Chapter 3: Poor Child
Yifu was certain that the pill in her hand was poison, the kind that would kill a person within three seconds of ingestion.
It was generally used to hunt large magical beasts, and even a creature the size of a person wouldn’t last a few minutes after taking such a pill.
This was a box of brand-new pills, which hadn’t even been opened.
However, from the packaging of the pill, it seemed that it had been in her pocket for quite a long time, appearing somewhat wrinkled, as if it had been soaked in sweat…
This meant that she had been hiding this box of poison in her pocket, and she might have been quietly holding it in her palm for some time.
Looking at the outfit this girl was wearing, it was a relatively rare velvet dress.
Yifu knew that this girl was in a difficult situation. Although this dress was not expensive, it was enough to drain all her savings.
She had no source of income and was still quite young.
As far as Yifu understood, this girl was living off the academy’s scholarships, work-study programs, and occasional support from Yifu.
Buying a decent dress like this would probably mean she couldn’t afford a full meal for a month.
Yifu found it strange; this girl was not a vain child. Usually, she was well-behaved and frugal.
She would rather split a copper coin in half than waste it, and she was very motivated, knowing that despite living in poverty now, as long as she worked hard, there would eventually come a day when she could rise to the top.
Yifu admired her character, which was why she took the initiative to support and take care of her.
Could it be that this girl had gone astray after not seeing her for two years?
“No matter what, this dangerous poison should be carefully stored away; it would be terrible if it were accidentally ingested.”
Yifu cautiously wiped the dirt from Leia, and at that moment, she noticed that there were many visible bruises on her arms and in places that were usually hidden.
Old and new, the nearly healed scars and the freshest wounds suggested a long time span, at least several months.
She must have been bullied…
Previously, before Yifu was reported as a witch by Xiaobaiyan, those around Leia wouldn’t dare to bully the poor girl too much, thanks to the protection of Yifu, the church cardinal deacon.
It wasn’t out of kindness; it was common for the spoiled brats of the church academy to bully the weak, but they wouldn’t dare lay a hand on Leia, who was vulnerable, because they feared Yifu, the respected church cardinal deacon.
But now things were different. Yifu had been condemned as a witch and executed by hanging.
With Leia losing her support, it was only natural she would attract the stormy retribution from those who had looked down on her before.
Leia’s character was also submissive; if Yifu hadn’t persuaded her not to waste her talent, she might have planned to live her life begging…
No parents, no support, being sneered at every day, struggling on the edge of survival, and perhaps the best outcome would have been being taken in by someone because of her looks, just to get enough food and become a slave…
But how much better could Leia’s situation be now?
If Yifu could protect this little girl for a lifetime, it would still be fine, but Yifu had been condemned as a witch and executed; how much scorn would Leia, who had once received Yifu’s help, have to endure?
Thinking of this, Yifu couldn’t help but sigh, feeling pity for the poor experiences of this little girl.
At that moment, Leia’s frail body curled up on a broken little bed, trembling slightly, with an expression of great pain.
Yifu couldn’t bear to see her like this, gently touching her wrist, which was so thin it felt like skin stretched over bones.
The slightly rough texture made Yifu feel alarmed; it was hard to imagine how frail this girl was. At just over ten years old, she probably weighed less than fifty pounds.
Long-term malnutrition, mental stress, and the scars from beatings and abuse undoubtedly tormented her to the point where life felt worse than death.
“Poor child.”
Yifu’s warm palm gently caressed Leia’s delicate little face. Unknowingly sensing Yifu’s presence, Leia, who had been trembling, suddenly calmed down.
She started to mutter softly…
Yifu leaned in close to her mouth, straining to hear what she was saying.
The pitiful little girl kept calling out “Mom” and another indistinct name.
Yifu truly couldn’t understand what Leia was murmuring, and just when she was about to give up, she distinctly heard the girl calling her own name…
She understood the true purpose of this child digging her own grave.
“Yifu… Mama, I’m coming to see you soon, I’m coming right away.”
“You’re not a witch; you’re the only one who has been good to me in this life, my dear Mama…”
“I’m so scared… I miss you, I miss you…”
