Chapter 1: The Stubborn Little Donkey, Aged Five

Looking at the struggling little boy behind her, Cao Xi wanted to slap herself. Of all the things she could’ve picked up, why did she have to pick up a person?

Cao Xi had transmigrated here half a month ago. Her original body was only eight years old. After a devastating earthquake destroyed her village, the original owner’s family perished, leaving Cao Xi to wander with other refugees, begging for food. She had her sights set on the capital city; surely, the emperor’s shadow meant better chances for survival!

The boy following behind her was Qin Zhao, five years old this year. Cao Xi had found him in a pile of corpses. He wore only a grimy white shirt—his pants long since worn to shreds. His messy hair covered half of his small face, but his determined expression was still visible.

However, all of that was an illusion. Having spent half a month with him, Cao Xi was covered in both literal and metaphorical wounds. This five-year-old had a sharp tongue and a chatterbox personality that tested her patience. She let out a heavy sigh. She was caught in a bind, unable to move forward or turn back.

Hearing the sigh, Qin Zhao raised his head and looked at her. His pale little face was marked with scratches, and his eyes held a trace of confusion.

Cao Xi, sensing his gaze, lowered her head and asked, “What are you looking at me for?”

“Cao Xi, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?” Qin Zhao asked, his delicate brows furrowing with concern.

“Hey, don’t call me by my name like that! Call me ‘big sis’!” This little brat hadn’t once changed how he addressed her since she picked him up. He talked like a little old man, quoting his supposed “teacher” all day long.

Qin Zhao blinked, puzzled. “But you’re not my sister. Teacher said sisters are from the same clan or born of the same mother.”

Cao Xi clutched her chest dramatically. “I don’t know why, but every time you talk these days, I feel like my heart’s being crushed!”

Qin Zhao’s eyes curved into crescents as he delivered another sharp observation: “Teacher said feeling that way is a heart ailment, caused by overthinking.”

Cao Xi stared at the sky, speechless. “It’s not that I overthink—it’s that I’m managing too much!”

A sly glint flashed in Qin Zhao’s eyes as he began, “Teacher said—”

Cao Xi quickly covered his mouth. “Let your teacher rest for a while. He’s been talking too much!” She sighed. What a fate—to let a five-year-old know so much!

Muffled protests came from Qin Zhao as he shook his head, his eyes asking her to let go. His expression seemed to say, Are you dumb? Infuriated, Cao Xi rolled her eyes so hard they nearly got stuck.

What had she done to deserve this? She missed the days right after she’d found Qin Zhao. Back then, he had been quiet and obedient, following her around without a word. When had he turned into such a chatterbox?

After a full day of walking, their steps grew heavy. Their chatter seemed to have evaporated under the scorching sun. Qin Zhao’s small face was sunburned red, and his stubby legs stumbled as he trailed behind her.

From the day she found him, he had never complained about being hungry or tired. Cao Xi was secretly impressed by his tenacity and had privately given him the nickname Little Stubborn Donkey.

As night began to fall, other refugees on the road started to settle down. Cao Xi was fortunate to find a large tree not far6 from the crowd, its shade offering a spot to rest without drawing too much attention.

Placing her bundle on the ground, she waved at Qin Zhao. “Come sit here and rest. Let’s eat something.”

At last—food! Qin Zhao’s eyes brightened as he obediently sat down, his gaze fixed on Cao Xi. She pulled out a coarse grain pancake and broke it in half, giving him one piece.

Without hesitation, Qin Zhao stuffed the pancake into his mouth. He was so hungry that his vision was blurry.

“Slow down! You’ll choke!” Cao Xi scolded. They hadn’t had water all day, and eating the dry pancake too quickly could be dangerous.

Startled, Qin Zhao paused. But how was he supposed to eat it after spitting it out? Resigning himself, he chewed slowly, puffing up his cheeks like a squirrel. His adorable expression softened Cao Xi’s heart as she watched him take his time.

Seeing him slow down, she relaxed and leaned against the tree trunk, keeping an alert eye on their surroundings.

“Zhao Zhao, eat slowly. When you’re done, keep watch for me.”

