The little monk's expression shifted awkwardly. He turned to Qiao Mu, his cute and petite face displaying confusion as he blinked his large, watery eyes. "Benefactor?"
"Don't try to be cute," Qiao Mu responded with a blank expression.
Indeed, there was no doubt about it. He wasn't dreaming; his true Benefactor stood right before him.
"Benefactor, it's really you, Benefactor!" The child appeared to awaken from a dream. Lowering his small palm, he slapped his own thigh.
"Ouch, it hurts!" The little monk winced in pain but grinned nonetheless. Suddenly, he extended his tiny hands and threw himself into Qiao Mu's arms, tears streaming down like golden beads. "Benefactor, Benefactor, you've come to find me?"
Qiao Mu's heart softened instinctively, even though her face remained stoic. She couldn't help but pat his back twice with her petite hand. "Alright, you're a tough little guy. Why are you crying when you're hurt?"
