Gan Tao felt a chill creeping down her chest, as if a venomous snake were coiling around her heart, slowly tightening and making it hard for her to breathe.
She leaned against the door frame, almost unable to stand.
For some reason, she suddenly remembered what Ganli had said before.
"If you want to rebel, there are a million ways, but punishing yourself for someone else's mistakes, like you are doing now, is the most foolish thing to do."
Yeah, she's so stupid!
She still clung to a ridiculous hope that her mother would take pity on her and change her mind, but in the end, it was nothing but wishful thinking.
What good is a two-day hunger strike other than making her dizzy, weak, and exhausted? Her mother didn't care at all!
Her mother not only showed no pity, but also planned to use such dirty and despicable means to force her to submit!
'If you really want to change your current situation, you should seize every opportunity to get out of this mess...'
Ganli's words echoed in her ears again, and Gantao's eyes gradually cleared. The despair on her face faded little by little, replaced by a resolute look.
The shopkeeper was right, she really is a fool! Why should she waste her whole life on people who don't love her? Her mother wants to sell her, but she won't let her have her way!
She's determined to live!
Gan Tao's gaze fell on the plate of lunch that hadn't yet been cleared away in the corner. She staggered over, picked up the bowl and chopsticks, and began to wolf down her food.
The cold food was hard to swallow, but Gan Tao seemed oblivious, stuffing it into her mouth relentlessly. She needed strength, strength to think of a way to save herself!
After eating, Gan Tao felt that she had regained some strength and her mind was clearer.
Her mother was determined to sell her to the Wu family; there was no hope of her having a change of heart. Now, the only one who could probably save her was the shopkeeper…
Thinking of Ganli, Gantao recalled how she had rejected her kindness and felt a pang of regret.
The shopkeeper must be utterly disappointed in her now, but Gan Tao doesn't care about feeling embarrassed at all. She believes that as long as the shopkeeper knows her situation, he definitely won't sit idly by.
But how could she contact the shopkeeper? She was locked in the room and couldn't get out at all.
Gan Tao thought of her two younger brothers, Xiao San and Xiao Si, who were guarding outside the door.
The third one is clever and slippery; she definitely won't help her easily. The fourth one is honest and obedient, and usually listens to her; perhaps she could…
She listened intently; it seemed the mistress had gone to the outhouse. A perfect opportunity!
Gan Tao quickly went to the door and softly called out, "Xiao Si..."
The fourth child was young and only knew that his older sister was angry about getting married and hadn't spoken to them for several days.
Hearing his sister speak to him, he was overjoyed and immediately ran over to talk to her through the door frame:
"Big sister, are you hungry? Want to eat? I'll go get you something to eat..."
"Little Fourth, I have something more important that I need your help with right now," Gan Tao said in a low voice, her tone pleading.
Looking at her sister's pale face and earnest eyes, Xiao Si was a little scared: "Sister, Mother said we can't let you out..."
"I'm not asking you to let me out!"
Gan Tao said, "I promised the shopkeeper that I would embroider something for her, but now that I can't do it, I should at least let her know."
She's helped me so much, I feel bad making her wait all this time. Don't you think so?
That seems to make sense, Xiao Si nodded, then looked troubled: "But I don't know the way to town either."
"You don't need to go to town. Just go to Gan Zhu's wife's house. She works at a restaurant. Tell her to pass on a message for me."
"Just tell her to tell the shopkeeper that I can't make the dragon and phoenix quilt cover she asked me to embroider last time, and that she should find someone else. Do you understand?"
When Xiao Si heard that it was about being trapped, which had nothing to do with marriage, she felt even more relieved and readily agreed: "Big sister, I'll go right away!"
Anyway, the eldest sister's door was locked, so she couldn't get out at all.
He nodded and left, relieved.
Gan Tao knew that her mother had most likely taken the key to the lock, so she didn't even think about coaxing her younger brother to help her unlock the door. She really just asked Xiao Si to pass on a message.
After Xiao Si left, Gan Tao felt a little more at ease. She knew that Gan Zhu's wife and Gan Li had a good relationship, and if she could pass the message to Gan Li, Gan Li would definitely come to save her.
But in the blink of an eye, she became anxious and insecure again.
It's already evening, and even if Xiao Si's message reaches her, Gan Zhu's wife won't be able to go to town again until tomorrow. What if she forgets about it after a night?
If she is lucky enough, and Gan Zhu's wife successfully delivers the message, will the shopkeeper understand it?
Gan Tao paced anxiously in her room, even though she knew that the shopkeeper wouldn't receive the news until tomorrow and wouldn't be able to come to her rescue.
In her anxiety, Xiao Si returned. He knocked on the door, and Gan Tao immediately went over to him.
"Xiao Si, did you deliver the message?"
Xiao Si nodded quickly, then remembered that her older sister seemed unable to see, so she whispered against the door:
"Don't worry, big sister, I've delivered your message without missing a single word. Sister Wang has agreed to pass on your message."
Just then, a crisp sound rang out.
"Xiao Si! What are you doing!"
Inside the room, Gan Tao's heart, which had just settled down, instantly jumped into her throat again—if Xiao Si revealed the message, the whole plan would be ruined!
Outside, Xiao Si trembled with fear.
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