Why Help Me?

"Why help me?"

Shen Qingtang released the doorknob and turned back to face Shen Qing.

A Supernaturalist, who should have been high and mighty, had shown no malice from start to finish; he didn't even mind her previous actions and had even shared his food with her.

She, on the other hand, despite having no other choice, had undeniably committed the act of breaking into his home to steal.

She had even threatened him at the very beginning.

"..."

Listening to the young girl's question, Shen Qing instinctively began to ponder.

Right, why?

Perhaps it was because the two of them were somewhat similar. They say there is no true empathy, but as a reincarnator, he too had arrived in this world carrying memories of another.

Everything around him was so familiar, yet upon closer inspection, it was completely different.

He had even suddenly gained parents from a past life.

Although they hadn't lacked for anything materially in the beginning, the relationship between them was barely better than that of distant relatives seen only once during the Lunar New Year.

Not to mention that they had gone missing later on.

Before the age of ten, he had always felt a sense of detachment from this world, let alone towards the little girl before him.

She came from a completely different world where everything was alien, and her actions from start to finish were purely for self-preservation.

Because she was afraid.

Yet, under such circumstances, she had still thought to save him when the Swallow Demon appeared.

"You could consider it my duty, I suppose." Shen Qing thought for a moment. "I am an official... that is, a government officer, you know?"

"A government officer? And a Supernaturalist, living in a place like this?"

Shen Qingtang looked around at the environment; the entire room was empty, and the plaster on the walls was peeling off.

Her expression turned somewhat strange, and she nodded.

"It really is different. You are a good person."

Shen Qing: "..."

"Um, here, it's best not to hand out 'good person' cards."

"So, why help me?" Shen Qingtang asked again, looking at Shen Qing earnestly. "Even if you are an official, why would you help me?"

Hearing her emphasis, Shen Qing realized that this girl was a smart one; as things stood, his behavior did indeed look more like a personal choice.

"Hmm..."

Shen Qing weighed his words. Saying it was sympathy sounded too pretentious, so he said, "Perhaps it's also out of curiosity, much like the high-ranking officials and nobles in your world.

When they see something novel, they always get interested and want to collect it, right?"

Clang!

"So, you want to collect me?!"

Shen Qingtang's eyes widened, and this time her waist saber was truly unsheathed, looking as if she were ready to fight for her life.

"No, it's a misunderstanding! That was just a metaphor; I just meant I was purely curious."

Shen Qing rubbed his temples. His damn mouth—he just had to use high-ranking officials as an example; he was just asking for trouble.

"Alright, hurry up and put the blade away. I'll remind you one more time: don't go drawing your blade so casually here."

Shen Qing said seriously, "The most important rule here is that you cannot hurt people at will, or the government officers will come to arrest you."

"Of course, not me."

He added, "I mean the officers among the ordinary people, but they are very capable, and they are everywhere. Do you know they have the Heavenly Eye?"

"You won't be able to run."

"Heavenly Eye?"

Seeing the girl looking around vigilantly, Shen Qing smiled and shook his head. "There isn't one in this room, at least not in mine. Installing one yourself costs money."

"...I understand."

Shen Qingtang nodded and sheathed her waist saber again. Then, with a click, she suddenly opened the door, preparing to leave.

Shen Qing was stunned.

"Wait, don't tell me you're still planning to go back next door? You don't have the owner's permission; that's trespassing."

Shen Qingtang turned back with an expression that said, "What else am I supposed to do?"

Shen Qing explained, "Everything I said was because I want to help you. Of course, if you insist on leaving, I won't stop you."

Stay?

Shen Qingtang fell silent. Looking at the completely unfamiliar surroundings, she clenched her fists in hesitation.

She had been here for several days, yet she understood nothing. Not only was the clothing different, but there was also this Heavenly Eye...

Leaving this place, she truly did not know where else to go.

A moment later, seemingly having made up her mind, she gritted her teeth, turned to close the door, and tossed her waist saber to the side.

Shen Qing nodded, thinking she was teachable, only to hear the young girl say earnestly:

"Thank you, but just because you are stronger than me does not mean I will let you slaughter me at will."

As she spoke, gurgle, her stomach growled again.

Shen Qing chuckled, "You haven't eaten your fill yet, have you?"

"Here."

He took another burger from the paper bag and handed it over, "It's getting late. Finish your meal, then go take a bath and get some sleep. We can talk about everything else tomorrow."

As he spoke, his gaze fell upon her wrinkled clothes, which still emitted the scent of dried rainwater.

"Wait."

Shen Qing suddenly realized, "Don't misunderstand; I have two rooms here. You can stay in the one next door. Let me tidy it up for you first."

Seeing Shen Qingtang eating the burger obediently.

The corners of his mouth curled up slightly; fortunately, she wasn't thinking about drawing her blade again. Even his good temper had its limits.

After all, strictly speaking, if an ordinary person had encountered this girl, wouldn't she be a total gangster?

He was taking her in primarily because their situations were somewhat similar—both having arrived in a strange world all alone.

But if communication was impossible and she only thought about using a blade, then he would have to handle things accordingly.

Shen Qing turned and walked toward the room next door that hadn't been occupied for a long time.

Shen Qingtang watched his retreating back.

He is a good person.

She confirmed this in her heart once more.

After all, if a Supernaturalist truly wanted to deal with her, she would have no other option but to perish together with him.

"Cough, cough, damn it, so much dust, this is brutal."

Listening to Shen Qing's coughing, Shen Qingtang, while obediently eating her burger, thought that this person sometimes lacked even her common sense.

Shouldn't one sprinkle water to settle the dust before cleaning a room?

About half an hour later, Shen Qing walked out covered in dust, waving his hands continuously.

"Alright, it's cleaned up."

"Since you're finished eating, go ahead. The bath and the toilet are over here." He pointed toward the direction of the bathroom.

"A bathing tub?"

Shen Qingtang followed him to the bathroom and glanced inside; there was no wooden tub, not even a ladle for scooping water.

However, compared to the outside, the floor here was clean enough to reflect light, and the walls weren't peeling.

A strange layout; could this be a place to hide things?

Thinking of the situations of some wealthy people in her county, Shen Qingtang's expression turned peculiar.

Unaware of her thoughts, Shen Qing asked casually, "Do you know how to use these things?"

He pointed to the white porcelain bowl in the corner, "This is a toilet, it's just—"

After a moment of silence, Shen Qing took out his phone, opened the browser, and scrolled a few times, "It's just a toilet? You should know how to use it, right?"

So, the terms "toilet" and "latrine" had existed since ancient times.

Shen Qingtang's face flushed red instantly, and she gritted her teeth, "I don't know. I haven't been to the latrine in these past two days."

"Uh..."

Shen Qing's expression turned somewhat strange, "Then, do you want to use the toilet first?"

Seeing Shen Qingtang turn her head as if looking for something again, he quickly added, "Alright, let me continue the explanation."