A Woman's Natural Frailty

Ye Tian was, after all, only a nine-year-old child.

Bai Yue was tall, while Ye Tian only came up to her chest.

Fortunately, he possessed strength far beyond that of an ordinary adult, so carrying someone on his back was not difficult for him.

"Aunt Bai Yue, do you have any ointment for sprains at home?"

Ye Tian asked as he walked.

Still somewhat dazed, Bai Yue nodded instinctively. "Yes. Haochen often injured himself while training before, so we keep some at home."

Hearing this, Ye Tian nodded gently and continued at an unhurried pace.

After crossing the wooden bridge, they arrived at Long Haochen's home.

"Aunt Bai Yue, where did you put the ointment?"

After setting Bai Yue down on a chair, Ye Tian asked softly.

"It's in the drawer, in a little wooden bottle."

Ye Tian quickly found the ointment and crouched beside Bai Yue. "Aunt Bai Yue, I'll apply the medicine for you. It'll heal faster this way. Bear with it a little."

Bai Yue hurriedly said, "No need, I can do it myself."

"It's inconvenient for you to do it yourself, Aunt Bai Yue. Let me. You've helped Mom and me plenty over the years."

When Ye Tian was little, he had often come to Bai Yue's home for meals, and Bai Yue had always treated him well.

He lifted Bai Yue's right leg and carefully removed her cloth shoe.

Her fair little foot was revealed. Her short toes curled slightly together, looking quite cute, but her purple, swollen ankle ruined the overall beauty.

Ye Tian placed Bai Yue's foot on his own leg, poured some ointment onto his hand, and began to massage it in.

"Ah..."

Bai Yue cried out in pain, instinctively drawing back her right foot.

"Please bear with it a little, Aunt Bai Yue!"

Ye Tian could only comfort her, though his movements became even more careful.

Warmth gradually spread through her ankle, and even the pain lessened considerably.

Bai Yue's furrowed brows slowly relaxed. Looking down at the young boy before her, a trace of gentleness appeared in her beautiful eyes.

Without realizing it, the two little ones had grown up!

Over the years, she had encountered no shortage of such incidents. As a widow raising a child alone, she was often harassed. Even after moving to such a remote place, she could not avoid it.

In the past, she had always gone to the Laundry Room with Liu Mei, so they could look out for one another.

But today, she had been delayed by something and left a little later than usual. She had not expected to run into something like this on the road.

If she had not happened to encounter Ye Tian, Bai Yue did not dare imagine what might have happened.

At that thought, Bai Yue's eyes instantly reddened, and she could not help feeling wronged.

She was truly exhausted!

"That should do it!"

Ye Tian had just finished applying the medicine. He gently set her jade-like foot down and slowly rose.

"Aunt Bai Yue, try not to put too much force on it over the next few days. Apply a hot compress in a couple of days, and it'll heal faster."

Before he could finish speaking, Bai Yue suddenly buried her head against Ye Tian's chest.

"Aunt Bai Yue?!"

Ye Tian was startled and lowered his head, calling out tentatively.

A muffled voice sounded. "Xiao Tian, let me lean on you for a while. Just a while."

The next moment, Ye Tian clearly felt something unusual against his chest, along with faint sobbing.

"Ah."

Ye Tian sighed softly and stood there quietly like a wooden post.

About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later.

Bai Yue seemed to have vented her emotions. She slowly raised her head and wiped the corners of her eyes with a smile. "Sorry, Xiao Tian. You had to see Auntie in such an embarrassing state."

Ye Tian gently shook his head. "Don't say that. Aunt Bai Yue, you and Mom both work very hard. Haochen and I will become real knights as soon as possible. Then you won't have to work so hard anymore!"

Looking at Ye Tian's earnest expression, Bai Yue could not help smiling, touched.

"Alright. Then Auntie will wait for the day you and Haochen become knights."

"By the way, Xiao Tian, shouldn't you be training with Haochen at the Odin Sub-temple right now? Why did you happen to pass by there?"

Ye Tian did not hide anything. "Haochen went to train with the new instructor. Instructor Balza said he could recommend me to study at the Haoyue City Knight Branch, so I came back to discuss it with Mom."

"Recommend you to Haoyue City? Xiao Tian, you're truly outstanding!"

Bai Yue's red lips parted slightly, and her pretty face was filled with surprise.

But she soon understood. "Still, that's good too. If you train in Haoyue City, Xiao Tian, you'll definitely be able to go further. It's just that we won't be able to see each other for quite a long time."

"Don't worry, Aunt Bai Yue. I'll come back often to visit you!"

The two chatted for a while longer.

Since Bai Yue had difficulty moving around, Ye Tian made a few simple dishes. After they ate, he left and returned home.

It was not until dusk arrived that Liu Mei, who had been busy all day, returned.

Ye Tian also told her about the recommendation slot.

Upon learning that her son was about to leave her side and head to Haoyue City, Liu Mei felt quite reluctant, but she did not stop him. Instead, she agreed immediately.

Ye Tian had suggested that his mother go with him, but she refused.

In Liu Mei's words, she needed to stay behind to look after the home. Even if Ye Tian ultimately failed to become a knight, he would at least still have a place to return to.

Early the next morning, Instructor Balza had already arrived at their door.

"Xiao Tian, have you discussed it with your mother?"

Ye Tian nodded. "Instructor, I'm willing to go to the Haoyue City Knight Branch!"

Liu Mei also spoke up from the side. "Instructor Balza, I'll leave Xiao Tian in your care."

"Don't worry. I'll deliver him safely to Haoyue City!"

Balza made the promise solemnly.

"Then let's set off now!"

Ye Tian nodded lightly and accepted the bundle Liu Mei handed him. "Mom, I'm leaving."

Liu Mei held back her reluctance, her eyes brimming with tears. "Remember to take good care of yourself when you're alone. If you suffer any grievances out there, come home."

Balza did not urge them on and simply waited silently.

After a reluctant farewell, Ye Tian left with Balza.

Even after the two figures had completely disappeared from sight, Liu Mei remained standing there blankly.

About half an hour later, she slowly turned around.

At Long Haochen's home, Bai Yue was preparing to get out of bed and make herself lunch when a set of footsteps sounded outside.

"Sister Bai Yue, it's me!"

Liu Mei pushed open the door and entered the room.

Bai Yue smiled sweetly. "Sister Liu, what brings you here?"

"Xiao Tian said you sprained your foot and can't get out of bed, so he asked me to take care of you more over the next few days."

Hearing this, Bai Yue felt even more touched.

Is this what it feels like to have someone care about you?

"Has Xiao Tian already left?" Bai Yue could not help asking.

As Liu Mei busied herself in the kitchen, she answered loudly, "Yes, he left with Instructor Balza not long ago. The child only just left, but I'm already worried. I wonder whether he can take good care of himself."

Bai Yue understood that feeling and hurriedly comforted her. "Don't worry. Xiao Tian is a sensible child. He'll definitely be able to take care of himself."

"I hope so. As long as he's safe, that's all that matters."