Although the ending wasn't so good, the beginning was happy, wasn't it

The desert nights were always clear.

The moon hung high in the sky.

Stars were embedded one by one into the black backdrop, like scattered chalk doodles, dotting the sky.

The desert was draped in a layer of silver by the moonlight.

A thin wooden board with a few holes in it was tied to the back of a desert camel with ropes, dragging a long trail across the sand.

This was the camel cart.

What the camel cart carried were female slaves.

A few wooden poles about ten feet long and a piece of tarpaulin shrouded these dozen or so people in shadows, hidden from the light of day. Only a few wisps of starlight leaked through the ragged holes, allowing them to see.

Over a dozen people were crammed onto this small wooden board of less than ten square meters. There were no seats; they could only huddle together, relying on each other's body heat for warmth.

There was no warmth in their eyes, only a deathly stillness.

Qingli shrank into the deepest corner. Thanks to her petite body, she could barely manage to sit down in the crowded space.

This was thanks to the older sister in front of her.

She was willing to bend her knees to make room for Qingli to rest her feet, even if it meant sitting right above her head... but this was already a great relief.

Qingli had forgotten when she first arrived here.

She only remembered that after her mom and dad fell asleep, those people locked her in a cage. Then, that chubby man came to the cage, said something to those people, and smiled just like the bad guys in her comic books.

He said she had to call him the Troupe Leader.

The Troupe Leader was a very, very bad man.

He forced little Qingli to learn how to dance, wear ugly clothes, and smile. If she failed to satisfy the Troupe Leader, she would have to eat noodles.

Noodles were the most delicious thing in the world.

Because her mother always used to cook noodles for little Qingli. The noodles were soft, and slurping them down into her tummy with a sip of broth made her stomach feel warm and comfortable.

But the Troupe Leader's noodles were very, very long whips. They hurt so much when they struck her body, a hundred times more painful than her mother's clothes-drying pole, leaving her covered in bruises.

So, little Qingli learned to read people's expressions.

As long as she danced and smiled along with the older sisters, she wouldn't have to eat the noodles anymore.

Here, little Qingli often saw that after the performances ended.

Many men, and occasionally women, would come. Then, the Troupe Leader's already ugly face would bloom brighter than a desert lizard, and he would take the sisters into a small room.

A very, very dark room.

Then, she would hear crying, screaming, and cursing.

The sisters who came out would have many more bruises on their bodies, and many of their scales would have fallen off.

Little Qingli didn't want to go into the dark room.

Nor did she want to lose her scales.

Sister Qingyuan... Qingli doesn't want to go into the little dark room, little Qingli suddenly spoke in a whisper. Her voice was very, very soft, echoing only between the two of them. Sister Qingyuan was a very good person; she would secretly hand her steamed buns when the Troupe Leader refused to give her food.

She would also comfort her.

And now, she was even willing to make room for her.

The little dark room?

Yeah, the little room where people make ah and uh sounds when they go in. Qingli said with a face full of innocence, The Troupe Leader has never made Qingli go in... Does that mean Qingli won't ever have to go in?

Qingyuan, who was sitting with her knees drawn up, froze for a moment. She quickly realized what Qingli was talking about, and her eyes grew gloomy.

To this day, the Troupe Leader had never made Qingli receive clients.

Naturally, this wasn't because that man was kind-hearted and spared Qingli because she was young.

It was because... she was too precious...

Her gaze swept over the standing sisters, who looked like rotting wood, and then looked at the innocent-faced Qingli. A profound sorrow enveloped her heart.

Everyone here had experienced this. When they first arrived, they thought they were special, thinking that the Troupe Leader still retained a shred of humanity.

But the reality was, the Troupe Leader was just waiting.

Waiting to sell their first time for a good price.

To the highest bidder.

But looking at Qingli's little face full of innocent fantasies, Qingyuan really couldn't bring herself to say it.

Was she supposed to tell her.

No, the Troupe Leader is just waiting for someone who can afford the price, and then he will sell you to someone else. If you're lucky, it might be a gentle older brother, but that's only in storybooks. In reality, those who spend money to do such dirty things are mostly sloppy, pot-bellied middle-aged men or old geezers. Then, having lost your virginity, you will become a commodity backstage for anyone to pick and choose. Perhaps your young age will command a high price, resulting in few bidders, but those who do bid will definitely be the most sinister and perverted people?

How could she possibly say such words.

But should she tell some lies to deceive this child?

This day would come sooner or later. When it did, excessive hope would only make the child's fall even harder.

Thus, silence, therefore, silence.

After a moment, Qingyuan forced a smile and rubbed her little head, Do the wounds on your body still hurt?

A change of subject, very stiff.

But it couldn't be helped.

They don't hurt anymore...

Little Qingli subconsciously touched the bruise on her arm covered by rouge. It hurt a lot, and it tugged at the wound even more when she danced, yet she still had to smile.

Silly child, how could it not hurt? Qingyuan felt a pang of heartache; this child was far too sensible.

It's true!

Little Qingli looked up, very serious, her big eyes rolling around twice before suddenly saying mysteriously, Sister Qingyuan, lower your head a bit. Qingli has a secret to tell you.

What is it?

Seeing her earnest demeanor, Qingyuan subconsciously lowered her head and leaned in close. Qingli cupped her little hands around her ear and whispered softly:

I'm only telling you, Sister Qingyuan.

Actually, it won't be long before someone comes to save us and drive all the bad guys away!

So little Qingli doesn't hurt anymore!

Because it will pass if I just endure it!

You... how do you know?

Qingyuan looked at little Qingli in disbelief, thinking she was joking. Who knew Qingli's face would be so serious and solemn, as if she were speaking of a very proper matter.

Because just a few days ago, Qingli had a dream!

In the dream, there was a big brother wearing snow-white clothes, whiter than the snowy mountains in the storybooks. He stepped on golden sand, holding a long sword, put the Troupe Leader to sleep, and saved everyone.

In the dream, even Qingli became very strong! It was like I awakened some powerful physique.

But the ending of the dream wasn't very good...

The big brother disappeared...

Little Qingli didn't get to wait for the big brother...

Qingli looked downcast, obviously unwilling to speak clearly about the dream's ending. But she quickly raised her head again and cheered up: Even though the ending of the dream wasn't very good... the beginning was happy, wasn't it?

Qingyuan was stunned.

She stared blankly at Qingli's innocent face.

When talking about this dream, Qingli's eyes sparkled, and her face beamed with a happy smile. Her entire being radiated a light called hope and longing, completely contrasting with the dark, deathly stillness of the tent.

Qingyuan suddenly felt a burning sensation in her eyes.

She quickly covered her mouth, fighting back her tears.

What was she supposed to say?

Even knowing that this dream was false, merely the naive fantasy of a little girl, her eyes still brimmed with tears.

"Yes," she said.

"Someone will come to save little Qingli."

Just then, from outside the tarp, the man riding the camel suddenly let out a burst of laughter.

"Girls."

"We've landed a massive job this time."

"Ever heard of the Snake-people Queen? Two months from now at the Snake-people's festival, the entire race will gather in the Holy City. All the great commanders of the Snake-people will be present, and these big shots need a grand performance for entertainment."

"You all better put on a good show and completely mesmerize those commanders. When the time comes, us guys will..."

His voice came to an abrupt halt.

Snort...

The camel stopped.

The wooden planks were no longer dragging across the sand.

The silence of the night, accompanied by the darkness, suddenly enveloped the group of women huddled beneath the tarp.