When Zhao Shuning returned to the house, she saw Mo Bai jumping around nervously with a panicked look in his eyes.
When he saw Zhao Shuning appear, a smile finally appeared on the young boy's tense face.
He rushed towards Zhao Shuning and then stopped in front of her. Looking at her sincerely with his eyes, he said, "Ningning—don't—don't leave."
Zhao Shuning tossed her hair.
There was still water sticking to the ends of her hair.
Zhao Shuning almost forgot that in this world, Mo Bai really didn't know anyone. He only knew her.
If she wasn't by his side, he would surely be panicked, just like the time in the cave.
She straightened up and reached out her hand. Mo Bai obediently lowered his head. Zhao Shuning said, "Sorry, Mo Bai. I went out today without telling you. Were you worried?"
"Mo Bai, don't worry. I won't leave you."
Mo Bai nodded and looked at Zhao Shuning worriedly.
Zhao Shuning used to look fearless. A look like the one she had today rarely appeared. She must have experienced something or something must have happened.
"Ningning."
Mo Bai imitated Zhao Shuning's action and reached out to ruffle her hair. He tried to be as gentle as possible and not scare her.
Zhao Shuning lifted her eyes and gave a faint smile, which had a unique charm.
Mo Bai was mesmerized.
Zhao Shuning jumped onto the seat, hugged her legs with both hands, and put her head on her knees. She just sat there.
Mo Bai was a bit worried, but he didn't know what to do. He could only silently accompany Zhao Shuning.
Zhao Shuning remained silent for a long time, not making a sound.
Mo Bai stood beside her and gently patted her back with his hand because he remembered that when he was very young, someone had done this to him.
The action felt familiar to Mo Bai. Seeing Zhao Shuning sad, he did it instinctively.
"Ningning—"
Since he could speak, the two words Mo Bai said most often were "Ningning".
Zhao Shuning raised her head and let out a deep sigh.
"Mo Bai, do you know? The girl we bumped into yesterday died."
"She was such an innocent girl. Yesterday, she was still smiling and telling me to be more careful in the future. If I bumped into someone else, I would surely be punished."
"Such a smiling and kind - hearted girl died just because of some people's selfish desires."
"Mo Bai, don't you think this is very unfair?"
"What's even more unfair is that after her death, she became someone else's pawn. Moreover, even if I cleared her name, found the murderer for her, no one stood on her side."
"Mo Bai, do you think people's lives are really as worthless as grass?
"Is the world really so realistic? Is it just wishful thinking for a small sapling to grow into a towering tree? It's so fragile. As long as the wind is a bit stronger or the rain is a bit heavier, it might lose its life at any time."
Zhao Shuning said a lot more.
She didn't know if Mo Bai understood, but he just quietly listened and accompanied her.
He didn't know why Zhao Shuning was suddenly so sad, but he knew that he met her when he was at his lowest. She didn't abandon him.
So in the future, no matter what happened, he wouldn't abandon Zhao Shuning either.
After a long time, Zhao Shuning stood up from the seat.
"Alright, it's not the time to be sad about these things."
Seeing her regain her fighting spirit, Mo Bai smiled brightly.
"Mo Bai, you look really good - looking when you smile this time."
Zhao Shuning had taught Mo Bai to smile before, but he just lifted the flesh on both sides of his face, showing a lot of white teeth. That smile was uglier than crying.
"Really! Mo Bai, you even have dimples. It's so amazing. Why didn't I notice before?"
As Zhao Shuning said, she gently poked the two dimples with her hand.
The young boy's face immediately turned red.
"Come on, Mo Bai. Why are you blushing? You're supposed to be innocent. Why do you look so shy when I touch you?"
Zhao Shuning put down her hand and couldn't help teasing him.
Mo Bai's face was still flushed. Zhao Shuning said, "Alright, alright. I won't tease you anymore. Mo Bai, I want to discuss something with you. You have to listen carefully."
Because tomorrow was the Qianyuan Tournament.
During this period, she wanted to show the Lady Begonia that even a life she despised could become the most shining existence.
By the way, she had to invite that old scoundrel Lin Feng too.
At that time, she would give him a big surprise.
Zhao Shuning would help the Lady Xiang get everything she desired.
The Lady Begonia had been in that position for too long and was too comfortable. So she had forgotten many things. Alchemists were very rare and powerful in the Eastern Wilderness.
Lin Feng had always been wary of her because of her status as an alchemist.
But what if the Lady Begonia was no longer an alchemist?
Would it be the Beauty Xiao or some other lady who would take her place?
Zhao Shuning had to plan all these things one by one.
For Lu Wu's death, Zhao Shuning wouldn't let them off during the Qianyuan Tournament.
People who did something wrong must be punished.
Maybe sometimes, God was too busy to notice. Then, let Zhao Shuning seek justice for Lu Wu.
Mo Bai had a strong learning ability. When they were in the cave, he could only barely understand what Zhao Shuning said, and he couldn't control the ferocity left by the ancient fierce beast in his body.
But after such a long - time together, Mo Bai had changed a lot.
He could already say some simple words and listen to Zhao Shuning well. As long as Zhao Shuning said not to do something, he would stand there obediently without moving.
Didn't they look down on Zhao Shuning and Mo Bai?
Didn't they say that a child and a fool couldn't make any waves in the Qianyuan Tournament?
Zhao Shuning was going to prove that even the smallest wave, if it gathered strength, could strike a heavy blow to these high - and - mighty people.
"Do you understand?"
Zhao Shuning's big eyes were really beautiful. When she looked at Mo Bai, her eyes seemed to be able to speak.
Mo Bai nodded.
He pointed at Zhao Shuning's eyes, smiled slightly, and said, "Ningning, beautiful. Beautiful."
Zhao Shuning smiled.
With Mo Bai around, many of her troubles were no longer troubles.
Although Mo Bai was a bit simple - minded, his heart was pure. He disliked what he disliked and hated what he hated. Unlike those people in the main hall, they all wore masks, being hypocritical and two - faced.
"Mo Bai, wait for me in the house. Don't let anyone into this side courtyard. I'll go to the front yard to find the Lady Xiang."