At this moment, the middle-aged man suddenly asked, "Little girl, are you interested in making big money?"

"Making big money?"

"Well, if my guess is correct, you should be selling water, right?" The middle-aged man shifted his gaze towards the water buckets.

"Oh, yes, I am currently delivering water," the little girl admitted candidly, as she smiled slightly at the middle-aged man's accurate guess.

"Have you ever thought, little girl, that since both are ways to earn money, instead of delivering water, there might be other... or perhaps, more effective methods?"

"More effective ways to earn money?"

"Little girl, you must have family, right?"

"Yes, I live with my grandmother."

"Have you ever thought about providing a better life for your grandmother?"

"A better life?"

To this, the little girl could only mumble in confusion.

"Yes, at least not having to worry about food and clothing."

"Not having to worry about food and clothing? But how is this related to what you just said?"

"It is related. Honestly, I am very interested in your abilities, I should say that your abilities are quite charming."

"Abilities?"

The little girl tilted her head in puzzlement.

"Yes, perhaps you don't feel it yourself, but you should know that your abilities exceed those of most people your age, even surpassing many adult men."

As she often heard people saying this, the little girl was not surprised by the comment, and she did not understand the man's intention.

"But what does that have to do with anything?"

"Because I can offer you better opportunities to earn money, that's for sure."

"Better opportunities to earn money?"

"Well, let's put it this way, you could be my adopted daughter and have a great future in the city. Of course, I would also give you strong recommendations."

"In the city..."

"Yes, in the city."

The little girl just shook her head.

"No, even though I don't know what you mean, I can't go there."

"Why? Why can't you go?" The middle-aged man asked, unwilling to give up. However, instead of answering directly, the little girl spoke in this way.

"And besides, if I go to the city, my grandmother will be left alone. I cannot ignore her, so I won't go. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot meet your expectations. I am sorry for that."

After bowing politely, the little girl picked up the water buckets again and resumed her steps.

However...

"Little girl, you can consider it again. This is my address. If you change your mind, you can come find me anytime. I won't change my mind."

Saying that, the middle-aged man handed a piece of paper to the little girl.

Feeling embarrassed to reject the man's enthusiasm, the little girl could only accept silently.

"By the way, after all this time, I still don't know the little girl's name."

As if recalling something, the middle-aged man asked.

"Oh, my name is Clair."

After saying this, the little girl lifted the water buckets and left straight away.

Time was running out, so she had to hurry. Thinking so, the little girl quickened her pace.

"...Clair."

Thus, the little girl did not notice a certain middle-aged man standing still, murmuring to himself.