Her voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and before she could finish speaking and withdraw her hand, the object in her hand was taken away.

"It's so cute, I love it."

Gu Chong took it in his hand, though he didn't recognize it at first glance.

But after hearing her explanation, he couldn't help but think how incredibly skillful she was; how could she make such a cute snake?

I absolutely love it.

If Gu Fei hadn't taken the initiative to tug at his brother's arm and ask for his own little snake, Gu Fei thought his brother probably wouldn't have wanted to give him even one!

His brother just wants to have it all to himself!

Reluctantly, Gu Chong glanced at his younger brother but still gave him one.

Xue Fu blushed, not noticing their disdain upon receiving the gift, which made her feel much better.

She said, "I'm leaving soon, so I'm letting you know in advance—"

Happy New Year!

"See you after the New Year."

Gu Fei was the most enthusiastic: "Happy New Year! I'm waiting for my sister to come back! Sister, you have to bring me some local specialties from Haicheng!"

Then came Gu Chong, who held a soft doll in his hand, his eyes half-closed, then fully opened, looking more composed and self-possessed than expected: "Happy New Year, Afu."

After she finished eating the breakfast the two brothers had brought her, Gu Chong asked her, "Have you packed everything?"

Xue Fu thought he meant he wanted to help her move her things, so she nodded: "Everything is packed."

Usually, Gu Chong would bring breakfast by himself, but today Xiao Fei came too. It was easy to guess that the two brothers would definitely bring her breakfast, even if it was just from the entrance of the educated youth settlement to the oxcart at the village entrance.

She only had one suitcase, which she carried out of the house for Gu Chong to carry with one hand, making it look quite small.

"Have you brought all your documents and proof?" Gu Chong asked again.

Xue Fu had already checked the documents once: "They're all brought."

Gu Chong said, "Okay."

Liu Ling finished making and eating breakfast, then picked up her things and prepared to leave.

Three male educated youths also set off together; they were also going to the county town to catch a bus today, and now they all had to go to the village entrance to catch an oxcart.

Liu Ling wasn't very familiar with Gu Chong, and seeing him standing next to Xue Fu with Gu Fei, she didn't want to be a third wheel.

She called out to Xue Fu from two meters away, "Xue Fu, let's go. It's almost time."

Upon hearing the sound, Xue Fu subconsciously glanced at Gu Chong's reaction. He always managed his expressions and emotions very well and rarely let them show. At this moment, Xue Fu couldn't quite figure out what he was feeling.

She thought that since they would be separated for a while, her boyfriend would probably feel a little reluctant to part ways.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one else was paying attention, Xue Fu quietly reached out and patted him reassuringly. She lowered her voice and whispered, "I'll be back soon, in just half a month."

So, just bear with it!

There will be many more long-distance relationships like this in the future.

She thought that she and Gu Chong should both prepare in advance to adapt.

"Um."

Gu Chong barely slept a wink last night. Even with his eyes closed, his mind couldn't relax at all, constantly calculating how much time had passed and how much closer he was to her departure.

Although a voice inside her was saying, "Half a month is a very short time, it will pass in a flash," she came back.

But Gu Chong's anxiety wasn't just about that; he also worried about how long she would be able to stay in Qingtang Village after she returned.

Gu Chong hoped she could stay longer, but he couldn't bear to see her suffer here.

She really should go back to the city. It's the best choice and the best way of life for her.

He shouldn't be an obstacle in her way.

That's what I was thinking, but I couldn't completely suppress the vile and dark thoughts that were secretly rising within me.

He felt uneasy and insecure.

Even knowing that Xue Fu wasn't that kind of person, I still imagined that one in a million possibility, just in case.

What if she never comes back?

Like a kite with a broken string, he could only hold onto the severed string and run across the land, helplessly watching the kite fly higher and farther away.

But no matter what, he was determined. If she didn't come back, he could go looking for her.

There is always a solution.

Gu Chong took several deep breaths, letting out all the conflicting and complex emotions that had been weighing on his mind.

There were quite a few people on the oxcart.

The driver, sitting in the front, was smoking a pipe because of the New Year, and the smell of the smoke was a bit pungent.

Liu Ling and several other educated youths climbed onto the oxcart and found their seats. Liu Ling even saved a seat for Xue Fu and waved to her, signaling her to hurry up and finish talking to Gu Chong before getting on the cart and setting off.

As for Xue Fu, when it was actually time to leave, she found herself speechless, forgetting all the things she had planned to say and not knowing what to say.

But when she met Gu Chong's deep, bright eyes, she smiled.

She first said to Gu Fei, who was next to her, "Xiao Fei, I'll bring you a gift. See you after the New Year."

Then she looked up at him and said, "Gu Chong, I'm leaving now. See you after the New Year."

After speaking, she pursed her lips again, her red lips glistening, and her face flushed slightly.

With a little third wheel around, Xue Fu couldn't bring herself to say anything sweet or mushy.

However, she still forced herself to say it: "Gu Chong, I will miss you, and you must remember to miss me too."

"I'll call back when I have time. You must remember to come to the commune to pick me up. You're not allowed to not answer!"

She said it domineeringly.

Gu Chong thought that Xue Fu had the ability to control his mood at any time.

The feeling of irritation that had been building up just from watching the oxcart and the ox tails flapping wildly in mid-air immediately lifted.

Her two sentences soothed my anxiety, and I no longer felt any distress.

"Yes, I will." Of course I'll miss her.

"Okay, give me your luggage, I'm getting on the train."

Xue Fu reached out to him for her luggage, but the man didn't give her the suitcase the next second. She looked at him in confusion, and then she heard Gu Chong and his younger brother say, "Xiao Fei, you go back first, I'll take your sister."

Gu Fei already knew why her brother planned to see her off, so her face remained expressionless. She nodded obediently and then said goodbye to Xue Fu once more: "Bye-bye, sister! Happy New Year! I'll be waiting for you to come back!"

Then the child, completely unconcerned, skipped and hopped away, heading in the direction of Gu Jia.

Xue Fu turned around and stared at the man in front of her: ?

"You're going to give me a ride?"

She was surprised.

Why didn't he say that before?!

"Yes. I got a letter of introduction from the captain." He lowered his head, feeling a little guilty, and explained to himself, "The captain just gave it to me last night. I thought I wouldn't be able to get it, so I didn't tell you, afraid you'd be disappointed. But thankfully, I got it."

He added, "I'm taking you to the provincial capital this time, not to Haicheng."

Xue Fu's eyes widened: "You still want to go to Haicheng?"

Ha...men!