Cui Erlang ran all the way to the Wang family.
He stood outside the Wang family compound and could see Chen Chunhua scolding Wang Xiuxiu from afar.
Chen Chunhua's voice was sharp and shrill, full of reproach and dissatisfaction.
Hong Xiaodong naturally wouldn't let this good opportunity pass by, and stood aside to chime in and stir things up.
Chen Chunhua was annoyed that Wang Xiuxiu was useless and couldn't win over Cui Erlang, but that didn't mean she liked Hong Xiaodong. Out of annoyance, she sent Hong Xiaodong to the fishpond to deliver food to the Wang family father and son.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to instruct, "Mother, you have to have a good talk with Er Ya. She's so arrogant, she's practically flying to the sky. It's outrageous!"
"Alright, alright, go deliver the food. Don't rush back after you deliver it. Help Chengwu mend the fishing net."
Wang Xiuxiu kept her head down, silently enduring Chen Chunhua's scolding.
Looking at the scene before him, Cui Erlang suddenly felt a surge of rebellious emotion that was so strong it was almost about to explode!
He could no longer endure this oppressive life. He wanted to take Wang Xiuxiu and run away to escape this disgusting place completely!
Time passed by, but each moment felt incredibly long and unbearable.
Cui Erlang stared nervously at the Wang family's courtyard gate, not daring to blink for fear of missing Wang Xiuxiu.
After an unknown amount of time, Chen Chunhua finally left, leaving Wang Xiuxiu alone in the large courtyard.
When Wang Xiuxiu turned around, she spotted Cui Erlang standing in the corner.
Their eyes met, and Cui Erlang's heart clenched suddenly, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
He looked at Wang Xiuxiu with some fear, afraid that she would turn around without hesitation and leave without looking back, becoming a complete stranger to him from then on.
If that were the case, he didn't know how to face it, let alone how to muster the courage to say those words again that he wanted to take her with him.
However, to his surprise, Wang Xiuxiu did not choose to leave, but instead slowly walked towards him step by step.
"Is there anything you want to tell me?" Wang Xiuxiu stopped a few steps away from him and asked softly.
Cui Erlang opened his mouth, trying desperately to say something, but his throat seemed to be blocked by something, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't utter a single word.
"Xiuxiu...I...I didn't...This isn't me..."
He finally managed to squeeze out a few words, but his voice carried obvious timidity and helplessness.
Looking at the man in front of her, Wang Xiuxiu couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.
Through their time together, she knew that Cui Erlang was not as bad as Chen Chunhua had described.
Perhaps, in the end, it can only be said that the two were simply unlucky and their fate was shallow.
Cui Erlang finally mustered his courage and said, "Xiuxiu, let's go! I'll take you away from here to a place where nobody knows you and let's start over!"
Looking at Cui Erlang, the last bit of frustration in Wang Xiuxiu's heart dissipated into the air.
Wang Xiuxiu shook her head. "Erlang, can you really abandon your family? Even if you leave on impulse now, what will you do when you calm down? Will you still be willing to abandon them?"
Cui Erlang remained silent for a moment, then Wang Xiuxiu continued, "And what about your studies? Years of hard work and studying, giving it all up like this—all your expectations and efforts will have vanished. Looking back later, will you truly not feel resentment or regret?"
Wang Xiuxiu spoke calmly, without sarcasm or worry, like a clear-headed observer helping him analyze the truth of the matter.
But it was precisely this aloofness and self-restraint that made every word she uttered strike Cui Erlang's heart like a heavy hammer.
"Xiuxiu, believe me, I'll do anything for you..."
Cui Erlang's gaze was intense and affectionate, which moved Wang Xiuxiu, but her eyes were even more resolute than Cui Erlang's.
“Erlang, you can’t do these things for me, or rather, you can’t do them with the idea of giving up everything for me. It’s not just because I’m afraid you’ll regret it, but also because I can’t bear such a heavy responsibility. It’s not fair to you or to me.”
Cui Erlang's body trembled uncontrollably, and even his voice began to choke: "Xiuxiu, I...I..."
Tears welled up in his eyes, filled with pain and reluctance, which evoked pity in anyone who saw him.
But Xiuxiu remained unmoved. She took a deep breath and tried to keep herself calm: "Erlang, now that things have come to this, separating is the best choice. Let's part ways amicably."
"I can't!" Cui Erlang suddenly raised his voice, which was a little hoarse. "I don't care about my future or my family! I only care about you! Xiuxiu, without you, everything I have is meaningless!"
A tear glistened in Wang Xiuxiu's eyes, and she was also struggling with her inner turmoil.
"Nothing is impossible. The world is the same without anyone. When you are granted an official position and a title, you may regret your childish behavior today."
Cui Erlang stood in the Wang family's courtyard, Wang Xiuxiu's resolute words echoing in his ears, his heart aching as if being torn apart.
"Xiuxiu..." he murmured softly, his voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible.
Wang Xiuxiu paused slightly, but did not turn around.
She knew that if she turned around, her heart would soften.
We cannot turn back, nor can we give him any more hope.
"Xiuxiu, are you really... so heartless?" Cui Erlang's voice was choked with sobs, as if he had used up all his strength.
