The woman's hair was disheveled, her face haggard, and her eyes were dark circles, as if she hadn't slept for days and nights. Her eyes were bloodshot and red, and the traces of tears were clearly visible on her face.

Seeing Ji Xiaoxiao wake up, the rough hands that were tightly gripping Ji Xiaoxiao's arm trembled. The woman's mouth trembled, and tears streamed down her face again. "Xiaohua, you're awake."

The woman carefully examined Ji Xiaoxiao, and after confirming that Ji Xiaoxiao was not experiencing a final burst of energy before death, she clasped her hands together and knelt on the ground with sincere devotion, saying, "Amitabha, thank heavens and earth, thank all the gods for protecting Xiaohua."

Ji Xiaoxiao lay on the cold, hard bed, opened her mouth, but found she couldn't utter a single word, her expression somewhat panicked. After a pause, she realized that what she needed most right now was a glass of cool, thirst-quenching water.

"Damn it, I'm dying of thirst!"

Ji Xiaoxiao was unable to speak, and her body was in unbearable pain, making it impossible for her to get out of bed and do things herself. Helpless, she opened her mouth and tried to call out, her hoarse "ah ah" reaching the woman's ears.

"Xiaohua, what's wrong?" The woman's happy expression hadn't faded yet, and her weathered eyes were sparkling with joy. Hearing Ji Xiaoxiao's voice, she was momentarily confused, but then Ji Xiaoxiao's words woke her up. "Hey, look at my head. Xiaohua, are you thirsty and want some water?"

Ji Xiaoxiao nodded slightly with difficulty. The woman, obeying the order, happily brought Ji Xiaoxiao a bowl of water. After drinking the bowl of water, Ji Xiaoxiao felt as if she had been parched for a long time and had finally received some sweet dew—truly one of the four great joys!

Several more days passed, and under the careful care of the madam, Ji Xiaoxiao's superficial wounds had almost healed. Only the broken bones and tendons would require more time to heal.

That day, after the lady left, Ji Xiaoxiao glanced at the wooden bed with disdain, then lay down directly, ready to absorb the original owner's memories.

Even knowing that accepting the original owner's memories was unpleasant, Ji Xiaoxiao didn't want to pretend to be mute anymore. Whenever the woman asked Ji Xiaoxiao all sorts of questions—about Zhao Gou Dan, about coffin money, about an unfilial daughter, and all sorts of other nonsense—Ji Xiaoxiao would either nod yes or shake her head no, unable to utter a single word.

That's terrible! Ji Xiaoxiao is on the verge of turning into a demon at any moment!

Being mute is really not easy!