The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

After agreeing on everything, Xu Xi pushed open the door and led the group into the ward.

Zheng Xiaona leaned against the headboard, her small body wrapped in a large hospital gown. Her head was slightly turned towards the window, and her clear eyes were wide open, curiously gazing at the tall buildings outside.

For her, a child who had never been down the mountain, everything outside was new and unfamiliar.

Zheng Xiaoyi lay unconscious on the hospital bed next to him, a thin IV tube connected to the back of his hand, and clear liquid slowly flowed into his thin body.

The sound of footsteps broke the silence of the ward. Zheng Xiaona looked away, feeling a little flustered.

She noticed the fruit basket that had been bought for her on the bedside table, so she took out three apples from it, wiped them carefully with her hands, and gently handed them to them.

Seeing his overly sensible demeanor, Xu Xi felt a pang of heartache.

"Little...Little Stream Sister, thank you."

She spoke softly, lowered her head timidly, and seemed hesitant to meet the gaze of the benefactor who had rescued her from the clutches of evil.

Xu Xi smiled faintly, sat on the edge of the bed, placed her two small hands in front of Zheng Xiaona's eyes, and gently rubbed them together.

"Clang clang clang!"

Then, as if by magic, she produced an exquisite hair clip from her palm and used it to tie Zheng Xiaona's hair up beautifully.

This friendly gesture eased some of Zheng Xiaona's nervousness.

"

Xiaona, I have a question for you. You have to tell me the truth, and you can't hide anything, okay?

Xu Xi gently tapped Zheng Xiaona's nose.

Zheng Xiaona paused for a moment, then nodded.

"The doctor said you can be discharged tomorrow. Do you want to go home and continue living with your old man?"

Upon hearing the words "old man," Zheng Xiaona's body visibly stiffened.

She remained silent for a long time, her eyes flashing with struggle.

After a long while, she finally raised her head and whispered, "Yes."

Hearing this, Xu Xi was stunned, her eyes filled with confusion.

She turned her head and exchanged a glance with Zhao Lin, both of them seeing confusion in each other's eyes.

Zhao Lin was the first to react. She sat on the edge of the bed and stared into Zheng Xiaona's eyes.

"Xiaona, do you remember what Teacher Qi talked about in your first class?"

Zheng Xiaona frowned, thought hard for a while, and then stammered, "Honest...honest. Be an honest child, don't lie."

"Did you do it?" Zhao Lin asked earnestly.

Zheng Xiaona's eyes reddened slightly. After hesitating for a moment, she shook her head with shame.

Then, she began to sob softly, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Then tell Teacher Zhao, why did you lie?"

Zhao Lin wiped her little face with a tissue and asked again.

"I...I..."

Zheng Xiaona sniffed and said, her voice choked with emotion.

"I've already caused Teacher Zhao and Sister Xiaoxi too much trouble, I can't let you worry anymore... I don't want to be a burden to you anymore."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xi felt as if an invisible hand was gripping her heart tightly.

This little girl in front of me, despite having suffered so much and being so scared, is still worried about causing them trouble and is carefully telling lies.

That understanding touched her deeply, and made her feel incredibly heartbroken.

"Xiaona, listen to what your sister has to say."

Xu Xi held her small hand tightly, transferring the warmth of her palm to her.

"Your older sister can send you to a school in the city, where you will live and study with many, many other children like you."

"But then it will be very difficult for you to go back to the village."

"So, are you willing?"

Zheng Xiaona raised her head, a glimmer of light flashing in her eyes for a moment—a yearning for knowledge, an anticipation of a new life. But that light only lingered for a moment before quickly dissipating, replaced by deep concern.

"But...this will cost a lot of money, won't it?"

She said softly, her eyes filled with unease.

She knew she had nothing and couldn't afford to go to school.

"You don't need to worry about the money."

Xu Xi smiled slightly.

"Your sister will sponsor your schooling until you graduate."

"No, no!"

Zheng Xiaona hurriedly shook her head, her little head shaking like a rattle drum, her tone full of urgency.

"Little Stream saved me, that's already so kind of you. I can't spend your money anymore! Absolutely not!"

She bit her lip, as if she had made a huge decision, and looked up, her eyes full of pleading.

"Sister Xiaoxi, how about... how about you let me stay by your side and serve you? I'm very diligent. I can boil water, cook, do laundry, and sweep the floor. I can do all of these things very well."

"As long as... as long as I have something to eat and don't go hungry, I'll be satisfied."

She spoke cautiously, a hint of humility hidden in her eyes.

Xu Xi smiled gently and pinched Zheng Xiaona's cheek.

Unconditional charity will only make this sensitive and sensible girl feel more guilty and less willing to accept her kindness.

So she changed her tune, feigning seriousness: "Xiaona, I'm not helping you unconditionally. I'm a businesswoman, to put it bluntly, a 'shady businesswoman'."

"By sponsoring your education, I'm making a low-cost investment in you. When you grow up, graduate, and use your knowledge to earn more money, you can pay me back. That will be my return on investment. Do you understand?"

"I know, I know! Sister Xiaoxi, are you the ancient Landlord God of Wealth?"

Zheng Xiaona excitedly raised her little hand.

"You want me to be your farmer? To teach me how to farm, and then after the harvest, you'll share the harvest with me, right?"

"You got it right! Xiaona is so smart, here's a lollipop for you."

Xu Xi took a piece of fruit candy out of her pocket and put it in Zheng Xiaona's mouth.

"The harvest you get from farming is much higher than what you would earn as a maid."

She ruffled Zheng Xiaona's hair, her tone slightly teasing.

"You're a smart girl, you should know which option is more beneficial to your older sister, right?"

Xu Nian and Zhao Lin listened in stunned silence. They exchanged a glance and twitched their lips.

Xu Nian and Zhao Lin, who were standing to the side, were stunned. They looked at each other and couldn't help but twitch their lips.

They all knew that Xu Xi was not short of money to sponsor a child's schooling, nor did she expect anything in return.

She said these things simply to help Zheng Xiaona let go of her psychological burden, accept help with a clear conscience, say goodbye to the past completely, and focus on her studies and growth.

However, this phrase, which resembled "signing a contract of servitude," still made them feel somewhat ashamed.