Chapter 21 But as soon as I saw his outstretched hand, I instinctively turned my head away.
The bet between the two of us was about the two choices Li Xiao gave me that day.
If Li Xiao wins, it will prove that I am a degenerate person who is willing to debase myself in order to achieve my goals. Furthermore, I am inconsistent and unreliable; such a person does not deserve to stay by Lan Yunzhi's side.
At that time, I'm afraid that even without Li Xiao taking the initiative, Lan Yunzhi himself will distance himself from me because my existence has indirectly tainted his memories of the Lan family's younger sister.
This was exactly what Li Xiao was happy to see, and it was also his original plan that he was confident of winning.
After all, putting everything else aside, for someone like me, being able to redeem myself early, almost without spending a penny, and escape from a place like the Flower Moon Pavilion, should be a wonderful thing that I couldn't ask for.
However, I unexpectedly chose the second path, resolutely staying by Lan Yunzhi's side, to be a so-called upright person.
As a consequence of losing the bet, Li Xiao could no longer cause me trouble for no reason.
This explains why Li Xiao's seemingly inexplicable and awkward behavior had been going on for some time. He was fulfilling his promise.
Hearing this, I was both enlightened and confused. If he was going to keep such a promise, then what did his current actions mean, and what did his earlier suggestion mean?
"I told you you only heard half of what I said. I already said I can't provoke you, you brat, but I didn't say the other way around." Li Xiao said matter-of-factly, even with a hint of helplessness that he really couldn't do anything about it.
I blinked blankly, my heart filled with deep doubt.
……in turn?
I have absolutely no recollection of ever provoking this capricious young master.
Li Xiao was stung by my distrust and almost lost her temper again.
This time, however, he calmed down quickly and even whispered words of comfort to himself.
"However, there's nothing I can do about it. I never knew you liked me so much in private, to the point of being unable to control yourself, even though your methods were a bit inappropriate, well, I'd say they were excessive. So, there can't be a next time, understand?"
"..."
Seeing his tolerant and magnanimous demeanor, I didn't have any particular thoughts in my mind, so I nodded obediently.
I'm actually a little curious: if I had chosen the option Li Xiao wanted me to choose back then, would he have kept his promise and helped me get my freedom?
However, the possibility of this hypothesis cannot be verified. The current situation is that because of my unexpected choice, this young master seems to have changed his opinion of me to some extent.
"I didn't expect you to be so loyal to Brother Lan. You're willing to give up a rare opportunity to leave this place in order to stay by his side. I underestimated you in this respect."
—Yes, in Li Xiao's opinion, a place like Huayuelou is simply not something that ordinary people can accept.
Young Master Lan had no choice.
While I may have been suspected of self-degradation, I at least demonstrated the loyalty expected of a servant.
But Li Xiao never imagined that I would ultimately choose to stay by Young Master Lan's side. Besides the so-called loyalty and trustworthiness, it was also largely because I coveted the life I had now, where I could eat my fill and stay warm every day.
Although I, like the others in the building, yearn for a free life, I know that with my current abilities, even if I leave the Flower Moon Pavilion, my future is still uncertain.
Ideally, I could rely on the money I had saved up and, by living frugally, find my way back to my hometown.
In reality, I can't even tell you exactly where my home is.
How many inconspicuous little villages called Nancun are there to the south of here, and which one of them is where my little courtyard will be located?
—I couldn't possibly know.
Therefore, it is more likely that after being redeemed, I would be left alone on the streets of a foreign land.
A frail child without any skills or adult care will find that money not only cannot truly protect him, but will also attract malicious robbery and plunder.
If I were to miraculously survive but be penniless, the shops that would hire me would not want me, and I would be unable to compete with the gangs of beggars vying for my food.
If I don't want to starve to death, freeze to death, or be beaten to death, my only remaining option is probably to sell myself out again.
However, after going through this process, the price will only decrease.
