Chapter 8: Shui Bing'er: I Support You

How delicious can food cooked by a little brat be? Shui Yuehua initially thought.

Her skepticism was quickly silenced by the delicious aroma wafting from the grilled fish Lin Xiao had prepared. Before she knew it, she had devoured most of the fish in front of her.

"Ugh! Granny Shui, you're eating too fast!" Shui Bing'er's aggrieved voice snapped her out of her food-induced trance.

The realization struck her—fish bones were scattered all around her, and Shui Bing'er was holding a half-eaten grilled fish, staring at her with wide, resentful eyes.

Blushing slightly, Shui Yuehua chuckled awkwardly.

"Ah, I must've lost track. Eat slowly, Bing'er."

Lin Xiao couldn't help but laugh.

"Let her eat, Granny Shui. You've used so much soul power today. Bing'er only has one ring, and she's small. How much can she eat anyway?"

"I can eat more!" Shui Bing'er pouted, determined to prove him wrong.

Lin Xiao smiled warmly.

"Be good, Bing'er. Eat your grilled fish and drink some carp soup. I'll tell you a story afterward."

The mention of a story immediately captured Shui Bing'er's attention.

"Deal!" she exclaimed, happily offering her grilled fish to Shui Yuehua.

Shui Yuehua accepted it with a gentle smile, touched by Bing'er's thoughtfulness. She glanced at Lin Xiao approvingly, her earlier scrutiny replaced by genuine fondness.

But the thought of Lin Xiao's Evil Fire still weighed on her mind.

"Lin Xiao, have you considered how to deal with the evil fire inside you?" Shui Yuehua asked softly.

Lin Xiao's face remained calm.

"I'll take it one day at a time."

Shui Yuehua sighed deeply.

"You're only six. Life hasn't even begun yet. Why be so stubborn?"

"Would you rather see me turn into a beast, losing my humanity?" Lin Xiao replied, locking eyes with her.

"No!" Shui Bing'er's voice trembled with emotion. Tears gathered in her eyes.

"Brother Lin Xiao, I'll help you! My martial spirit has the opposite attributes to yours. I can suppress the evil fire in your body! If you don't have a family, come live with me. My family is rich—I can support you!"

Lin Xiao blinked in surprise, both touched and amused.

Is this fate? I joked about being supported by a rich woman in my past life, and here a little girl offers to keep me safe.

He gently patted Shui Bing'er's head.

"You're a generous little lady."

Shui Bing'er's determination grew stronger.

"I mean it! You don't have to suffer alone."

Lin Xiao's tone softened.

"Actually, I have a solution. I plan to go to Heaven Dou City to resolve it."

He didn't reveal his true intentions—to find Dugu Bo and access the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well. The thought of allowing the Evil Fire to evolve, retaining its destructive power while eliminating its side effects, intrigued him.

"We'll come with you then!" Shui Bing'er said cheerfully. "And after you fix the problem, come live with me!"

Lin Xiao chuckled.

"Bing'er, this might take years. Would you wait for me that long?"

Shui Bing'er's eyes dimmed slightly, but she nodded stubbornly.

"I don't care how long it takes!"

Seeing her resolve, Lin Xiao offered a compromise.

"How about this: You give me your address, and I'll write to you often. When we're free, we'll meet up. You'll always be my best friend."

Her face lit up.

"Promise? Pinky swear!"

Lin Xiao hesitated.

Even in Douluo Continent, pinky swears exist?

"Okay, pinky swear."

Shui Bing'er giggled, all sadness forgotten.

"Now, Brother Lin Xiao, tell me that story you promised!"

Lin Xiao grinned.

"Alright, let me tell you a tale called The Match Between Heaven and Hell."

As he spoke, the campfire flickered, casting shadows around the trio. Shui Bing'er listened intently, her eyes wide with wonder. Even Shui Yuehua found herself drawn in by his storytelling.

This kid is really something, Shui Yuehua thought fondly, leaning in closer without realizing it.