The restaurant they found in the centre of the town was a Bistro, small yet charming, its wooden interior warm and inviting. Lanterns swayed gently from the ceiling, and the smell of freshly cooked Chinese delicacies wafted through the air.
It was a rare gem amidst the simplicity of the town, a place where locals gathered for celebrations or a hearty meal.
Mo Fan, Qin Yu'er, and the little girl occupied a corner table near a large window overlooking the bustling street.
The girl, still clinging to Mo Fan like a lifeline, refused to let him go even for a second. She sat snugly on his lap, her tiny arms occasionally clutching his sleeve as though afraid he might vanish.
"She really doesn't want to let go, huh?" Qin Yu'er remarked with a small smile, sipping her tea.
Mo Fan shrugged, an amused expression on his face. "Apparently not. Guess I'm stuck being her chair for a while."
"Better you than me," Qin Yu'er teased, though her gaze softened when it rested on the girl. "She's been through a lot, clearly. I don't think she's used to kindness."
The waiter arrived, balancing a tray laden with steaming dishes. He placed them on the table carefully, nodding politely.
Mo Fan had ordered a selection of dishes that would be easy on the little girl's stomach, considering she likely hadn't eaten a proper meal in a long time. There was a bowl of fragrant chicken and mushroom soup, a plate of steamed pork buns (Baozi), and a dish of soft stir-fried vegetables with Prawns Fried rice, and Egg rolls.
"Your food, sir, madam," the waiter said, bowing slightly before excusing himself.
Mo Fan turned his attention to the little girl, who was staring wide-eyed at the spread before her. Her tiny frame trembled slightly, not out of fear but sheer anticipation. Her mouth had already started to water, and her gaze darted between the dishes as though she couldn't decide where to look.
"Alright, little one," Mo Fan said gently, picking up the bowl of chicken soup and placing it in front of them. "Let's start with this. It's warm and easy to eat."
He handed her the spoon, its size almost comical in her tiny hands. She gripped it with both hands, her small fingers struggling to wrap around the handle. For a moment, she just stared at it, then at the bowl, then back at Mo Fan.
Qin Yu'er raised an eyebrow. "She doesn't know what a spoon is, does she?"
Mo Fan frowned slightly. "Doesn't look like it." He leaned down, meeting the girl's curious gaze. "Here, let me show you."
Taking her hands in his, Mo Fan guided the spoon into the soup, scooping up a bit of broth and chicken. He brought it up to her lips. "Aah~."
The girl hesitated for a second before parting her lips. The moment the warm, flavourful broth touched her tongue, her eyes widened in delight.
She swallowed quickly and looked up at Mo Fan, her expression a mixture of wonder and hunger.
"It's good, huh?" Mo Fan said with a small grin.
The girl nodded vigorously, her long messy hair bouncing with the motion.
"She's like a little squirrel," Qin Yu'er observed, her tone light. "You'd better be careful, or she'll take a bite out of your hand next."
Mo Fan smirked. "Don't give her any ideas."
Encouraged, the girl tried to maneuver the spoon on her own. It was clumsy at first—her grip was awkward, and a bit of soup spilled onto the table—but she managed to get it to her mouth.
"Good job!" Mo Fan praised, patting her head.
The girl beamed, her first real smile since they'd met her.
As she continued eating, Qin Yu'er leaned back in her chair, watching the scene unfold. "You're good with kids," she remarked.
Mo Fan snorted. "Don't let this fool you. I have no idea what I'm doing. She's just… easy to please."
Qin Yu'er shook her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Maybe. Or maybe she just trusts you, and that's enough."
The girl had polished off half the soup by now and was eyeing the baozi next. Mo Fan chuckled, breaking off a small piece and handing it to her. She took it eagerly, nibbling on it like a rabbit.
The sight made something in Mo Fan's chest tighten. He didn't know why this little girl had attached herself to him, but her trust felt… important. He didn't understand it yet, but he knew he couldn't betray it.
"Guess you're stuck with us now, kid," Mo Fan said softly, more to himself than anyone else.
…
The little girl sat on Mo Fan's lap, happily munching on her baozi. Despite her contentment, Mo Fan's observant eyes caught something that made him frown.
Her light brown hair was dry and rough, tangled in several places as if it hadn't been cared for in years. His eyes narrowed when he spotted patches of white strands near her temple. The stark contrast between her youthful face and the prematurely aged hair sent a pang through his heart.
His hand instinctively reached out, delicately brushing a lock of her hair aside. The coarse texture was unlike that of a child her age. He leaned toward Qin Yu'er, pointing out the white strands.
"Look at this," he said, his tone serious. "This isn't normal."
