Early morning, the sun shone brightly through the window.
Feeling the warmth, the little one stirred lightly on the bed.
"Little Miss, are you awake?"
Hearing the unfamiliar words, the little one was startled awake.
'Oh, it's the sweet sister,' she thought.
"Little Miss, let me take you to freshen up."
Although the little one didn't understand, she cooperated with the sweet sister and let her do whatever she wanted. Anyway… she won't harm me.
"Little Miss, since we stayed in the Old Patriarch's courtyard yesterday, we can't leave without greeting him. Let's go and greet him, alright?" she asked softly.
Seeing no response, she asked again.
"Should I… carry you over there?" she asked hesitantly. After all, she wasn't familiar with the rules. If anything went wrong, not only would she be finished, but her master might be affected too.
She waited patiently but received no response. Then, she thought of using actions. She made a gesture of hugging her.
Sure enough, the little one jumped into her arms.
She smiled, though a hint of sadness flashed in her eyes. After all, Little Miss is still a child. No one's even taken proper care of her. Maybe she doesn't even know how to communicate with others.
Thinking this, she quickly made her way to the dining hall with the little one in her arms.
Seeing the Old Patriarch already waiting in the dining room, she felt her arms grow wet with nervous sweat. Carefully, she put the little one down and helped fix her dress — a simple plain cotton frock. Afterward, she nudged the little one gently, signaling her to walk forward.
The little one quickly understood the gesture and walked ahead.
Remembering yesterday's events, she quickly found her seat.
"#&-#&-_&-$&+$&--:&&--!" (Where are your manners? Don't you know how to greet me!?)
Seeing the old man start his opera, she quietly sat in her place, waiting for the show to finish and the food to arrive.
When the little one didn't respond, he was about to blow his beard and continue—
Plop.
"Old Patriarch, please calm down!" Su suddenly dropped to her knees. "Little Miss didn't mean to be disrespectful. It's just… no one has taken proper care of her. No one… taught her the rules. And… and…"
Su bowed low, nervously struggling to find the right words.
The Old Patriarch fell silent.
He looked at his great-granddaughter critically.
Since the moment I met her yesterday, she hasn't spoken. Is she… stupid? Or does she have some other problem?
"Little one, can you hear me? How much is this?" he asked, showing her a victory sign with two fingers.
Receiving no response, he frowned.
"Old Patriarch," Su spoke up carefully, "Little Miss doesn't have any problems… It's just that she hasn't communicated with others before, so…"
"Stand up," he ordered.
"You mean she doesn't know how to communicate with people?"
"Yes…"
"Alright. You may go."
As Su left, he fell into thought.
If I remember correctly… I never let her interact with others, fearing she might be in danger. And since we were all men, none of us thought carefully enough. She was left to that damned servant…
Damn… It must've been that hateful servant…
Usually, children here start learning to write at the age of two… Since no one taught her, I'll teach her myself.
"Little one, come and sit beside me." He tapped on the chair next to him and spoke gently.
The little one followed his gesture and sat where she was asked to.
As with yesterday — one fed, and one ate.
After the little one was full, the table was cleared.
"Now, let's talk. I am Great-Grandpa.
Say — 'Great-Grandpa.'"
He gestured with his hands, signaling her to repeat after him.
"Call - Great Grand pa..."
Seeing him do this, the little one placed one hand on her chest and repeated crisply, "Great-Grandpa."
Hearing her clear voice, the old man was over the moon. But when he saw her hand on her own chest, his expression turned sullen.
"This is Great-Grandpa. Great-Grandpa. And you are…Lian er - Rao Lian er"