Chapter 286: Meeting Xiao Bai for the First Time

Amidst the serene beauty of the stone forest, where towering stone spires stood like nature's own sculptures, the tranquility was suddenly disrupted by an unusual event.

In a distant corner of the forest, near a cascading waterfall, Mu Chen held an unconscious woman in his arms. Her white robes clung to her graceful form, soaking wet from the waterfall's spray. Her face was delicate and beautiful, with an ethereal quality that could leave anyone mesmerized.

Not far away, a young man named Ah Xuan lay sprawled on the ground, clutching his ribs after being sent flying by a wave of Mu Chen's energy. Nearby, his yellow dog barked furiously but dared not approach.

Mu Chen ignored the commotion and focused on the woman in his arms. Her breathing, although shallow, was steady. As her eyelids fluttered open, Mu Chen leaned closer, his expression softening.

"You're awake!" he said gently, his voice carrying warmth.

The woman's eyes, initially filled with confusion, quickly sharpened with clarity. She instinctively pulled away but found herself too weak to resist. Her gaze met Mu Chen's, wary yet calm.

"Who are you?" she asked softly, her voice like the first drop of dew at dawn.

"My name is Mu Chen," he replied. "I found you here, unconscious. You must have fallen from the waterfall. Do you remember what happened?"

Her brows furrowed as she tried to recall, but the effort only deepened her confusion. "I… I don't remember," she admitted, her voice tinged with frustration.

"It's alright," Mu Chen reassured her. "You're safe now."

"Safe?" she repeated, her gaze flickering toward the barking dog and the young man groaning in the distance. "It doesn't look that way."

Mu Chen chuckled. "They're harmless, just a bit startled."

"Hey! I'm not harmless!" Ah Xuan protested, staggering to his feet. He winced, holding his side. "You attacked me! Who do you think you are?"

Mu Chen turned to him, his expression calm but firm. "You're the one who tried to attack me first. Consider this a lesson: don't challenge someone you don't understand."

Ah Xuan scowled but stayed silent, unwilling to admit defeat.

Meanwhile, the woman in Mu Chen's arms shifted uncomfortably. "I can stand on my own," she said, her tone more assertive.

Mu Chen hesitated but eventually helped her to her feet. She swayed slightly, and he instinctively steadied her. She stiffened at his touch but said nothing.

"Where are you from?" Mu Chen asked, studying her closely.

"I don't know," she admitted, her gaze lowering. "I can't remember anything—not even my name."

"Then I'll call you Xiao Bai for now," Mu Chen said, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "It suits you."

"Xiao Bai?" she repeated, her expression softening. "Why?"

"Because your robes are as white as snow," he explained.

She seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding slightly. "Alright, Xiao Bai it is."

Ah Xuan, who had been watching the exchange with growing frustration, finally stepped forward. "Hey, what's your deal? You just show up out of nowhere, act like some bigshot, and now you're giving her a name? She was fine until you showed up!"

Mu Chen sighed, turning to face him fully. "She fell from the waterfall. If I hadn't been here, do you think you could have saved her?"

Ah Xuan opened his mouth to retort but found himself at a loss for words. He glanced at Xiao Bai, who looked away, clearly uncomfortable with the argument.

"I don't need anyone to argue over me," Xiao Bai interjected firmly. "I appreciate the help, both of you. But I can take care of myself."

"You're injured," Mu Chen pointed out. "You need rest and proper care."

"She's right," Ah Xuan muttered under his breath. "We don't even know who she is."

Mu Chen shot him a warning look but said nothing. Instead, he turned to Xiao Bai, his tone softening. "If you want, you're welcome to stay with me until you recover."

Xiao Bai hesitated, her instincts telling her to be cautious. But something about Mu Chen's presence was reassuring, almost familiar. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. Thank you."

Ah Xuan looked like he wanted to protest but thought better of it. Instead, he muttered, "Fine. But if you hurt her, I'll—"

"You'll what?" Mu Chen interrupted, his gaze sharp. Ah Xuan swallowed hard and took a step back, deciding it was best to stay quiet.

"Come," Mu Chen said to Xiao Bai. "Let's find you a place to rest."

As they began to walk away, the yellow dog barked once, almost as if it were warning Mu Chen to be careful. Mu Chen glanced back, a faint smile on his lips. "Don't worry," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. "I'll keep her safe." 

For now, Xiao Bai's past remained a mystery, but Mu Chen was determined to uncover the truth—no matter what it might reveal.