'Now that I think unlike other lifetimes, I don't seem to recall this kid's memory. Nor do I know my new sister's name. I have to avoid making any mistakes. I don't want to go through another cliché of having an amnesia. To do so, I need to recruit a third party to act as a middleman. My current body can not handle any manual work someone needs to assist my sister. At least to do my chores. I can't bear the shame of having to excrete before a woman. This body is truly worthless. I've checked many times, but it really is impossible to bring myself back to my feet. If possible, I need a wheelchair first and foremost.' As Xu Nian thought repeatedly, he felt tired and fell asleep after a few minutes. Xu Li's sleep medicine was working wonders.
When Xu Nian woke up the next day. He was extremely hungry as he slept for twenty hours without a proper meal. He felt a soft plush under his head. A sweet smell wafted in the air. A shocking scene was laid before him. The walls of the hut were covered with a long piece of cloth. That seemed to have been pinned at the top. He was laying on an expensive mat with detailed embroidery. Half of the hut was filled with miscellaneous items that looked quite unique and expensive. In a corner, there were a bunch of small towers made by stacking tin boxes, which emanated a medicinal smell. Xu Nian got confused with the sudden development. Though he found it strange and suspicious, he looked excited. He suspected that he got his sister to do the deeds without having to tell her.
Xu Nian was astonished when she looked at Xu Li. Perhaps it was her silk clothes, or was it her dark, long hair that made her look like a heavenly maiden. 'She sure is a beauty, I wonder how I look. I have never seen my own face after coming here.'
Xu Li seemed a bit anxious as if wary of her brother. She quickly defended herself, " I couldn't resist to resort to thievery as the the one whom I looted was the one who did the vile sin of having my brother turn into a cripple..." . She felt like crying as if this much was the only thing she could do. She added, " That Yamen officer's house was in a haphazard state when I was passing by. I just went in because I was curious. Don't worry, no one saw me. I found everyone dead there. This might be another of those skirmishes. So I hurriedly stocked up all the valuables I could find in the horse carriage they had. You don't have to worry. I left no traces. After I brought the carriage, I went back to re check and even erased the carriage tracks. " She finished all of it in one breath. She was overly anxious but wasn't sad about what she had done. Instead, she felt a sense of accomplishment as if it was the most proudest thing she had ever done.
Xu Nian was so happy that he had butterflies in his stomach. But he didn't show it in his face. He looked composed. He anxiously said, " Sis, you can not go on your own from now on. You have to tell me. You have come out of it unscathed this time around, but what about next you.... you can not do so. Please heed my warning. "
Although Xu Li initially thought it was best for her to do such a task without telling him. She almost instantly agreed with him as she looked at his worried gaze. " I'll inform you beforehand and take your advice too. Don't worry." She soothed him by patting him in his head. She first thought he would reprimand her for her act of thievery. Far from being reprimanded, he even talked about a next time. Though she felt relieved. As an elder, it was somewhat of a loss having a child being made into a partner in crime. 'Desperation can make a human do even the worst sin as if it were an elixir,' she thought.
Xu Li heard a growl from Xu Nian's stomach. She laughed and brought a platter filled with dumplings. And two small cups of honey. Xu Nian was excited while eating, though not a proper meal, but is enough to nourish this malnourished body. After she fed him and cleaned up like usual. Xu Nian brought the topic of a helper to her who would serve him as his hands and legs. Xu Li agreed readily, though she would be more than happy to assist her brother, but he would soon grow up into a fine man. He should have a male companion serve him for his daily chores and other menial tasks. She replied while in deep thought, " I know the perfect person who could be your hands and feet. Let's wait for a few days. That person might just come on their own feet." Xu Nian didn't delve deep into the matter as he needed trustworthy people beside him. One that would not betray them in any way. He thought, ' Only time would reveal a man's faith.'