Wang Xiuxiu finally stopped, her back to him, her voice calm but trembling slightly: "Cui Erlang, it's not that I'm heartless, but we have no other choice. Your mother's decision, your family, and your future are all insurmountable obstacles for us. I don't want you to give up everything for me, nor do I want to become a burden to your future."
Cui Erlang felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart, the pain making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
His fingernails dug deep into his palm, but Cui Erlang felt no pain whatsoever.
Everything was spiraling out of control, and he could only watch helplessly as what he cherished most slipped through his fingers.
He knew Wang Xiuxiu was right, but he still couldn't accept this ending.
He couldn't accept that the woman he loved so deeply had left his life and would become a stranger to him from then on.
"Xiuxiu, do you really... not care about me at all? Can't you even try for me just once?" His voice was so low it was almost inaudible, tinged with despair.
Wang Xiuxiu tried her best to keep her voice calm: "Cui Erlang, I care about you, but I care about myself even more. Let's... leave it at that."
After saying that, she strode into the house without looking back.
Cui Erlang stood there blankly, staring at the tightly closed door, his mind completely blank.
Wang Xiuxiu's words kept echoing in his mind.
Yes, what right do I have to make demands of Xiuxiu? She clearly didn't do anything wrong...
“Xiuxiu…” Cui Erlang murmured softly.
"Erlang! What are you doing here!" Qin shouted sternly.
Cui Erlang lowered his head and remained silent.
Qin's face darkened further. She strode up to Cui Erlang and grabbed his arm. "Come back with me quickly! What will happen if the Ran family finds out?"
Cui Erlang was being dragged outside by his mother when he suddenly shook off her hand.
Madam Qin sighed, her tone tinged with helplessness: "Erlang, you are still young and naive. When you achieve success in the future, you will naturally understand your mother's good intentions. Now, listen to your mother, come back with me, and stop making trouble."
Cui Erlang stared coldly at Qin Shi, his eyes devoid of warmth.
Qin's anger surged, and her face instantly turned ashen. "Second son, don't be ungrateful! Your mother has almost broken her heart over you, and you, for a country bumpkin, are willing to throw away your future! Have you gone mad?!"
"You're my own son, so you're sure I can't do anything about it, aren't you! What about Wang Xiuxiu? With her stepmother's character and behavior, if I spend some money to buy Wang Xiuxiu and send her far away? Do you think you can protect her?"
Qin's tone was blatantly threatening, crushing every inch of Cui Erlang's resistance in her eyes.
"You think you can protect her? What do you think you can give her? A poor scholar supported by his family, unable to even secure his own future, yet he wants to protect someone else? What a joke!"
Qin's voice grew louder and louder, but because she was trying not to be heard by the neighbors, her suppressed voice became increasingly sharp and piercing.
"Mother, if you dare to lay a finger on Xiuxiu, I will never forgive you in this lifetime!"
Qin was stunned by his words, then sneered, her anger blazing even brighter: "You won't forgive me? Fine, I'll see what you can do to your own mother! You are my son, and your marriage is my decision! That Wang Xiuxiu is nothing but a country bumpkin, does she even deserve to enter the Cui family? If you insist on protecting her, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Cui Erlang knew that Qin Shi always kept her word.
If she really did harm Wang Xiuxiu, given the nature of Wang Xiuxiu's family, it would likely put Xiuxiu in a desperate situation.
Looking at Qin Shi's face, twisted with anger, Cui Erlang felt a surge of powerlessness, as if all his efforts and perseverance had become pale and laughable at this moment.
Qin had won this battle between mother and son, and should have been overjoyed.
But as she watched Cui Erlang's stumbling figure stagger away, a nameless fear gradually replaced the various emotions in her heart...
---
On the other hand, Wang Xiuxiu, who had completely broken with Cui Erlang, was actually not as relaxed and carefree as she appeared on the surface.
She gazed at the mother and child outside, a faint hope stirring within her heart.
However, that expectation, along with Cui Erlang's departure, gradually turned into dust and vanished completely.
How can one not feel regret when a relationship that both parties genuinely tried their best to achieve ends like this?
In this relationship, she was moved by Cui Erlang's persistent and deep affection and had the urge to try to keep him, but ultimately chose to let go because of reason.
Deep down, Wang Xiuxiu felt indebted to Cui Erlang.
Cui Erlang wanted to marry her because he genuinely liked her, and this affection was obvious.
However, Wang Xiuxiu's motives were far from pure.
She desperately wanted to escape the Wang family and find lasting peace and stability.
Out of laziness, she wanted to find someone who could take care of her and whom she could depend on.
Faced with such a wish, any goodwill towards Cui Erlang seemed insignificant.
She understood that treating Cui Erlang this way was a blatant exploitation.
But reality was cruel and heartless, leaving her with no choice.
When faced with her feelings for Cui Erlang, Wang Xiuxiu was both timid and soft-hearted.
Now that Cui Erlang has unilaterally broken off the engagement, Wang Xiuxiu feels regretful and reluctant, but at the same time, she can't help but secretly breathe a sigh of relief.
Although I was in the wrong, Cui Erlang's family ultimately benefited more from this matter, so let him bear more of the blame.
As for myself, I can get rid of the inner turmoil and let go of the pressure brought by this relationship, but I will also have to bear the many rumors and gossip in the future.
That's fair...
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