Chapter 174: Feixiao
"Wait, Jiang Li..." You wanted to stop her, but it was too late.
Jiang Li stepped out from behind you. Her eyes were still red, but she mustered her courage and walked forward. My brother worked so hard to protect me... I need to be brave too!
She stopped a few steps away from the two girls. "Um... hello there," her voice was still tinged with a sob, but she tried to sound friendly. "My name is Jiang Li, and this is my brother... We were just brought here... We ask for your kind care, big sisters!"
After speaking, she revealed a small, innocent smile. It was like a small lamp suddenly lit in the darkness, unexpectedly warming the heart.
The silver-haired girl was stunned. She had seen too much ugliness, too many fake smiles. But this smile... it was real. No calculation, no pretense.
The black-haired girl behind her also poked her head out, curiously observing Jiang Li.
Seeing they didn't speak, Jiang Li felt nervous but still extended her hand. "Can... can you be my friends? I didn't have many friends before, only my brother... But, I feel like I can become good friends with you!"
The silver-haired girl's gaze wavered. She looked at her companion, whose eyes no longer held wariness, but curiosity. "You... aren't you afraid of us?" she asked.
"Why should I be afraid?" Jiang Li tilted her head. "You are also Foxians like us. Precisely because this place is so scary, shouldn't we help each other?"
This simple truth, like a sharp blade, pierced the ice in the hearts of the two girls. They were all Foxians, all pitiful people oppressed by the Borisin. Why should they harm each other?
The silver-haired girl was silent for a long time, then finally reached out and grasped Jiang Li's hand. "My name is Saran." She pointed to the girl behind her. "This is Neergul."
"Big Sister Saran! Big Sister Neergul!" Jiang Li smiled happily. "This is great! I made new friends!"
Watching his sister, you were a bit surprised. Normally, she was very shy. But today, she mustered her courage. She was also trying hard to survive.
"Brother!" Jiang Li turned to you excitedly. "Come and meet our new friends!"
You sighed and walked forward, the collar around your neck heavy. "Hello, I am her brother. Please take care of us."
Saran observed you, her gaze lingering on the collar. "You're also a battle slave?"
"Yes." At this moment, you noticed the collar around her neck and realized she was the same.
"...You'll die," she said bluntly. "The survival rate for battle slaves is very low."
"I know," you replied calmly. "But it's better than letting my sister go to her death."
Saran fell silent, looking at you and Jiang Li, inexplicably moved. "You two siblings... have such a good relationship."
Neergul spoke softly. "Um... are you from a Celestial Ark?"
"Yes! Our hometown is the Fanghu!" Jiang Li nodded, then began to chatter about the beauty of the Luofu. Saran and Neergul listened intently, their eyes revealing a look of yearning. To them, the Xianzhou Alliance was like a legendary paradise.
"Escape..." Saran gave a bitter laugh. "Do you know how many have tried and ended up being hung on the city gates to dry?"
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. But Jiang Li wasn't scared. She tightened her grip on Saran's hand. "Then we'll figure it out together! Four people are better than one! Big Sister Saran and Big Sister Neergul, plus me and my brother, we'll definitely find a way!"
Looking at Jiang Li's eyes, full of trust and hope, Saran was stunned. In this place where trust meant betrayal, this girl she had known for less than 15 minutes trusted her so completely.
"You... you idiot..." Saran's voice was choked. "In a place like this, being too naive will get you killed..."
"Then let's just get stronger together!" Jiang Li said with a smile. "Big Sister Saran protects Big Sister Neergul, Brother protects me, and then we protect each other! That way no one will die!"
This childish declaration, however, silenced the other three. In this dark place, if there wasn't even this bit of hope, what was the point of living?
"Alright!" Saran suddenly stood up, fighting spirit ignited in her green eyes. "It's settled then! The four of us, we'll live and escape together!"
"Mm!" Neergul also bravely nodded.
"Of course," you said with a smile.
"This is great!" Jiang Li jumped up happily. "It's a promise!"
And so, in that small, dark prison cell, four ill-fated Foxian children forged a friendship.
Many years later, when Saran became the awe-inspiring General Feixiao, she would still remember this day. Remembering the smiles that changed her life. Remembering the courage to still choose hope amidst despair. This day, she would never forget.
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