A Girl’s Wish

“Do you really want to know?”

Admittedly, Samuel’s bundled-up appearance was bizarre, and pressing him for an answer right away felt somewhat improper. There was clearly a reason for the attire; considering his impaired right leg, he likely had something he was forced to hide. Yunshu wasn’t dim-witted; the moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had asked a poor question.

She quickly corrected herself: “If it’s inconvenient, just pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“It is not a matter of convenience. I am simply asking, Miss Yunshu—do you truly wish to know?” Samuel’s tone remained flat, seemingly indifferent to her prying. “If you truly wish it, then I will tell you. It is because I can grant people’s wishes.”

Yunshu waved her hands frantically. “No, no! Just ignore what I said earlier. Also, you don’t need to call me ‘Miss’ Yunshu. Just Yunshu is fine.”

“Very well, Yunshu. Since you no longer wish to know, I must ask again: how shall I repay you?”

“How to repay me… hmm, why does there have to be a repayment?” Yunshu asked. “I only gave you a small hand. I helped you simply because I wanted to help, not because I expected anything in return.”

Samuel countered her immediately. “That is because your moral character is noble, Yunshu; therefore, you do not seek reward. However, for many ordinary people, if they receive a due reward after helping someone, they will be more likely to choose to help others again when the opportunity arises. This is my philosophy, and I act according to it. That is why I must give you a reward.”

As the saying goes, “To accept the gold does not harm one’s virtue; to refuse it may discourage others from doing good.” Samuel’s logic mirrored that of the ancient sages—it was rational and profound.

Under such an argument, most people would be persuaded to accept. But Jiang Yunshu was not “most people.” Her grades weren’t stellar, and she had long since forgotten the classic texts from school; she certainly didn’t grasp the deep subtext of Samuel’s behavior. To her, no matter how “correct” his words sounded, the principle of “helping others without seeking reward” was never wrong.

She rejected him again. “Thank you, but I really didn’t do it for a reward, so I don’t—”

“Let us switch to your logic, then,” Samuel interrupted. “Yunshu, I want to give you a reward. Not for any grand reason—simply because I want to.”

“I told you, it’s not necessary.”

“But I want to give it.”

“Really, it’s fine.”

“I want to give it.”

Yunshu was clearly no match for this stubborn fellow. She threw up her hands in defeat. “Alright, alright, alright! I can’t out-talk you. We’ll do it your way. But the specific reward has to be decided by me.”

Yunshu thought for a moment. “Samuel, do you have anything to do today?”

Not quite understanding why she was asking, Samuel answered honestly, “I have no missions today. There is nothing I need to do.”

“Then what were you doing on the street?”

“I was simply walking. I have been traveling the world for some time now.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Yunshu asked curiously. “Then why did you come to this city? It’s not small, but it doesn’t have any famous tourist spots. Usually, people don’t come here for vacation.”

“I did not plan my route in advance. This city is my final stop. I am returning home tomorrow; I have been away for long enough.”

Yunshu nodded. “I get it, I get it. It’s like that saying—go wherever the wind blows. No, wait, that’s not it… it’s… what was it…?”

“If you cannot recall it, you need not dwell on it,” Samuel said. “I understand your meaning. So, why do you ask?”

“To figure out your reward, of course!” Yunshu chirped. “Since you’re here as a tourist, I’ve decided on your repayment. Listen up: for the rest of the day, you have to take responsibility and accompany me for some fun!”

The request clearly caught Samuel off guard. A hint of surprise flickered in his voice. “Just that? You do not want anything else? Money, treasures, or the like?”

“Nope! I just received the stuff I wanted to buy with money not long ago anyway.” Yunshu shook her head. “Samuel, to me, money is just a string of numbers. It’s not very useful. Besides, I’d much rather make new friends. Like you.”

“…You wish to be friends with me? Why?”

