Thank You

The little girl sat at the edge of the bed, nodded and said quietly, "Lan."

Zhi Lan kept her eyes down, avoiding eye contact. Although she's glad he's not working for her uncle, the man is still a high authority who can kill anyone anytime. The thought made her quiver.

Commander Wei notices her reaction to his questions, and trust his intuitive that she must've gone through something that's making her afraid of him. It only makes him more curious: What is her background? Just how did General Wei deem her a threat? Commander Wei decides it's best to not pry the information from the young girl yet.

"Do you have family or anyone you're staying with?" Lan barely shakes her head, but just enough for Commander to know. "Hm, seeing that you're no threat like what Jing'er described you to be, you may stay here until we find a suitable home for you. Is that okay with you?"

Zhi Lan's hazel eyes widen in shock. 'Why would he allow that?' She slowly tilts her head up, and finally gets to see the old man in detail.

The so-called Commander Wei had gray hair that was held up in a high bun by a golden pin. Along with that, his armor had a golden emblem of a tiger, which was more distinguished than the one she saw before. It only further proves he is a person of higher rank.

Zhi Lan is conflicted because she doesn't want to impede the scary men here, but her situation doesn't allow her to reject the offer...She could only nod and accept it.

Soldiers are poking their ears in, curious about how and why a little girl ended up in their camp. After hearing the Commander's proposal, it gave them no shock. "Eh hem", General Wei coughed. The men went straight back to what they were doing.

"General Wei", Commander Wei calls him in, "take her to the empty tent in the back, and allow her a bath, clothes, and food." He glances as Lan, "She must be hungry after fighting off those thugs."

General Wei then proceeds to lead her out of the tent. Zhi Lan doesn't dare to look up and trails behind him. But she then remembers her mother's words, "You must always show your gratitude and say 'thank you' to anyone who do you a favor."

Zhi Lan turns back to Commander Wei, gracefully dips down and whispers, "Thank you."

The entire space froze for a second. The Commander coughs and nods, "hm." Zhi Lan turns back to follow the General out of the tent.

'Interesting...'

Outside the tent, Zhi Lan, again, only stares at the dirt floor and trails behind the General. With so much going on, Zhi Lan's mind is muddled and feels as if she's forgetting something. What is it?

Then, there was a flicker of light that caught her attention from her peripheral sight. She glances up a small bit and saw it--her dagger.

While General Wei carries out his order and leads the little girl to the empty tent, he felt a tug on his armor. She doesn't make eye contact but points a finger at the satchel under his chest plate. 'How did she see it?' Conflicted, General Wei ignores her and continues to lead her to the tent. Zhi Lan wanted to voice her frustration and desire for the dagger, but is too afraid to, so she resigns.

When they made it to her assigned tent, General Wei shows her where the basin is for her to bathe, and the clothes that are ready for her to change into. Food would come in within the next thirty minutes, so he reminds her to finish before then.

Zhi Lan who still isn't making eye contact with him, nods.

General Wei feels as if he's been duped. Just earlier, he was frozen because of this girl, but now, she is no more than a muted puppy--quiet and helpless. Did he just imagine it? He thought over about the dagger and handed it over. Although strange, the little puppy with a dagger is no threat against one of the best armies full of tigers.

After handing her the dagger, General Wei headed out to give her privacy. Almost at the exit, General Wei felt a tug on his armor again and turns around. With her head lowered, Zhi Lan gracefully dips and whispers, "Thank you."