Chapter 9: A Helping Hand

Su Yutao stood frozen in place.

Go back with her?

To a stranger’s home?

They had known each other for less than half a day.

She knew nothing—not who Lin Qingxue was, not where she lived, not whether her words were true.

But—

Did she have any other choice?

Lin Qingxue seemed to sense her hesitation. Her voice grew softer.

“Don’t be afraid. I’m not a bad person.”

“I just… seeing you here all alone, I couldn’t bear it.”

Those same words again.

She had said them that morning.

Su Yutao lowered her head, clutching the bowl in her hands.

She thought of the murderer from last night.

The cold voice, the cold blade, the cold gaze.

That person had been a stranger too.

Lin Qingxue was also a stranger.

But they were different.

Su Yutao didn’t know if she could trust her.

But she had no other choice.

‘No choice but to go with her. She’s been so kind to me… she probably won’t sell me off, right?’

‘What could anyone want from a blind, mute little beggar?’

Su Yutao slowly nodded.

Lin Qingxue seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Her voice carried a hint of a smile.

“Really? That’s great.”

“Come on, my home isn’t far. Walk slowly, no rush. I’ll help you.”

She helped Su Yutao up and let her lean against her.

The same posture.

The same warmth.

Su Yutao followed her, step by step.

After a few steps, Lin Qingxue suddenly asked.

“Oh, by the way, can you manage stairs? I live on the third floor, no elevator.”

Su Yutao nodded.

She could probably manage by feeling her way up slowly.

Lin Qingxue chuckled.

“Alright then. If you get tired, tell me—oh right, you can’t talk. Then just pinch me, and I’ll know.”

Su Yutao was taken aback.

Pinch her?

Lin Qingxue seemed to find her own suggestion a bit amusing and let out a soft laugh.

“Isn’t that a bit silly? Anyway… just do what you think is best.”

They had barely taken a few more steps when hurried footsteps sounded from behind, along with a breathless shout.

“Xiao Xue! Wait—wait for me—”

It was Shen Nian’s voice.

The footsteps grew closer and finally stopped beside them. Shen Nian was panting heavily, her speech fragmented.

“You… you walk too fast… I turned around and you were gone… I ran like crazy…”

Lin Qingxue was a little surprised.

“Why are you here?”

Shen Nian caught her breath, her voice tinged with helplessness.

“I was worried.”

Her gaze fell on Su Yutao, and she lowered her voice.

“Are you really just taking her home like this? Do you even know who she is? What if she’s a con artist? What if there’s a problem?”

Lin Qingxue was silent for a second.

Then, still gentle but serious, she said.

“She’s burning with fever and blind. What could she possibly con me out of?”

Shen Nian was speechless.

“Besides,” Lin Qingxue added.

“Even if she were a con artist, we’d have to treat her illness first. We can’t just leave her out in the cold like this.”

Shen Nian sighed.

“Fine, fine, I can’t argue with you. Then I’ll come with you to take her back, alright?”

Lin Qingxue laughed.

“Okay.”

So now there were two people supporting Su Yutao.

Shen Nian chattered beside them.

“Hey, little beggar, what’s your name again? Right, Su Yutao, isn’t it?”

Su Yutao nodded.

“That’s a pretty name. How old are you? Where’s your home? Why are you out here alone?”

Su Yutao couldn’t answer.

Shen Nian waited a few seconds, then realized.

“Oh right, you can’t talk. Forget it, I’ll ask later.”

Su Yutao: …

The three of them moved forward slowly.

When they reached the building, they began climbing the stairs.

The stairs were narrow and steep.

Unable to see, Su Yutao could only keep one hand on the wall and the other held by Lin Qingxue, inching upward step by step.

Her legs were weak.

Her head was spinning.

Every step felt like she might fall.

At the corner of the second floor, her foot slipped—

She pitched forward.

Lin Qingxue reacted quickly and caught her in her arms.

“Careful!”

Su Yutao crashed into a soft embrace. Her nose filled with the faint scent of laundry detergent.

Lin Qingxue’s voice came from above, a little tense.

“Are you okay?”

Su Yutao shook her head.

Shen Nian muttered beside them.

“You scared me… These stairs are way too steep. Xiao Xue, why did you rent this place?”

Lin Qingxue ignored her, simply steadying Su Yutao and speaking more softly.

“Take it slow, no rush. Just one more floor.”

Su Yutao nodded.

Shen Nian: “…Then… should I just go?”

For the remaining floor, Su Yutao was practically hanging onto Lin Qingxue.

Finally, they reached the third floor.

Lin Qingxue took out her keys and opened the door.

“We’re here.”

Su Yutao was guided inside.

The door closed behind them.

Shen Nian’s voice came from the doorway.

“I… I won’t come in. I have things to do this afternoon. Xiao Xue, be careful, call me if anything happens.”

Lin Qingxue nodded.

Shen Nian then spoke to Su Yutao.

“Little beggar, don’t bully our Xiao Xue. She’s naive and kind-hearted, but she’s strong. She could take five of you.”

Footsteps faded away.

The door shut.

The room suddenly fell silent.

Su Yutao stood there, not knowing where to go.

Lin Qingxue’s gentle voice came from beside her.

“Have a seat first. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

A hand guided her down onto something soft—probably a sofa.

Footsteps left and returned.

A glass of water was placed in her hands.

“Drink.”

Su Yutao took a sip.

Lin Qingxue sat down beside her. After a few seconds of silence, she spoke.

“Um… you’ve been soaked through, right? Your clothes are stiff. Do you want to… take a bath?”

Su Yutao was stunned.

A bath?

This body was indeed filthy.

Her hair was tangled, her clothes stiff, covered in dried mud and grime.

But she couldn’t see.

How could she wash?

Lin Qingxue seemed to have thought of that too. Her voice was a little embarrassed.

“If you don’t mind… I can help you.”

Su Yutao tightened her grip on the cup.

Help her bathe?

Let someone she’d known for less than half a day help her bathe?

But she had no other choice.

Slowly, she nodded.

Lin Qingxue seemed relieved.

“Then I’ll run the water. Wait a moment.”

Footsteps left, and then the sound of the tap running—whoosh, whoosh.

After a while, Lin Qingxue returned.

“The water’s ready. Come on.”

She helped Su Yutao up and guided her step by step to the bathroom.

The bathroom was small.

Su Yutao could sense it—the cool tiles under her feet, the damp air around her, the rumble of the water heater.

Lin Qingxue: “Your clothes… do you want to take them off yourself, or…?”

Su Yutao’s face flushed.

Even though she couldn’t see, it was still awkward.

She reached out and began to undo her clothes.

Coarse cloth, button knots, hard to unfasten.

Her fingers were clumsy; she struggled for a while to get two buttons undone.

Lin Qingxue watched for a moment, then said softly.

“Let me do it.”

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