Qin Yu'er set down her cup of tea and leaned closer to take a look. Her heart ached as she studied the girl's hair. "Stress," she said softly, her voice filled with sorrow. "Whatever she's been through, it must've been unbearable for someone so young."
The little girl, oblivious to their conversation, kept eating her food messily, her cheeks puffed out as she stuffed another piece of bun into her mouth. She looked peaceful, but her frail frame and weathered hair told a story of hardship that words couldn't capture.
Mo Fan's eyes hardened. He didn't like the idea of someone so small and vulnerable having to endure such hardships.
Swoosh~
A subtle Chartreuse (Golden-green) glow flickered in his irises as he made a decision.
"She doesn't have to experience it anymore." he said firmly.
Before Qin Yu'er could respond, Mo Fan closed his eyes, his fingers subtly moving in the air. Seven glowing stars aligned themselves into a star orbit, their light shimmering with Chartreuse brilliance.
"Heal!" he whispered, his voice steady.
The little girl, oblivious to what was happening, suddenly found herself enveloped in a warm, Chartreuse light. Mo Fan's magic circle expanded around her and pulsed gently, radiating a comforting aura.
Qin Yu'er watched in surprise as the girl's skin regained its natural healthy tone, the light brown of her hair flowing back into its strands as the white faded away. Her thin hair, messy locks looked smoother, almost silkier, and thicker, under the magic's touch.
The girl paused mid-bite, looking around in wonder as if she felt something indescribable. Her breathing slowed, and a small smile appeared on her lips. She felt as though she were being cradled in the arms of a mother she never knew.
Qin Yu'er's lips parted in surprise. "You have Healing Element?!"
Mo Fan nodded, his focus still on the girl. He had casted five 7th Tier Basic healing spells in one breath.
A single spell was as strong as or stronger than a 1st tier Intermediate Spell.
So, to make one understand how strong the spell's effect was, you could say that Mo Fan casted 5 Fiery Fists at a Warrior Level Magic Wolf in a single second!
The spells wasn't just healing her body—it was slowly healing her soul, her exhaustion, her pain.
When the light faded, the girl opened her golden eyes, blinking slowly as if waking from a dream. She didn't understand what had happened, she looked up at Mo Fan, a newfound brightness in her gaze. She smiled softly, reaching up to touch his cheek with her tiny hand.
"Better?" Mo Fan asked with a gentle smile.
The girl didn't say a word—she didn't need to. Her nod was answer enough.
…
Mo Fan and Qin Yu'er didn't stop there. After their meal, they brought the little girl to a local spa and hairdresser for a bath and haircut. Her initial reluctance to part from Mo Fan remained steadfast, and as they stepped inside the cozy salon after bathing her, she clung to his shirt like a lifeline.
When the hairdresser approached, smiling warmly, the little girl hid her face in Mo Fan's chest.
"She's shy," Qin Yu'er said with a soft laugh.
The hairdresser nodded. "She'll be fine once she gets comfortable."
But the moment Mo Fan tried to place her in the chair, panic filled her amber eyes.
She clutched at his arm, refusing to let go, but Mo Fan released her tiny grip and said, "Alright, just sit here while they fix your hair."
The girl's wide eyes scanned the unfamiliar surroundings. The moment she realized Mo Fan had stepped away, her lower lip trembled.
Qin Yu'er noticed immediately. "Uh-oh. Mo Fan, she's going to—"
Before she could finish, tears welled up, large and glistening, until they spilled over and rolled down her cheeks. She reached out desperately for Mo Fan, sobbing incoherently.
"Hey, hey, it's okay!" Mo Fan said, immediately scooping her back into his arms. "I'm not going anywhere."
The girl buried her face in his shoulder, sobbing quietly.
Qin Yu'er sighed, crossing her arms. "Looks like you're going to have to hold her the entire time."
"Great," Mo Fan sighed.
The hairdresser chuckled. "I've seen kids like her before. She's just scared of being left alone. We'll work around it."
With Mo Fan seated in the chair and the girl securely on his lap, the hairdresser began her work. She carefully trimmed the girl's hair, shaping it into a neat shoulder-length cut. Mo Fan held her steady, occasionally murmuring reassurances.
By the time the haircut was done, the little girl looked transformed. Her light brown hair was soft and silky, framing her face in gentle waves. Her round golden eyes with pink hue seemed even more striking now, the tiny beauty spot near her lower lip and her glowing skin gave her an almost angelic appearance.
"She's adorable," Qin Yu'er said, crouching to meet the girl's gaze. "You look like a little princess."
The girl tilted her head, touching her hair with curiosity. She turned to Mo Fan, her expression as if asking, Do you like it?