Pouting, Qin Zhao nodded while still chewing. But halfway through, he froze, realizing something. Huffing, he protested, “I told you not to call me Zhao Zhao! Hmph!”

Oh, so he was getting comfortable now? Cao Xi turned to him, cupping his small face in her hands and putting on a fierce expression. “You dare huff at me? Do you even know who your benefactor is?”

Qin Zhao’s face was squished into a funny shape, crumbs spilling from his mouth. Panicking, he immediately mumbled, “Goldin pwonshe (Golden Patron, please let go)!”

Cao Xi couldn’t help but burst out laughing, her hands playfully squishing Qin Zhao’s small face again before reluctantly letting go. His cheeks were irresistibly soft, and his adorable antics melted her heart. How had she not noticed this little rascal’s cunning nature when she first picked him up?

Reaching into her bag, Cao Xi pulled out a bamboo tube of water and handed it to Qin Zhao. “Here, drink some so you don’t choke.”

After taking a sip, Qin Zhao stood up, ready to keep watch. But before he could leave, he felt a sharp pat on his behind. Startled, he turned around, covering his backside with one hand and pointing at Cao Xi with the other, his face flushing red. “What are you doing?! You touched my butt!” His expression was so aggrieved he looked like he might cry.

Cao Xi froze, caught off guard by his reaction. What’s the big deal? You’re five! she thought, exasperated. I’ve lived several lifetimes more than you. It was just a pat! But his indignant, violated look made her fingers itch for more mischief.

Qin Zhao, seeing her lack of remorse, grew even angrier. His brows furrowed as he tried to sound stern, warning her in a serious tone, “From now on, you are not allowed to touch my butt again!”

But it didn’t take long for him to realize that his warnings meant nothing to her—because just as he finished speaking, he felt another smack.

“Stop talking and go keep watch,” Cao Xi said, shooing him away. She was starving too, after all.

Grinding his teeth in frustration, Qin Zhao glared at her with his flushed face before reluctantly climbing onto a tree trunk. He kept a sharp lookout, his tiny figure exuding exaggerated determination, while Cao Xi devoured her half of the coarse grain pancake in just a few bites and gulped down several mouthfuls of water.

Looking at the five remaining pancakes in her bag, Cao Xi felt a pang of worry. The food should’ve lasted her half a month, but with Qin Zhao around, their rations had dwindled twice as fast. She couldn’t afford to just sit and eat through their supplies. She’d have to find more food along the way.

After tidying up her belongings, Cao Xi called Qin Zhao back. She pulled out a tattered piece of clothing from her bag and spread it on the ground. The garment was something she had scavenged from a corpse—it wasn’t exactly warm, but it was better than nothing. She couldn’t risk falling ill in the cold night air; in this unfamiliar world, sickness was as good as a death sentence.

Though she’d noticed earlier that Qin Zhao was struggling to walk, she hadn’t dared to stop, fearing they’d lose track of the refugee group and the road to the capital.

“Take off your shoes. Let me see,” Cao Xi said.

Qin Zhao hesitated, shuffling his feet awkwardly. His shoes were full of holes, and his big toe peeked out from one of them. Just as his embarrassment started to show, Cao Xi pulled him closer and took off his shoes herself.

His little feet were red and covered in blisters. Cao Xi placed one of them gently on her lap and asked, “Does it hurt?”

Qin Zhao flinched slightly, trying to pull his foot back. “No, it doesn’t hurt,” he mumbled.

Cao Xi frowned. “Can you still walk?”

“I can! Big Sis, don’t leave me behind!” Qin Zhao clung tightly to her sleeve, his wide eyes brimming with fear.

Her expression softened as she patted his little head. “I won’t abandon you, Little Stubborn Donkey.”

“I’m not a donkey! I’m a horse!”

Cao Xi: …Maybe I should rethink this whole not-abandoning-you thing.

She carefully washed his injured feet with water and dried them with a piece of torn fabric. “Don’t touch them tonight. Let them air out, and they’ll feel better tomorrow.”

Qin Zhao’s face turned bright red as he pulled his feet back. He nodded shyly, his voice as soft as a whisper. “Okay.”