Observing an old cross-shaped scar on Little Monkey's palm, Qiao Mu couldn't resist asking, "What happened to your hand?"
Little Monkey's eyes welled up with sadness. "Back then, after Sister left, I tried to follow her."
"But I couldn't leave this hall. Every attempt to step out resulted in being forcefully bounced back. I kept trying, and one time, I played too vigorously and got hurt."
"Can I give you a new name?"
"No!" Little Monkey leaped up abruptly, spinning around to dash away. "I'll be called Little Monkey. Just Little Monkey."
Qiao Mu seemed to have a revelation and gazed at her in contemplation.
"Qiaoqiao." Noticing her distraction, Mo Lian reached out, giving her a gentle tug. "What's on your mind?"
"Nothing." She had a fleeting recollection of the past, a time when she felt incredibly lonely.
Collecting herself, she winked at Mo Lian, turned her head slightly, and said, "Let's keep moving."
