406. Real Kindness

Three days later, on a morning.

In the inn opposite the medical clinic, Liu Erlong once again knocked on Qian Renjue’s door.

Knock knock—

Creak!

The door opened. As the gap widened, the sight of a blonde-haired, purple-eyed boy appeared. His golden hair was slightly disheveled, and his amethyst eyes carried traces of drowsiness.

“Sorry, I—I didn’t know you were still asleep.”

Liu Erlong’s eyes were red, and she hastily bowed deeply toward Qian Renjue, her clear voice gradually tinged with sobs.

“I’m so sorry! Could you... could you lend me some more money? Please, I beg you!”

“Of course. Here you go.”

Before she could finish her words, a pouch of coins appeared before her.

Yawning, Qian Renjue looked somewhat dazed. He stretched his hand toward her, frowning at her frozen posture.

“Aren’t you in a hurry?”

“Thank you... Thank you so much!”

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Liu Erlong took the pouch and quickly ran downstairs toward the clinic across the street.

Bang!

Qian Renjue shut the door, walked to the window, and pulled back the curtains to gaze at the clinic opposite.


---

Knock knock—

On the seventh day of the dream, the knocking resumed.

This time, Liu Erlong seemed calmer, though her eyes still glistened with tears. She looked longingly at Qian Renjue, who was once again disturbed from his sleep.

Her trembling hands were outstretched, as if begging.

Qian Renjue calmly placed the pouch in her hands, gently guiding her fingers to close around it.

“Take as much as you need.”

His voice was light yet filled with warmth.

“Mm! Thank you!”

Liu Erlong bowed deeply and quickly departed.

Apart from the lingering fragrance she left behind, the only proof of her visit was the system’s voice echoing in Qian Renjue’s mind.


---

Half a month into the dream.

Liu Erlong knocked on the door again, her eyes slightly swollen. Her once bright, dark eyes now showed a hint of numbness.

“Here you go.”

Qian Renjue opened the door and habitually handed over a pouch of money.

However, Liu Erlong shook her head and held up a not-so-delicately prepared lunchbox, looking somewhat nervous.

“This—this is breakfast I made. Would you like it?”

“I don’t need money for this. I’ll repay it.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Qian Renjue took the lunchbox, still handing over the pouch.

“Take it, so you don’t have to come back tomorrow.”

At his words, Liu Erlong lowered her eyes, not taking the pouch. She bit her lip, her eyes welling with tears.

She shook her head lightly.

Qian Renjue was momentarily stunned. Realizing his words sounded ominous, he quickly softened his tone with an apologetic look.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It’s okay, I know you mean well.”

Liu Erlong wiped away her tears, wishing more than anything she wouldn’t have to return for money tomorrow.

“I... I’ll be going now. Thank you.”

“Mm, goodbye.”

Qian Renjue nodded slightly.

After closing the door, he carried the lunchbox to the table and sat down.

As soon as he opened it, the aroma brought to mind the pink bunny he had once knocked out to send to its mother.

Inside was a generous portion of carrot fried rice, fortunately accompanied by an egg and a chicken drumstick.

Picking up the spoon, Qian Renjue began to eat, his thoughts drifting to Liu Erlong and her mother.


---

In the medical clinic:

“Erlong, did you really give him that meal? He won’t look down on it, will he?”

Liu's mother leaned against the sofa, accepting the food her daughter offered her.

In a soft tone, she advised:
“From now on, send my portion to him instead.”

“Mom, it’s fine. To him, there’s no difference between the two portions.”

“You silly girl! Just because that’s true doesn’t mean you should do it.”

Liu Erlong pursed her red lips.

“If he throws yours away, wouldn’t that be an even bigger waste?”

“...”

Liu's mother paused, her eyes tinged with melancholy.

“No matter what, it needs to be better. Your portion too—it should be improved. You’re getting thinner.”

“Add more chicken drumstick next time.”

Raising her hand, Liu's mother gently stroked Liu Erlong’s cheek, her eyes brimming with tears.

“Erlong, listen to me. Let’s stop the treatment, okay?”

“No way. There is finally a chance.”

A chance to see again.

