The Three-Life Stone

Dashan finished three bowls of noodles like whirlwind and walked out with a handkerchief hanging around his neck.

"Mother of the child, I am a grown man and I will not join you in the fun. Just go to the well and rinse yourself. You can wash yourself with hot water at home later."

"Dad, take it easy, the water in the well is cold."

"Do not worry."

Dashan patted his chest and walked out of the yard.

After eating, Jasmine went to the stove to wash the pots and bowls. With the help of the boy, the girl finished the whole bowl of noodles.

After finishing her noodles, the girl looked at the boy again, not knowing what to do. Lin Mo took the girl to visit the layout of the yard. After about an incense stick of time, Jasmine poured a basin of hot water for Lin Mo, thinking that her son was always worry-free. Then she poured another basin of water, this little girl... I'd better help her wash it myself.

The girl looked at Jasmine warily, not letting her get any closer. Jasmine had to use her hands to demonstrate the movements of scrubbing. The girl nodded and wiped her face with a wet towel. Jasmine nodded. Just as she was worrying about how to teach her to wash her body, Lin Mo came over.

"Mom, my son has finished washing. Let me help her wash this time. We are both children. I will teach her once and she can wash herself next time."

Jasmine acquiesced and searched for a set of Lin Mo's childhood clothes, thinking about making another set of clothes for the girl.

Lin Mo helped her wash her body and told her what each part of the body was called. Like a little adult, he taught her that places like the armpits and neck were prone to hiding dirt, and that the chest and between the legs must be protected so that no one could see them.

Finally he shook his head. No one else was allowed to get close to her, so should he just teach her how to take a bath?

After taking a shower, Lin Mo took the clothes and helped her put them on layer by layer.

"This is how you should wear this dress. Yes, the string goes through here. This is the dress I wore when I was a child, about two years ago. It's clean and perfect for you to wear. If you don't like it, wait a couple of days. Mom is good at making clothes and she will make you a new one."

The girl lifted her sleeves and smelled it, finding his scent, she excitedly raised her thumbs up, indicating that she liked it very much and didn't need new clothes.

Neither Bei Ming Mo nor the current Lin Mo had any experience in taking care of a child. He was silent for a long while as he looked at this girl who could only look at him and smile foolishly.

"Do you still remember Xia Jin?"

The girl shook her head.

"Do you still remember Shangguan Wan'er?"

The girl shook her head and tilted her head in confusion, as if she didn't know why the boy was asking her these questions.

Lin Mo hesitated for a moment before asking the last question: "Then do you...remember...Bei Ming Mo?"

The girl didn't shake her head. Her eyes widened as if she was thinking about something, and then she lowered her eyes.

"What's wrong? Are you unhappy?"

The girl nodded and gestured to where she slept. She wanted to go back. She wanted to say that she didn’t know Bei Ming Mo. There was something on that mountain that she wanted to protect. She didn’t know what it was, but she just wanted to stay there. She would feel at ease there.

Lin Mo understood the girl's flustered look and he sighed. The girl thought he didn't understand and was unhappy, so she stopped gesturing and said "ah". She wanted to comfort her but didn't know how to say it and ended up crying.

Lin Mo smiled and patted her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I understand everything. I understand everything you want to say. You don't have to go back there. You have a home with me."

The girl wiped away the tears that were dripping down her face with her sleeve and nodded. The boy and the feeling that place brought were both very important.

"Do you want me to help you choose a name..."

Before Lin Mo could continue speaking, he heard his mother's voice coming from outside the door.

"Mo Yuan, have you finished washing the girl?"

Lin Mo's parents were not well educated, and when they drew lots on the 100th day, little Lin Mo passed by the various things placed on the table and went straight to a piece of ink pool. Dashan never thought that his son would pick this stone that was just used to make up the number. The village chief applauded and the name Lin Mo was born.

The Dashan couple hoped that their child would be knowledgeable in the future, so they named his nickname Mo Yuan. Why not a three-character name like this? They were afraid that if their child did not have the talent, everyone would laugh at him because of the name, so the couple discussed and decided to leave it like this.

"Oh, all right."

Lin Mo took the girl out, and Jasmine smiled at the girl who was dressed formally.

"Do you remember where your home is?"

The girl thought for a while and pointed at Lin Mo, holding his arm and smiling sweetly. Jasmine was speechless. Has her son already found a wife? If the two of them get together in the future, she will not object to the marriage. Now she still needs to find out the girl's background.

"Do you remember your name?"

The girl pointed at Lin Mo again. Now Jasmine was completely confused. How could the name be related to her little bastard? The little bastard spoke slowly.

"Mom, her name is Hua Xiaoyao." Lin Mo said, looking at the girl and asked, "How is she?"

When Jasmine heard Lin Mo say the girl's name, she thought the girl only told her son. But her son's next sentence was to ask the girl what she thought of the name. So was it made up on the spot?

Hua Xiaoyao was very happy. When Jasmine pulled Lin Mo away, she looked at their backs in confusion and followed them.

Jasmine whispered, "Son, if you want a sister, I'm still young. If you want a wife, you're too young. We don't kidnap children, understand?"

"Mom, it's not what you think."

"Hua..." Hua Xiaoyao suddenly spoke, startling the two of them.

Jasmine laughed awkwardly twice and asked, "Have you been here all this time?"

Hua Xiaoyao nodded.

"Girl, if you don't like any weird names, just tell your aunt. Don't listen to that brat. He's just a kid and makes up nonsense."

Hua Xiaoyao's soft voice came out again: "I like...I like it."

He spoke each word with emphasis, without affecting the firmness in his tone.

"Ah?" This girl really doesn't have a good brain.

"Xiaoyao, you can speak now?" Lin Mo came over excitedly.

Hua Xiaoyao was also very happy.

Hua Xiaoyao stayed for a few days. When Lin Mo didn't go to the private school, Hua Xiaoyao stared at Lin Mo in a daze. When Lin Mo went to the private school, Hua Xiaoyao stared at the flowers, grass, trees, sky, and stars. Or she stood there motionless for a long time, like a wooden man. When it rained, she would not hide from the rain. She would rush out of the house and sway with the rain, scaring Jasmine so much that she thought she had seen a ghost.

"You picked up a stupid daughter-in-law for Lin Mo?"

"This child is probably frightened and has lost his mind. Where did you meet him? Try shouting at him."

"Could it be that your Lin Mo was also picked up? How could you give birth to such a good seedling?"

"Mr. Zheng, you are wrong. How can you say that about other people's children?"

"That's right. The couple worked hard. The conditions were not good back then, but now they are better. You are jealous that they raised a good child."

"Brother Mo is a good kid, but this is a bit too early. Maybe they are brother and sister."

"Why do you care if it's early or not? The girl is so pretty, and she's warm on the kang. You don't even need to worry about getting a wife."

No matter what the villagers said, the news that the Lin family picked up a stupid child bride had spread.