...
The mountains overlapped, and the fissures and deep valleys were like marks of the earth, splitting the many mountain ranges of Pear Blossom Gully and turning this place into a breeding ground for poisonous insects and evil spirits.
"That's right, you've never told us your name," Nan Yuso said with a gentle smile, turning to look at the young girl from the village who was guiding them.
"My family name is Shi, first name Ruoshuo," the girl said in a quiet voice, as if afraid others might find something amiss with her name. After all, she hadn't had much contact with the outside world and didn't know if her name would be the subject of ridicule.
"Shi Ruoshuo, that's quite a cute name. Who gave it to you?" Nan Yuso asked.
"Your family name is Shi? So Shi Hua is your grandmother?" Song Luo spoke up.
"Yes," Shi Ruoshuo nodded.
"Then have you been living alone in the village?" Song Luo asked, sounding somewhat sympathetic.
