Chapter 006: Memories Best Left Unrecalled (2)

Perhaps it was his cold expression that startled her, or perhaps she was simply mesmerized, but Jin’er did not reach out to take the meat bun from his hand, even though her stomach had long since begun to protest loudly. Seeing that Jin’er only stared at him in a daze, motionless for a long while, the cold and strikingly handsome man simply shoved the meat bun into her hand and rose to leave.

His robe fluttered, tracing a perfect arc before her eyes, and a faint fragrance brushed past her nose, instantly replacing the enticing aroma of the meat bun.

She stood there, stunned, watching as he walked away step by step, momentarily forgetting how she ought to react. Only when he had gone quite far did Jin’er suddenly come to her senses. She stood up, gnawing on the bun as she hurried after him.

Clad in filthy clothes, her hair disheveled, Jin’er chewed with her mouth stuffed full, her swollen red eyes fixed anxiously on the tall, elegant figure in black ahead, terrified of losing sight of him for even a moment.

After she had followed for some distance, the man ahead suddenly stopped. Jin’er froze, hastily halting as well, keeping a distance of five or six paces between them, watching him with nervous apprehension.

He slowly turned to face her, a flicker of puzzlement passing over his cold face, his striking brows knitting slightly.

“Why are you following me?” His voice was still cool and indifferent, yet it made Jin’er’s heart tighten inexplicably. She gazed at him timidly, cheeks bulging with the food she had yet to swallow.

“Don’t follow me anymore.” Seeing her remain silent, he uttered this quietly, then turned and walked on without a backward glance.

Though he had already taken several steps away, the chill in his eyes seemed to linger, transforming into a cold wind that swept over Jin’er.

She shivered slightly, and after standing in place for a moment, bit her lip and once more set out after him. At that moment, she was like a fragile vine, desperately trying to cling to the only tree that offered her a sense of safety.

Yet he only quickened his pace, his black figure growing ever more distant, ever more indistinct. Panic seized Jin’er; she hurried after him on her small feet, not daring to lose sight, and even after passing through the city gates, she kept her eyes on that shrinking black dot in the distance.

Dusk finally fell, and his figure vanished entirely from view. Jin’er was so exhausted she could barely catch her breath; she collapsed onto the grass by the roadside, gasping for air.

It was a long while before she recovered. Lowering her eyes to the now-misshapen meat bun in her hand, a wave of desolation and sorrow washed over her. That sliver of hope was once again swallowed by darkness, and in this cold world, she was alone once more.

She sat in a daze for some time, then resumed nibbling at the bun, her tears silently streaming down her cheeks.

What was wrong with her—had she become addicted to crying today? But never mind; let her cry. She was only a ten-year-old child now, and no one would mock her for it. At the thought, Jin’er sobbed harder, her tears trailing into her mouth, salty and bitter.

Yet no matter how much she cried, she could not rid herself of the grief, sorrow, and helplessness inside. What had she done to deserve this, to end up in this wretched place for no reason? Even as an orphan in the modern world, she had been far better off than she was now.

“Well, now! Whose little girl is this, sitting here all alone and crying so pitifully?” A teasing voice suddenly called out. Jin’er’s sobs gradually subsided. She looked up in confusion to see two unfamiliar men approaching, both wearing peculiar smiles.