Shen Liang has returned to the village. It has been quite some time since Qiao Xi'er last saw him.
When he needed money, he only needed to go to the rice shop in town, so he rarely went home.
Even when Shi Murou came to spread rumors and caused such a big commotion, he didn't come back. Of course, he did it to avoid being bothered and gossiped about by the villagers.
Now, sitting in the carriage, he was filled with deep regret. He should have gone home back then and told the Shen family to be careful with their words and actions and not to cause trouble.
Now things have reached a point of no return.
The coachman didn't take people home; he only stopped at the village entrance.
Shen Liang got off the carriage and saw Qiao Xi'er and Qiao Lian'er carrying baskets on their backs to find pig feed, and they happened to pass by here.
Thinking of Shi Murou's abandonment of him, and then of Qiao Xier waiting for him for so many years, a subtle emotion welled up in Shen Liang's heart.
If Shi Murou hadn't come to the village and caused a scene, Qiao Xier would still be waiting for him.
"Xi'er." Shen Liang called out when he saw that the two people didn't seem to see him.
The two sisters then turned around and saw Shen Liang's distraught appearance. Qiao Lian'er knew that Shi Murou must have broken off her relationship with him.
The Shi family had never agreed to it in the first place, and even opposed it. Now that Shi Murou is unwilling, there is absolutely no possibility of it happening.
Qiao Xi'er was also stunned for a moment. Shen Liang had always been calm and composed. The last time she saw him, he even looked quite smug. But now, the Shen Liang in front of her looked dejected and frustrated, as if his body had been hollowed out.
Thinking of what the Shen family had done, Qiao Xi'er's expression turned cold, and she remained silent.
"What's wrong with Brother Shenliang? He seems very unhappy." Qiao Xi'er tugged at the corner of her mouth.
Shen Liang's painstaking plans have all come to naught, so naturally he's ready to die. After all, the Qiao family is his escape route, and the Shi family is the stepping stone for him to rise to prominence.
"It's okay. I've been a little busy with my studies lately—the material I'm learning is getting more complicated, but I'll try my best to keep up."
Shen Liang came up with an excuse.
He looked intently at Qiao Xier and said, "Xier, I know that when Miss Shi came to the village that day, what she said made you unhappy, and our two families broke off the engagement because of it."
"But I've come to terms with it now. The only person I want to marry is you, and I know you still have feelings for me. So, I've broken off my relationship with Shi Murou and will devote myself to you wholeheartedly from now on. Xi'er, please forgive my past foolishness."
He had thought that Qiao Xi'er, after all, had waited for him for so many years, and would surely be moved by his heartfelt words.
But Qiao Xi'er's face was just as cold and distant as Shi Murou's.
"Shen Liang, actually, it's Miss Shi who doesn't want you anymore, isn't it?" Qiao Xi'er asked rhetorically.
Shen Liang was struck in the heart and became somewhat exasperated: "It's clearly me who doesn't want her. You've seen her before. How can she compare to you? Even if I was young and confused, I'll always have my moments of clarity. Won't you give me a chance?"
Qiao Xi'er shook her head: "If the Shi family hadn't looked down on you, why would you have come back to me? How could you have given up the wealth and glory of the Shi family? If you could have given it up, there wouldn't have been a beginning."
“No matter what your relationship with Miss Shi is like now, you cherished each other after all. Now you come to me and badmouth her, saying she's no good. Shen Liang, I despise you for your behavior.”
After saying this, Qiao Xier took Qiao Lian'er's hand and left without looking back.
Shen Liang was left standing there, dumbfounded.
After descending the slope, the two sisters cut pig feed.
Qiao Xi'er nudged Qiao Lian'er with her elbow: "Lian'er, tell me, did you do this?"
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