Liu Erlong shook her head fiercely, unwilling to let go of any hope.


---

At noon.

As Liu Erlong was about to go buy lunch while keeping an eye on her mother, she saw Qian Renjue step into the clinic.

Under her mother’s gaze, Liu Erlong immediately stood up and greeted him.

“Why are you here? Is something wrong?”

“I’m returning the lunchbox.”

Qian Renjue extended his hand, and an empty lunchbox appeared in his palm.

Liu Erlong was momentarily stunned, her expression turning awkward.

Liu's mother’s eyes also carried guilt.

“The taste was fine. Next time, use fewer carrots and add more rice.”

Qian Renjue’s gentle voice surprised the mother and daughter. Liu Erlong tugged at the corners of her mouth in a slight smile, accepting the lunchbox with both hands and nodding lightly.

“Got it. I’ll remember.”

“And this is for you and your mom—lunch, free of charge.”

A thermos-style container appeared in Qian Renjue’s hand as he handed it to Liu Erlong.

“...”

Liu Erlong froze, staring at the boy before her, feeling an inexplicable warmth enveloping her.

[Congratulations, Host, on successfully spreading great love! (Target: Liu Erlong)]

[Congratulations, Host, on your first act of great love! (Target: Liu Meier)]

[Reward obtained: Dragon-Seeking Ruler!]

Hearing the system’s voice, Qian Renjue paused and looked in Liu's mother’s direction.

Liu's mother looked back at him.

This was her first close look at their benefactor.

It seemed she had misunderstood him before.

However, what dispelled her misunderstanding wasn’t Qian Renjue’s age but his eyes—and his actions.

Even she could sense the warmth in those eyes.

Liu Erlong accepted the container.

Qian Renjue nodded slightly at Liu's mother and turned to leave.

“Mom, let’s eat,” Liu Erlong said softly as she approached the bedside, her mood visibly improved.

But Liu's mother’s eyes showed concern.

Being overly kind and innocent wasn’t safe, especially when carrying so much money.

“Erlong, do you think that boy might be in danger?”

“Probably not.”

Liu Erlong glanced at the food container filled with a feast and felt even more ashamed.

Her sweet egg fried rice was truly terrible!

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll do my best to protect him.”


---

A month passed in the dream.

The sun shone brightly.

Qian Renjue strolled along the bustling street, buying candied hawthorn as a snack.

The clinic was just a few steps away.

Qian Renjue keenly sensed someone nearby harboring ill intent.

A hand was reaching for his money pouch at his waist.

He was waiting for the touch when a sharp, clear voice interrupted him.

“Hey! What are you trying to do?!”

Liu Erlong had appeared behind him without him noticing.

With searing soul power emanating from her, she drove away the group of thieves.

Calmly, Qian Renjue handed her a stick of candied hawthorn.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Be more careful—you’re practically a walking target.”

Liu Erlong accepted the candied hawthorn, licked it, and glanced at Qian Renjue.

He was such a child, with no sense of caution.

If she hadn’t followed him out of worry, he would’ve been robbed.

To this, Qian Renjue merely smiled without explaining further.

She was only a mid-level Soul Master, after all.

Liu Erlong was stunned, her tongue frozen mid-lick against the candied hawthorn as she stared blankly at Qian Renjue.

It was the first time in a month that she had seen his smile directly.

It was gentle and warm, stirring her protective instincts.

Normally, Qian Renjue would smile while watching performances.

But he never smiled at her.

He only treated her well.

Liu Erlong couldn’t understand why. He was obviously so gentle, yet he now returned to his expressionless state.

“Do you want to bring one for your mom?”

“No way.”

“Oh~”


---

Two months into the dream.

In a secluded alley not far from the clinic, where few ventured, Qian Renjue faced a child who had lured him there.

Scanning the group of Soul Masters surrounding him, he noticed one was even a Soul Elder.

It seemed his lavish spending over the past two months had attracted trouble.



He was indeed being targeted.

Just as Qian Renjue was about to take action, Liu Erlong—worried about him going out alone to deliver food—appeared once again.

This seasoned fighter stepped forward and declared:

“Hey! Whatever you want to do, you’ll have to take down this old lady first!”