Chapter 13: Fragile

Quinn didn't force her to move again.

He loosened his grip, letting her stumble backwards, bumping into the cold-toned wall, curling up into a ball, crying breathlessly.

Quinn stood there, watching An Zhi break down and cry quietly.

The little black snake on the wrist seemed to be disturbed by this sudden intense emotion and raised its head slightly.

The only sound left in the room was An Zhi's heart-wrenching crying.

He looked at the little figure who was crying so hard that she couldn't breathe, and saw her shaking violently because of pure fear and grievance.

The mushroom light above her head dimmed to the extreme, as if it would go out at any time, as fragile as her owner.

He tried to give her some self-preservation skills.

Even if it's just to overcome your fear of a harmless little snake.

So that she wouldn't die so quickly when facing the unknown, then...

Worthless.

But he failed.

Thoroughly.

The fingertips seemed to still retain the warmth and trembling strength of her desperate struggle.

That power was so weak, yet it was so determined to resist the teachings he gave.

This is not a weapon, not a tool, not even a qualified "sample".

This is just one.

A soft, innocent little girl.

A child who would be scared to death and cry his heart out because of a small snake.

She is as pure as a piece of white paper, yet as fragile as the morning dew, which will shatter and disappear with the slightest touch.

Teach her? To prevent her from dying so soon?

Quinn said with a hint of self-mockery, but also with an indifference as if he had seen through everything.

He overestimated her.

In other words, he was trying to waste time on something that shouldn't be carved at all.

She can't learn it.

There is no need to learn it.

Her value does not lie in this.

The little black snake on the wrist sensed the change in its owner's mood and lay down quietly.

Quinn took a last look at the little figure huddled in the corner, crying almost to exhaustion, and the mushroom above her head that glowed dimly and looked like it would wither at any moment.

He didn't say anything else.

Turn around.

Open the door.

Walked out silently.

The suppressed crying and desperate fragility were completely locked in the cold room behind him.

The sound of the door lock falling was as light as a sigh.

Announcing the end of a futile attempt.

An Zhi shuddered and buried his face deeply in his knees.

After an unknown amount of time, An Zhi fell asleep again in a daze.

When she woke up, everything in front of her was hazy.

It's like something is blocking the light source.

An Zhi struggled for a while and stuck his head out.

She was covered with a thick, heavy cashmere blanket.

The room was eerily quiet.

An Zhi couldn't help it, secretly raised his wet little face and peeked out from the gap between his arms.

Quinn was just a few steps away, his figure blurry in the dim light.

Seeing that An Zhi woke up, he half squatted down.

An Zhi met his eyes and for a moment he didn't know whether to shrink his head or stay.

Quinn took the mushroom from her arms and placed it on the ground.

The dark shadow on the wrist slowly emerged.

Cautiously and a little tentatively.

An Zhi froze, his heart beating like a drum. Slowly, bit by bit, he raised his head again.

That scary little black snake, it... it didn't coil on the mushroom to show off its power.

It was curling itself up into a small black circle that was as small as possible and took up almost no space, and was clinging to the edge of the mushroom cap cautiously and almost flatteringly.

It didn't even dare to press on the soft gills of the mushroom, and only dared to touch the edge of the umbrella.

The snake's head was slightly raised, and its emerald green eyes were watery at this moment.

With an almost aggrieved and cautious expression, he looked at An Zhi eagerly.

The snake moved its tongue slightly, with a hint of flattery.

An Zhi was stunned.

Her big eyes blinked, and tears were still hanging on her long eyelashes.

It doesn't seem so scary anymore?

Even a little pitiful.

Just then, Quinn's cold voice sounded.

"It's called 'Shadow'."

He still didn't look at An Zhi, his gaze stayed on the little black snake that was trying hard to reduce its presence, and his tone was filled with helplessness.

"It likes the 'taste' of your mushrooms."

He paused, as if choosing his words, "Very... warm."

An Zhi stared blankly at the little snake named "Shadow".

It seemed to understand what its owner said. Its green eyes became brighter and it rubbed its little head towards the mushroom again. Its movements were as gentle as possible, for fear of disturbing this fragile "stove".

What is going on?

Quinn finally turned his gaze to An Zhi.

Her face was red from crying, her eyes were swollen like walnuts, and the tip of her nose was also red. She looked miserable and pitiful.

But in those clear big eyes, the fear seemed to fade away a little, replaced by confusion and a little curiosity.

He looked at the tear-stained little face and frowned again almost imperceptibly.

Then, he did something that An Zhi was completely surprised by.

He took out a dark gray handkerchief from his pocket.

Soft texture, with a cool and light fragrance.

The handkerchief looked obviously valuable and was totally out of place in this humble outpost.

Quinn took a step closer.

An Zhi subconsciously wanted to shrink back, but was nailed to the spot by the invisible aura from him.

He didn't touch her.

He simply placed the handkerchief, which looked extremely expensive, gently on An Zhi's curled up knees.

"Wipe it clean."

His voice was still cold, but the commanding tone seemed to lack the suffocating sense of oppression from before.

An Zhi looked at the handkerchief on his knees that was as soft as a cloud, and then at Quinn's pale, handsome but expressionless face.

She was a little confused, but subconsciously stretched out her little hand, carefully picked up the handkerchief that exuded a pleasant cool fragrance, and wiped her face a few times.

Quinn watched her movements without saying anything. His gaze fell on the top of her head again - Ying was trying to make herself rounder and less space-consuming, her green eyes looking at her little master ingratiatingly, the tip of her tail wagging slightly.

An Zhi wiped his face, and his eyes couldn't help but drift to Quinn again.

Look at the little black snake trying hard to be cute, and then look at the handkerchief on its knees...

At this moment, the scarred man's voice, which was deliberately low but still respectful, came from outside the door:

"Boss, the car is ready and we can leave at any time."

Quinn didn't respond immediately. He took one last look at An Zhi—the little girl was holding his handkerchief, staring at his little snake.

His deep eyes moved slightly, and a very faint ripple passed through them, which even he himself did not notice.

"Yeah." Quinn replied calmly and turned to walk towards the door. When he reached the door, he paused slightly and said something that everyone inside and outside the door could hear clearly:

"Get her some milk biscuits, now."

The scarred man outside the door was visibly stunned for a moment, then immediately responded, "Yes! Boss!"

There was a hint of disbelief and surprise in his voice.

The boss personally ordered to prepare food for this little cub?

This treatment...