Su Qinglan's heart gave a sympathetic tug. Watching the chubby toddler cling so desperately to An Mo made her laugh softly.
"She really does love you, doesn't she?"
An Mo looked down at the girl, his expression softening into one of weary but practiced affection.
"She is... persistent," he said, shifting his weight to balance both a snake cub and a human toddler.
"I have raised her from the moment she was born. When she first arrived, she couldn't even open her eyes. She was no bigger than a kitten."
Su Qinglan's smile faltered, replaced by a look of deep concern. "Raised her? But... what about her family? Her parents?"
An Mo let out a long sigh. He looked toward the cave ceiling as if recounting a tragic legend.
"Ah, it is a truly sorrowful tale, Lan Lan. Her father... he passed away shortly after bringing her home. It was only a few days after she was born."
Su Qinglan gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh, no! That's terrible. And her mother?"
