Much of the past was something Mu Anxiao no longer cared about, but she disliked discussing it.
However, to help Xiao Zeng see reality clearly, she spoke.
Seeing Xiao Zeng’s sudden silence now, she knew he was thinking, so she didn't disturb him. Instead, she looked at Wan Sha, who was glaring at her, and asked, "Why are you glaring at me?"
"Mu Anxiao, you've really gone too far."
"What did I do?" Mu Anxiao was confused.
"You had misfortune in your childhood, so you inflict your misfortune upon us. You are truly selfish."
"How could I..."
"You have no friends, no family, so you pass your suffering onto these unrelated spirits and people. Mu Anxiao," Wan Sha completely misinterpreted Mu Anxiao's meaning, "you are truly a selfish wretch."
Mu Anxiao: "..." She didn't know what she had done wrong now.
"Your silence is your tacit admission."
"I just don't want to talk about trivial matters with you anymore, Wan Sha. What you think of me is your business; I can't be bothered to say much to you." As she spoke, Mu Anxiao turned back to look at Xiao Zeng, who was also staring at her, and said, "How will you decide is up to you. I just want to tell you that opportunities like this are rare."
"..." Xiao Zeng blinked his eyes. "I think my mother might come, just as you said, I'm not like you."
In a child's heart, their mother was always the first priority, followed by their father. Seeing Xiao Zeng like this now, she could understand.
It seemed they were in similar situations, but in reality, they were different, so she chose to respect the child's wishes and said, "This is your matter; you decide."
"Mm," Xiao Zeng nodded.
Then, Wan Sha said, "Little brat, you should follow your own thoughts. Don't listen to this guy. If you listen to her," she said with a serious expression, "you'll have no good end."
Mu Anxiao knew Wan Sha would add fuel to the fire, so she remained silent.
Xiao Zeng: "Can you stop talking? You're really annoying when you talk."
"What did you say?" Wan Sha's eyes widened.
Xiao Zeng glared at Wan Sha, then looked at Mu Anxiao and after a few seconds of silence, said, "However, I still want to hear your opinion."
This time, Wan Sha couldn't be bothered to speak.
Mu Anxiao glanced at Wan Sha and said, "Some things you decide for yourself. My opinions are always just opinions, so there's no point in giving them."
Xiao Zeng was a child accustomed to reading others' expressions. He heard another meaning in Mu Anxiao's tone and wanted to clarify, even if Mu Anxiao's words were harsh, he could accept it.
"You say it."
"You've already made up your mind; there's probably no point in me saying anything else, right?"
"You say it," Xiao Zeng was resolute.
Wan Sha turned her face away.
Mu Anxiao: "I've already said it."
Xiao Zeng nodded.
Seeing Xiao Zeng's serious expression, Mu Anxiao also said firmly, "Your mother won't come. I think you should seriously consider starting a new life and making new family."
"My mother..."
"I know, what I'm saying will hurt you, but it's the truth. For a mother to abandon her child, she has to make a decision. It’s conceivable that your mother," Mu Anxiao took a deep breath and continued, "in this matter, she must have done a lot of mental preparation. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been able to abandon you so directly."
"..."
"In short, she won't come. Even though your situation is different from mine, I can say that the outcome is almost the same." Mu Anxiao said lightly and stood up.
Immediately, Xiao Zeng looked up at Mu Anxiao. "Okay, I'll consider it."
"..." Mu Anxiao looked down at Xiao Zeng. "I am very gratified that you can listen to my words."
"I know, you're doing this for my own good."
"No, I'm not doing this for your good."
The moment Mu Anxiao said this, Xiao Zeng's face stiffened. "..."
Mu Anxiao: "Xiao Zeng, remember this, often, no one is truly acting for anyone else's good. I just don't want to see you walk down my old path; that's all."
Wan Sha: "Mu Anxiao, I never realized you were so good at twisting words before."
"I like it," Mu Anxiao said. She took two steps forward and looked at the Yin Messenger who was still searching for the entrance. "You still haven't found it?"
Yin Messenger: "No, wait, don't be impatient."
"Then take your time."
Because of Wan Sha, Mu Anxiao couldn't go forward to help, so she could only stand there and watch the Yin Messenger busy himself.
Meanwhile, Wan Sha glanced down at the silver rope tied to her wrist and thought, perhaps that kid can help me!
Thinking this, she cleared her throat, turned her head to look at Xiao Zeng, who was staring at her, raised her eyebrows, and then lifted the hand with the silver rope tied to it, as if to ask, can you help?
Xiao Zeng: "..."
Wan Sha frowned. Recalling Xiao Zeng's eager anticipation of meeting his mother, she raised a finger, leaned forward, and unexpectedly poked Xiao Zeng's forehead. She spoke mentally, "Untie this for me, and I'll help you."
Xiao Zeng stared at Wan Sha's unmoving lips, rubbed his ear, and his face was full of confusion.
Wan Sha: "I know you're inexperienced. I'm speaking to you mentally. Try it."
Xiao Zeng frowned. Just as he was about to speak, Wan Sha quickly reached out and covered his mouth.
Just then, Mu Anxiao happened to turn around and saw Wan Sha's action. "What are you doing?"
Hearing this, Wan Sha acted as if nothing had happened, removed her hand, and said lightly, "I thought this child's face was fun, so I wanted to pinch it a couple of times." As she spoke, she grabbed Xiao Zeng's cheek and in this manner signaled him to stay silent.
Knowing that Wan Sha was a spirit, Xiao Zeng dared not act rashly. "..."
However, at the same time Wan Sha made this move, Mu Anxiao was puzzled. "Strange, how can you touch him? Aren't you a spirit?"
Because of the demonic arts, Wan Sha gained the ability to touch Xiao Zeng.
Now, Mu Anxiao's question made Wan Sha immediately realize this.
So, she said, "I can survive in the mortal realm; you figure it out yourself."
"Oh, you have a true body; I forgot."
That's right, Wan Sha's true body was a flower, which was what set her apart from other spirits. Mu Anxiao was well aware of this.
Wan Sha: "It's good that you know."
"Don't touch him." Fearing Wan Sha might harm Xiao Zeng, Mu Anxiao bent down, pulled Wan Sha's hand away, and sat between them once more.
Xiao Zeng: "..." He cautiously glanced at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao: "Why are you looking at me?"
Xiao Zeng dared not say that Wan Sha had used magic on him, so he quickly withdrew his gaze and shook his head.
Wan Sha was very pleased with Xiao Zeng's reaction. She lowered her eyes, smiled, and spoke mentally: "Kid, you've got good eyesight, not bad, not bad."
Xiao Zeng heard Wan Sha's clear voice, and his heart clenched. "..." He lowered his head.