Chapter 7. Looks Quite Fierce
Mingjing shook her head; heaven knows what terrifying things this human cub had just experienced.
The cold wind made Mingjing shiver, but Gu Zhaochen stood straight, his thin little face showing no expression. His dark eyes gazed into the distance at the sky, resembling a stagnant pool of water in the dead of night, devoid of any ripples or light.
It was as if he had been born without any expression — neither nervous, nor disappointed, nor complaining, and he wouldn’t cry, but he wouldn’t smile either.
Compared to most human children, Gu Zhaochen was undoubtedly unfortunate.
He was covered in wounds. The gash on his head was still bleeding, and his arms and legs bore a mix of fresh and old injuries. He was so frail that Mingjing felt as though a gust of wind might blow this poor boy away. A fresh wound had appeared on his left cheek — one that hadn’t been there in the morning when he was bandaged at the Shanshui Courtyard. It was clear he had been beaten again by those two benefactors.
Mingjing didn’t know how to comfort this human child.
Falling from its own world into the human realm, knowing it would take a hundred years to return home — it's terrible. But compared to this human child, Mingjing was much luckier. After all, it had its master. The one who found, cared for, and helped her was her master, not Gu Zhiming or Lin Shuixiang.
Human children are far more fragile and in need of care than ferocious beasts.
Mingjing shifted closer, reaching out to hold the human cub’s hand. The small hand was icy and stiff, sending a shiver down Mingjing’s spine that made her sneeze loudly.
Clutching the hand tightly, Mingjing reassured, “The ambulance is here, Gu Zhaochen. Don’t be afraid. Those three won’t die.”
Gu Zhaochen didn’t seem to care, showing no concern at all. He merely looked down at the small, soft, and warm hand holding his own. It was smaller than his, white and soft, radiating a comforting warmth, completely different from his own.
It felt like a little warm quilt was gently covering his heart.
Outside the Gu family courtyard, the fireworks had fizzled out, and the surroundings gradually grew quiet. Snowfall added to the stillness, the soft sounds of snowflakes making the world even more serene. Gu Zhaochen stood motionless, savoring the warmth in his palm bit by bit.
Such warmth, on a frigid night like this, was even more comforting than the small stove by Gu Feihuang’s side.
Mingjing racked her brains to comfort the human cub. After a moment of pondering, she exclaimed softly, rummaging through her bag to pull out a White Rabbit candy. Handing it to Gu Zhaochen, she said, “Gu Zhaochen, have some candy.” Eating candy makes people feel better, and Mingjing hoped this human cub could cheer up a bit.
This was a gift he had prepared for the little monk. He loved White Rabbit candies but seldom bought them because he had to save money. The week before, he had bought some as a gift for the little monk but hadn’t had the chance to give them before Gu Feihuang snatched them away, leaving only this one.
Gu Zhaochen pursed his lips. “It’s yours; you eat it.”
So, it was a gift for her! Mingjing’s eyebrows curved into a smile. She wiped her hands, unwrapped the candy, and broke it in half—one half for itself, the other for Gu Zhaochen.
Gu Zhaochen took the candy and ate it. The sweet milky flavor melted in his mouth, spreading warmth and sweetness.
Standing by the courtyard wall, Luo Qingshu saw the two children had finished tidying up and let out a relieved sigh. He retracted the Buddhist prayer beads in his hand, knocked on the door, and entered with some clothes.
Hearing the sound, Mingjing turned its head and, seeing it was her master, ran over in delight. Tilting her head up, she called out, “Master, you’re here!”
The little monk had been busy running back and forth, breaking into a sweat.
Luo Qingshu shook out the clothes and motioned for the little monk to stretch out her hands. “Put these on first; you’ll catch a cold otherwise.”
Mingjing obediently stretched out her arms and slipped into the sleeves.
Luo Qingshu zipped up the coat and pulled the hood over the little bald head. Only then did he pat her on the head and gently say, “You did very well.” He could see she had been anxious but still managed to stay calm and methodical, knowing exactly what to do first.
He hadn’t expected her to remember and apply the words he had told her three years ago, using her own understanding to guide other children. Regardless of the effect, seeing her seriously reason with others made the little monk extraordinarily endearing.
