*(In this timeline, Jinhsi had already been brought into Jinzhou City by the Sentinel.)* Mohai stood in place, locking eyes with the future Magistrate.
*A friend?
What does she mean?
Does she not have any friends?* The game hadn’t given a detailed background on Jinhsi’s past, only mentioning that after her parents died, she was rescued by the Sentinel, Jue.
Hearing the word “friend” come out of her mouth felt like listening to an official appointment.
Mohai felt an urge to laugh.
Little Jinhsi possessed such administrative gravity at such a young age.
*Heh!* Looking at the little girl staring back at him with pitiful anticipation because she hadn’t gotten an answer, his heart softened slightly.
For some reason, she looked just like a left-behind child.
*(Care for the left-behind Xixi.)* When Mohai was her age, he was running amok, climbing roofs, and tearing up tiles.
But the little Xixi in front of him?
She was being kept on a tight leash, bound strictly by rules.
She wasn’t getting to enjoy the best years of her childhood.
*(Or so Mohai thought.)* She sat bolt upright, like a piece of fine porcelain set carefully on display.
This was what her etiquette tutors had drilled into her.
Even that gentle smile she had worn at first seemed measured with a ruler, following some rigid standard.
Even if she was currently looking at Mohai with a somewhat pitiful gaze.
To be honest, Mohai’s first impression of Jinhsi was that of an obedient child strictly raised by demanding parents.
*(During her childhood in the simulation.)* Logically, Jue wouldn’t treat her like that, so it was probably the work of tutors in Jinzhou City.
Beneath that flawless etiquette, Mohai saw eyes that harbored a deep, hidden loneliness.
Mohai suddenly felt that the quest issued by the system was practically tailor-made for him.
Everyone said a wife should be raised from childhood, but let’s get one thing straight first.
Mohai wasn’t a lolicon; the girl he happened to like just so happened to be a little girl at the moment.
*I, Mohai, am going to be the smooth-talking heart-stealer!* Whisk away the future Magistrate, reach the pinnacle of life!
Mohai grinned, flashing a row of neat white teeth.
A bright, radiant smile broke across his handsome face.
Not like *that* kind of heart-stealer, of course.
He wasn’t like the camera-man guy next door—if he was going to steal her heart, he’d do it with wholesome energy!
So, instead of respectfully answering “yes” or “no” like everyone else, he didn’t say a word.
Patter-pattering over on his short little legs, he ran right up to the stone bench, extended a finger, and gently poked Jinhsi’s chubby cheek.
Soft and squishy—feels great.
Jinhsi froze completely.
Q_Q In all her years growing up, she had never suffered such an offense—the closest anyone had ever come was Teacher Changli when acting as her elder.
How did other kids her age or those tutors treat her?
Always with solemn respect!
Forget poking her face—no one even dared to raise their voice around her!
This new “friend”…
how…
how dare he?
“Your smile looks so goofy.” Mohai chuckled without hesitation, teasing her lightly.
Then, putting on a deadpan expression, he uttered words that would have shocked the entire magistrate’s mansion.
His voice wasn’t loud, but like a small pebble tossed into the calm waters of Jinhsi’s heart, it sent ripples spreading outward.
“You…” For the first time in her social interactions, Jinhsi found herself at a loss for words.
Her mind raced frantically.
According to what her teachers taught her, she should gently yet firmly correct his rudeness at this moment.
But for some reason, she couldn’t bring herself to say it.
Was it because…
he spoke the truth?
She really wasn’t like ordinary children.
She bore heavy responsibilities on her shoulders.
Seeing her adorable, bewildered expression, the mischievous soul inside Mohai blazed up.
He reached out his other hand, mimicking an adult, and solemnly tousled Jinhsi’s hair, messing up her meticulously combed bun.
“You can’t go on like this.” He shook his head and sighed with precocious gravity.
“So young, yet you act just like my boss in a staff meeting.
Aren’t you exhausted?” Jinhsi was utterly baffled.
*Boss?
Staff meeting?* *What are those?* She had no idea what Mohai was talking about, but she could sense a vivid, untamed vitality in him that she had never encountered before.
Like the wind blowing in from outside the courtyard—wild and free.
“My name is Mohai.” Mohai pulled his hand back and introduced himself openly.
Then he extended his hand toward Jinhsi, a mysteriously alluring smile on his face.
“Stop sitting around here.
I’ll take you to see something great.” “Where…
where are we going?” Jinhsi asked instinctively, her body tensing slightly with nervousness.
She had never imagined anyone would offer to “take” her anywhere.
It had always been her staying in one spot, waiting for others to come see her.
“A place that will make you truly smile.” Mohai lowered his voice, coaxing her like a mischievous little devil.
“Have you ever eaten candied haws?
They’re these red berries skewered on a bamboo stick, coated in a bright, shiny sugar shell.” *(I don’t know if they have them here, but logically they should.
After all, the recipe for candied haws is pretty basic.
Surely something like that exists, right?)* “Take a bite—super crunchy, sweet and sour!” As he spoke, he smacked his lips, as if savoring an absolute delicacy.
*Candied haws?* Jinhsi searched her memory frantically for the term.
Nothing.
Her diet consisted solely of carefully curated, highly nutritious meals.
A street snack like this clearly belonged to common folk and would never appear in her world.
Or perhaps it had…
back when her parents were still alive.
At the thought, Jinhsi couldn’t help feeling a pang of temptation.
After all, love of play and tasty treats was second nature to any child.
“But…
I’m not allowed to leave as I please,” Jinhsi said.
A trace of longing flickered in her eyes, though reason quickly pushed it down.
“If the teachers find out, I’ll…
I’ll be punished.” “What’s there to be afraid of?” Mohai patted his tiny, muscueless chest, brimming with confidence.
“You’ve got me!” “Let me tell you, when it comes to scaling walls and dodging guards, I’m a seasoned pro.” Mohai wasn’t exaggerating about that—climbing walls and dodging security guards was an essential rite of passage for every kid’s childhood.
“As long as you stay close to me, I guarantee we’ll be back before they even notice.” He held his hand out to Jinhsi once more, gazing at her with bright, earnest eyes.
“So, what do you say, future Magistrate?” “Wanna try something awesome you’ve never experienced before?” Jinhsi’s heart began to pound wildly.
Half out of fear, half out of an unprecedented thrill.
She looked into Mohai’s sparkling eyes—eyes that seemed to hold an entire starry sky—and then down at her own fair legs beneath her traditional dress.
A thought sprouted from the depths of her heart.
*Just once.* *I’ll indulge myself just this once.* In a long life destined to be burden-heavy, she would steal a moment of freedom just for herself.
At last, as if summoning monumental resolve, she extended a small, trembling hand and placed it gently, hesitantly, into Mohai’s palm.
A warm sensation washed over her.
Mohai gripped her hand firmly.
“Hold on tight.” He looked back at her with a radiant grin.
“Magistrate, our very first sneaking-out adventure starts now!”