Chapter 342
Mei San Niang's Empathy
The Xiaotian in the novel suffered even more than the real-life Xiaotian, having lost both her parents at a young age.
In order to resonate with more people, Oda made the female protagonist in the book extremely miserable. Not only did she have no family to help her, but her father was also a gambling addict before his death, and his debts were automatically transferred to Oda in the book after his death.
Therefore, in the book, Xiaotian was often beaten since he could remember. If it weren't for the help of his neighbors, he would have been sold to a brothel long ago.
In the book, when Xiaotian was twelve years old, he was forced to enter the Red Sleeve Pavilion despite his great reluctance.
Hongxiu Pavilion is similar to the Zilanxuan Pavilion in South Korea, where performers sell their art but not their bodies.
After entering the Red Sleeve Pavilion, Xiao Tian in the book becomes taciturn.
To prevent any staff from being dishonest, she taught a lesson to a richly dressed guest less than half a month after entering the Red Sleeve Pavilion.
Because Xiaotian in the book is not afraid of death, the guest who wanted to borrow his cousin's clothes had to give up.
The male protagonist in the book is named Lin, a frustrated and unsuccessful minor official.
Although Lin's background was much better than Xiaotian's in the book, both of them struggled.
Lin was just a clerk, not an official. His superiors disliked him because he refused to compromise his principles.
The world is corrupt, yet you alone are pure?
In Lin's superior's eyes, Lin was a hypocrite, a great falsehood that resembled truth, a great traitor that resembled loyalty. So one autumn afternoon, he took Lin to the Red Sleeve Pavilion.
That was the first time Lin met Xiaotian in the book.
Lin was 25 years old at the time, while Xiaotian was 13 years old in the book.
……
Several hours later.
As the setting sun cast a blood-red glow, Xiaotian finally finished writing the first volume.
Stretching wearily, Xiaotian added some hot water to the leftover millet rice from lunch.
Xiaotian is used to eating like this, so she doesn't find it tiring.
When Mei San Niang, who was passing by, saw this scene, her eyebrows furrowed.
Several years ago, when Mei San Niang first joined the Armored Clan, she looked a lot like Xiao Tian now—pitiful and pathetic.
After a moment's hesitation, Mei San Niang went to the kitchen and got two eggs and a bowl of roast chicken for Xiao Tian.
Do you often eat like this?
Mei San Niang asked.
She felt that Xiaotian was a lot like her past self, so she empathized with him.
"Correct."
Xiao Tian nodded.
She didn't think there was anything wrong with eating like that.
You should know that many ordinary people don't even eat as well as she does now.
At least she still has food to eat, while many common people are forced to skip meals after noon.
"You are at the stage of growing, so you should eat more meat."
"Xu Lin... Although he has many flaws, he is quite good to the people in the manor."
Mei San Niang said solemnly.
Although she had many grievances against Xu Lin, after entering the manor, Xu Lin actually treated her fairly well.
Therefore, her feelings for Xu Lin became increasingly subtle.
"No need, I don't need to tonight..."
Xiaotian waved his hands repeatedly.
She didn't want to take too much advantage, but before she could finish speaking, Mei San Niang interrupted her.
"Just eat what I tell you to eat, why are you asking so many questions?"
Mei San Niang feigned anger.
She already had a fiery temper, and at this moment she was showing no signs of compromise.
Seeing that Mei San Niang was furious, Xiao Tian could only nod slightly and pick up a piece of chicken.
While Xiaotian was eating, Mei San Niang began to wander around Xiaotian's room.
Before long, she saw the novel on the table.
"Did you write this?"
Seeing that the ink was still wet, Mei San Niang asked curiously.
Xiao Tian was neither exceptionally beautiful nor from a privileged background, which is why Mei San Niang was very curious about her.
"Correct."
Xiao Tian nodded.
Seeing that Mei San Niang wanted to see them, she handed the first few pages to her.
Mei San Niang didn't look at it carefully at first, but she was soon attracted.
Because the character Xiaotian in the book is very similar to her when she was a child, living a precarious life and possibly dying at any moment.
Soon, Mei San Niang finished reading the first volume.
After reading it, Mei San Niang hesitated to speak.
"Well written."
After a long while, Mei San Niang calmed down and commented.
After saying that, she turned and left Oda's room. Oda continued eating.
The roast chicken was delicious; she hadn't eaten meat in almost a year.
For families like Xiaotian's, eating meat is a very difficult thing; they can usually only eat meat during the Chinese New Year.
After finishing his meal, Xiaotian couldn't help but burp.
She hadn't eaten this much in a long time.
After a quick wash, Xiaotian changed into her nightgown and went to the bronze mirror.
Xiao Tian's cheeks were rosy in the bronze mirror, and her complexion was much better than before.
Despite her initial weariness, Xiaotian was now wide awake and determined to continue writing, aiming to finish the novel in one go.
As the third watch of the night approached, the lights in the Imperial Preceptor's residence gradually went out.
Xiaotian has reached the climax of the novel, where she and Lin take their relationship further or remain just friends.
This made Oda fall into deep thought.
While Lin in the book has flaws, Xiaotian in the book also has many flaws.
Xiao Tian put down his brush, abruptly stood up, and began pacing around the room.
Lin in the book is an extremely restrained person. His appearance is like a beacon in Xiaotian's dark world.
Originally, Xiaotian was broken and was being pushed along by life. After Lin appeared, she began to live for herself, just like she did in reality.
If Xu Lin hadn't suddenly appeared, she would probably be married by now.
After entering the Imperial Preceptor's residence, Xu Lin spoke very little to her, but he did things that made her extremely grateful. Not only her, but countless people would be grateful to Xu Lin.
Thinking of this, Xiaotian returned to his desk.
After drinking the warm water in the bowl, she completely immersed herself in the character of Xiaotian in the book.
It was a quiet summer night when Xiaotian finally saved enough money to leave the Red Sleeve Pavilion.
At Xiaotian's suggestion, Lin also stopped working as an official.
What are your plans next?
Under the moonlight, Xiaotian pursed his thin lips and kicked away a pebble in front of him.
She is sixteen years old this year.
"I haven't decided yet."
"Perhaps I'll go into business, or perhaps I'll leave this place."
Lin wasn't quite sure either.
He was almost half a head taller than Xiaotian, but he spoke very gently, making Xiaotian feel like she was basking in a spring breeze.
"Plans can't keep up with changes, let's just take it one step at a time."
"Treat me to a meal first!"
Oda smiled brightly.
Without waiting for Lin's reply, she walked towards Lin's small house.
"You want to eat at my house?"
Lin felt uneasy.
His house was small and not very clean, so he didn't want Xiaotian to go to his house.
Besides, it's nighttime now.
"Is that not allowed?"
Oda put his left hand on his waist.
At this moment, she seemed very much like the mistress of the house.
"It's rare to find a true friend in life, of course I would."
"But we don't have much food at home, so let's go to a tavern, or..."
Lin said, thinking to himself.
It's impossible to say he had no ulterior motives towards Xiaotian, given her fair skin, but he considered her more of a confidante.
Lin was interrupted by Xiaotian before he could finish speaking.
"As long as there's food, that's fine."
"Hurry up!"
"Are you keeping a mistress hidden away, afraid to let me know?"
Oda teased.
After saying that, she took three steps at a time to Lin's side and took his arm.
Squeak.
The door opened with a click.
The Lin family home was small, but it had a kitchen, a study, a bedroom, and an outhouse.
Seeing that there were no women's clothes in the Lin family's house, Xiao Tian smiled and then rolled up her sleeves to cook.
What you eat isn't important; the important thing is who you eat with! (End of Chapter)