Qing Lin

The soldier broke out in a cold sweat. Even the scorching weather could not dispel the chill creeping up from the soles of his feet. Just moments ago, he had wanted to teach Qing Lin a lesson. Fortunately, he had not said anything wrong. He had pitied her before, but after his parents were killed by the Snake-People Tribe, he had come to hate them. Luckily, he had not shown it; otherwise, he would have been finished. After all, any esteemed Alchemist could make a few ordinary Dou Zhes disappear with ease.

Especially a Fifth-Grade Alchemist. He did not even dare imagine how powerful the other's network of connections must be. As for suspicion—how could such an esteemed Alchemist know Qing Lin's background and name without knowing her?

Seeing the soldier's shifting expression, Lin Qing knew that he had once discriminated against and despised Qing Lin. Even so, he took a Jade Bottle containing a Second-Grade Pill from his Storage Ring and handed it to him.

"Take us to her. This is your reward!"

"Yes, sir. I will take you to her immediately."

Not only had he kept his life, but he was also being rewarded. The soldier's expression became even more respectful as he immediately stepped forward to lead the way.

As soon as they entered Stone Desert City, Lin Qing found its atmosphere somewhat similar to Qing Mountain Town's. Mercenaries were active everywhere, and Mercenary Corps were clustered together.

Of course. One relied on the Magic Beast Mountains for a living, while the other relied on the desert. The Magic Beast Mountains offered Medicinal Herbs and Monster Cores, while the desert connected to other Empires and drew merchant caravans. Naturally, there were also valuable Medicinal Herbs and Monster Cores from desert Magical Beasts, but facing the unified Snake-People Tribe was far more dangerous. That was why mercenary organizations flourished here.

Along the way, the soldier did not say a word, afraid that any unnecessary movement might anger Lin Qing. More than ten minutes later, they arrived at a somewhat secluded street. After several turns, they came to a rundown little house.

"Sir, Qing Lin lives here."

The soldier sighed softly.

In truth, everyone in Stone Desert City knew that she was pitiful. But many people in Stone Desert City, like him, bore a blood feud against the Snake-People Tribe. Qing Lin, who carried Snake-People blood, had naturally become someone they despised and bullied.

The soldier glanced at the locked door, then turned to Lin Qing and the others. "She is not home. She should have gone out to work."

After saying that, the soldier looked at Lin Qing and waited for his next instruction.

"Alright, you can leave."

About the time it took an incense stick to burn after the soldier left.

A thin, small figure draped in a tattered black robe emerged from outside the alley. Lin Qing and the others saw that it was a little girl, clutching two gray flatbreads to her chest.

It was not only Lin Qing and the others who saw the child; the child saw them as well.

Seeing several people standing in front of her home, the little girl tightened the patched, tattered black robe around herself. Anyone dressed so well had to be important people. Still, the purple-robed youth at the front was truly handsome. In her eight years of life, she had never met anyone as good-looking as him.

Lin Qing glanced at the little girl's arm and sharply noticed a few green scales growing on her forearm. He confirmed that she was the person he had been looking for.

Seeing that the people at her door had not left, the little girl could only carefully step forward and ask, "My lords, is there something you need at my home?"

Yet the little girl's voice was soft and weak, without the slightest hint of questioning. After speaking, she timidly lowered her head. Naturally timid, she did not dare keep looking up at others.

Lin Qing spoke the words he had already thought through.

"We came here to train, and we usually need someone to help us take care of miscellaneous tasks, such as cleaning and so on. So we would like to hire you. Are you willing to come with us?"

He had only just considered this. It was their first time meeting the little girl—who would immediately take someone in as a disciple, younger sister, or maid? He was afraid of frightening her away, so he could only hire her first and let her see his sincerity.

He had also prepared himself to be rejected. After all, even if he wanted to treat her well, she had to be willing to accept it. He had already decided to remain in Stone Desert City for the next few months and slowly keep in contact with her. He believed that once she understood that he truly cared for her, she would go with him.

Qing Lin timidly raised her head after hearing Lin Qing's words. Although there was some dirt on her face, it was clear that she had a delicate, adorable little oval face. Her eyes leaned toward green, and deep within her pupils seemed to hide three extremely tiny emerald-green dots.

Qing Lin cautiously asked, "Young master, if I go with you, will I be able to eat my fill?"

Lin Qing had not expected Qing Lin to be so easy to take away. Her needs were so simple. Of course—only after people had eaten their fill could they have the heart to think about other things. The ancients had said that long ago.

[ Ding! Qing Lin has become the host's maid. Selection completed. Reward issued to the System Space! ]

Lin Qing ignored the system, which occasionally bugged out. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he nodded. "You can! Pack your things. From now on, come with us!"

Qing Lin nodded heavily, swiftly opened the lock on the little house, and jogged inside. Under Lin Qing and the others' watchful eyes, she neatly packed up her already meager belongings.

Qing Lin looked at the home she had lived in for eight years. After locking the little house, she let out a soft sigh.

Seeing the bundle in Qing Lin's hands, Lin Qing took out a white Storage Ring from his Storage Space. He took her bundle, stored it in the ring, then gently placed the Storage Ring in Qing Lin's right palm.

"This is a Storage Ring. From now on, it is yours. Consider it a gift from me!"

Qing Lin looked like a helpless little rabbit. Holding the Storage Ring in her hand, she felt that she should refuse it.

Seeing Qing Lin's conflicted expression, Lin Qing said gently, "Take it! Your life will get better from now on! You will not have to suffer anymore!"

Lin Qi also stepped forward and gently stroked Qing Lin's little head, just as Lin Qing had once stroked hers.

Ling Qingzhu and Li Qingchan's originally cool eyes softened as they nodded at her.

Qing Lin silently rubbed the Storage Ring in her hand and committed Lin Qing's words to heart.

The warm evening breeze blew in, making her black robe flutter loudly. Her once-shattered heart began to slowly melt, until one day, it would surely come together again.

"Let's go!"

Lin Qing wanted to take Qing Lin's little hand, but she pulled it back as if frightened. She was wearing a loose black robe now. If she extended her hand, the scales on it would be exposed, and then they would dislike her, right?

What she did not know was that Lin Qing had his own particular tastes, entirely out of step with the world. He would only like them; he would never despise them.

Noticing Qing Lin's expression, Lin Qing gently rubbed her little head. "Don't be afraid. Your scales are not ugly. In fact, I already saw them when I first met you."

Qing Lin's heart jolted, but she found that Lin Qing's expression had not changed at all.

"You don't dislike me?" Qing Lin asked timidly.

Those words seemed to drain Qing Lin of all her courage, and she became nervous once more.