Even if the sale is successful, it's still unknown what kind of buyer they'll encounter. In any case, they'll never have the chance to meet someone like Young Master Lan again.
After careful consideration, staying by Young Master Lan's side is undoubtedly the best solution I can make at this stage... So why shouldn't I choose it?
Especially now that I know that Young Master Lan only wanted me to remind him of his past.
Compared to what I originally thought the other party hoped I would become in the future—a very good and capable person—being an object is obviously much simpler and easier.
Quietly and dutifully do your job, and as long as you don't make any major mistakes, you won't have any negative impact on Young Master Lan when he reminisces about the past.
That's enough.
After all, that was originally my mother's expectation of me back in my hometown.
Li Xiao briefly explained the whole story and then eagerly began promoting his game.
Seemingly not wanting me to misunderstand, he emphasized the word "acting." Seeing that I was still hesitant and didn't respond, he reluctantly took another step back.
"Looking like that, you could easily play a mute little dog."
"..."
I'm genuinely curious. Li Xiao looks so wealthy; what kind of breed or color couldn't he find on the market? If he really wants a dog, wouldn't it be better to just buy one himself?
This time, before I could think much, I was lifted up by the back of my collar. It was a familiar technique, but I don't know if they learned from the last experience.
Li Xiao gently pulled me out of the snow, and my toes could still barely touch the ground, so I wasn't so scared anymore.
However, the cold wind slipped in through my open collar, making me shiver all over.
Li Xiao noticed my trembling and clicked his tongue softly, then changed from lifting to scooping. He tucked me between his elbow and body like carrying a package, and I slumped down like a wilted piece of pickled vegetable.
My boots crunched softly on the snow. I hung my head, my head covered by a fluffy white cloak, and everything in front of me swayed slightly with Li Xiao's steps.
The air around my nose was filled with the sweet scent of pears emanating from Li Xiao. It was a very unique scent, especially compared to the rouge and powder that could be smelled everywhere in the Flower Moon Pavilion. It was simply childlike.
Someone like Li Xiao would probably never have set foot in the place he was talking about if it weren't for Young Master Lan.
Who would spend so much money, yet not gamble, not even drink a drop of wine, just sit there eating fruit and snacks? It seems they came all this way only to be met with a cold shoulder from Young Master Lan every now and then.
Anyone who didn't know better would think that this young master Li had some kind of special fetish... No, given my current awkward situation, it doesn't seem so unfair to label Li Xiao like that.
Luckily, I was too hungry today, so I only ate half full, otherwise I probably would have thrown it all up by now.
I thought Li Xiao would find a place nearby to drop me off, but he walked a long way without showing any intention of doing so.
My vision was blocked by Li Xiao's clothes, and I lost my accurate judgment of direction. However, all I could see was a similar white ground, with occasional scattered dry branches and small stones.
I didn't see a single footprint along the way, which made me suspect that Li Xiao's trip wasn't to help me find a place to bury my teeth, but rather to find a secluded corner where no one goes to kill me and bury the body.
I was so dizzy from all the jolting that my mind was a jumble of thoughts. In the short time it took Li Xiao to turn a corner, I had already found him a ready-made victim.
Just then, the boy suddenly stopped and then let out a confused "Eh?"
I finally managed to peek my head out from under the cloak, and then I saw Li Xiao's face, deep in thought.
"Strange, this road is getting more and more winding. It's only been snowing, but it feels like we've entered a completely different place," he muttered to himself.
"...Could it be that you've gotten lost, Young Master Li?" I whispered, covering my mouth.
"get lost?"
Li Xiao looked clearly skeptical: "How is that possible? I've never gotten lost in my life, how could I suddenly get lost?"
"..."
Is it possible that there is no necessary connection between whether or not you get lost and whether or not you have ever gotten lost before?
I thought to myself silently, and then, amidst Li Xiao's inexplicable confidence, I swallowed my words.
