"Is this it?"
Gu Changqing gently lifted Qing Lin's sleeve, revealing patches of light green scales on her forearm.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I... I..."
Qing Lin instinctively tried to pull her hand back but couldn't. Her voice quivered with tears, watching Gu Changqing's gentle hand caress her light green scales.
"They feel nice, actually. Very pretty and soft."
Gu Changqing admired the unique texture of her cold yet slightly warm scales. He smiled, praising her.
Afraid? He had faced the Medusa Queen without fear. Why would he be afraid of a few tiny scales?
Hearing his praise, Qing Lin's eyes widened in disbelief. No one had ever called her scales beautiful. They were always seen as a mark of her dirty serpent bloodline, a symbol of her lowly status.
"Alright, Qing Lin, let me ask you. Would you like to be my little sister?"
Gu Changqing released her arm, holding her delicate hand instead. He gazed into her beautiful green eyes, his voice gentle.
"Huh?"
Qing Lin froze, then fearfully withdrew her hand, dropping to her knees and shaking her head.
"No, I can't. I'm just a lowly serpent. Please don't joke with me."
Tears welled up in her eyes, memories of her life flooding back. She had always been treated like a pariah, constantly chased and despised.
People had promised to take her in, treat her like family. But every time she accepted their kindness, it turned into a cruel joke.
"Ha! You actually believed it? Look, everyone, this dirty creature thought she could be my sister. Hilarious!"
"Get lost, you filthy thing! Did you really think I wanted you? Someone like you could never be my child!"
"Scram, you disgusting creature. Begging to be taken in? How pathetic..."
These memories brought uncontrollable tears to Qing Lin's eyes. She thought Gu Changqing was playing the same cruel trick.
Seeing her so deeply hurt, Gu Changqing felt a pang of sadness. He hadn't come for her Green Snake Three Flower Pupils. He could train someone to surpass those abilities.
He came for the poor girl herself, wanting to give her a home. He didn't expect her to be so sensitive, clearly hurt by past experiences.
Gu Changqing gently lifted Qing Lin to her feet, wiping away her tears. He stopped her from repeatedly apologizing, whispering:
"Qing Lin, you don't need to apologize. Have you heard the saying, 'Heaven gives us talents for a reason'? You living in this world proves you have value. There will be a day when the darkness fades and light prevails."
"I genuinely want you to be my sister. As the Young Master of the Gu family, I could have many girls at my side with just a word. Do you really think I need to deceive you?"
"If you don't believe me, then..."
Gu Changqing lifted Qing Lin's hand, gently kissed the light green scales, and asked with a smile:
"Now, do you believe me?"
"Young Master Gu..."
Qing Lin pulled her hand back, her body trembling as her face flushed.
She knew that some men had peculiar tastes, and even though she had serpent blood, they might still desire her.
But Young Master Gu, such a noble and respectable person, willing to lower himself to kiss her scales, with such clear and gentle eyes, made her feel a strong urge to devote herself to him.
However, years of self-doubt and fear quickly suppressed this impulse.
"Young Master Gu, I..."
Qing Lin tried to refuse, but Gu Changqing gently placed a finger on her lips, stopping her.
He held her hands in his, sincerely saying:
"Qing Lin, if you can't trust me right now, then just stay by my side. I won't harm or look down on you. I'll make sure you eat well, dress nicely, play fun games, and see the beautiful sights of Dou Qi Continent."
"Whenever you feel ready, just call me brother and become my sister. How about that?"
Gu Changqing didn't want to force her. He knew that with his power and status, a little pressure would make her agree out of fear.
But he preferred to take the time to care for her, letting her willingly call him brother.
Yet, he underestimated Qing Lin's sensitivity.
Moved by his words, Qing Lin's tears flowed, her body warm. She stared at him, her eyes brimming with hot tears, her voice trembling:
"Young Master Gu, why are you so kind to me? I'm just a lowly person with a dirty bloodline. I..."
"You are not a lowly person! Serpent blood or human blood, it isn't dirty. Those who say your blood is filthy are ignorant fools. But you mustn't belittle yourself. If you do, I'll punish you by making you eat an extra bowl of rice every meal!"
Qing Lin couldn't help but laugh at his 'punishment.' To her, eating an extra bowl of rice was a reward.
Just as she laughed, a sparkling bubble of snot emerged from her nose.