67 Parting with a Shell Coin (1/2)

Xue'er awoke a few days later, surprised to find herself in a small bedroom, with plain wooden walls, her body was softly snuggled under a cotton blanket. It was so warm, and a far cry from the cold and wet environment of the outside.

[So they didn't throw me back out on the streets.]

It was a strange feeling, to have strangers treat her so kindly. Within her mind, she could vaguely remember the voices of the man and woman from last night and remember their tense conversation.

She gave a gentle tug and the blanket was pulled away, she found that she was wearing a set of white underclothes that were too big for her. It seemed to have belonged to a grown woman, and not a child.

Looking at the plain white clothes that were unadorned without any embroidery, Xue'er kind of liked it.

She had always been a very simple person, without the need for color, with no need for vanity, and with no desire. Xue'er enjoyed life's simplicity, happiness could be as simple as having a very delicious meal that brought one's mouth to water.

She believed that if one set the bar too high, expecting to see a greater amount each time, then they would be no different from those who use opium to feel an exhilarating excitement of euphoria that lasts only a short time and to want to get a similar emotion once again, they would need more of it each time.

Eventually, it would get to a point where even becoming the emperor would not bring them happiness.

This was a strange endless cycle that was no different than the wheel on a spindle.

As her bare feet touched the floorboards, they gave a creak, startling Xue'er, and the person who was outside.

Xue'er felt as though she wanted to pummel herself on the spot. Obviously, this house was old and was in need of repairs, how could she have forgotten that the floorboards would creak?

Xue'er looked up, to see that there was already a woman that entered the room. The woman came closer and was about to touch Xue'er's forehead, but before she could, Xue'er jerked her head backward to prevent the skin to skin contact.

The woman looked at Xue'er with a puzzled look.

”I'm fine.” Xue'er said hoping the woman would not think of her actions as being rude, but she truly did not wish to be touched.

The woman smiled and asked, ”What's your name dear?”

”Xue'er.” She answered as she observed the woman in front of her, who was dressed in the same unadorned clothing, she was dressed in. The woman had a beautiful egg-shaped face with snow-white skin, typical to that of a pampered lady from a rich household.

[Yet, why was she out here?]

Xue'er's eyes landed on the woman's body, especially on the bump that could easily be seen through her thin clothes.

”You can call me Rou'er.” The woman said, as though it was an attempt to seem more friendly.

[Rou, as in gentleness and kindness.

She truly lives up to that name.]

Xue'er inwardly thought, but she wasn't prepared to disrespect this woman, instead, she chose to call her ”Rou Furen.”

Rou Furen soon brought in some porridge and gave Xue'er a taste.