"Little fellow, what's your name?"
A woman in a white dress stood outside the courtyard with her hands behind her back, smiling at the little boy who was gathering dried fish.
Xiao Mo gazed at the woman in white not far away, feeling something indescribable in his heart.
For him, this second life had been no more than a blink.
But for Bai Ruxue,
it had been three thousand years of waiting.
"I-I'm Xiao Mo," Xiao Mo slowly replied. "Xiao, as in bleak and desolate, and Mo, as in ink. Village Chief Grandpa gave me that name."
When the little boy said his name, Bai Ruxue's eyes trembled ever so slightly, and her small hands clenched beneath her long sleeves.
But Bai Ruxue quickly regained her composure. "Xiao Mo. That's a lovely name."
"Thank you for the compliment, Big Sister. Did you need something?"
"Nothing in particular." Bai Ruxue shook her head. "I was just passing by, and I'm a little thirsty. Could I ask you for some water, little one?"
"Of course, Big Sister. Just a moment."
Like a kindhearted child, Xiao Mo hurried back inside, drew a bowl of water from the vat, and carefully carried it over to Bai Ruxue. "Here you go, Big Sister."
"Mm, thank you, little brother." Bai Ruxue took the earthenware bowl and sipped the clear water.
After finishing, Bai Ruxue handed the bowl back to Xiao Mo. "Little brother, could I come in and sit for a while? I've walked a very long way and haven't found anywhere to rest."
"Of course, Big Sister."
Xiao Mo opened the fence and let Bai Ruxue into the courtyard.
"Make yourself comfortable, Big Sister. You've walked a long way, so you must be tired. I'll go get you something to eat."
Xiao Mo ran into