CHAPTER 1006: CHAPTER 292: LET’S GO HOME (GRAND FINALE, PART 2)

A few kids chased after her, throwing stones at the girl once again. One child even forcefully threw a stone at her head, and blood instantly streamed from her forehead.

In pain, she raised her head; blood flowed down from her forehead. The girl lifted her head and covered her forehead with her hand, crying sorrowfully. Tears washed her dirty face, revealing a fair and delicate visage.

Qi Tianshang inadvertently turned his head, and his gaze lingered on the girl’s face. His steps, initially heading forward, came to a halt, and his expression flickered slightly.

The girl raised her head, meeting Qi Tianshang’s eyes. Her gaze was vacant, and she fearfully shrank back. She seemed to have a mental age of a few years despite looking like she was in her early twenties, and her tone was like that of a young child.

"Hit her, kick her."

A boy unhappily stepped forward, lifted his foot, and was about to kick the girl.

A large hand forcefully grabbed the boy’s collar and lifted him.

The other children, seeing the boy being lifted, initially intended to rescue him in anger. However, when met with Qi Tianshang’s cold gaze, the children could not withstand his look and retreated in fright.

"Let me go, let me go."

The boy struggled in mid-air, and Qi Tianshang threw him down. The boy landed on his rear and cried out loud.

Qi Tianshang’s gaze was fierce and icy. He shouted sternly, "Shut up."

The boy, frightened, closed his mouth and cried with grievance.

Qi Tianshang walked forward, stopping in front of the girl, and bent down to extend his hand.

The girl fearfully stared at Qi Tianshang, her clear eyes innocent and pitiful.

"Come with me away from here."

Qi Tianshang looked at the girl’s face, his well-defined hand extended in front of her.

The girl continued staring at Qi Tianshang. Her frightened face suddenly showed a pure smile, and she extended her dirt-covered hand to grasp Qi Tianshang’s hand.

Qi Tianshang glanced at the hand covered in soil and without disdain, helped the girl up. He then ignored the children, turning and walking toward his house.

He led the girl to sit on a stool, entered the house, and returned with a basin of water and some homemade medicine, standing before her with an outstretched hand.

The girl drew back her head in fear, and Qi Tianshang looked at her, softly saying, "Don’t be afraid; I won’t hurt you. Wipe your face first, then I’ll apply medicine for you."

The girl glanced at the water basin beside her, then at Qi Tianshang, but made no move.

Qi Tianshang sighed and shook his head, deciding to treat her as if he owed her, and he would repay her.

He reached into the basin, wrung the towel dry, and raised his hand.

The girl watched Qi Tianshang, and this time she did not flinch, keeping her eyes wide open and innocently fixated on him.

Qi Tianshang lowered his head, carefully wiping her cheek.

"Ow!"

The girl cried out in pain, and Qi Tianshang noticed the bruises of varying sizes on her fair, delicate face. "Does it hurt?"

The girl shook her head, a hint of fear in her eyes. If she said it hurt, would he send her away?

"If it hurts, say it does."

It seemed Qi Tianshang saw the fear in the girl’s eyes and gently told her.

The girl’s eyes looked bewildered. Can she say it hurts?

"It hurts!"

The girl smiled, her mouth opening to say it hurt. It really did hurt—her entire body ached from being kicked and beaten.

Hearing her say it hurt, Qi Tianshang’s actions became softer. After cleaning her face, he glanced at her again, softly uttering, "Meiji."

This face was exactly like when he first met Meiji. He wasn’t sure if she was Meiji, but seeing this face, he couldn’t ignore it. Saving her allowed him some solace, feeling he could somewhat repay that foolish woman who saved him and sacrificed herself.

He didn’t love Meiji. Back when he first met her, he had already fallen into demonhood, crazily unable to accept himself. It was Meiji who accompanied him. He once thought Meiji was an ordinary person, only to later learn she was the Demon Queen, which caused him to keep his distance and not allow her near.

Qi Tianshang was lost in thought, his palm warmed. The girl raised her hand and grasped Qi Tianshang’s hand. Seeing his daze, a flash of pain seemed to pass through her eyes. She wanted to hold his hand to comfort him. Though her mind was incomplete, she could clearly sense he was unhappy.