When Xu Xiu exposed her secret, Xiao Ruoyan felt that he was despicable for the first time. Why did he have to tell her mother and grandfather? What should she do now?
Little did Xiao Ruoyan know that Xu Xiu had no right to criticize her; even the top scorer in the college entrance examination didn't go to Tsinghua or Peking University.
Seeing Xiao Ruoyan's angry yet helpless expression, Xiao Liang and Zhang Aixiang swallowed back the words of blame they originally wanted to say.
They felt that if it weren't for their incompetence and dragging her down, she could have gone to the best university.
Xiao Ruoyan looked just like a child who had made a mistake, with her head down and rubbing her fingers. At this moment, Zhang Aixiang raised her hand and gently stroked her long hair to comfort her.
"Ruoyan, you don't need to worry about us. Grandpa and I can take care of ourselves."
Xiao Ruoyan raised her head, her voice trembling slightly, and said, "But I can't bear to leave you all, I don't want to be so far away from you..."
Xiao Liang turned away and secretly wiped away his tears. His granddaughter had been so sensible since she was a child, so sensible that it broke his heart.
Upon hearing Xiao Ruoyan's words, Zhang Aixiang immediately hugged her daughter tightly. The two of them wept uncontrollably and comforted each other for a while before they calmed down.
Because there were still guests at home, the two quickly wiped away each other's tears, but what they didn't notice was that Xu Xiu was also secretly wiping away tears there.
After starting the fire, Xu Xiu skillfully began heating up the dishes, while Zhang Aixiang hurried over to steam the rice. It was impossible for the guests to do everything.
Xiao Liang chatted with Xiao Ruoyan in the living room, listening to his granddaughter talk about what had happened in the past few months. But the more Xiao Liang listened, the more he felt that Xu Xiu's thoughts and motives were not simple.
Before long, the steaming hot food was served. At this moment, Xiao Ruoyan noticed tear stains on Xu Xiu's cheeks and asked without thinking, "Xu Xiu... why are you crying?"
Xu Xiu: "......"
"Who's crying? They're from the smoke. They haven't used a wood-fired stove in a long time, so they're a bit rusty."
Xu Xiu quickly changed the subject, muttering to himself, "Debts from a past life must be repaid sooner or later."
The four of them sat at the table, looking at the dishes spread out like it was Chinese New Year. What happened next almost made Xu Xiu burst out laughing. Xiao Ruoyan and her family of three started serving each other food.
You put some food on my plate, I put some on yours, we politely declined each other's portions, each wanting to save the best for the other.
Xu Xiu wisely lowered his head to eat. After finishing his meal, Xiao Ruoyan had a lot to talk about with Zhang Aixiang, while Grandpa prepared to go back to his room to rest.
So Xu Xiu decided to go for a walk. He went straight to the back mountain, where there was neither the small hill nor the tombstone.
But there was a very worn-out garment in that spot, and I felt a deep sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings of emotion and reflection), perhaps everything was preordained long ago.
I found a shady spot on the back hill and lay down there. Looking at the blue sky, I fell asleep without realizing it.
I don't know how much time passed, but I felt a small hand pushing me. When I opened my eyes, a flawless face came into view.
"Xu... Xiu, what are you doing here?"
Xiao Ruoyan's clear voice surrounded my ears, but because Xiao Ruoyan was bent over, her cleavage was completely exposed.
Did she think that eating steamed buns every day would allow her to develop so well?
After regaining his composure, Xu Xiu quickly stood up, averted his gaze, and deliberately looked at the sky awkwardly, saying, "Your hometown is beautiful..."
Hearing Xu Xiu's words, Xiao Ruoyan followed his gaze and looked over. "Yes... my home is... the most beautiful in my heart."
The two sat side by side, neither speaking, just staring blankly at the sky, each lost in their own thoughts.
Xiao Ruoyan cherishes the present moment because school will start soon, and she may not see him for a very long time.
But Xu Xiu was thinking about how to give this simpleton a surprise when school started.
After some time, they heard Zhang Aixiang calling. The two quickly stood up and went home together. After sitting for a while, they prepared to leave because there were no more buses running out if it got too late.
It just so happens that someone from the village goes to town at this time every day, so they can take them out together.
Before leaving, Zhang Aixiang packed some pastries that Xiao Ruoyan liked and told her not to give them to anyone else. Xu Xiu watched as Zhang Aixiang solemnly gave instructions about giving a bag of snacks.
They guessed there must be something else inside; perhaps they returned the money Xiao Ruoyan had given them intact.
Parents everywhere share the same heart; they would rather suffer themselves than let their children suffer along with them.
Zhang Aixiang and Xiao Liang escorted the two to the village entrance, and only when they could no longer see their backs did they slowly walk towards home together.
On the way, Xiao Liang slowly said to Zhang Aixiang, "Aixiang, what do you think of this Xu Xiu?"
Zhang Aixiang was stunned for a moment before slowly saying, "I feel like I've seen her before, but I've never seen her before."
"Dad, you've noticed it too, haven't you? He treats Ruoyan very well, but I don't know if he's sincere or if he's just attracted to Ruoyan's beauty."
"Ruoyan is naturally beautiful, but sometimes being too beautiful isn't a good thing."
“I’m really worried about her being out there all alone.”
"So it wasn't that I was reluctant to buy her pretty clothes or style her hair beautifully before, but rather that I was afraid that dressing her up too stunningly would cause a lot of trouble."
"I just want my family to live a peaceful and safe life."
Xiao Liang was well aware of all this, but what could he do? He was already doing well enough not to be a burden to Ruoyan, let alone help her in any way.
All the two could do now was pray that the young man named Xu Xiu was truly good to Ruoyan.
Back in town, Xiao Ruoyan took the rural bus. Feeling a bit hungry, she prepared to open the pastries her mother had given her, only to find a letter inside.
Inside the envelope was a note and the card I had given to my mother. The note read, "Ruoyan, you must have a lot of expenses outside. Keep the money in the card for yourself."
"Mom doesn't usually send you much money, so you have to earn your own tuition and other expenses."
"You've suffered so much being my daughter in this life."
"But Mom will take good care of the family and Grandpa. Mom will keep the remaining 10,000 yuan in cash for Grandpa's medical treatment."
"So don't worry about things at home. Just focus on your studies and call home if you miss us."
As I read the letter my mother wrote, tears had already soaked the paper.
"Mom, I will work hard to give you and Grandpa a good life."
Xiao Ruoyan silently recited in her heart.
If it weren't for the fact that they really didn't have any money to pay for her grandfather's medical treatment, Zhang Aixiang really wouldn't have wanted to leave a single penny behind.
My daughter has suffered enough, and she also has to share the burden of the family. If it weren't for this classmate meeting me and starting a business together...
She didn't know what to do about her university tuition fees.
Just as Xiao Ruoyan was secretly wiping away her tears, a pair of slender hands handed her a tissue.
Xu Xiu didn't say any words of comfort. Instead of eloquent words, he silently stayed by her side and faced the situation together.
Back in their hometown of Shixian, Xu Tinglong had gotten drunk the day before and hadn't gotten up yet. Fang Xueting told Xu Xiu to take a car back first, as she and his father would probably have to stay in their hometown for a few more days.
School was starting in a few days, so Xu Xiu and Xiao Ruoyan chartered a car to go back.
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