“No ‘why’! You seem like a good person, so I want to be your friend.” Yunshu tilted her head. “Is that not allowed?”

After a long silence, Samuel replied, “If that is the reward you seek, then I agree.”

Getting a “yes,” Yunshu happily took Samuel’s left hand. “Great! Let’s go. This city has tons of fun things to see. By the way, have you eaten lunch?”

“No.”

“Perfect, neither have I. There’s a great spot nearby—delicious and cheap. I’ll take you there.”

“Very well.”

Under Yunshu’s lead, the two set off toward the bustling main street once again.

“Things seem to be heading in a strange direction, don’t you think, Dashan?”

In a blind spot where Yunshu and Samuel couldn’t see them, Ran Jiu and Meng Shan were watching the two youngsters’ every move and eavesdropping on every word.

When Meng Shan didn’t react, Ran Jiu continued, “Watching a girl you care about take the initiative to hold a boy’s hand… do you get the feeling of watching a perfectly good cabbage offer itself up to be uprooted by a pig?”

“Be serious. Do you have to say that right now?” Meng Shan lightly tapped Ran Jiu’s head. “Watch their movements carefully and stop talking nonsense.”

Sensing Meng Shan’s unusual irritability, Ran Jiu teased, “You really are bothered, aren’t you? Oh, how pitiful—the old father’s prize cabbage is actively seeking out a pig.”

Seeing Meng Shan raise his fist again, Ran Jiu quickly changed the subject. “By the way, has Jiang Yunshu always been like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“That ‘social butterfly’ energy. Look at that Samuel—he looks like a total nightmare to get along with, yet she befriended him in no time. If that isn’t a social powerhouse, what is?”

Recalling the past six months, Meng Shan replied, “She’s been like that since I met her. Exceptionally cheerful, always radiating a unique kind of affinity. The quintessential optimistic magical girl.”

Ran Jiu then asked, “So, what do you think of that Samuel guy?”

After a moment of thought, Meng Shan said, “Awkward, stubborn, low emotional intelligence, but a man of principle. That’s my current impression of him. The specifics remain to be seen, but after what just happened, I don’t think he’s a dangerous Awakened.”

Ran Jiu nodded. “True. If someone had framed me like that, I would have beaten them into a pulp.”

“You already did. You kneaded that woman’s face until it was twice its original size,” Meng Shan reminded her. “And when that wasn’t enough, you healed her with your ability just so you could mess her up a second time.”

“Tch, look who’s talking.” Ran Jiu glanced at Meng Shan. “I admit I roughed her up twice, but who was the one who snapped three of her fingers?”

“Alright, let’s not dwell on trifles. Besides, you healed her anyway.” Meng Shan stiffly changed the subject. “Do you think we need to keep watching them?”

“That’s a lazy segue. But fine, I’ll let it slide. As for your question—of course we do! Who could feel at ease letting a guy of unknown origin wander around with Yunshu?”

Ran Jiu gave him another pointed look. “Don’t think I don’t know you. Even if I said no, with your personality, you’d still shadow them secretly. Then the second you saw something suspicious, you’d call me and try to take Samuel down on the spot.”

Meng Shan didn’t deny it. “You’re right. But I also know that despite your grumbling, you agree with my decision because you can’t stop worrying about Little Yun either.”

“So—!” Ran Jiu suddenly blurted out as if she’d discovered a scandal. “Look! They just entered a hotpot restaurant! They even went into a private booth and ordered the ‘Couple’s Set Meal’!”

“What?!” Meng Shan instantly blew his top. “A private booth is one thing, but a Couple’s Set?! I’m going to—”

“Er…” Realizing he was losing control, Meng Shan quickly pivoted. “I mean… I just meant we could order the same thing later. That set is only 75 yuan; it’s quite a bargain.”

“I understand, I understand.” Ran Jiu patted Meng Shan’s shoulder sympathetically. “No one is happy seeing their cabbage throw itself at a pig.”