Rou Niang's business was exceptionally good, which also boosted Ru Yi's teahouse business. Many bosses asked Ru Yi where the supplier of the dim sum was.

Ruyi didn't hide it from Li Rouniang and told her. Li Rouniang thought that she shouldn't be too ostentatious at the moment, so she asked Ruyi to keep it a secret. She only cooperated with Ruyi, and the money she earned was enough to support herself. She wasn't greedy. She knew that when you don't have anything to rely on, becoming big will attract envious people, which is not necessarily a good thing.

Life went on peacefully and happily. Because of Zhao Xiaopang, Erni became friends with the other children in Zhao Family Village again.

Gouwa and Daniu also became her little followers. Every day, besides practicing kung fu, Erni would go out and run around. Dani, on the other hand, was the opposite. She habitually stayed by Old Man Mo's side, learning to read and taking care of her younger brother and sister.

"Erni, look, it seems to be Young Master Qian."

Zhao Xiaopang pointed to the horse-drawn carriage at the village entrance and said, "Erni saw it and ran over happily. She hadn't seen Qian Duobao for quite a while."

"Duobao, what brings you here? I'm telling you, my parents have divorced. I'm living with my mother in that little house at the end of the village now. You can come and find me there sometime. My mother makes delicious pastries. I'll have her make some for you."

Erni pulled Qian Duobao aside and shared all the things that had happened to her recently.

Qian Duobao listened quietly. As he listened, his eyes unconsciously reddened.

"Duobao, why do you look like you're about to cry? What happened?"

As Erni spoke, she realized something was wrong; Qian Duobao was unusually quiet today.

"Erni, I'm leaving." Qian Duobao said, his voice choked with emotion.

"Oh, you're leaving so soon? Aren't you going to stay and play with us a little longer? Okay, when will you come next time?"

Erni didn't realize the meaning behind Duobao's words.

"That's not what I meant, Erni. My parents are going south, so I'm going to go south with them. I'm afraid I won't be able to come back until I grow up."

Qian Duobao was very depressed. He told his parents that he didn't want to leave, he didn't want to leave Zhao Erni.

"It's so far away!" Erni was also saddened. After all, for someone her age, going to the town was already a long way, and going to the south sounded like an even longer journey!

Erni's eyes filled with tears as she tugged at Qian Duobao and asked, "So we'll never see each other again, right?"

Erni was extremely reluctant to part ways. Duobao was her first friend, and he was the only one by her side during her most difficult times. They had even escaped the clutches of human traffickers together and been through so much together. Now that they had to separate, how could she not be sad?

"Erni, will you wait for me to grow up? When I grow up, I'll come back to play with you," Qian Duobao said solemnly.

Erni nodded. At such a young age, neither of them realized that growing up is a very long process, during which many uncontrollable things can happen, and whether they will ever meet again is also unknown.

"Erni, here, take this." Qian Duobao placed a jade pendant into Erni's hand.

Erni picked it up and saw that it was a pure white safety buckle.

"This is so beautiful!" Erni couldn't help but like it. The jade was warm to the touch, and she fell in love with it as soon as she touched it.

"Yes, this is something my mother gave me when I was born. I'm giving it to you now so that we can recognize each other when we grow up. I heard my mother say that girls change a lot as they grow up, and I'm afraid I won't recognize you when you grow up."

Overwhelmed with sadness at parting, Erni couldn't help but feel down. After thinking for a moment, she became even more depressed: "Duobao, but I have nothing to give you."

"It's alright. As long as you still remember me, that's the best gift you can give me," Qian Duobao comforted her with a smile.

Erni was silent for a moment, then finally said, "Duobao, wait for me."

After saying that, Erni quickly ran home. A little while later, she ran back: "Here, take this."

Qian Duobao took it; it was a small silver lock, not very delicate.

“Mother said that the front side says ‘Peace’ and the other side says my name,” Erni said, pointing to the front and back of the silver lock.

Duobao held it tightly in his hands: "Erni, I will definitely keep it safe."

"I will keep it safe." Erni raised the safety buckle in her hand.

She had no idea that the safety buckle in her hand could buy hundreds of those small silver locks.

They simply gave each other the most precious things during their youth.

There are no worldly values!

Finally, Duobao left in a carriage, and Erni stood at the village entrance waving vigorously at him: "Qian Duobao, remember to miss me!"

"good"

"Duobao, you must eat well and grow up quickly!"

"good"

"Duobao, remember to come back and find me."

"good"

"Duobao..."

Until the two could no longer hear each other, Qian Duobao sat in the carriage, tightly gripping the peace lock in his hand.

Zhao Erni carefully hid the safety buckle in her small dressing box, which her mother had bought for her. Inside were also a small slingshot made by Mo Bei and hair ornaments bought by Li Rouniang.

That peace lock was the most valuable; she and her sister each had one, but she gave it to Duobao. I wonder if Mother will be very angry when she finds out?

When Li Rouniang returned, Erni followed her around nervously. Li Rouniang sensed something was wrong. After dinner, she walked alone with Erni in the courtyard and asked, "Erni, you seem distracted. Did something happen today?"

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