definitely disagreeable. If she was able to do what she wanted, Seton would have her sent to the White Church's intensive care unit before she could say three sentences.

Seton was silent too as he studied her, deep in thought. Beside him, Ye Qingxuan nervously wiped his sweat, awaiting the final decision.

After a long time, Seton just said, ”She's yours. Look over her.”

”Huh?” Ye Qingxuan was a little dumbfounded. He thought he would get kicked out.

”Like you, she'll only get food. No money. And if she doesn't work, then get out.” Seton's voice had no warmth at all. ”Kid, this isn't a shelter. So remember, this is the last time.”