The sky darkened, and the territory of the Divine Family mansion was enveloped in a quiet, serene atmosphere.
Inside the patriarch's office,
Chen Zhenlong, along with his two wives, Chen Yinying and Chen Wenrou, sat in somber silence.
The incident from earlier kept replaying in their minds. It made them feel angry, saddened, and helpless about the entire situation.
They couldn't believe that someone had the gall to mistreat their precious child in such a manner, and they felt saddened that their daughter thought so little of herself that she believed bringing up such a matter would only inconvenience everyone.
Especially her own parents.
Chen Yinying, who looked like a fairy with her small face, crystal-like eyes, flushed cheeks, soft lips, and slender figure, balled her fists in anger as her chest heaved.
"I can't believe that bitch is so miserable that she actually plotted against my baby," she said through gritted teeth, a faint killing intent emanating from her body. "Let me handle the beheading. I'll make it quick. I would backhand that bitch so hard her head would explode into pulp."
Her words made Chen Zhenlong and Chen Wenrou sigh wearily.
"No, you can't do that, Sister Yinying," Chen Wenrou immediately interjected. Knowing Chen Yinying's temperament, she would surely do what she said.
And they couldn't let her do that, no matter how much they wanted to see it happen.
"Your reputation would be ruined if you lowered yourself like that. Just let the Judgement Hall do their job."
Chen Wenrou was Chen Zhenlong's first wife. She had the temperament of a responsible wife. Her face was like sculpted jade, and she wore glasses that gave her a smart appearance. Her body was full of curves.
Compared to Chen Yinying, who looked like a fiery lotus ready to burst at any moment, Chen Wenrou resembled an elegant rose. She was the perfect picture of grace and composure.
She was often the voice of reason between the two of them, so despite her anger, she simply couldn't allow Chen Yinying to do such a thing.
Chen Yinying was the wife of Chen Zhenlong and a member of a major family. Her actions would not only reflect on herself but on the entire Divine Family as well.
Not to mention, although Glory City was the last surviving city in the world, they were still a civilized society.
There was due process that needed to be followed in this kind of situation, and none of it involved Chen Yinying raining absolute hell upon the person.
If that were allowed, Chen Wenrou was sure that her husband would have long since slapped that woman to death himself.
Hearing this, Chen Yinying's shoulders slumped. Her fury was washed away and replaced by sadness.
"I can't believe my baby didn't say anything to me. I'm her mother. Why would she think that it would inconvenience me?"
Her words made all of them fall silent once more.
Chen Linlin's condition was very sensitive. Despite providing medicine to ease her pain, the three of them were helpless regarding her illness.
Then this recent incident made them realize that their daughter had begun seeing herself as the problem.
It was the reason she never said anything about the food and chose to endure it instead.
Unfortunately, a twisted person got hold of this knowledge and took it as an opportunity to mistreat her.
Looking at the pained expression on his wife's face,
Chen Zhenlong stood up from his chair and walked toward Chen Yinying, pulling her into his embrace. She let out a shaky breath as she felt his warmth.
"I already spoke to Lin'er. I made sure she understood that her condition doesn't make her any less our daughter. We love her and care for her no matter what, and nothing will ever change that."
Hot tears streamed down Chen Yinying's delicate cheeks. She sniffled and wrapped her arms around her husband's torso.
As she did, she inwardly prayed to the heavens for her daughter to recover.
"Well, it's a good thing our husband brought Xiao Hui with him," Chen Wenrou chimed in, wanting to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
"Ever since that boy started working as Lin'er's attendant, the situation has improved slightly. Lin'er finally found someone she's comfortable with, and the boy has proven his capability."
In this recent incident, Xue Hui had shown himself to be someone they could fully rely on to keep their daughter properly cared for.
Who would have thought he would become so effective at his job? Certainly not most of them.
Thinking of the peculiar boy, Chen Yinying's lips curved slightly. She couldn't help but let out a snort as she recalled something.
"I still can't believe that Xiao Hui is the sole reason why that lass from the Sacred Family left our estate in such an angry state. I never imagined that Xiao Hui would be so bold as to say that to a lady."
Chen Zhenlong shook his head and laughed softly.
"Yeah. That boy called her out about her... weird smell," he recalled.
"Xiao Hui probably caught a whiff of her perfume and didn't like it."
Both women giggled upon hearing his words. Xue Hui could be absolutely merciless with his words sometimes.
"I still remember the time he asked Brother-in-law Fe if he had issues with his masculinity," Chen Wenrou added while trying not to laugh. "That was when Xiao Hui found out that Brother-in-law Fe was the only elder who didn't have a child. And he even asked that question in front of everyone."
This time, the three of them couldn't hold it in and burst into laughter.
If Xue Hui were not such an important person to Chen Linlin, Chen Fe would have long since given him a bump on the head.
While the three parents continued their conversation,
A little girl could be seen flinging pillows at Xue Hui.
She had a small and frail body. Her tiny face seemed devoid of color, and her long hair draped down her back. Anyone who saw it would notice that its natural color was gradually fading.
This little girl is Chen Linlin.
Despite losing her breath, she didn't stop venting her anger.
She was angry that her parents had found out about the bad food.
And it was because of Xue Hui snitching on her.
Although she knew he only wanted to help her, she couldn't stop herself from feeling betrayed by his actions.
Especially after she had explicitly asked him not to tell her parents anything.
