Brother Ji

Hiding in the shadows, Bai Shuixian swiftly went past the guards and the officers. He would not be able to make it past the gates if he tried to go through the front door. He had no other option but to sneak into the office.

Bai Shuixian did not know if there were people inside the office at the moment, but he was sure that Chen Shi was not in there. Currently, he was out arresting the Bai Clansmen and throwing them in jail.

Also, Bai Shuixian did not come in early to sneak away with something but to merely ask Chen Shi a question. Or rather, a favor. He hated having to repay favors, but this one is special. And since he can't do it himself with such a weak body, he'll need someone else to do it.

Quietly entering the office of the magistrate, Bai Shuixian made himself comfortable. Sitting at the lounge in front of the desk, he waited for Chen Shi. He was sure that it would not take that long for all the Bai Clansmen to be caught.

Though there may be some that will run away, the majority and most threatening figures should be caught easily. There was no better idiom to fit this than, 'The higher you stand, the easier you fall.'

When it was past two o'clock in the morning, Chen Shi exhaustedly entered his office. He tiredly took off his bloody overcoat and threw it on the floor. He was sticky with blood from the chase since some members of the clan chose to not peacefully get arrested. But he couldn't complain, they were all going straight to the rope. They should've prepared more before cornering a wounded beast. They should've trapped it before it could even bite back.

While thinking about the whole situation, Chen Shi finally saw Bai Shuixian's small form in the lounge. He thought that he was hallucinating from his fatigue so he closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again, only to once again see the kid comfortably sitting and quietly staring at him.

A little shocked, Chen Shi kept rubbing his eyes and asked, "You… when did you come?"

"Oh. Only a few hours ago," Bai Shuixian answered.

"How did you get in?" Chen Shi asked, feeling sure that the magistrate's office was quite protected and secured even if he was gone and busy.

"Came through the front door," Bai Shuixian briefly answered again.

Again, Chen Shi's brow twitched at Bai Shuixian's answer. He did not believe it. There was not a single person in this perimeter that would allow the little boy to enter. Even more, the little boy is from the Bai family. If anyone saw Bai Shuixian, they would eagerly try to arrest him. Though, the little boy's appearance looked intriguingly different from the portraits.

Shaking his head, Chen Shi cleared all thoughts and asked, "What are you doing here?"

"I have a favor to ask," Bai Shuixian said.

Calmly nodding his head, Chen Shi replied, "If I can do it, I will help. The information you gave us made it extremely easy to capture the clansmen and their associates."

"Please allow me to visit my grandfather for one last time," Bai Shuixian requested.

Though a little surprised, Chen Shi agreed.

He then asked, "I thought you did not have a good relationship with Grandmaster Bai?"

"I don't. I just wanted to tell the old man who brought the family to ruins," Bai Shuixian coldly said.

"That… that's quite cold," Chen Shi muttered under his breath.

"No matter how cold it is, it's not as cold as being beaten up every day," Bai Shuixian stated.

Surprised, Chen Shi questioningly stated, "Child abuse?"

Disregarding the statement, Bai Shuixian said, "I want you to reveal to everyone, after I come back from the jail cell, that Bai Shuixian was killed while escaping."

Chen Shi's eyes widened and he asked with a confused expression, "This… but I didn't put you on the guilty list."

"Whether you put my name on there or not, it does not matter. All that matters is that the rumors have already destroyed the reputation of the Bai Clan and some people would eagerly search for me for money rewards or just for their perverted desires," Bai Shuixian stated. "Hm… Before I go, I would like to ask another favor."

"Go ahead. There's already one favor, another one wouldn't cause any harm," Chen Shi said.

Bowing, Bai Shuixian requested, "Please take care of my grandmother. Though I do not care for the rest of the household, I hold deep sentiments for my grandmother. If possible, I would like for you to take her in as a family member of your house."

Since meeting Bai Shuixian yesterday, Chen Shi always thought the boy would never bow for someone. The aura the boy exerted was that of someone with high and superior powers. Seeing him bow made Chen Shi feel uncomfortable, but his actions also showed how precious Elder Madam Bai was to him.

If Bai Shuixian did not bow, Chen Shi might have taken care of the elderly lady, but not take her in.

He could only sigh in surrender and say, "I'll take care of your Elder Madam Bai. Please don't worry."

A little relieved, Bai Shuixian thanked Chen Shi. Indeed, all the people that Teacher Chang knew were good. As they say, 'Birds of the same feather flock together.'

Having accomplished all his objectives from the meeting, Bai Shuixian got up from the lounge, intending to leave the office.

Just before he could open the door, Chen Shi's voice rang behind him, asking, "After this, where will you go?"

Though Chen Shi held respect for Bai Shuixian, he could not help but to worry. The boy was still little. Just how much does he know about the outside?

Despite knowing what Chen Shi was thinking, Bai Shuixian answered, "Wherever the wind takes me, I shall go."

Leaving the office, Bai Shuixian sneaked out of the perimeter. Only when he concluded that he was at a safe distance from the building did he finally take a pause and look at the starry sky.

Closing his eyes, he said to the person within him, "Little Xian, you're safe now. Don't worry about the future. This big brother will protect you from all harm."