Lin Yanxi instantly understood.
This kid definitely knew those things were clinging to him and was afraid of endangering the people around him, so he hid away alone in an abandoned place.
“Kid, does this happen every month? Aren’t you afraid they’ll eat you alive?”
Lin Yichen lifted his head and asked with a stiff little face and childish voice,
“You can see them?”
“Mhm. I can.”
“Then why aren’t you running away? Aren’t you afraid they’ll eat you too?” Lin Yichen returned her words exactly as she’d said them, then added stubbornly, “And who asked you to stay with me? I don’t like you. Hurry up and leave, or I’ll hit you!”
Lin Yanxi had never been the type to force herself where she wasn’t wanted. Since he clearly didn’t want her there, she might as well leave.
The moment Lin Yanxi turned around to walk away, the light in Lin Yichen’s eyes dimmed immediately.
Ever since he was little, he had been able to see strange things. He had told his parents about them too, but they never believed him and thought he was just talking nonsense.
Besides, aside from this one day every month when he could see these creatures, he appeared completely normal. The strange things would not show up at other times.
He was terrified, but the kindness in his bones told him he couldn’t let those things approach anyone else, or they would all be in danger.
So every month on this particular night, he hid alone in some deserted corner.
Lin Yichen stared at Lin Yanxi’s departing figure. There was fear in his eyes, but also loneliness. Yet the prideful little boy stubbornly refused to shed even a single tear.
Pressing his lips tightly together, he continued hiding beneath the vegetable basket, using it as his shield.
In his heart, he kept telling himself—
As long as he endured until dawn, everything would be fine.
After leaving the courtyard, Lin Yanxi quietly hid nearby and secretly observed Lin Yichen’s reaction.
Although the brat looked annoying, she had already seen through his little thoughts.
Since he genuinely didn’t want to hurt other people, she was willing to help him after all.
The person who had supposedly left suddenly returned. Lin Yanxi’s crisp voice rang out through the silent night.
“Kid, come out here!”
Hearing her voice, Lin Yichen’s body visibly trembled. He poked his little head out from beneath the basket and looked at her in confusion.
“Why did you come back? I already said I don’t need you to stay with me!”
Under the moonlight, Lin Yanxi curled her lips into a carefree smile.
“I’m going to show you something.”
Without giving Lin Yichen time to react, both her hands rapidly intertwined together, forming one complicated hand seal after another.
“Watch carefully.”
The moment she completed the seal, she struck her palm toward the death aura surrounding him.
In the next instant, Lin Yichen stared dumbfounded at his surroundings.
The black, shadowy things from earlier had completely disappeared in a flash.
“Th-This…” The little boy was so shocked he could barely speak. “Wh-What happened?”
Excitedly, he jumped to his feet, tossing aside both the wooden stick and vegetable basket as he asked in amazement,
“How did you do that just now? They actually disappeared!”
Lin Yanxi lifted the corners of her lips slightly.
“You want to know? Then call me ‘big sister’ first.”
A few days ago, this brat had personally declared that he only acknowledged Lin Wanxin as his older sister. She specifically wanted him to call her “sister” now so he could experience the pain of getting slapped in the face and learn how cruel the world could be.
Lin Yichen hesitated again and again before finally mumbling two vague words.
“…Big sister.”
“Didn’t hear you.”
Dissatisfied, Lin Yichen raised his voice considerably and shouted loudly,
“BIG SISTER!”
Only then did Lin Yanxi nod in satisfaction. Reaching out, she rubbed his little head.
“Good boy. If you call me ‘big sister’ more sweetly in the future, I’ll give you good things.”
Lin Yichen immediately slapped her hand away unhappily.
“Who wants your stuff!”
“Hiss!”
Lin Yanxi suddenly sucked in a breath of pain. Lin Yichen had accidentally struck the injured spot on the back of her hand.
“What’s wrong?” Only now did Lin Yichen notice the blood stains on her clothes. His little face instantly cracked with alarm, and concern unconsciously appeared in his eyes. “How did you get hurt? Who beat you up?”
“Go away, go away! What do you mean ‘who beat me up’? I fell, okay?”
As she spoke, Lin Yanxi turned to leave.
But Lin Yichen hurriedly shouted after her,
“I’ll go tell Mother and have her find a doctor for you!”
“No thanks.”
Finding that “dear mother” of hers was worse than not finding anyone at all. Her ears had only enjoyed peace for two days.
“But your injuries…”
“I’m warning you. You’re not allowed to tell anyone about tonight’s events, and you’re definitely not allowed to tell anyone I got hurt. Otherwise, I’ll catch those things from earlier and bring them back to scare you to death!”
“…Oh.”
The moment he heard those creatures could return, Lin Yichen became frightened again and could only watch Lin Yanxi leave.
After returning to Xiyan Pavilion, she did not alert anyone. She shut herself inside her room and personally cleaned her wounds, applied medicine, and wrapped the injuries. By the time she finished, it was already the latter half of the night.
At that point, she was exhausted in both body and mind. Lying facedown on the bed, she quickly fell asleep.
The next morning—
Dawn had just broken, and the rising sun sent a golden ray of light through the window. The warm glow landed perfectly upon the delicate and pretty face resting on the bed.
As usual, Cuizhi entered carrying a basin of water.
“Miss, it’s time to wake up.”
The moment she spoke, the basin in her hands crashed onto the floor, water splashing everywhere.
Crash!
The sound startled Lin Yanxi awake.
Lazily lifting her eyelids, her eyes slowly shifted from blurry to clear.
“What is it? It’s still early. Let me sleep a little longer,” Lin Yanxi grumbled while rubbing her eyes.
“Miss, what happened to you?”
Ignoring the water on the floor, Cuizhi rushed directly to the bedside, her face filled with worry.
“Why are there bloody clothes here? You’re injured?”
Lin Yanxi lowered her gaze toward the bloodstained clothes on the floor that she hadn’t yet cleaned up and answered carelessly,
“It’s nothing.”
Cuizhi looked as though the sky had collapsed. She hurried closer, trying to inspect Lin Yanxi’s injuries.
“Miss, how badly are you hurt? This servant will immediately inform the master and have him call a doctor for you!”
“Don’t move.”
Lin Yanxi shifted slightly, and the tearing pain in her back instantly twisted her expression.
“It’s not a big deal. Stop making such a fuss, and don’t tell Father.”
“But…”
Cuizhi hesitated to speak.
“Help me quietly dispose of these things. I won’t leave the room for the next few days, and don’t spread the news that I’m injured.”
“Then… your injuries need medicine to heal. This servant can go buy some for you.”
“No need. I already applied medicine. Just stop talking and let me rest properly.”
Not long after Lin Yanxi finally sent Cuizhi away, someone knocked on the door again.
She already hadn’t slept enough, and having her rest interrupted immediately worsened her temper. Without even caring who was outside, she shouted irritably,
“There’s nobody inside! Stop knocking!”
“It’s me.”
The reply was an unfamiliar voice.
Lin Yanxi frowned. She was certain she had never heard this person before, nor did the voice belong to one of the manor servants.
Instantly becoming cautious, she asked,
“Who is it?”