The Well-Behaved Child and a Lingering Wound

Raising Ruoli had never truly burdened Su Xiaoxiao with much worry.

Initially, when Su Xiaoxiao had just given birth, Ruoli was exceptionally well-behaved in her swaddling clothes. This was a stark contrast to her restless nature while still in the womb.

Su Xiaoxiao recalled Xiyue’s words from that time: “Your spiritual meridians are damaged, and your spiritual energy is depleted. She couldn’t receive enough spiritual energy, so it’s natural for her to be a bit restless when hungry.”

She realized then that she had misunderstood her little fish-cub. In truth, every time Xiyue had transferred spiritual energy to her while she was pregnant, the discomfort had lessened considerably.

It was quite incredible that a child who inherited Xiyue’s half-demon bloodline possessed not a single trace of inherent wickedness. She was so gentle and compliant.

She was smarter than the other little fish-cubs of the Mermaid tribe, yet in many ways, she was indistinguishable from them.

She was never mischievous or troublesome, and she was exceptionally polite. Her voice was always soft and sweet. Children were typically boisterous and unruly, yet Su Xiaoxiao had never once seen her throw a tantrum.

Even when other young mermaids snatched her toys, she would not grow angry or cry. Instead, she would generously offer them, often adding, “You just have to ask me if you want it. Why did you snatch it? If you ask, I’ll give it to you.”

Su Xiaoxiao felt immense relief, yet she also worried that Ruoli was too understanding, perhaps suppressing her own grievances. Later, she gently advised her, “If you don’t want to, you don’t have to let them have it. Tell Mama, and I will stand up for you.”

Ruoli’s large eyes, clear and sparkling, gazed up at Su Xiaoxiao as she innocently explained, “She actually can’t snatch it from me, but she cries. I didn’t think it was necessary to fight her for it. It’s just a toy, not something very important.”

Her words melted Su Xiaoxiao’s heart completely. She had marveled countless times at how she had given birth to such a well-behaved child.

Even at such a tender age, barely able to walk, she would mimic everything. Su Xiaoxiao would bow respectfully when greeting the Patriarch and the Elders, and Ruoli, observing from the side, learned to do the same.

From that day forward, she would always politely bow and offer greetings whenever she encountered them.

Polite, talented, rarely crying, and adorably beautiful – who could possibly dislike such a little fish-cub?

Even Yunqing, who typically only emerged from the sacred Divine Tree lands for major celebrations, would make an effort to visit Ruoli once a month.

Many members of the Mermaid tribe often referred to Su Xiaoxiao’s little fish-cub as ‘someone else’s child,’ a term of high praise.

“Just look at Ruoli.”

“Why is Ruoli so well-behaved?”

“Can’t you be a little more obedient, like Ruoli?” These were common refrains.

Such remarks were common, yet the tribe members were all aware of Su Xiaoxiao’s past. They knew that her belly had once been distended, carrying the child of Demon Venerable Xiyue, and that upon her return, her stomach had been flat as she nursed her baby.

This fact was known by everyone, yet not a single person ever looked down upon Su Xiaoxiao for it, nor did they ever use it to mock or ridicule her. The tribe members maintained a tacit understanding, refraining from discussing the matter.

They showed not the slightest discrimination towards Su Xiaoxiao or her little fish-cub. In fact, the elder mermaids were particularly attentive and caring towards her, extending even greater care to Ruoli.

Ruoli possessed a gentle nature, never contentious or possessive. Even the young mermaids several years her senior enjoyed playing with her.

However, Ruoli was also a crybaby. Once she developed her tail, other young mermaids who had never seen one before were naturally curious. Ruoli would often be playing outside only to run back, whimpering to Su Xiaoxiao, “Mama, someone pulled my tail!”

It never truly hurt much; it was simply the clever little fish-cub’s way of seeking affection from Su Xiaoxiao.

Su Xiaoxiao found herself between laughter and tears. After comforting her for a while, Ruoli insisted on holding Su Xiaoxiao’s hand, wanting her to come play in the water with her.

For her own child, Su Xiaoxiao always tried her best to fulfill Ruoli’s requests. She accompanied Ruoli to play, escorting her back to the waters where the other young mermaids frolicked.

From a distance, she overheard an older mermaid, several years Ruoli’s senior, being reprimanded by a few other little fish-cubs.

