"Your fortune must be thanks to your master," Mu Anxiao thought, unable to find any other reason.
Feng Qishi, despite asking what she knew, had already discerned her thoughts the moment Mu Anxiao put on that exaggerated expression.
"..." Feng Qishi simply smiled without answering.
Seeing Feng Qishi remain silent, Mu Anxiao asked, "Is it?"
Feng Qishi figured that explaining too much to Mu Anxiao would likely be futile, as she might not understand. So, he decided to say nothing.
"..."
"Why aren't you talking to me?"
Feng Qishi, observing Mu Anxiao's anxious look, said, "Why don't you say it's my own ability?"
"How could you have that kind of ability? If your master didn't help you, you definitely wouldn't be able to."
Hearing Mu Anxiao's definitive tone, Feng Qishi was rendered speechless. However, considering Mu Anxiao's persistent nature, he decided to explain further.
"Can I say you're underestimating me?"
"I'm not underestimating you. I know how much magic you have better than you do. How could you..." Mu Anxiao stopped mid-sentence, suddenly recalling Shen Yan's messy cultivation methods in the past, and his deeply hidden magical powers.
Thus, she could not continue.
"..."
"Why did you stop talking?"
At this moment, Mu Anxiao dared not speak, for she remembered that in her past few decades, she had only acquired Shen Yan's spiritual energy and some magic that was sufficient to deal with demons.
Yet, Feng Qishi before her possessed memories of her previous life, as well as his body and spiritual energy. Naturally, her words must have seemed laughable to Feng Qishi.
To avoid saying something foolish, she lowered her head. "..."
Feng Qishi saw through Mu Anxiao's thoughts and smiled, "Are you afraid I'll mock you?"
He had never forgotten how Mu Anxiao would appear so self-conscious whenever she encountered someone formidable in the past.
Mu Anxiao said, "I... my perspective was narrow."
"It's good that you know," Feng Qishi stated calmly.
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao quickly lifted her face to look at Feng Qishi. "Are you still mocking me?" she asked, pointing at herself.
"My master is the one who guided me. There are many things I still have to learn myself, and it's the same for you," Feng Qishi said.
Mu Anxiao didn't know why Feng Qishi was telling her this, but she felt his words made a lot of sense.
"You mean... besides learning what your master taught you, you also self-taught a lot?" she asked.
Feng Qishi smiled. "I'm relieved you're using your brain."
"You..."
"Don't 'you' me. Go back and properly reflect on your current situation," Feng Qishi interrupted.
"..." Mu Anxiao was speechless.
An entire night passed, and neither A Xia nor Chen appeared. Lying on the bed, Mu Anxiao gazed at the ceiling beams and sighed.
On the adjacent bed, Feng Qishi turned over and calmly looked at Mu Anxiao, asking, "How did you sleep?"
Mu Anxiao sat up, leaning against the wall behind her. "I didn't sleep at all last night."
"Were you thinking about Wan Sha... or A Xia?" Feng Qishi inquired.
These were clearly questions Mu Anxiao should have been pondering.
But tonight, she hadn't thought about A Xia and Wan Sha. Instead, she reflected on herself, wondering why she couldn't speak more gently to them in the past, and why she had to be filled with anger. If they had gotten along better, perhaps their hatred for her wouldn't have been so deep!
However, upon further thought, considering the circumstances she had faced over the years, she felt her line of thinking was indeed rather naive.
"No," she said.
"Then what were you thinking about all night?"
"Nothing much. It seems A Xia doesn't intend to come. I'll go look for her later," Mu Anxiao said, throwing off the covers.
"Where will you look?" Feng Qishi asked.
As Mu Anxiao bent down to put on her shoes, she replied, "I'll look around, I'm sure I'll find her." She then stood up.
Feng Qishi sighed.
Following this, Lin Yan, along with a few beggars, skirted past the screen and deliberately ignored Mu Anxiao as they approached Feng Qishi's bed. "We're leaving," he said.
"Go ahead."
Lin Yan smiled and turned to look at the beggars who were staring at Mu Anxiao. "Let's go," he said.
Mu Anxiao, with her back to them, did not respond.
The beggars did not heed Lin Yan's words. Instead, they circumvented the foot of the bed and walked to Mu Anxiao's back.
Beggars Number One said, "I slept very well."
"So did we."
Hearing their words, Mu Anxiao couldn't help but curve her lips slightly and say, "It's good that you're comfortable."
"Thank you," they said in unison.
In the past year, Mu Anxiao had never been treated like this by them. Now, hearing their expressions of gratitude, Mu Anxiao felt a surge of joy within her.
However, to maintain her air of mystery, she simply said calmly, "Work hard, and don't let those people look down on us."
"Yes." The beggars smiled.
Mu Anxiao lowered her head.
Then, they departed.
Feng Qishi got out of bed, put on his shoes, and walked behind Mu Anxiao, saying, "The youngest child here, I've decided to let him work at that female boss's shop."
Upon hearing this, Mu Anxiao suddenly recalled the female boss's expression from yesterday. She slowly turned around and said, "This... it might not be good."
"That child is weak. If he has to move stones like that, he won't be able to handle it."
"I can support him."
The child they were referring to was named Xiao Zeng, and he was twelve years old.
His name was given to him by his mother when she abandoned him.
As for why his mother abandoned him, Mu Anxiao had never asked. All she knew now was something she had overheard. For a long time, she had never spoken a few words to Xiao Zeng.
Although she hadn't exchanged many words with Xiao Zeng, she knew he had a habit of stealing. If he went to the female boss's place, something would surely happen!
"Why?" Feng Qishi asked.
Mu Anxiao felt she couldn't keep this to herself, so she beckoned him closer. "Come down a bit."
Feng Qishi furrowed his brow and leaned down.
Then, Mu Anxiao whispered the matter into Feng Qishi's ear, straightened up, and said, "That's how it is."
After hearing this, Feng Qishi slowly straightened up, turned, and looked towards the screen, saying, "So, your intention is... to bring him to your side?"
"Mm."
"This?"
"I didn't think much of it until you mentioned it. But now that you say it, I feel that child's bad habits really should be corrected."
All this time, Mu Anxiao had never considered interacting with Xiao Zeng. But hearing Feng Qishi's words, she couldn't help but recall Xiao Zeng's noticeable flaws. She thought, if she didn't help him, who else could?
Of course, she knew this thought was too naive and unrealistic!
"He might not listen to you," Feng Qishi said.
Mu Anxiao asked, "What do you mean by that?"
"That child seems to have a prejudice against you," Feng Qishi said, pointing at Mu Anxiao.