To the little monk, her master’s praise was more precious than any delicacy.
Mingjing’s eyebrows curved as she grabbed her master’s hand, pulling him over to stand beside Gu Zhaochen. Together, they waited for the ambulance.
Meanwhile, she pondered the next steps for this situation. Now that the police had arrived, everything would follow formal procedures, including determining where this human cub would go.
Luo Qingshu could immediately tell what the little monk was thinking. He had always cultivated her ability to think and reason, often letting her figure things out before guiding her further. This time was no different. He patiently waited for her thoughts to form before deciding whether or not to intervene.
Even now, despite being just a little kid herself, she was trying her best to comfort the child beside her.
Everywhere you looked, she was utterly adorable.
The ambulance and police car arrived one after the other. Five paramedics hurriedly but methodically assessed the condition of the three individuals before loading them all onto the ambulance.
Two police cars arrived at the scene, bringing five officers. Lao Xu followed the victims to the hospital to conduct an investigation and gather evidence, as well as to obtain the medical injury assessment results.
Hearing the commotion, the neighbors came out to watch. Some mocked, while others sighed in sympathy. The doctors couldn’t find the patients’ immediate family, so Zhang Chunhua from next door quickly contacted the Gu family’s relatives. A large group of them rushed to the hospital in a flurry.
The officer in charge of the case was Song Xifeng, a young captain who had just transferred from Haihe to Qingshui Town. He was only 25 years old and had volunteered to take the shift on New Year’s Eve. As soon as he received the report, he immediately brought his team to the scene.
When Song Xifeng saw the monk, he froze for a moment. First, it was because of the monk’s stunningly refined and noble demeanor. Second, it was because he looked oddly familiar — a kind of familiarity where you’re certain you know the person but just can’t quite remember who they are without a hint.
He would bet his reputation on it — he knew this man. Someone this remarkable wouldn’t be the type of person you would forget!
How puzzling!
It wasn’t until Chen Yun nudged him that Song Xifeng snapped out of it. After briefly asking a few questions, he immediately ordered the Gu family’s home to be cordoned off and instructed the monk, the young novice, and Gu Zhaochen to get into the car so they could take them to the station for further questioning.
Gu Zhaochen, knowing that the matter had nothing to do with the young monk, stepped forward and said, “I’m the one who poisoned them. It has nothing to do with them. Let them go.”
Song Xifeng was taken aback. Before he could respond, two of his colleagues leaned in to add, “This family’s situation is a bit special. To put it bluntly, those two parents are truly despicable. They abuse this kid constantly. Gu Zhiming is nothing more than a scoundrel and a thug. Every time we try to intervene, he’s always defiant. Captain Song, just look at this child. He’s eight years old, but he’s no bigger than a typical three- or four-year-old. I’d bet anything the injuries on his body are also the handiwork of that scumbag.”
As police officers, refraining from passing judgment on the character or morality of those involved in a case is a basic professional standard. Typically, no one would make such a mistake. The fact that these two senior officers were saying this so openly left Song Xifeng quite surprised.
Zhang Chunhua and Old Li from next door chimed in as well. "We’re old neighbors; we can testify. This child, they say he’s the Gu family’s son, but they haven’t given him a proper bite to eat. He works every day, and if he makes the slightest mistake, he’s beaten and scolded. It’s cruel."
"Exactly, we’ve all seen it. Little Gu has been bullied terribly. Gu Zhiming and Lin Shuxiang, those two heartless wretches, are finally facing retribution."
The Gu family members weren’t around, but the onlookers, all acquaintances, started talking one after another. Some said that Gu Zhaochen was too ruthless, a beast for poisoning his own parents.
"At the very least, they raised him and kept him alive till now. For someone so young to use rat poison? His heart is too vicious. It’s outrageous!"
The police officers overheard enough to get the gist of the situation and waved everyone off. "Folks, please head home and celebrate the New Year. If we need to visit anyone for inquiries, we’ll let you know."
At that, the neighbors dispersed.
The child’s condition was truly pitiful. His whole body was covered in blood, with bandages wrapped around his head, arms, and legs. His shirt was tattered and old, and it was only after the little monk ran inside to fetch some clothes for him to wear that he looked a little better. His frail body seemed as though a gust of wind could knock him over, and scars marred his neck and face. Yet no matter what anyone said — good or bad — he remained unresponsive, as if nothing mattered to him. He was like a broken doll without a soul.
