Chapter 21: Beggar Liu Liu and Jiu Shi

This was the third time Wei Lan stepped into the Chenghuang Temple, and she couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotions. Before she even got close, a familiar figure caught her eye. Liu Liu stood in front of the temple gate, his eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and unease, as if he had been waiting for her all along.

“Big sister, you finally came.” Liu Liu’s voice was a little hoarse, and his eyes were slightly red, as if he had just cried. He hurriedly stepped forward, reaching out as if to hold Wei Lan’s hand, but hesitated at the last moment, afraid that his dirty hands would soil her.

Wei Lan smiled gently, extending her slender fingers to grasp Liu Liu’s hand lightly. She felt the warmth and slight trembling of his palm, and a wave of tenderness surged in her heart. She comforted him softly, “Look at you, all dirty and smelly. Come with me.”

So sweet… so sweet… so sweet… Liu Liu’s cheeks flushed slightly, his gaze locking onto Wei Lan with a sickly fascination.

Just as Wei Lan was about to take Liu Liu’s hand and leave, she suddenly noticed that Liu Liu seemed to be held back by something. Turning her head, she saw a small beggar clinging tightly to Liu Liu’s leg, his face filled with stubbornness and a hint of fear. Wei Lan recognized him—he was the same little beggar who had stolen fifty taels of silver from her before. She couldn’t help but feel both amused and helpless. Squatting down, she asked in a soft and gentle voice, “What’s your name?”

The little beggar’s eyes flashed with vigilance, but he quickly returned to his usual calm.

Liu Liu answered for him, “Big sister, his name is Jiu Shi. He can’t speak.”

Wei Lan nodded in understanding. “Then let him come with us.”

Liu Liu hesitated. He was worried about the other beggar children in the temple and asked in a low voice, “What about the others? Who will take care of them?”

Wei Lan gently squeezed his palm. “Liu Liu, do you know why I chose you?”

Liu Liu shook his head in confusion, his eyes full of doubt.

Wei Lan continued, “The first time I came to Chenghuang Temple, you were the only one brave enough to step forward. You’re their leader, aren’t you?”

“Right now, my clinic is still small and can’t house too many people, but I hope you can come help me. I’ll pay you wages, which you can use however you like. And if we work hard and grow the clinic, we can provide shelter for more people in the future.”

Liu Liu finally understood Wei Lan’s kind intentions, and warmth spread through his heart. He clenched Wei Lan’s hand tightly, determination shining in his eyes. “I understand, big sister.”

Wei Lan smiled gently, feeling reassured. She knew that only by helping these children find their own value and dignity could she truly change their fate. She said softly, “Do you know the saying, ‘Give a man a fish, and he’ll eat for a day; teach a man to fish, and he’ll eat for a lifetime’? If we do this well, we can provide jobs and reduce the number of homeless people.”

Liu Liu nodded, silently making up his mind to work hard and not disappoint Wei Lan’s trust and expectations.

Wei Lan stood up, dusted off her hands, and smiled at Liu Liu and Jiu Shi. “Alright, let’s go.”

She led them to the dormitory upstairs in her clinic. Though the room was simple, she had arranged it to be warm and comfortable. Taking out a large wooden tub, she said, “Come, take a hot bath first.”

Liu Liu moved quickly, carrying buckets of hot water from the kitchen downstairs and filling the tub. But then, he stood by the tub hesitantly, seemingly unsure.

Wei Lan noticed and chuckled. “What’s wrong, little one? Are you shy?”

Liu Liu stammered, “Big sister, you should leave first.”

Wei Lan laughed heartily, finding him adorable. She then turned and left the room, closing the door behind her.

Inside the room, only Liu Liu and Jiu Shi remained. They undressed and stepped into the warm water. The heat enveloped them, washing away their exhaustion and unease. For them, this rare hot bath was a luxurious comfort, making them feel incredibly relaxed.

Since she hadn’t prepared clothes for Jiu Shi, Wei Lan went to a nearby clothing shop to buy some. When she returned with two sets of cotton garments, she figured they had finished bathing and knocked on the door. “Can I come in?” she asked gently. Though she saw them as younger brothers, she still respected their privacy.

Liu Liu’s voice came from inside. “You can.”

Wei Lan pushed open the door. The room was filled with mist, making it look like a dreamlike paradise. Shadows flickered within the fog. She took a few steps inside and called, “Liu Liu? Jiu Shi?”

Suddenly, Liu Liu’s voice sounded behind her, drawn out teasingly, “Big sister~” It was like a spring breeze caressing the heart, making Wei Lan pause. She turned around to see Liu Liu standing behind her, wearing only a pair of loose trousers. His upper body was bare, and he had a half-smiling, mischievous expression.

Though still youthful, Liu Liu’s body had begun to show the outlines of a man’s form. Under the hazy mist, his lean muscles became faintly visible, carrying a unique charm. His skin was pale, yet under the soft steam, he looked like an unpolished jade, exuding an unusual allure.

Wei Lan’s gaze fell on a scar at Liu Liu’s waist, and she instinctively reached out to touch it. “What happened here?” Her voice was filled with concern.

For Liu Liu, this scar was a painful memory he didn’t want to revisit. His heart tightened, and he quickly grabbed the clothes from Wei Lan’s hands, silently putting them on. He didn’t want her to worry, nor did he want her to know about his past sufferings. Keeping his head down, he said in a low voice, “Nothing, just an old wound.”

Wei Lan didn’t press further. She handed the clothes to Jiu Shi, who had already curled up in the blanket. Jiu Shi took the clothes but hid under the covers, his small body trembling slightly as he adjusted to the unfamiliar warmth.

Wei Lan understood that these children carried their own wounds and secrets. She wanted them to leave their painful past behind and start anew. “Liu Liu, Jiu Shi, I want to give you new names.”

Liu Liu sat on the edge of the bed and nodded seriously. “Whatever big sister decides.”

Wei Lan smiled. “Liu Liu—since ‘six six’ means smooth sailing, how about ‘Shun Xing’? And Jiu Shi—since ‘nineteen’ sounds like longevity, let’s call you ‘Jiu An’. Both names carry good wishes.”

Liu Liu smiled at the names, finding them meaningful and pleasant. He patted Jiu An, who was hiding under the blanket. “Jiu An, did you hear?”

A pair of bright, clear eyes peeked out from under the covers, nodded quickly, and then hid again shyly.

Wei Lan said warmly, “Shun Xing, Jiu An, from now on, you are my little brothers. We are family.”

At that moment, Shun Xing took out a silver ingot from his pocket, looking guilty and remorseful. With a trembling voice, he said, “Big sister, we were wrong. Here’s the fifty taels we took from you.”

Wei Lan was surprised. She hadn’t expected him to return the money, knowing how valuable it was to them. She asked, “You didn’t spend it?”

Shun Xing shook his head. “The amount was too large. We never got the chance.”

His voice grew smaller, as if awaiting judgment. Jiu An trembled under the blanket.

Wei Lan held Shun Xing’s hand and said gently, “I understand. You were just trying to survive. But you realized your mistake and returned the money—that means a lot.”

She continued, “I won’t send you away. Just promise me you won’t steal again, okay?”

Shun Xing and Jiu An were moved to tears. Wei Lan embraced them both, whispering, “From now on, we’ll be okay.”

In her warmth, they finally felt safe—like they had found a true home.