Chapter 594 The young man presents rouge to the embroiderer, tears of sorrow stain the red railing [7,000 words, two chapters combined, please vote!]
"Miss Embroidery, why aren't you eating?"
Ouyang Rong asked curiously.
There was a pretty woman who remained silent.
In the courtyard, under a pear tree, the midday sun of early spring shines on a plate of pork belly, half fat and half lean, on a stone table.
Each piece of pork belly on the plate was cut into evenly sized mahjong tiles, glowing red and translucent in the sunlight, like the color of agate, soft but not mushy, and fatty but not greasy.
A small handful of bright green scallions, along with the broth, are poured over the meat, making one's mouth water just looking at it.
Ouyang Rong had just served the plate of Dongpo pork when he took off his apron and sat down with a smile.
He served two bowls of steaming white rice, one for himself and one for Zhao Qingxiu.
Zhao Qingxiu picked up her chopsticks and, under Ouyang Rong's smiling gaze, took the first bite of Dongpo pork.
One hand gently supports the meat under the chopsticks, bringing it into the mouth.
He lowered his head and chewed for a while.
After swallowing the first bite of meat, the girl with the sky-blue ribbon covering her mouth put down her chopsticks, lowered her head, and sat quietly.
I didn't pick up any more food.
"Hmm, is it not tasty?"
After asking the question in surprise, Ouyang Rong immediately picked up a pair of chopsticks, rolled up his sleeves, and put a small piece of pork belly into his mouth.
"It should be alright. The pork only had time to simmer over low heat for an hour and a half, so it was a bit undercooked. But I added some Shaoxing wine, which not only removed the fishy smell but also made the meat a bit more tender."
Hearing the cheerful, bubbly voice of the handsome young man in front of him, who seemed to be "not far from the kitchen," he was struck by his own words.
Zhao Qingxiu raised her head slightly.
"Don't you like things that are too sweet, embroiderer?"
Ouyang Rong's mutterings were interrupted by Zhao Qingxiu's action of grabbing his sleeve.
There were words on the table, the wet stains delicate and graceful.
[It's so sweet and delicious! I've never eaten such delicious meat before!]
Ouyang Rong chuckled, picked up his chopsticks, and continued eating.
"Thank you for the compliment. If someone else had said it, I would have just taken it as flattery. The embroiderer is skilled, so it is only a true compliment if she says it is good."
Zhao Qingxiu smiled happily, picked up the steaming bowl of rice, and began to eat in small bites, eating with great focus.
Under the pear tree in the courtyard, the two of them took turns eating lunch with great relish.
Ouyang Rong ate his meal calmly and didn't ask Zhao Qingxiu where she had gone that morning.
When did the young master return to the city?
"I took care of some minor matters in the morning and then came over."
"I glanced at the East Market while passing by, and pork is still quite cheap now, down to eighty cents a pound. Hey, the embroiderer didn't check last year's prices..."
"Oh, right, wait for me."
Ouyang Rong suddenly stood up and ran to the living room.
Zhao Qingxiu stopped holding the bowl and chopsticks and turned her head in confusion.
Before long, she heard Tanlang's footsteps and the tinkling sound of the icy white jade hairpin approaching from afar.
Ouyang Rong returned and placed a small jar in front of Zhao Qingxiu, next to the Dongpo pork.
He actually returned with a small item in his pocket, but he didn't take it out immediately.
Ouyang Rong rolled up his sleeves, opened the cloth seal on the jar, and said with a smile:
"Try it. The pickled radishes from Donglin Temple's Zaozhaiyuan are a specialty of Longcheng. I picked up a jar before I came back."
"The embroiderer should be familiar with it too; she must have tasted it before at the Beitian Charity Home in Donglin Temple."
Zhao Qingxiu picked up a piece, lowered her head and took a small bite. The crunching sound between her red lips and white teeth made the usually well-mannered blindfolded girl blush slightly.
Based on Ouyang Rong's observations over the past few days... the embroiderer blushed very easily. Sometimes, if Ouyang Rong looked at her for even a little too long and she noticed, she would lower her head and blush...
