Chapter 115 – Not Really Pity, Definitely Not Charity (1/2)

“You can’t protect your sister like that.” Shen DaiYing said indifferently.

She pulled out some silver coins from her pockets and forcefully shoved it into the little girl’s bosom.

Because she cut her finger earlier, the silver coins in her hand was also stained with some blood.

“Eh??”

The younger sister foolishly looked at the bloodstained silver coins in her embrace, not understanding the situation.

“Next time you meet someone bad, remember to run away immediately.” Following close behind, Shen DaiYing used a harsh tone to lecture them, “If you can’t escape, then fight back, if you can’t beat them then find a weapon, if there’s no weapon then you can use your own fist, and leg, arm, teeth… anyways just don’t cry, or beg, because those are meaningless acts, bad guys will never let you go out of pity.”

“Oh, I memorized it… so big sister, you don’t plan on killing us?” The little sister nodded not really understanding, then innocently asked.

This time, Shen DaiYing didn’t say anything and just shook her head and continued staring fixedly at the sisters.

“Little sis, let’s go, ignore this wierdo!” The older sister finally came back to her senses and suggested.

“But she just gave us money… maybe she’s a good person.” The little sister seemed a bit unwilling, like she still wanted to say something to Shen DaiYing.

Although this big sister looks scary, carrying a sword, unlike a good person, but she did give them money, she should at least thank her, right?

“Peh! Are they good people just because they give you money? Don’t be foolish, didn’t she just say it earlier as well, run away immediately when you meet a bad guy… so let’s hurry and run!” The older sister knitted her brows and persuaded her.

“Y-you’re right… then let’s run!”

Finally, dragged along by her sister, without even being able to say thanks the two disappeared in an instant into the alleyways.

“Sigh, you clearly want to be a good person, why do you pretend to be the bad guy?” Watching till the end, Lin Xiao stood up with a sigh, then causally said, “Sister Ying, you didn’t even get a thanks at the end.”

“Thanks?” Shen DaiYing also stood up, and replied insipidly, “I don’t need thanks, also, they don’t need my help.”

“They don’t need your help? But you still gave them money, it was enough for half a year of bread.” Lin Xiao said while smiling, “You purposely scared them to test their sisterly bond right? You noticed that although the older sister looks brave, but the younger sister was actually the stronger one, she was silently protecting her sister, right?”

“…” Shen DaiYing glanced at him and remained silent, but her injured finger began trembling slightly, it betrayed her inner turmoil.

Lin Xiao knew that he was right and began delving deeper.

“But why did you help her? There’s many more similar beggars in Winterless City, you can’t help all of them, you know that well yourself.” Lin Xiao gazed at the dirty mantou on the ground, “You helped her because you saw your own shadow in her, right?”

“…”

Shen DaiYing was still silent, but her pupils abruptly contracted, and a haze covered her spiritless eyes again.

He knew that Shen DaiYing was extremely abnormal today, he shouldn’t be trying to make up stuff, but at the same time, he knew that if he didn’t say some things now, he may never get another chance.

“Sister Ying… I’m guessing that you should have a gentle and brave older sister, right? And you’re that younger sister, just like that little girl earlier, a weak yet strong-willed sister… am I right?”

Lin Xiao made his final guess, his soft words eroding her final mask, and seizing her frozen heart.

But the answer he was expecting didn’t come.

“I-I don’t need you to worry about my business!!” Shen DaiYing suddenly raised her intonation, carrying a slight trace of anger.

“Sister Ying? I…”

Lin Xiao was taken aback, unsure of why she suddenly got that angry, but was interrupted by Shen DaiYing’s delicate shout.

“Lin Xiao!!!” Shen DaiYing squinted and stared right into his eyes, like she was going to kill someone, “Did you know? Sometimes, helping someone presumptuously is actually harming them. They didn’t ask for my help, so any unnecessary charity and pity would only make them feel disgust, do you understand?”

“Sister Ying…” Lin Xiao wasnt scared by her imposing manner, but just surprised by what she said.

Harming them…

He understood what she was saying.

Although on the surface it sounded like she was describing the beggar sisters, but actually she was criticizing a man’s presumptuousness.

Shen DaiYing never wanted anyone’s help, so she also didn’t need anyone’s charity or pity.

“Charity? No, I don’t think this is charity, I think it’s a gentleness.” Lin Xiao looked back into Shen DaiYing’s eyes not willing to be outdone.

“Gentleness? I don’t understand.”

“That’s right, gentleness.” Lin Xiao nodded and explained, “If the other party is someone you like, naturally you can‘t help but be gentle towards her, that’s a sincere feeling that comes from the heart, it’s not really pity, and definitely not charity, at least that’s how I feel.”

Someone you like… at first they were discussing about the beggar sister, but now the topic unfolded into something cryptic.

It was good that they understood what the other meant, so the conversation could continue.

“Lin Xiao, you still don’t understand… your way of thinking is like a know-it-all.” Shen DaiYing concluded.

“Perhaps you’re right, but you’re also wrong.”

“Wrong? How am I wrong?”

“When you meet someone bad, there’s another good way other than just escaping or fighting back.” Lin Xiao feigned profoundness and laughed.