"You look pretty," Mo Fan said with a smile, ruffling her hair lightly.
The girl beamed, her cheeks turning a faint pink.
"She doesn't look entirely Chinese," Qin Yu'er observed as they stepped back to admire the transformation. "Maybe thirty percent? The rest… I can't place it."
Mo Fan tilted his head, studying the girl. "She's definitely got a mix of something. Those Amber…? eyes are rare."
The little girl blinked up at them, tilting her head curiously.
Their next stop was a clothing store, where Qin Yu'er took charge of picking out outfits for the girl. The little girl followed closely behind Mo Fan, occasionally clutching his hand as they browsed through racks of clothes.
"What about this one?" Qin Yu'er held up a frilly pink dress
Mo Fan raised an eyebrow. "She's a kid, not a doll."
Qin Yu'er rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. She'll look adorable in this."
The girl clung to Mo Fan's hand as Qin Yu'er picked out outfit after outfit, occasionally holding them up to the girl for size.
After hours of choosing and rejecting, they finally settled on a small wardrobe of clothes: casual outfits, a couple of dresses, and some warm sweaters.
The girl twirled subconsciously in front of a mirror, wearing her new yellow sundress. She looked radiant, her newly glowing skin and silky hair making her look like a child out of a fairy-tale.
"Hoh…" Mo Fan raised an eyebrow as he admired her.
"Your Welcome~" Qin Yu'er who noticed his expression said smugly with a satisfied look.
…
As the evening sky darkened, Mo Fan stepped out of the taxi, cradling the little girl in his arms. Qin Yu'er walked beside him. The trio checked into a small hotel in the Feiniao town's centre, it had warm lights and a welcoming atmosphere.
Qin Yu'er arched an eyebrow as she watched the little girl clutching Mo Fan's collar in her sleep. Even after the day's events, she hadn't let go.
"You're stuck with her, you know," Qin Yu'er teased, glancing at Mo Fan with a smirk as they reached the reception.
Sigh…
Mo Fan sighed, though his gaze softened as he looked at the little girl's peaceful face. "Seems like it."
After they settled the check-in, Qin Yu'er headed to her room down the hall. "Good luck," she said over her shoulder, giving him a playful wave before disappearing behind her door.
Mo Fan carried the little girl to his room, gently placing her on the bed.
"Mmhm.." She stirred slightly, her small hand reaching out as if searching for him.
Mo Fan shook his head with a faint smile, grabbing her new pajamas from the shopping bag.
"Alright, let's get you changed," he muttered, carefully sliding the pajamas onto her tiny frame without waking her.
Once she was snug in her new soft and fluffy clothes, he tucked her under the blanket. She curled into a ball instinctively, clutching the pillow with both hands. Mo Fan stared at her for a moment, his mind wandering.
"She really doesn't trust anyone else, huh?" he murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
He grabbed a change of clothes and stepped into the bathroom for a quick shower. The warm water washed over him, washing away the fatigue of the day. He thought about the girl's attachment to him, how she clung to him like he was her lifeline.
_Those people said she is mute… Should I use my Psychic Element to look at her memories?_ Mo Fan wondered if he should do that.
"Oh well, I'll think about it later, for now, let's just focus on the current task at hand." Mo Fan said.
After his shower, Mo Fan returned to the room, drying his hair with a towel. The little girl was still curled up on the bed, her breathing soft and steady.
Mo Fan changed into his nightwear and slid into bed beside her.
As he settled in, his gaze fell on her small figure, so fragile yet full of trust in him.
A pang of memory struck him, and his mind drifted to another small figure from a different time—a mischievous little elemental fire spirit.
His Flame Belle.
In his previous life, his little Elemental Spirit, born from the Fire Calamity Fruit, had been a handful from the moment she was born. The memory of her tiny, fiery figure darting around his home brought a faint smile to his lips.
"She never gave me a break," he chuckled to himself, his voice low and tinged with fondness. "Always burning something the moment I looked away… the curtains, my clothes, even wolfy~"
Despite her mischief, she had been his daughter in every sense that mattered.
His smile faded briefly, replaced by a bittersweet expression. This world was different, and she no longer existed here. The thought brought a bit of moisture to his eyes, but he quickly blinked it away.
"I'll see her again," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "She'll be born soon. I just have to wait."
Mo Fan looked at the little girl beside him, her light brown hair splayed across the pillow. A sense of peace washed over him.
Reaching out, he gently placed a hand on her head, his touch feather-light. "Sleep well," he murmured.
As the room fell silent, Mo Fan closed his eyes, his thoughts of past and present blending into his dreams. The little girl stirred slightly, inching closer to him in her sleep, seeking the warmth and safety he provided.