Little Purple

1.004 Shou Shifu

Two strangers, under the moon and in a secluded place, one on top another.

Really awkward, ah!

Shou was in a very tight position. He hoped that no one saw them like this. Now, what should I do... Shou looked at the moon, trying to think of something.

"I just... want to be useful and become my family's pride." Hu Zi finally stopped choking. She wanted to let what's inside of her heart out. She opened her red-eyes full of stubborn tears that refused to fall. "But, that is impossible with these eyes!"

Hu Zi spoke in a voice like a whisper, even Shou could barely hear her. She choked again after that. "Purple, blind eyes..." Shou's eyes widened, there was only one household in the capital which had a purple-eyed blind daughter, Great General Hu's Household. Shou frowned, the general's household were full of warm hearted but strong people, they would definitely protect the blind girl. However, looking at her condition, being protected might not be what she wanted. "The purple-eyed girl, Xiao Zi?"

"How did you know my name?" Hu Zi abruptly looked up.

Shou broke a cold sweat, he didn't realize that he called her name. He somehow felt guilt. "Xiao Zi, you don't want to be your family's weak point?"

Hu Zi nodded.

"You want to be independent without relying on others so much, do you?"

Hu Zi nodded harder.

"Then I will help you achieve that."

Hu Zi nodded again, but a second later realized that something was amiss.

"You are going to help a stranger?" Hu Zi's eyes widened as she gasped. Her purple eyes glinted because of the tears, but the center of her eyes were still dark and blank, indicating she could see no light from those purple gems. "Why?"

"Well, umm..." Shou looked to the side. " I have a huge favor I need to return to the Hu household, so I think helping you will be a good way to repay it. I'm called Shou, you can call me Shou Shifu or Master Shou from now on."

"Uh... ah... wait!" Shou suddenly grabbed her by the waist and carried her. Hu Zi's head was now laying on his chest. Her cold body suddenly felt a comfortable touch of warmth.

"I know a way to make you stronger than anyone despite your handicapped eyes."

"Really? You know how?"

"Yup!" Shou got up. "It will not be an easy thing to do, though."

"It's okay, I have good endurance and willpower," said Hu Zi, she was afraid that Shou would change his mind. "I am going to be a good disciple!"

Shou smiled because of Hu Zi's excited face. "It's late now, you should go home first. We will start tomorrow."

Because of Hu Zi's small body, Shou could easily carry her whole body in one arm.

Actually, this was the first time in so long that Shou ever carried a child. When he realized how small and fragile Hu Zi was, he unconsciously loosened his grip on her, making his touch gentle and comfortable.

Shou gave Hu Zi his steamed bun after seeing her shivering in his arms. The hot steamed bun and the warm chest that pressed on her made Hu Zi smile brilliantly.

She looked up and tried to touch the face of her new master with one hand while holding the steamed bun with the other. She thought that her master had smooth skin, like her and her sisters' despite being a man.

Shou knew what Hu Zi was trying to do. He let her touch his face and hair as she pleased, mapping all his features.

He had short, albeit a bit slanted, hair and rare almond-shaped eyes. His chin was not that pointed but it was proportional. The edge of his lips and the edge of his eyes were narrow, making a fine line on his face.