Mu Xi listened quietly to Little An’s calm narration, but waves of emotion stirred within her.
She had always believed that the world outside the Manor, even if not a paradise, was at least relatively peaceful.
But Little An’s words were like a bucket of ice water, thoroughly extinguishing the faint hope she had harbored.
It turned out that the outside world was far more cruel, far darker, than she had imagined.
Looking at this timid little girl before her, Mu Xi suddenly felt that although they were trapped in different circumstances, in a way, they were both pitiable prisoners within this Manor.
One was a caged Golden Canary; the other, a struggling worker ant barely clinging to life.
The self-abased Little An began to grow uneasy.
Like a child who had done something wrong, she twisted the hem of her clothes, her eyes flickering nervously yet sneaking occasional, cautious glances at Mu Xi, as if trying to win her favor.
Her rough little hands fidgeted anxiously, as though hesitant about something.
Finally, gathering her courage like a tiny quail, she timidly inched closer to Mu Xi, her voice barely above a whisper: “Sister, I… I can help you with something, can’t I?”
Mu Xi looked at her like that and sighed softly, gently shaking her head.
Her tone was as soft as she could make it, but carried an unyielding firmness:
“No need, Little An. You don’t have to serve me. You see, I’m just like you. We’re not so different.”
She paused, then added, “I don’t like being served, and I don’t want to serve others either.”
Upon hearing this, Little An’s body trembled violently.
Her already pale face drained of the last hint of color, her eyes filled with terror, as if she’d just heard a terrifying command.
She flailed her hands helplessly, stammering, “N-no, no, Sister, I’m not trying to serve you! I… I just want to help you. Really, I can do anything—washing clothes, cleaning rooms, fetching water… Whatever you order, I’m willing to do it!”
The more she spoke, the more desperate she became, tears nearly spilling down her cheeks.
It was as if Mu Xi’s refusal was the greatest rejection she could face.
Mu Xi watched her on the verge of breakdown, feeling more puzzled and helpless than ever.
She vaguely sensed that Little An’s reaction went beyond normal bounds—not simply wanting to “serve,” but something instinctual, a survival method ingrained to her very bones.
“Little An, calm down.”
Mu Xi slowed her tone, trying to soothe her.
“I understand what you mean, but I really don’t need you to serve me. We are equals, understand? You don’t have to treat me that way.”
“Equals?” Little An was stunned, a flicker of confusion crossing her hollow eyes, as if hearing a completely unfamiliar word.
She murmured the word to herself, her expression growing more perplexed and uneasy.
“Equal… what does that mean? Can I… can I be like you?”
Mu Xi’s heart ached seeing her vacant gaze.
She realized that for Little An, “equality” might truly be an incomprehensible concept.
In her world, there was only oppression and being oppressed, ruling and being ruled, serving and being served—the laws of survival.
Perhaps this concept had been branded on her soul since birth.
“Little An,” Mu Xi took a deep breath and tried to explain in simpler terms, “equality means we are all human. We all deserve respect. You don’t have to do those… those things just to survive.”
She hesitated, choosing not to say the word “serve” directly, feeling that it might already be an unbreakable chain for Little An.
Little An looked at Mu Xi, half-understanding, her eyes still hollow but now carrying a hint of doubt and curiosity.
She fidgeted uneasily, clutching her rough little hands tightly to her clothes, as if trying hard to comprehend Mu Xi’s words, yet also resisting something.
Mu Xi’s heart twisted at the sight.
She finally understood that Little An’s insistence on serving was likely a survival instinct—an essential skill she had learned to live through that brutal competitive environment.
Those children, vying for a single spot, would do anything, even sacrificing their dignity and soul.
And Little An had survived by relying on this instinct to “serve,” standing out among more than a hundred children.
Watching Little An’s uneasy demeanor, Mu Xi sighed deeply.
She knew that for those long trapped under oppression, being refused help might be even scarier than being scolded.
It meant losing all value, losing any chance to be used, and thus losing hope to survive in this cruel world.
“All right, if you want to help…” Mu Xi’s tone softened, tinged with resignation, “then pour me a glass of water. I’m a bit thirsty.”
Hearing Mu Xi finally “ordering” her to do something, Little An’s pale face immediately flushed with relief.
She nodded hurriedly, like a dog finally recognized by its master, a humble yet eager light reigniting in her eyes.
Carefully, she walked to the table, picked up the water jug, and clumsily poured a glass.
Holding it with both hands as if it were a precious treasure, she hurried over to Mu Xi, bowed slightly, and handed her the glass.
“Sister, please drink.” Her voice was still faint as a mosquito’s, but carried a barely noticeable note of joy.
Mu Xi took the cup, feeling its coolness.
The rim was chipped in places, clearly no fine vessel.
She took a sip.
The water was plain tap water, with a faint chemical taste—not pleasant, but she still nodded gently and whispered, “Thank you, Little An.”
“Y-you’re welcome, Sister. As long as you’re satisfied.” Little An waved her hands repeatedly, as if the words “thank you” were a heavy blessing she could hardly bear.
She stood nearby, not leaving, her eyes fixed on Mu Xi as if waiting for the next “command.”
Mu Xi looked at her cautious, expectant expression, feeling a swirl of emotions.
She knew that if she refused again, it would probably backfire, only deepening Little An’s fear and anxiety.
Fine, let her do something.
Maybe that would bring her some peace.
“Little An, do you… know how to wash clothes?” Mu Xi thought for a moment and asked casually.
“Yes! I know how to wash clothes! I wash very clean!”
Little An’s words spilled out quickly, as if a switch had been flipped, afraid Mu Xi wouldn’t believe her.
She added, “Before… at Lady Karin’s place, I washed all the clothes. All kinds of fabrics—I promise I washed them clean and fast!”