In the end, Shuqi compromised with Xitong and didn't bother arguing further, because she seemed to sense someone else's presence. She gave Xitong a meaningful look, signaling her to quickly put the Milu away so no one else would see it, which would be hard to explain later, and then she prepared to head down the mountain.
Feigning complete ignorance, Shuqi packed up her tools and the day's harvest, then hurried down the mountain. She thought to herself that perhaps the person was just nearby by coincidence, but it was obviously not the case. Shuqi had walked quite a distance, yet that presence kept trailing right behind her. Annoyed, she clenched her fists and stopped. Frowning, she demanded sharply, "Who's there? Show yourself!"
As the words fell, a youth wearing a brown short-sleeved tunic stepped out from behind the large poplar tree ahead. His expression was calm and his features open and clear, completely devoid of the awkwardness of someone caught stalking another person. He carried himself with total openness.
Shuqi's small face turned stern. "Why are you following me? How long have you been trailing me?"
The youth was speechless. Looking down, he happened to catch Shuqi's vigilant gaze and her fair, delicate hands clenched tightly into fists.
"Don't worry, I mean no harm. I'm also from Tianyu Village, and we've met before," the youth hurriedly explained.
At these words, Shuqi raised her head and looked the youth up and down several times, trying to recall. She did have a vague impression of this person, but not much.
*Why is he following me?* Shuqi thought to herself. *Surely he didn't see what happened with the Milu just now? And what about Xitong? Was she discovered too?* As her thoughts raced, she began to panic slightly!
Xitong was displeased. "You really underestimate me. Aside from you, nobody can see me." Her voice rang out inside Shuqi's head, carrying a hint of disdain!
Shuqi: "......" *I let my guard down. I feel like I'm being mocked again.*
Lowering her gaze to hide the amusement in his eyes, the youth said, "Don't be nervous. I heard from people in the village that you know herbs and learned medicine from Granny Yu. I'm following you today because I have a favor to ask. I won't say a single word to anyone about what I saw today."
*He's threatening me, right?* Shuqi asked Xitong in her mind.
Very quickly, she received Xitong's confirmation. "That's right. Barring any accidents, he's threatening you. I support you beating him up."
*Uh...... that's hardly necessary.* She wasn't that violent. Besides, with Xitong around, she didn't really care about the other's threat.
Abandoning her mental chat with Xitong, Shuqi asked the youth, "What do you want from me?" Seeing that the youth was about to answer, Shuqi hurriedly interrupted to add, "Let's get one thing straight first—it depends on the situation. If I can help, I'll do my best."
Xitong added in her mind, "Ask him for a reward. Don't you dare work for free."
Shuqi grew exasperated. "Can you not?"
"Huh?" The youth was bewildered as to why she had suddenly flared up.
Shuqi froze awkwardly. "I didn't mean you. Go on, what did you want?" She seemed to have momentarily forgotten there was an outsider present, but fortunately, after spending so much time with Xitong, she had some composure left. She immediately put on an air of nothing being amiss, ignoring the youth's puzzled expression.
The youth thought to himself: *Well, well. I didn't expect the person the villagers called ill-omened to have such a temperament. She's somewhat cute.*
He hurriedly replied, "My mother has been unwell lately. We've seen a doctor, but she hasn't gotten any better. I'd like to ask you to help my mother. Don't worry, I will repay you."
Hearing this, Shuqi couldn't help but be taken aback. This was somewhat unexpected. In her understanding, the villagers' attitude toward her had never been very good; most of them actually went out of their way to avoid her. Otherwise, Shuqi wouldn't have lived with Xitong for so long without anyone discovering anything unusual.
After pondering for a moment, Shuqi finally agreed. "Fine then. Tell me your address, and I'll come find you later when I have time. Off you go, and stop following me!"
After giving his home address and double-checking that Shuqi had memorized it, the youth finally left.
"As soon as you get back today, immediately bind the Jade Pendant I gave you this morning so you have an extra layer of protection," Xitong materialized the moment the youth departed. After a brief pause, she added, "And take that Marrow Cleansing Pill as soon as possible, too."
"Mm, okay!" Shuqi replied, her pace steady.
Once home, Shuqi tidied up briefly and had Xitong release the Milu. Fortunately, when Granny Yu had built the house, she bought a large plot of land. Aside from the three thatched cottages, the courtyard was exceptionally spacious, so even with an extra Milu, it didn't look crowded at all.
"Looked at closely, this deer really doesn't look bad at all. It carries an ethereal aura, just like you."
Xitong rolled her eyes at her. "I'll take that as a compliment. Now hurry up and get some milk for the puppy." With that, she strolled over to the stone table on her own, showing no intention of helping whatsoever.
*Emo...*
"I'm only six years old and yet I have to bear so much," Shuqi muttered, but her hands moved without any hesitation. If you looked closely, there was still a smile in her eyes.
Xitong merely glanced at her indifferently and said nothing.
Shuqi didn't mind. Clumsily, she milked the deer, placed the bowl on the stone table, and then went inside the house to carefully scoop up the newborn puppy. She sat down right across from Xitong, brought the bowl of deer milk to the puppy's mouth, and whispered, "Drink up. You must be starved."
Seeing that attitude, Xitong clicked her tongue: "I've been with you for so long, and I've never seen you treat me this well."
Hearing this, Shuqi raised her gaze to look at her, whispering in reply, "That's because you're much stronger! Right now I'm just a kid with no abilities. Once I become strong, I'll definitely treat you well—I'll treat you better than anyone else in the world!"
Xitong gave a "Hmph," but didn't say anything further, simply watching quietly as Shuqi fed the puppy.