Chapter 651

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

After steadying her stance, the girl hurriedly pulled her hand away, then thanked Shen Yu before preparing to leave in haste.

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—on the road, it's rare to meet someone who looks wealthy at first glance, then one tries every way to get close, almost offering oneself outright—her contribution is hardly insignificant.

Yet upon contact, she discovered this person had not a single coin on him, wasting her effort for nothing and nearly letting him take advantage—no wonder she looked down on him.

In the girl's eyes, Shen Yu might just be the type who is splendid on the outside but 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 fled hastily, scanning the street for her next target.

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

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

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

That person was 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, instead smiling foolishly at the girl, his honest nature fully displayed.

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

Perhaps another poor soul has joined the ranks of those who haven't even begun to love, yet already lost love.

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

Soon, the girl used the stolen money to buy a pile of food, then cautiously made her way 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 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 door, 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-heavy money pouch, then walked into the main hall.

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

An age meant for play and frolic, yet on her there was not a trace of the innocence and liveliness befitting her years.

Though young, her eyes seemed to hold a flicker of unbearable 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 carefree children here were actually pitiful souls, each carrying a painful past.

But this little girl's thoughts were heavier—she couldn't 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 a once-innocent little girl.

"Xiao Guai, don't worry—I will definitely help you! Eat first, regain your strength, then you can take revenge."

"But we must endure for now—this is the Prefect's son; we must not 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 take revenge..."

"I need you to help!" As if touched in a sensitive spot, the little girl suddenly broke free from the young woman's grasp and stumbled wildly toward the outside.

But due to her sudden escape attempt being too violent, her foot slipped, and she staggered, falling directly.

As her head neared the hard stone slab, her forward-falling body suddenly halted midair, as if some force had forcibly stopped her motion.

Then, some force lifted her up—but she did not react with the same emotional frenzy as before, clearly still not recovered from the sudden change.

To the young woman, this scene was not a relief, but a deepening of vigilance; she instinctively shielded the girl behind her.

Having wandered the martial world 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 not only failed to lower her guard, but her vigilance deepened.

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

To steal money from such a master—wasn't that just courting death? Now he's come to her door—what should she do?

"I didn't steal your money!"

"I know, you couldn't steal my money even if you tried. I also know your help to these children is genuinely kind, but isn't stealing somewhat wrong?"

"You have hands and feet—why resort to theft? Besides, there are so many corrupt rich people—why must you specifically bully honest folk?"

Speaking of this, Shen Yu also felt indignant for that man on the street—even though his money pouch was stolen, he didn't care, his thoughts only on her.

Yet you turned and ran away, 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 yet, with so many corrupt rich people on the street, you ignore them and target these honest folk—what, do honest people offend you in some way?

"Hero, I know I was wrong—but you see, there are over a dozen mouths to feed here; as a weak woman, how else could I survive? I resorted to this only out of desperation."

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 either—but to feed so many, aside from selling her body, she had no choice but to return to her old trade."

As for targeting honest people specifically, 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 deal with; she has no other option.

Simply because honest people don't hold grudges!

Those with a sense of justice 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 stingy, unkind rich folks, losing a couple of silver coins would make them tear the whole city apart looking for you—if you actually stole their money, could you ever live in peace again?

If I didn't have these children to look after, it wouldn't matter. But now I have responsibilities—I can't just let my nature run wild.

Honest people are great—even if you let them down, they'll face it with tears in their eyes and a smile, not go mad like a rabid dog biting everyone.

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