On the day I left home, the morning sunlight gently fell on the road, as if gilding it with a faint golden edge.
A gentle breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, also helped to dispel some of the heaviness in Wang Xiuxiu's heart.
The carriage was waiting at the door. Wang Xiuxiu didn't have much luggage; she only carried a small bundle containing a few simple clothes and some personal belongings.
Wang Xiuxiu looked down at the bundle in her hands, a complex emotion rising in her heart.
She can finally leave this home openly and honestly.
Meanwhile, Wang Chengwen was already waiting beside the carriage.
He tucked his hands into his sleeves, lowered his head, and unconsciously kicked at the pebbles on the ground with his toes.
"You're here to see me off?"
Wang Chengwen nodded slightly, seemingly somewhat reluctantly, and let out a muffled "hmm".
His voice was low, as if squeezed out of his throat, and carried a hint of unease.
"Well... thank you. Go back now, I'll be going now."
Wang Xiuxiu smiled, her tone relaxed, as if she were just going to the market and would be back soon.
However, Wang Chengwen stood there hesitantly. After a long while, he finally mustered up the courage to speak: "You are very good. It's all his fault!"
His voice was filled with resentment, as if emotions that had been bottled up for a long time had finally found an outlet.
Wang Xiuxiu was taken aback at first, and then realized who the "he" Wang Chengwen was talking about was.
She smiled slightly and nodded gently. "I know, he's not good enough for me. This matter is over, so don't bother him anymore. After all, you still need his recommendation to get into the academy."
Upon hearing this, Wang Chengwen's face showed a look of surprise. "How did you know I had caused him trouble?"
"Your hand is so swollen, you didn't do it by banging your head against the wall, did you? I'm not stupid."
Wang Xiuxiu pointed to his hand, her tone slightly teasing.
Wang Chengwen was immediately embarrassed. He subconsciously hid his injured hand behind his back and lowered his head, like a child who had been caught doing something wrong.
After a moment of silence, he raised his head and said seriously to Wang Xiuxiu, "In that case, I will talk to my mother and ask her to let you stay at home instead of going out to be an apprentice."
When Wang Xiuxiu heard that he had such an idea, she quickly stopped him, "No need, no need, this apprenticeship is something I wanted to do myself, it has nothing to do with other people or things!"
Wang Chengwen frowned upon hearing this, "Being an apprentice is tiring, and you might even get bullied!"
"It's okay. I suffered so much back home, but I still made it through..."
Seeing that Wang Chengwen's expression was off, Wang Xiuxiu quickly changed the subject, "You have to go to school, and the family is busy farming. I also need to do something. Besides, embroidery is something I like. Don't worry, I will take good care of myself!"
Seeing her resolute attitude, Wang Chengwen opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately hesitated and did not continue to persuade her.
After a moment of silence, he took out a piece of pastry wrapped in cloth from his sleeve and handed it to Wang Xiuxiu, saying, "This is the jujube cake you like. Eat it on the way, so you don't go hungry."
Wang Xiuxiu accepted the pastries and thanked him.
With a clear shout from the driver, the carriage slowly started moving and gradually drove away from the village.
Sitting in the carriage, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but look back. At that moment, at the huge village entrance, only Wang Chengwen's small figure was watching her leave.
His figure appeared particularly lonely in the morning light, yet it carried an indescribable determination.
At this very moment, outside Cui Erlang's room in the Cui family compound, the atmosphere was unusually tense.
Madam Qin moved a bench and stood guard outside with a somber expression.
Her hands gripped the hem of her clothes tightly, her eyes revealing a resolute determination.
Inside the room, Cui Erlang was extremely anxious and kept banging on the door.
"I'm begging you, Mother! Please let me out!"
Cui Erlang's voice was already tinged with sobs, like a wild beast trapped in a cage, struggling desperately but to no avail.
However, no matter how much he pleaded, Qin Shi outside remained unmoved, not even lifting her eyelids.
Her face was expressionless, like a cold stone statue.
Cui Erlang's elder brother and sister-in-law wanted to step forward to persuade him, but Qin glared at them and stopped them.
Seeing this, Cui Yuanshan felt a pang of pity and prepared to step forward to persuade his wife to open the door and let the people out.
Before he could get close, Qin suddenly pulled a kitchen knife from her bosom and held it straight against her neck.
The gleaming blade flashed with a chilling light, startling him so much that he took several steps back.
"You! You! At your age! What are you doing? This is utterly disgraceful!" Cui Yuanshan questioned, both angry and anxious.
Despite her husband's rebuke, Qin Shi remained unperturbed.
Her eyes held a hint of madness, as if she had long been prepared to fight to the death.
"I'll do anything for Erlang! No one can ruin Erlang's bright future, not even you!" Qin's voice was cold and resolute.
After saying that, she tightened her grip on the kitchen knife in her hand, as if she would kill him if he took another step.
On the other side of the door, upon hearing his mother's resolute words, Cui Erlang's strength, which had been supporting him, vanished instantly. He slid slowly down the door and collapsed to the ground.
There's no longer any possibility between him and Xiuxiu...
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