“Why did you pull Ruoli’s tail? You made her cry!”

“Exactly! Ruoli ran home to her mama because of you. You’re so mean, we don’t want to play with you anymore!”

Su Xiaoxiao was about to intervene when the little fish-cub, who was being surrounded and condemned, flushed crimson with anger. She was already ten years old this year.

Without the help of her parents, she couldn’t even transform into human form, and her tail was not nearly as beautiful as Ruoli’s.

Naturally, she was quite displeased. When she had pulled Ruoli’s tail, she had used a little too much force, though she hadn’t expected Ruoli to cry. Initially, she had felt a pang of guilt.

However, when the other young mermaids declared they would no longer play with her, anxiety surged. Then she saw Su Xiaoxiao approaching, holding Ruoli’s hand.

Finally, her face burning red, she thought only of saving face. Pointing at Su Xiaoxiao and Ruoli, she blurted out:

“I didn’t mean to! She just cried after I pulled it once! She’s clearly the child of that great demon Xiyue, how was I supposed to know she was so fragile?!”

The group of young mermaids was playing in the water, their parents not far behind. The girl’s words were loud, echoing clearly to Su Xiaoxiao, and every working tribe member heard them with equal clarity.

The wind rustled through the leaves, the water gently murmured, and a profound silence settled over the surroundings for a long time.

Su Xiaoxiao stood rooted to the spot, holding Ruoli’s hand, her own trembling imperceptibly.

Ruoli sensed her mother’s unusual state, looking up with wide, innocent eyes at Su Xiaoxiao’s face, which had visibly paled. “Mama?”

A ringing in her ears, absent for so long, suddenly returned. Her heart clenched, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably. All these sensations surged over her at once.

Suddenly, a woman burst forth from the working fields. She grabbed her child, slapping her bottom twice. “You wretched brat, what nonsense are you spouting?!”

Panicked, she turned to Su Xiaoxiao, her attitude sincere and apologetic. “Su Xiaoxiao, I’m so sorry, I…”

Her words trailed off. Su Xiaoxiao exhaled deeply, tightening her grip on Ruoli’s hand. She strove to keep her voice calm. “Little Ruoli, let’s not play anymore today. Shall we go home first?”

Though young, Ruoli was far from foolish. She had naturally noticed Su Xiaoxiao’s distress. She nodded obediently. “Mama, I don’t want to play either. Let’s go home.”

Su Xiaoxiao remained silent. All the way home, as she led Ruoli, her face remained pale. She even overlooked her young child, not uttering a single word to her.

Fortunately, Ruoli was exceptionally well-behaved. Seeing that Su Xiaoxiao wasn’t speaking, she quietly kept her own counsel, careful not to add to her mother’s troubles.

Upon returning home, Su Xiaoxiao sat for a while, her emotions gradually improving. She didn’t know how to explain things to Ruoli, but her little fish-cub was exceptionally good.

Without a fuss, Ruoli simply sat quietly beside her, offering silent companionship.

As the sun set in the west, Su Xiaoxiao finally snapped back to reality when she heard Ruoli’s stomach rumble. “I’m so sorry, Little Ruoli,” she apologized. “Mama will go make you dinner right now.”

Unlike herself, a fish-cub this small needed to eat daily to ensure healthy growth.

Ruoli shook her head, then smiled sweetly at her. “Mama, let me help you.”

Like a little tail, she followed Su Xiaoxiao into the kitchen. While Su Xiaoxiao cooked, Ruoli would occasionally help by fetching a small bowl. Even this simple act significantly brightened Su Xiaoxiao’s mood.

After dinner, mother and daughter bathed together in the water. Ruoli even used her own tail to gently touch Su Xiaoxiao’s, scooping water with her small fish-tail and sprinkling it onto Su Xiaoxiao’s. It seemed like play, yet also like an attempt to help her mother bathe.

Su Xiaoxiao couldn’t resist, gently rubbing Ruoli’s cheek. She then lifted her onto her own fish-tail to sit. After soaking and playing for a while, the sky had grown late. Su Xiaoxiao dried her off and carried her back to their room.

Ruoli rolled twice on the bed, the red jade bracelet on her wrist appearing exceptionally striking against her fair, plump skin.