Except when someone mentioned the little monk.
Gu Zhaochen stood protectively in front of the little monk, tense and on guard. The little monk was a good person; this had nothing to do with him. He couldn’t be taken away. If anyone dared touch the young monk…
Gu Zhaochen clenched his teeth tightly. He was willing to fight with his life on the line. His life wasn’t worth much, but whoever laid a hand on the young monk would become his enemy!
The situation was indeed complicated — this was still an underage child.
Song Xifeng said, "Take them all to the station first. We’ll sort this out there."
He pointed to Luo Qingshu and Mingjing. "You two, get in the car as well."
But as soon as the words left his mouth, the child standing in front of the little monk became highly agitated. He spread his arms to shield the little monk and shouted, his eyes red, "I said I’m the one who poisoned them! I’m the one who moved the gas canister! The little monk saved those three pests’ lives! He was the one who called 120! He induced vomiting and saved them! This has nothing to do with him!" [1]
"If you’re going to arrest someone, arrest me! I’m willing to go to jail! I’m willing to pay with my life!"
Such a small child, yet when he saw Officer Chen Yun reaching for the young monk, he didn’t hesitate to push her away, not caring that she had just spoken up for him. Like a wolf cub protecting its food, he bristled with emotion. "Don’t touch him! It has nothing to do with him!"
He looked fierce, like a little hedgehog with all its spines standing on end.
Chen Yun had visited the Gu family twice before and already knew the child’s circumstances — she understood the life he had been living. She wasn’t angry and gently reassured him, "Xiao Zhao, don’t get worked up. Auntie isn’t here to arrest him..."
Gu Zhaochen didn’t trust anyone and remained highly vigilant. Chen Yun, feeling a bit awkward, quietly explained to Song Xifeng, "This is partially our fault. When we intervened with Gu Zhiming before, he retaliated by beating the child even more. He would brush us off, saying, ‘He’s my son. You have no right to interfere,’ and we couldn’t do much."
Song Xifeng crouched down, hands on his knees, to meet the child’s eyes. He said patiently, "I understand. This has nothing to do with them. But we need them to come with us to explain the situation. Can they do that? If this really has nothing to do with them, they won’t go to jail. Do you understand?"
Mingjing stepped to the side and held the boy’s trembling hand. Seeing his turbulent emotions, Mingjing felt a pang of sorrow and comforted him in a soft, childlike voice, "Gu Zhaochen, don’t worry. My master and I are just going to the police station to give our statements. We’ll go together and come back soon."
"What I’m saying is true. If you don’t believe me, you can ask my master. We’re monks, and monks don’t lie."
Luo Qingshu nodded in agreement, somewhat surprised. The boy’s heart, though darkened by his hardships, wasn’t entirely consumed. There was still a sliver of light, which meant there was hope for happiness and a better future. If he had truly poisoned and killed those three people, no matter the reason, that act would haunt him like an unshakable demon, casting a shadow over his entire life.
The fact that the three people survived meant that his future could still be salvaged.
And it wouldn’t be the boy who went to jail.
The people around them reassured him repeatedly that the little monk wouldn’t be imprisoned, but Gu Zhaochen still didn’t trust them. "Really?"
Mingjing nodded firmly, smiling warmly. "Really, Gu Zhaochen. Let’s go quickly, clear everything up, and then we can come back to eat dumplings. My master and I made lots of dumplings today."
Although Gu Zhaochen was still hesitant, he trusted the little monk. Finally, he nodded.
The two children talked seriously before getting into the police car together, waiting to see the condition of the Gu family members.
Fortunately, good news came from the hospital.
Just as they arrived at the police station, an officer who had been dispatched to the hospital called to report on the injuries. The doctors had also provided an assessment.
"They were poisoned, but the dosage wasn’t too high. Thanks to timely treatment, all three — two adults and one child — are out of danger. They’re awake now. Gu Feihuang is a bit weak but he should be back to full health in ten days or so."
Notes:
[1] I'm using male pronoun at some parts because, at this point, Gu Zhaochen still believes the little monk is a boy.