Yet despite her request, he had still gone behind her back and informed them, making her father and mothers worry even more than they already did.
She was angry.
And Xue Hui was at fault.
She had originally wanted to throw him out of her room. She didn't want to see him or even talk to him at all.
But every time she tried to tell him to leave, her heart began to ache.
Xue Hui was the only person in this vast mansion whom she considered truly close.
And the thought of him leaving made her feel terrified.
Unable to chase him away, she resorted to other means to vent her frustration.
Which was throwing pillows at him.
But even that failed to lessen her anger. On the contrary, it only irritated her further.
Because the target of her resentment, the boy who was supposed to feel guilty for betraying her, continued to act as normal as ever.
He simply let the pillows rain down on him, completely ignoring her tantrum. He even caught the ones she hurled at him and gently placed them back beside her.
"Ugh! I hate you! Hui-hui, you're the worst! You didn't listen to me, and you made my parents worry even more. I hate you so, so much!" the little girl yelled, frustration written all over her face.
She grunted and threw all her pillows with all her strength. They flew everywhere, missing their target entirely.
She kept it up until she began to feel lightheaded, her breathing turning shallow and uneven.
She stopped, her small chest heaving rapidly.
"Hui-hui..."
Chen Linlin extended both of her arms, her expression looking somewhat pitiful.
Hearing her weak call, Xue Hui discarded the pillow and approached her. He reached out and held her extended hands.
Chen Linlin held his hands like a lifeline.
Feeling the warmth brought by them, Chen Linlin's rapid breathing gradually slowed until it returned to normal.
She didn't know when it started, but whenever she felt as though a mountain was weighing on her chest,
she would instinctively reach for Xue Hui.
For some reason, his touch was enough to drive her anxiety away.
The two stayed connected, hands clasped beneath the veil of the cold night. Their small bodies were bathed in moonlight.
Xue Hui, who had been blankly staring at their joined hands, lifted his head when he heard soft sniffles.
"I'm sorry... I didn't mean all of it," she sobbed, her small body trembling. "Don't be angry at me. Please don't leave me alone, Hui-hui."
Burdened by her illness, Chen Linlin always felt that everyone around her would eventually leave her behind.
That fear never left her heart. Instead, it only grew over time.
But for some reason, that feeling lessened whenever she was with Xue Hui.
Xue Hui was different.
He was emotionless, spoke very little, and most of the time unnerved the people around him.
But for Chen Linlin, his presence brought her comfort. She felt safe and secure in a way she couldn't explain.
As if she never had to worry about Xue Hui growing tired of her... or abandoning her.
Xue Hui had never promised her anything. He never spoke about staying by her side.
Yet every one of his actions silently implied the same thing.
That he would remain with her, no matter what.
Because of that, Chen Linlin's fear of being left behind was gradually suppressed by his presence.
Her earlier outburst was nothing more than a childish tantrum. She never truly meant any of it.
But the moment she thought he might actually take her words seriously, leave, and never come to see her again,
she panicked.
She pulled his small body into her embrace. Feeling exhausted, she buried her face against his chest and sniffled. With everything that had happened today, she clung to him desperately for comfort.
She hated where her life was heading.
Not only had she lost her ability to cultivate, but her body itself was slowly failing. For now, it was only her legs. In the future, she might not be able to move at all.
Her illness was something that would gradually render her completely paralyzed.
Just thinking about it terrified her.
She pressed her face deeper into Xue Hui's chest, using him to muffle the sound of her sobs.
She didn't want her parents to see her cry ever again. To hide it from them, she only allowed herself to break down when she was alone... or when she was with Xue Hui.
She liked that Xue Hui never overreacted whenever she cried, unlike her parents.
Xue Hui would simply hold her calmly and let her cry until there were no tears left.
Chen Linlin didn't know what compelled her to say the words that left her lips.
Perhaps it was because her heart was filled with grievances.
Or perhaps she wanted to believe there was still the slightest hope for her.
She didn't really know.
Her body trembled slightly, and desperation filled her gaze as she lifted her small head to meet Xue Hui's eyes.
"Please save me, Hui-hui," she whispered desperately. "I don't want to spend my life lying in bed..." A bead of tears rolled down her delicate cheeks. "...I don't want to be the Withered Princess."
Her fingers tightened around his clothes. She tugged on them as if trying to wake him up.
"P-please... Xue Hui, save me!"
When she looked at him, her teal eyes met his lilac ones.
As always, they were blank like a void.
Seeing no reaction, Chen Linlin lowered her head. All her tension disappeared, and her grip loosened, causing her arms to fall to her thighs.
Then suddenly, she felt warmth against her face.
A hand cupped her cheek, wiping away her tears.
She froze.
Her gaze met Xue Hui's eyes.
Unlike before, those lilac orbs held life within them.
Then gradually, a noticeable glow appeared in them.
It flickered like flint trying to ignite a flame.
Chen Linlin remained stunned as she watched his face flash through different emotions.
The hands holding her face trembled.
Her breath hitched as his expression became more lifelike. He looked shocked, confused, and filled with a deep sense of longing.
The glow in his eyes grew brighter.
They now looked like two radiant halos.
Then he spoke.
Not with his usual flat tone, but with a voice full of emotion.
"In this lifetime, I, Xue Hui, won't let you suffer."
Bathed in moonlight, the two children held each other's gaze as they soaked in each other's presence.
End of Chapter 6