“Jinbao, I thought the mortal realm should be a beautiful place with clear waters and lush mountains, bustling with activity. Why is the demonic aura so strong here?” Zhu Yi gestured with her lips, indicating to Jinbao to look at the distant horizon where the mountains meet.
Purple clouds and dark mist filled the sky, and withered grass and barren willows filled the forest. "Why did Master choose such a place for me to train?"
"Aren't you afraid I'll be killed by the demons?" Zhu Yi wiped the cold sweat from her forehead. Why did she suddenly feel so terrified here?
Jinbao, now dressed entirely in moon-white brocade, put away his dog ears and solemnly instructed, "When we're out and about, little junior sister, remember to call me senior brother, woof!"
Zhu Yi was speechless with anger: "Senior brother Wang! You'd better get rid of your catchphrase before you speak!"
After putting away the Crane Feather Flying Vehicle, Zhu Yi and Jin Bao walked through the human market.
Walking among a group of people with sallow and thin faces, two well-dressed individuals stood out.
The sight of so many hungry eyes was almost overwhelming for Zhu Yi. Sure enough, a little girl with dirty clothes crossed the sea and pitifully asked Zhu Yi, "Big sister, you're dressed so nicely, do you have any food you could share with me?"
The little girl had a pointed chin and looked to be only seven or eight years old. Her withered fingers, resembling dry wood branches, made Zhu Yi feel a pang of pity. Looking up, she saw a crowd of people surrounding her, as if she were being attacked by a pack of gray-eyed wolves.
Caught in a dilemma, Zhu Yi didn't want to take out the food under everyone's expectant gaze.
Once there's one, there's bound to be two. If she gave to this little girl, she'd have to give to the second and third beggars who surrounded her.
However, she did not prepare that much food; her food box only contained enough rations for half a year.
Even if all this grain were taken out, it wouldn't be enough.
The atmosphere became a little awkward for a moment. A golden-brown fried pancake was placed in the little girl's outstretched hands. The fragrant pancake was sweet, and Zhu Yi recognized it; Jinbao had pestered her to make it the night before...
"Eat up! There's enough for everyone!" Before the little girl could even eat the pancake, her parents came over and snatched the pancake from her, giving it to the boy who looked stronger in their arms.
"Hey! What are you doing? These are the cakes I gave her, what right do you have to take them!" Jinbao was furious. To be blatantly snatched from him like this, he really wanted to be bitten!
"Thank you, kind person! She's not hungry; she's willing to give her food to her brother!" The woman holding the child smiled apologetically at Jinbao, wondering if she could get another pancake.
Zhu Yi immediately recognized the stench of male chauvinism and disregard for her daughter's life. She coldly remarked, "It seems this family has given all the food their daughter worked so hard to earn to their son. Senior brother, please don't give them any more food!"
As she spoke, Zhu Yi stingily took out half a sour fruit and half a small cookie for the girl. She squatted down and looked at the child at eye level. "Eat up, I'll watch you eat. No one can take it from you this time."
The girl's dusty face showed a wronged expression. She glanced at her family, and sure enough, her mother was glaring at her angrily.
"You brat, you have fruit but you won't share it with your brother? How can you eat it all by yourself!"
Zhu Yi glanced sideways and saw that the woman thought she was speaking very softly, but Zhu Yi, with her sharp ears and eyes, heard everything clearly.
"We've raised you all these years for nothing!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the little girl in front of Zhu Yi was pulled away by a strong force, and the vicious man reached out his muddy hand to snatch the Sour Spirit Fruit.
"It's my fault for being careless! Get out!" Zhu Yi shouted angrily, pulled the little girl back, snatched back the sour fruit and half a sweet cake, and gave them to the little girl.
This time, no matter how Zhu Yi tried to persuade her, the little girl just lowered her head and cried silently, daring not to eat anymore.
With trembling hands, the little girl returned the fruit and cookies to Zhu Yi.
Zhu Yi felt a tremor in her heart, moved by this gesture.
She looked up at the sky and sighed deeply, realizing that she really didn't want to flaunt her wealth in public.
But... a lot of people gathered around, as if Zhu Yi wouldn't give up until he produced the grain.
Jinbao didn't understand so many human tricks and was full of questions. "You took one of our cakes, and I didn't even complain. We gave her half a cake. What's it to you?"
The woman shuddered. Jinbao seemed to be smiling as he said those words, but for some reason, she heard a chilling fear in his kind voice.
Zhu Yi looked at the woman's retreating appearance and couldn't help but sneer: "See, you bully the weak and fear the strong. Only your daughter cares about you and is willing to be exploited by you. Otherwise, one day when she doesn't want to be bullied by you anymore, you'll regret it!"
"Eat up! Remember, a girl can't be too obedient, and she can't always be controlled by her family. They don't care if you live or die, so why should you share the food you begged for with them? How can a brother eat his sister's food?"
Looking at the cookies and fruit back in her hands, the little girl seemed to understand something. She thanked Zhu Yi and then began to eat them in small bites.
"Woof..." Jinbao got excited and wanted to bark "Woof!" but before he could say it, Zhu Yi rolled her eyes at him and scared him back down. Forgive me, forgive me, he has to behave himself when he's out in the world!
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