Ouyang Rong, sitting across the table, seemed not to hear or see anything.
He ate much more casually, his cheeks puffed out as he chewed freely, completely ignoring the crunching sound of the pickled radish.
This relaxed atmosphere caused Zhao Qingxiu's tense and thin body to loosen up a bit and become much more relaxed.
She lowered her eyes and head, and picked up her chopsticks more frequently.
I ate for a while.
I drew a fortune stick at Chengtian Temple this morning.
Zhao Qingxiu suddenly dipped her index finger in water and wrote words on the table.
Ouyang Rong put down his bowl and asked curiously:
"What kind of signature? Let me see."
[I don't know, it was just a random fortune slip I drew, don't take it too seriously.]
Zhao Qingxiu sat sideways, facing Ouyang Rong.
"Okay, let me take a look first."
Ouyang Rong smiled and extended his hand.
Zhao Qingxiu hesitated for a moment, then lowered her head and carefully wrote each character.
[Please help me interpret this divination slip, young master.]
"Didn't the abbot at the temple read it to you?"
Ouyang Rong's eyes crinkled slightly with a smile as he stared intently at the delicate, blindfolded girl sitting before him, her posture as endearing as that of a demure young wife.
Her face was somewhat pale, as if she hadn't rested well in the past few days, and she looked quite haggard.
No, we just happened to arrive during the monks' lunch break.
Zhao Qingxiu lowered her eyes.
"Alright, these monks are really incompetent, I'll take over."
Ouyang Rong generously extended his palm and placed it beside her hand.
Zhao Qingxiu's fingertips touched the warm palm he thoughtfully offered, and she shrank back like a rabbit.
Zhao Qingxiu took out a small green purse from her bosom, pulled out a small folded piece of red paper from it, and placed it on Ouyang Rong's palm.
Ouyang Rong looked at Zhao Qingxiu, placed his hands on the table, and his fingers suddenly stopped when he had only unfolded half of the folded red slip.
Ouyang Rong didn't even glance at it. He immediately flipped his right palm over and pressed the unopened red slip onto the table, then crossed his hands over it.
Immediately afterwards, he leaned forward, his deep, dark eyes fixed on Zhao Qingxiu's face, which was now radiant with renewed hope.
"Huh."
Ouyang Rong made a sound, drawing out the tone.
"Huh?"
Sensing that her lover had discovered something extraordinary, Zhao Qingxiu straightened up, turning her small face toward Ouyang Rong with anticipation.
Sure enough, she then heard her beloved chant in a very serious tone:
"Miss embroiderer, this red slip of paper seems to be a marriage fortune slip. If that's the case, the fortune slip is quite extraordinary..."
"A perfect match? A divine couple! What more could one ask for?"
The interpretation given by the high monk was...
"A perfect couple, a match made in heaven, will grow old together in a hundred years, without needing to seek another good match!"
"Good heavens, isn't this the first fortune stick in the marriage divination? Is it the king of fortune sticks?"
After he finished reading the fortune slip, Zhao Qingxiu heard him ask her with a hint of doubt in his voice:
"Embroidery girl, are you sure you didn't pick the wrong one and that this is the one you drew?"
"Hmm, Miss Embroidery, your future partner is truly blessed to have such a marriage."
"Even I'm a little envious of him. A perfect match, what good luck! Here, take the lot. By the way, does the embroiderer have someone she likes now..."
Zhao Qingxiu's face flushed bright red instantly.
When Ouyang Rong saw her face, he first saw a look of sudden joy and surprise, which was then replaced by a look of fear and trepidation.
It was as if dark clouds, capable of destroying a city, had covered the once clear blue sky with an irresistible force.
As Ouyang Rong smiled and handed her back the marriage fortune slip, Zhao Qingxiu waved her hands vigorously in front of her.
"Eee-yah-yah".
Zhao Qingxiu stood up, almost knocking over the porcelain bowl of water on the table that held writing ink. She seemed anxious and hurriedly put pen to paper.
