Chapter 314

"Young Master Xie, I've steadied myself, so there's no need for you to trouble yourself!"

After steadying her stance, the girl hastily pulled her hand away, then thanked Shen Yu before preparing to hurry off.

As she turned, Shen Yu clearly saw a hint of contempt in her eyes.

Stealing is one thing, but failing to steal and still looking down on others—this girl thief has poor character.

But thinking about it, it's not surprising: after struggling to find someone who clearly looks wealthy on the road, she'd go to great lengths to get close, nearly offering herself—her effort is hardly insignificant.

Yet upon contact, she discovered this person had not a single coin on them, wasting her effort and nearly letting someone take advantage—no wonder she looked down on them.

In the girl's eyes, Shen Yu might just be another case of glittering exterior, rotten within—dressed flamboyantly like a rich man, but actually a penniless wretch with nothing to gain.

Afraid of being called back, the girl turned and hurried away, quickly scanning the street for her next target.

Shen Yu's Super Perception easily covered the entire city; even if she ran far, every move she made remained fully within his awareness.

Soon, the girl found her next target, using the same familiar tactic, another accidental bump, and effortlessly lifted the money from the other's purse into her own pocket.

Seeing such a familiar technique, this little girl's actions are certainly not her first or second time.

That person is also quite skilled—perhaps initially slow to react, but surely realized it later. Yet even after discovering his money was stolen, he didn't mind, still smiling foolishly at the girl, his honest nature fully evident.

Unfortunately, the girl had no interest in him; the moment she got the money, she pulled away and left, leaving behind only a figure standing dazed, as if heartbroken.

Perhaps another soul has been added to this world—one who hasn't even begun to love, yet already suffered heartbreak.

As for the girl, she hesitated not at all, fleeing swiftly, never thinking of looking back, and utterly unaware of the heartbroken sound coming from behind.

Soon, the girl used the stolen money to buy a pile of food, then cautiously walked into a dilapidated mansion.

At that moment, over a dozen ragged children stood at the gate, staring longingly outward. When the girl returned, they all gathered around her.

"Elder Sister Chu, you're back!"

"I'm back!" She rubbed the children's heads, seeing them all safe and sound, and smiled genuinely—quite unlike her earlier feigned, flirtatious smiles.

"Didn't anyone go out today? Right, where's Xiao Guai?"

"Elder Sister Chu, don't worry—Xiao Guai is by the main hall gate, and we're watching her; she won't run off!"

"You've done well. Remember, when I'm not here, you must absolutely not let her run around or leave—do you understand?"

After smiling at the dozen or so children, the girl opened her bundle, took out the food, and began distributing it.

"Are you all hungry? Eat these quickly, share them—don't fight over them!"

Watching the children wolf down the food she brought, the girl let out a soft sigh, gripped her still fairly full money pouch, then walked into the main gate.

On the steps outside the inner hall, a girl about eight or nine sat there, dazed.

An age meant for play and mischief, yet she showed not a trace of the innocence and liveliness expected of her years.

Though young, her eyes seemed to hold a flicker of inescapable sorrow, along with deep hatred.

But these emotions were buried deep; unless one looked closely, they'd be invisible—on the surface, she merely appeared to be sitting there in a daze.

Approaching the girl, the young woman sat down, carefully pulled two buns from her bosom, smiled, and offered them. But the little girl didn't take them, not even lifting her head.

"Xiao Guai, you've been hungry for days—how can you not eat something!"

Forcing the buns into the girl's hand, the young woman stroked her hair, looking at her with heartache.

Only she understood: these seemingly carefree children were actually pitiful souls, each carrying a painful past.

But this little girl's thoughts are heavier; she can't seem to move on—perhaps because she witnessed her mother die before her own eyes.

Such trauma would be hard for an adult to accept, let alone an originally innocent little girl.

"Xiao Guai, don't worry—I will definitely help you! Eat first; only when full will you have strength to take revenge."

"But we must endure for now—this is the Prefect's son; we can't act rashly, you understand? A gentleman's revenge may take ten years—it's not too late. You're still young; wait until you grow up to seek revenge..."

"I need you to help!" As if touched in a sensitive spot, the girl suddenly broke free from the young woman's grasp and staggered outward like a madwoman.

But due to the violence of her escape, her foot slipped, and she stumbled, falling directly to the ground.

Just as her head was about to strike the hard stone slab, her falling body suddenly halted midair, as if some force had forcibly stopped her motion.

Then, some force lifted her up—but she didn't react with the same frantic energy as before; clearly, she hadn't yet recovered from the sudden change.

Witnessing this, the young woman didn't feel relief, but intense vigilance, instinctively stepping forward to shield the girl behind her.

Having wandered the江湖 for years, she knew well how extraordinary it was to lift someone effortlessly through empty space.

Hurting someone from afar is easy, but this seemingly simple act of saving someone through empty space is a peak she could never reach, no matter how hard she tried.

How could such a master appear here? Are these people truly intent on exterminating everyone?

"Don't misunderstand—I mean no harm!" Walking in from outside, seeing the girl's wary expression, Shen Yu shook his head helplessly.

"It's you?" Upon recognizing Shen Yu, the girl didn't lower her guard—she heightened it.

The scholar-like figure before her was actually such a master—her pickpocketing must have been completely transparent to him, no wonder she couldn't succeed.

Stealing money from such a master—this is practically suicide on her part. Now he's come to her door—what is she to do?

"I didn't steal your money!"

"I know, and I know you couldn't steal mine anyway. I also know your help to these children is genuinely kind, but isn't stealing still wrong?"

"You have hands and feet—why resort to theft? Besides, there are plenty of corrupt rich people—why must you bully the honest?"

Speaking thus, Shen Yu also felt indignant for that man on the street. Even though his money was stolen, he didn't care, his thoughts always on her.

Yet you turned and ran, never to return—do you know you may have broken a pure young man's heart? Perhaps this world will now have one more scoundrel because of you.

And with so many corrupt rich people on the street, you ignore them and target these honest folk—what, do honest people offend you somehow?

"Hero, I know I was wrong, but you see—over a dozen mouths to feed, and I'm just a weak woman—how could I survive? This desperate measure was forced upon me."

She looked up at Shen Yu with a pitiful expression, her eyes filled with indescribable grievance and stubbornness, making anyone who saw her feel heartbroken.

I don't want to steal, but to feed so many, aside from selling her body, she has no choice but to return to her old trade.

As for targeting honest people, it's also because men like Shen Yu—those who look easy to talk to, or those with a righteous appearance—are the only ones she can prey on; she has no alternative.

After all, honest people don't hold grudges!

Those with righteous hearts are the same—even if caught red-handed, as long as they play the victim, they can basically get away with it.

If you target those petty, unkind rich folks, losing one or two taels of silver makes them want to tear the whole city apart—if you actually stole their money, could you ever live in peace?

If I had no children to care for nearby, it would naturally be fine. But now I have responsibilities—I can no longer let my nature run free.

Honest people are wonderful—even if you disappoint them, they face it with tears in their eyes and a smile, never biting like mad dogs.

If this were you, how would you choose? Of course you'd pick the soft one to squeeze!