Fortunately, Li Xiao didn't dwell on the matter. After briefly observing the surroundings, he simply put me down and pointed to the tallest tree he could see, asking me what I thought.
...How about what?
Meeting my bewildered gaze, Li Xiao answered quite matter-of-factly, "Of course it's for burying the fallen teeth. This tree is so tall, it looks quite old, and it's in such a place, so it won't be disturbed easily. You can rest assured that you can bury your teeth there."
As if that wasn't convincing enough, he added, "When you're buried someday, your two front teeth might still be buried here properly."
"..."
Looking at the boy's smug and proud face, I felt I should offer my heartfelt thanks—thank you, Li Xiao, for thinking so thoughtfully.
After all, I only lost two front teeth, but he had already thought about when I might be buried in the future.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Li," I said, my face full of sincerity. "I never expected you to think so much for me."
Unexpectedly, when Li Xiao heard me say that, he suddenly became a little embarrassed.
"Ahem, it's not that bad..."
I suspect that Li Xiao may have caught a chill, which is why his throat is so sore; otherwise, why would he keep coughing for no reason?
I was just thinking that since we've already found a suitable place, we should start and finish as soon as possible. There's no need to stand here any longer and endure the cold.
Suddenly, Li Xiao, who was speaking, reached out and patted the trunk of the tree, as if to prove that it was indeed a trustworthy and good tree.
—The change happened in an instant.
With a loud bang, as if after a long period of endurance, it finally collapsed at this moment, and thick chunks of snow came crashing down on it.
The moment I was hit, I was completely stunned. I didn't even have time to raise my hand to protect my head before it was covered in splatter.
Li Xiao, sitting opposite him, also looked surprised. He glanced at the now-empty treetops, then at his own hand that had just been outstretched to pat the tree trunk, clearly not understanding what was going on.
"How did it fall down?" he muttered to himself, looking completely baffled.
I'm equally confused. However, what I don't understand is why, even though it was Li Xiao who recklessly slapped the tree trunk, it was me who got slapped in the face.
Ouch, that really hurts...
I wiped the snow off my face, then reached up to pat the snow off my neck and hair.
But it was too late, and the snow that had fallen into her collar melted quickly, leaving a cool, damp patch on the surrounding fabric.
...It was damp and cold, with a bone-chilling cold.
I think that no matter what Li Xiao's original intention was in bringing me here, if I stay here any longer, I might end up in the ground even before my two front teeth fall out.
At this moment, Li Xiao came over, probably wanting to help me.
But as soon as I saw his outstretched hand, I instinctively turned my head away.
Li Xiao clearly didn't expect me to dodge, and his hand paused briefly in the air, creating an awkward atmosphere.
"Um... I can do it myself, there's no need to trouble Young Master Li with such a small matter."
After a pause, I finally said what I had been thinking: "Bury the things as soon as possible and go back home."
Li Xiao nodded silently, looking unusually downcast. Then he reached out his hand to me again, this time with his palm facing up.
"Give me the things," Li Xiao said, and seeing that I didn't move for a moment, he added, "I'll be there faster. You must be very cold right now."
I was indeed very cold and wanted to go back as soon as possible, so I didn't bother arguing with Li Xiao. I simply handed over the cloth bag.
As it turns out, my choice was right.
Because the soil under the tree had frozen, even Li Xiao had to put in a lot of effort to dig a decent pit before solemnly burying the cloth bundle.
After he finished, he turned around and waved to me. I thought he had something to say. But then Li Xiao asked me if I wanted to make a wish, something like hoping my teeth would grow white and strong.
I was almost right in front of him when I heard this, and I stopped silently, staring at him in disbelief without saying a word.
Li Xiao probably realized that his joke wasn't funny, so he coughed lightly and stood up from the ground.
I don't know if people who are afraid of blood are also very likely to be anemic.
Unfortunately, Li Xiao seems to fall into this category.
...To make matters worse, Li Xiao fell straight in my direction.
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