"Eh????"
Beidou was extremely surprised when she heard Jiang Yan's words.
"Brother Jiang Yan wants to take me as a disciple? Why?"
Beidou didn't think there was anything about her that would make Jiang Yan want to accept her as a disciple.
"There's no special reason. Aren't you confused about the future? Then come with me."
Jiang Yan said with a smile, his outstretched hand never retracting.
Beidou stared at Jiang Yan with wide eyes.
This was the first time someone had ever said they wanted to take her in and give her a home.
To be honest, Beidou had never imagined that anyone would ever take her in.
Because whenever she told people her name, they would immediately show disgust.
So the sensitive girl had long learned to stay out of people's sight.
But today, she met Jiang Yan.
He was different from those people—this much Beidou could clearly feel.
She lowered her head, her body trembling slightly.
Jiang Yan was like a warm ray of sunlight in the middle of winter, shining onto Beidou's heart and warming it.
Her vision became blurry, and before she realized it, tears had already filled her eyes.
For so long, she had been used to wandering alone that her heart had long since closed itself off.
Yet now, this white-haired young man was telling her gently that he was willing to accept her and give her a home.
That she could finally end her life of drifting without shelter.
It was a luxury she had never even dared to imagine.
After a moment of silence, Beidou slowly reached out her trembling hand and tightly grasped Jiang Yan's.
As if she were clutching the last lifeline that could save her life.
She already had nothing and wandered everywhere.
There was nothing left for her to lose.
Things couldn't get any worse.
So she chose to trust Jiang Yan.
Even after suffering so much cruelty and cold treatment from people, she still chose to believe him.
If she had to give a reason—
It was because when she was about to starve to death, Jiang Yan gave her food that saved her life.
That alone was enough.
"Shall we go?"
Seeing her hand reach out, Jiang Yan clasped it firmly within his own.
So warm...
I don't want to let go...
Beidou's heart trembled.
But when she realized what she was doing, she instinctively tried to pull her hand back.
Because her hands were very dirty, covered in grime.
But Jiang Yan held her hand tightly and didn't let go.
Smiling at her, he asked:
"What's wrong?"
"My hands… are dirty…"
"They'll make your hands dirty too…"
Beidou spoke timidly, afraid he would dislike her because of it.
Jiang Yan curled his finger and lightly flicked her forehead.
"Silly girl. Since you're willing to come with me, shouldn't you change how you address me?"
"You're my disciple now."
Jiang Yan said with a smile.
Beidou looked at him, then lowered her head.
After a long pause, a quiet murmur escaped her lips.
"Master."
"Mhm, that's more like it. What kind of master would dislike their own disciple?"
Although Beidou's voice was soft, Jiang Yan still heard it clearly.
He smiled and gently rubbed her hair.
Even though Beidou was dirty from head to toe, Jiang Yan showed not the slightest hint of disgust.
Feeling the warmth from the hand resting on her head, Beidou's body trembled.
Suddenly, she threw herself into Jiang Yan's arms.
"Master… sob… Master…"
Her thin body trembled violently, as if she wanted to bury herself entirely into Jiang Yan's embrace.
From this moment on, Beidou also had family.
She had a master now—she was no longer alone!
At that moment, countless grievances and hardships seemed to surge inside her, things she wanted to tell Jiang Yan.
But all she could do was cry.
Jiang Yan gently stroked her hair.
Cry.
Let all the grievances in your heart out.
From now on—
I'll be your support.
No one will ever dare bully you again.
That evening, Jiang Yan brought Beidou back to Liyue Harbor.
Before heading to Yuehai Pavilion, Jiang Yan decided to clean Beidou up first.
After all, she was filthy from head to toe.
Standing before the small two-story wooden house where he lived, Jiang Yan lowered his head and looked at Beidou.
"Beidou, we're here."
"From today on, this will be your home."
Beidou looked up and carefully observed the beautifully decorated house in front of her.
Subconsciously, she clenched the corner of her clothes, looking somewhat at a loss.
All her life, she had wandered everywhere, often sleeping on grasslands or inside caves.
She knew her body was dirty.
So when she saw such a clean and beautiful house, her first thought was—
What if she dirtied it?
Beidou felt afraid.
She feared that her presence might bring something bad to this place.
"Come on."
Seeing Beidou's nervous expression, Jiang Yan naturally understood what she was thinking.
But it didn't matter.
She would get used to it in time.
"Jiang Yan, you're back!"
It was evening. Ganyu was cooking dinner in the kitchen. Hearing the door open, she walked out.
"Hm? And she is…?"
Ganyu looked at the little girl behind Jiang Yan with curiosity.
"She's my new disciple—Beidou. Call her 'Master's Wife.'"
"Hello, Master's Wife! I'm very sorry for disturbing you!"
"My name is Beidou. I'm Master's disciple… um… I…"
Little Beidou looked extremely nervous, afraid the gentle and beautiful woman before her might dislike her.
That single "Master's Wife" made Ganyu's cheeks flush slightly red.
Seeing Beidou's anxious expression, Ganyu stepped forward and gently patted her head.
"Little Beidou, make sure to study well with your master from now on."
"Take her to clean up first. I'll serve dinner soon and go to Ningguang's place to get a set of clothes for her. The two of them are about the same height and build, so it should fit."
Ganyu said to Jiang Yan.
"Mhm. Thanks for your hard work."
Jiang Yan leaned forward and kissed Ganyu on the forehead.
"Hey! There's a child here—aren't you embarrassed?"
Ganyu lightly smacked him before crouching down and speaking gently to Beidou.
"Little Beidou, let your master take you to wash up first."
"Your Master's Wife will get you a new set of clothes soon."
Looking at Ganyu's gentle expression, Beidou's eyes filled with tears again.
What kind of luck had she stumbled upon today?
Her master treated her so well.
And even her master's wife didn't dislike her.
God… if this is a dream…
please don't let me wake up. ✨
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