Taking Qinglin Away

Qinglin felt an unprecedented warmth and sense of security from Lu Xia.

She truly had nothing worth missing in the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Every day, aside from working, she was bullied by others.

If she could leave with this big brother, then perhaps... that would be nice too.

Qinglin looked at Lu Xia and nodded firmly.

"Mm!"

She said earnestly,

"I'm willing to go with you!"

Seeing that she had finally agreed, Lu Xia smiled in satisfaction.

After reassuring Qinglin, Lu Xia turned to look at Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.

The gentleness on his face vanished in an instant, replaced by coldness and authority.

"Commander Xiao."

Lu Xia looked at Xiao Ding and said indifferently,

"Qinglin is the person I came for."

"I'm taking her with me. You have no objections, do you?"

How could Xiao Ding possibly object?

He hurriedly forced a smile and said,

"No objections, none at all!"

"As long as you wish it, you may take anyone you want!"

Xiao Ding's gaze fell upon Qinglin, and he felt rather emotional.

He still had some impression of this little maid.

Back then, he had seen her wandering alone outside the city, nearly starved to death. Feeling sorry for her, he had taken her into the mercenary group as a maid.

Later, with so many matters to handle in the mercenary group, he had paid little attention to her.

He had never expected this inconspicuous little maid to attract such a powerful expert.

People truly could not be judged by appearances.

Xiao Li stood to one side. Though he was still somewhat displeased, he did not dare say anything.

When one was under another's roof, one had no choice but to bow one's head.

The other party was far too powerful. They simply could not afford to provoke him.

Seeing how sensible Xiao Ding was, Lu Xia nodded in satisfaction.

He had already accomplished the purpose of this visit and did not wish to linger any longer.

"Let's go."

Lu Xia looked at Qinglin, extended his hand to her, and said with a smile,

"Qinglin, come with me."

Qinglin raised her head and glanced at Xiao Ding.

Xiao Ding gave her a gentle nod, as if bidding her farewell.

Qinglin also gave Xiao Ding a slight bow.

No matter what, Commander Xiao had taken her in and given her food to eat.

She would remember that kindness in her heart.

Then she turned around, held out her little hand, and cautiously took Lu Xia's hand.

Lu Xia's hand was warm and strong.

For the first time, Qinglin felt truly at ease.

Sensing the chill and nervousness in her small hand, Lu Xia gave it a gentle squeeze and offered her an encouraging look.

Holding Qinglin's hand, he turned and walked toward the hall's exit.

He did not look at Xiao Ding or Xiao Li again, nor did he spare the other maids a glance.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the pair walked step by step out of the hall and out of the Desert Iron Mercenary Group.

Before long, they vanished from everyone's sight.

Only after Lu Xia had completely disappeared did the people in the hall finally let out a breath of relief.

The oppressive atmosphere from before had finally faded.

Xiao Ding wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still shaken by fear.

Just who was that young man?

He was so strong—why had Xiao Ding never heard of him before?

Xiao Ding stood where he was, brow slightly furrowed as he fell into thought.

Only then did the other maids come back to their senses.

Looking in the direction Qinglin had disappeared, their faces were filled with envy.

"Qinglin is way too lucky, isn't she?"

"Exactly. She caught the eye of someone so important. She'll definitely live a good life from now on."

"If I'd known, I would've stood a little farther forward just now..."

"Oh, give it a rest. That important person chose Qinglin, not you."

"Come to think of it, I used to bully Qinglin. She won't hold a grudge, will she?"

"Who knows? She's someone important's person now. We can't afford to offend her anymore."

"..."

The maids chattered away, their voices full of envy and jealousy.

They had all looked down on Qinglin before, but now she had risen to greatness in a single step. Naturally, they did not feel good about it.

"What are you all staring at?!"

Just then, the steward entered and shouted,

"Don't you have work to do?"

"Get back to work, all of you! If you don't finish washing today's clothes, none of you will get anything to eat!"

Scolded by the steward, the maids immediately fell silent. Lowering their heads, they hurried toward the rear courtyard.

Yet in their hearts, they still envied Qinglin's good fortune.

Xiao Li walked over to Xiao Ding and said worriedly,

"Big Brother, who exactly was that person?"

"Will he come back and kill us later?"

Xiao Ding shook his head. "Probably not."

"From the way he acted, he didn't seem to be here to cause trouble."

"If he truly meant us harm, he would have attacked earlier. There was no need for all that talk."

"For now, wake up all the brothers."

"Yes."

Xiao Li nodded and turned to make the arrangements.

Xiao Ding remained where he was, staring in the direction Lu Xia had left, his expression complicated.

Hopefully, that man was not an enemy.

Lu Xia held Qinglin's hand as they walked through the streets of Stone Desert City.

Qinglin stayed by Lu Xia's side, gripping his hand tightly, still somewhat reserved.

"What's wrong? Nervous?"

Noticing her unease, Lu Xia lowered his head and asked with a smile.

"N-No..."

Qinglin hurriedly shook her head and replied softly.

This was the first time in her life that she had held a boy's hand.

Seeing her shy expression, Lu Xia found it rather adorable.

"There's no need to be nervous."

Lu Xia said with a smile,

"From now on, just think of me as family."

"Oh, right. My name is Lu Xia. From now on, call me Brother Xia."

"Y-Yes... Brother Xia."

Qinglin called out softly.

"Mm."

Lu Xia nodded in satisfaction.

"Oh, right. I'm taking you to meet someone."

"There's also an older sister waiting for us at the inn."

"An older sister?"

Qinglin raised her head and looked at Lu Xia curiously.

"Mm."

Lu Xia said with a smile,

"Her name is Medusa, and her temper is a little bad."

"From now on, you two are family. You must get along well."

"I understand."

Qinglin nodded, feeling both anticipation and fear.

She wondered whether that older sister would dislike and despise her just like everyone else had.

Lu Xia saw through her worries, patted her head, and said,

"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, she won't bully you."

"Mm!"

Qinglin looked into Lu Xia's encouraging eyes and nodded firmly.

As long as Brother Xia was here, she was not afraid of anything!

Lu Xia smiled, took Qinglin's hand, and headed toward the inn.

Holding Qinglin's hand, Lu Xia quickly returned to the inn.

The moment they reached the room's entrance, the door opened with a creak.

Medusa stood in the doorway. She had evidently sensed Lu Xia's return and come out to take a look.

She had been bored staying at the inn, and her thoughts were in turmoil. She simply could not sit still.

When she saw Lu Xia returning while holding a little girl's hand, curiosity appeared in Medusa's violet eyes.

Was this the person he had entered the city to find?

A frail little girl?

She did not seem particularly special.

Medusa felt somewhat puzzled.

But she did not ask. It had nothing to do with her anyway.

She was merely a prisoner now. All she needed to do was mind herself.