Feng Lanlan's eyes were vacant, as if she were looking at the wall, but not quite.

Recalling the past, her face remained expressionless, only her mouth moved, while Liu Yunwan trembled with anger.

“When I went back before, I was prepared to die. I wanted to see my home one last time, or see my only older brother. But he moved away. It's better that he's gone. He never treated me like a sister anyway. I wanted to die, but I couldn't bear to leave Yu'er. What would happen to Yu'er if I died? How would that prostitute abuse my Yu'er? My son doesn't want me. It's okay. He's the only son of the He family. That prostitute wouldn't dare to harm him. But my Yu'er is different. She only has me. I can't let her end up like me. That day when I went back to Shuangqiao Town, I went to your house. After talking with you, I felt much better. Compared to my older brother and Yun Wan, I feel that in my heart, you are my family.”

After Feng Lanlan finished speaking, she suddenly grabbed Liu Yunwan's hand.

The two locked eyes.

"Lanlan, the reason I came here this time is to take you away. It's a long story. I have a good friend in Shuangqiao Town. She's very capable and rich. Like me, she's also divorced. I haven't told you yet, but the beast I married also had a mistress. I couldn't stand it. You know my temper. After I found out about this, I divorced him immediately. Back then, both of our dowries were very generous. But to support that beast's family, my dowry was almost gone. After returning home, I ate and dressed with the money from my dowry, but my sister-in-law and brother-in-law looked down on me in every way. My brother-in-law even kicked me out of the house. It was my friend who helped me."

She helped me transfer my household registration and found a way to make a living. Her name is Yan Xia, younger than you and me, you can call her Sister Yan. She wants to start a girls' school, where only girls can study. I can teach in the introductory classes. I recommended you to Sister Yan. As long as you go, you'll have food and lodging, and you won't have to worry about supporting yourself. Your writing is better than mine, and you've read more books than me. You'll definitely be able to do it. Lanlan, come with me, leave this den of wolves, don't waste your whole life here.”

Liu Yunwan looked at her with anticipation.

But Feng Lanlan let go of Liu Yunwan's hand.

She shook her head.

“If I hadn’t given birth to Yu’er, I would definitely have gone with you, but I can’t. If I leave, what will happen to Yu’er? The He family won’t let Yu’er go with me. I know them too well. That prostitute is wicked. If she marries Yu’er off to some bad man, Yu’er’s life will be ruined. Besides, if I get a divorce, it will have a huge impact on Yu’er. If others know that she has a divorced mother, how will they view her? Yun Wan, I’m sorry to disappoint you. I’m a coward. I don’t have the courage. Thank you for coming to see me. You should go back soon. I’ve let you down.”

Feng Lanlan didn't dare to lift her head, afraid of seeing the disappointment in her friend's eyes.

“Lanlan, I don’t blame you. We grew up together, and I know your personality. Before I came, I guessed you wouldn’t agree to my request. But I still held onto hope. The day you went back to Shuangqiao Town, I already knew you weren’t doing well. I could tell from your eyes in just one glance. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have recommended you to Sister Yan. If you’re not going back, then so be it. I’ll save up more money and come to see you often. You’ll always be my best friend.”

But Feng Lanlan was wrong; there was no disappointment in Liu Yunwan's eyes.

As if she had expected this, Liu Yunwan took out a piece of paper and a purse after saying this.

He then took out five taels of silver from his purse and handed it to Feng Lanlan.

“This is my address. If you need my help, just ask someone to come and tell me. Also, there are ten taels of silver in this purse. It's my last money. We'll split it in half, just like when we were little. Do you remember? One winter, we agreed to go out for a stroll. I wanted to eat a sugar figurine, but halfway there, I lost the purse my father gave me. The old woman who accompanied me didn't have any silver either. I cried so hard, but you cut your sugar figurine in half and gave me half. That sugar figurine was so sweet. Take it, Lanlan. Don't let me leave in peace.”

Liu Yunwan's hand remained raised for a long time, until it began to ache slightly, before Feng Lanlan finally took it.

"Yun Wan, thank you."

She was already sobbing uncontrollably.

"Knock knock knock—"

"Young Madam, it's time for lunch. Have you finished chatting? Madam asked me to come and get you."

The two chatted for quite a while when the maid knocked heavily on the door. Judging from the voice, it was Qiu Ling from earlier.

"Hey, coming!"

Feng Lanlan hid the five taels of silver and the note with the address written on it, cleared her throat, answered the outsider, and wiped away her tears, though her eyes were a little red.

"Yunwan, drive carefully, and have a safe journey." After doing everything, she whispered the last words into Liu Yunwan's ear and then opened the door.

"Why have we been chatting for so long? Be careful Madam doesn't get angry." Qiu Ling raised her chin, like a victorious old hen.

Liu Yunwan suppressed the urge to curse and stood up from her seat.

"Oh dear, I forgot the time. Don't blame me, Lanlan. It's been so long since we last met that we forgot about each other while we were chatting. Lanlan, I have to go now. Go eat your meal and remember to wipe your eyes. I know you miss me, but you can't cry. You're a grown-up. Alright, alright, I have to go now. I'll come see you again when I have time. By the way, young lady, what does Aunt Lu like? I'll bring her the right gift next time I come."

Liu Yunwan took out half a tael of silver from her purse, handed it to Qiuling, and asked in a low voice.

Qiu Ling's attitude immediately improved a lot.

"Madam likes fancy jewelry or delicious pastries. Next time you come, you can't chat for so long, or Madam will be unhappy. Alright, I'll see you out."

The little devil is the most troublesome. Fearing that she would complain to Madam Lu, Liu Yunwan would rather pay a price than offend her.

"Okay, thank you very much, little sister."

Liu Yunwan smiled, but her eyes didn't. She took Nan'er and left the He family with Qiu Ling.

After taking a few steps, he turned back and glanced at Feng Lanlan.

Their eyes met, filled with reluctance to part.

She didn't know when they would meet again. After walking out of the He family's door, Liu Yunwan shed a few tears only after the door behind her was tightly closed. She sniffed, wiped away her tears, put on a smile again, and waved to the coachman.

The coachman waited patiently, though he was tired, he dared not sleep.

Being dispatched by his master for the first time, he had to be steady and make no mistakes.

Upon seeing Liu Yunwan waving, the coachman immediately drove over and stopped in front of the He family's house.

"Alright, let's go find a food stall on the street and get something to eat, then we'll set off." Liu Yunwan's stomach was already growling loudly.

Presumably, Nan'er and the coachman were the same.

"Oh, right, we also need to buy some hay for the horses, otherwise they'll run out of fodder halfway through the journey." Just as she got into the carriage, she remembered that the horses hadn't been fed, so she turned to the driver and said.