Crossing the famine to find the white moonlight

Chapter 261 Xiaotong's Arrival

Ever since Xiaolan passed away, Ye Wan has always felt very guilty, always thinking that it was her poor care that led to Xiaolan's poisoning and death. This incident has always been a knot in her heart.

Lately, every patrol by Ye Wan has been a meticulous exploration of this vast land. She's familiar with every inch and corner of the area. But today's patrol brought her a completely different discovery: a frail child, huddled alone and helpless in a rock crevice, his eyes filled with fear and anxiety.

The sun had begun to set, its last rays illuminating the earth, painting it a gentle golden hue. Ye Wan's gaze paused for a moment at the edge of her vision. In the distance, she spotted a small figure. The child wore ragged clothes, her dirty face hidden by a few strands of messy black hair. Her eyes were fixed on the surroundings, as if wary of something. Her figure was as frail as a fallen leaf in the wind, ready to be blown away at any moment.

Ye Wan gently lowered her weapon and silently approached the child. Her steps were slow, careful not to make any noise. The child seemed oblivious to her approach, remaining curled up, as if the world no longer mattered to her.

Ye Wan squatted down and spoke gently: "Little sister, why are you here?"

Xiaotong's body stiffened instantly, her eyes wide open, filled with alarm and fear. She subconsciously took a few steps back, her hands tightly gripping a rock, as if ready to strike back at any moment. Ye Wan's heart suddenly tightened. She understood that this child had clearly experienced unknown pain, which was why she was so wary of every stranger.

"I won't hurt you." Ye Wan slowly extended her hand, indicating that she meant no harm. Her tone was calm and gentle, with an indescribable warmth and determination. She knew that at this moment, any violent action would only make the child more frightened. "I just want to help you and take you to a safe place."

Xiaotong's eyes were still filled with doubt and wariness. She hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly loosened her grip on the stone, though her body still wasn't completely relaxed. Her eyes held a complex mix of emotions—fear, doubt, and a deep longing for warmth and security.

Ye Wan was not in a hurry. She continued to keep her distance from Xiaotong and did not make any abrupt moves. "I have food and water." She took out a small bag of dry food from her backpack and handed it to the child. "If you're hungry, you can eat some."

Xiaotong hesitated for a moment, then finally reached out and took the food. Her movements were shaky, as if she was afraid Ye Wan would suddenly snatch it back from her. But the warmth and satisfaction of the food seemed to gradually dispel her guard, and the child's expression relaxed a little.

Ye Wan knew this was just the beginning, and she couldn't rush things. She slowly stood up and motioned for Xiaotong to follow her. "I'll take you to the campsite, where you can rest, drink water, and eat. I promise you'll be safe."

Xiaotong didn't refuse. She followed Ye Wan silently, head down, steps light and cautious, as if afraid to disrupt this hard-earned peace. A deep pity welled up in Ye Wan's heart. That thin figure was like a fragile seed, struggling helplessly in the wind and rain, waiting for someone to shelter her from the wind and rain.

Along the way, Ye Wan kept looking back, watching Xiaotong's steps. She felt an inexplicable sense of closeness. Although this child wasn't directly related to her by blood, a sense of responsibility had subconsciously grown within her. This sense of responsibility didn't stem from external pressure, but rather came from a natural reaction deep within her heart—she would not allow this fragile life before her to suffer any further harm.

When they arrived at the camp, Ye Wan led Xiao Tong into the makeshift tent. The other camp members were surprised to see them, and they all stopped what they were doing. Ye Wan gently raised her hand to signal for them not to disturb her, and led Xiao Tong to the corner she had reserved for them.

"This is your bed." Ye Wan made a simple bed for Xiaotong and prepared a clean blanket and pillow for her. "You can rest for a while. There will be food later."

Xiaotong stared at everything in front of her, still with a hint of distrust in her eyes. She gently touched the bed and looked at Ye Wan, as if she couldn't believe how beautiful it all was.

Ye Wan smiled and reassured her, "You can trust me. It's okay. It's safe here, and everyone is very friendly." She pointed to the busy people in the camp, "You will live with us and have a good life with us."

Xiaotong didn't say anything else. She just lowered her head, slowly sat down on the bed, and began to carefully unload the burden on her body. Her movements were slow, as if she was afraid of breaking something fragile.

Ye Wan stood quietly by, a tender look in her eyes. As she looked at the child, she felt an inexplicable pull in her heart. This warmth, this sense of responsibility, had begun to take root in her heart. She knew that her life would change with Xiaotong's arrival. Although Xiaotong's past might be shrouded in darkness, Ye Wan had already decided in her heart to protect this child from all odds and give her a bright future.

That night, the camp was filled with a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Ye Wan sat down by the fire outside the tent, looking down at the to-do list in her hand. She couldn't help but recall Xiaotong's eyes, and in that moment, she felt a long-lost warmth well up in her heart.

She has decided that no matter what the future holds, she will treat Xiaotong as a family member, protect her, and accompany her until she truly finds her place.