Ouyang Rong lowered his gaze to look.
I am mute and blind, crippled by heaven and earth. How could I possibly hold a good man back? How could I be a perfect match? I am the one who should be a burden. This divination slip is not accurate, is it?
Zhao Qingxiu gave a sad smile, refusing to accept the marriage fortune slip that Ouyang Rong handed her back.
Ouyang Rong asked in a serious tone:
"Miss embroiderer, do you believe in Buddhism or not?"
[Disbelieve]
"If you don't believe me, then why do you go to the temple to worship Buddha and draw lots?"
Zhao Qingxiu hesitated for a moment, wiped the wet stains from the word "no" on the table with her palm, and then went to the back to add two more words.
Believe a little
"If you believe in a little, then why can't you believe in the predestined relationships of these 'perfect couples' and 'perfect matches' even a little more?"
Ouyang Rong asked seriously.
Zhao Qingxiu was speechless.
Ouyang Rong pressed his hand on the red slip, leaned forward, blinked, and slowly began to speak.
"You must understand that sincerity is key. If you don't believe at all, then it really won't work at all. If you believe even a little, even if it doesn't work, it will still work a little bit. Do you understand?"
The handsome young man's magnetic, husky voice and the words he spoke were like a bewitching melody entwining around the ears of the girl blindfolded with a sky-blue ribbon.
Zhao Qingxiu's expression froze for a moment.
She nodded vigorously and immediately reached out, eager to take the red fortune slip for marriage.
But they came up empty-handed.
"Huh?" she asked, puzzled.
Ouyang Rong tucked the marriage certificate into his bosom, calmly rose, and while clearing away the empty plates and bowls, earnestly said:
"It's too late now. I've never met the Prince before. Miss Embroidery, please give it to me. It would be impolite of me to refuse. This is just a matter of exchanging gifts."
Zhao Qingxiu jumped up, her hands frantically reaching out to grab his clothes, her face full of reluctance: "Ya ya ya yi yi..."
"Don't rush, young lady, keep writing."
Zhao Qingxiu immediately lowered her head, her hand writing almost knocking over the bowl of vegetables, but fortunately Ouyang Rong caught it with quick reflexes.
[What if it stops working?]
Zhao Qingxiu was a little nervous. She didn't even bother to ask about the "exchanging gifts and reciprocity" thing that someone had just mentioned.
Ouyang Rong suppressed his lip and said in a serious tone:
"How could that be? Signing the paper is just a formality. As the saying goes, sincerity is key. The most important thing is to have the heart... Miss embroiderer, figure it out for yourself. As the Buddha said, it cannot be spoken of."
Zhao Qingxiu stood still, her delicate eyebrows furrowed above the blindfold ribbon, her brows like distant mountains shrouded in mist.
Ouyang Rong lowered his eyes and tidied the table for a while, then took the bowls and chopsticks back to the kitchen. When he returned, he saw Zhao Qingxiu still standing there looking lost.
"Ugh, washing dishes by myself is so tiring," he sighed loudly on purpose.
Zhao Qingxiu, who had been motionless, suddenly jolted and groped her way forward to the kitchen.
"The embroiderer is so considerate. Let's wash together."
Ouyang Rong praised him and then stepped forward to help.
Zhao Qingxiu was about to decline, but Ouyang Rong insisted on helping her wash.
Since we've already made an exception for him to "cook like a gentleman," washing dishes won't make a difference.
Zhao Qingxiu had no choice but to give up and vacate half of the kitchen.
The two tidied themselves up and carried their bowls and chopsticks into the kitchen.
Before entering, Zhao Qingxiu heard the handsome young man wearing a white jade hairpin suddenly turn around and say:
"By the way, who said that even if someone is born with disabilities, they can't have a perfect marriage and become a divine couple?"
"Heaven is fair to everyone. Who knows, maybe in the future that person will bring the embroiderer to a good man, and that good man will persevere and take you to seek medical treatment, find a divine doctor, and cure your muteness and blindness?"
He spoke in a joking tone, and Zhao Qingxiu shook her head gently upon hearing it.
