Gu He's curiosity was piqued. He crouched down and promised, "Then tell me why. I happen to be rather bored too. Ever since I came to this town, this isn't allowed, that isn't allowed, and there's even a curfew at night. It's unbearably dull. If you satisfy my curiosity, I'll not only take you out for a meal, but also buy you some warm clothes."
He was from out of town. Maybe... maybe he wouldn't be afraid of me. The little girl held such hopes and expectations in her heart.
She stretched one hand out from her clothes, closed her eyes as though awaiting judgment, and said, "Because there are scales on my hand. Everyone treats me like a monster, so they drove me here."
There were several bluish-green snake scales growing on her outstretched hand. Considering the child's apparent age, and how babies born of humans and Snake People bloodlines generally struggled to survive beyond two years old, the child's identity seemed ready to reveal itself.
Gu He's silence made the little girl on the ground uneasy. She withdrew her hand and curled into a ball, pleading through tears, "Please don't hit me. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have scared you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
Gu He sighed. Even if she had not been Qing Lin, he would have decided to find this child a good family to take her in. Not for any other reason, but simply because the mistakes of humans and Snake People should not be borne by a few children.
Gu He placed his hand over the little girl's head, making her whole body tremble. Fear made her shake even more violently, but fortunately, Gu He spoke and interrupted her wild imaginings.
"I wasn't scared. I just think scales growing on your hand are so fascinating!