When she arrived at the sink, she dipped her fingers in water, faced Ouyang Rong who was rolling up his sleeves, and wrote on the chopping board.
[I have already consulted a renowned healer, but it was to no avail. Thank you for your concern, sir.]
Ouyang Rong noticed that Zhao Qingxiu's face seemed a little pale after she finished writing those words.
Zhao Qingxiu walked silently to the sink and began washing the dishes.
Ouyang Rong narrowed his eyes and asked calmly:
"A miracle doctor? Where is this miracle doctor? Who brought the embroiderer here?"
[My family must have hired a miracle doctor; everyone's praising him.]
Ouyang Rong remained silent for a moment, then smiled slightly, rolled up his sleeves, and went to the sink to stand beside her. They washed the dishes with their eyes lowered, and he said in a carefree tone:
"Those rural doctors are easily praised by ignorant villagers as some kind of medical genius or unparalleled physician, but it's just a reputation built on hearsay..."
He gently nudged her thin shoulder with his elbow, offering words of comfort and encouragement.
"Your family often abandons you at the Compassionate Nursing Home. Hmph, it's obvious they don't care about you. They may not have searched hard enough, but with patience, you'll find something. This world is vast and full of wonders. Don't lose hope, young embroiderer, and don't be filled with empty sorrow..."
Zhao Qingxiu paused for a moment, then continued washing the dishes.
"ah."
She made a soft sound.
It's unclear whether it means "nodding," "shaking one's head," or... nonchalant.
The door wasn't closed, and gusts of midday wind blew into the kitchen, dispelling the sweltering heat of the embers in the stove.
It was still quite cool at midday in early spring.
The two stood side by side in front of the sink, each washing their own.
There was silence for a while.
Only the crisp sound of jade pendants on someone's white hairpin, propelled by the midday wind.
"Hey, have your family found you any suitable matches?"
Ouyang Rong suddenly asked.
After asking the question, he waited for a while, and there was no more movement around him; even the sound of washing dishes stopped.
Turning his head, he saw the embroiderer looking up at him with her small face.
Ouyang Rong said nonchalantly:
"That means there aren't any right now, otherwise you wouldn't care so much about the marriage fortune slip."
"By the way, do you remember the two times we met in the underground palace? That old Taoist priest surnamed Sun who wore a crane-feather cloak. He was there both times. When you left, he left too. Are you very familiar with him? Could he be one of your family members?"
No, but I know them.
No wonder.
Ouyang Rong lowered his head, staring intently at the bowls and chopsticks in the sink, and said softly:
"This time, I accompanied the Prefect of this prefecture on an inspection tour. We passed through Longcheng and visited Donglin Temple to worship Buddha. During that time, I also visited Master Buzhi, um, that crazy monk named Xiuzhen, you know him too."
"He ate the box of pastries from Taoshouzhai... Later, when I was exploring the underground palace, I suddenly remembered something."
"I wonder if the embroiderer has forgotten, but the night we first met, I was recovering from a serious illness, and you, me, Master Buzhi, and Old Monster Sun were trapped in the underground palace."
"Back then, I wasn't familiar with you guys. Old Monster Sun asked me... if I wanted a wife, and he even pointed at you. Haha, you were squatting there all alone, looking silly. I still remember your blank and bewildered expression, and... those eyes."
Ouyang Rong said softly:
"I'm sorry, I brought up something that made you sad, but I didn't mean anything by it. What I wanted to say was that I just thought you were pretty, and you were kind enough to give me water later..."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qingxiu froze, her body tensing up.
But after waiting for a while, she didn't hear the young man beside her continue speaking, and she didn't know if he was looking at her, which made her hesitate about whether to continue the conversation.
Just as Zhao Qingxiu was holding her breath and concentrating on washing the dishes, her ears gradually turned red.
His voice finally rang out from the sink.
"Haha, I suddenly remembered this when I revisited the underground palace this time, and it made me feel a bit emotional."
"I really like the saying 'dependent origination and emptiness.' Fate is the most important thing. The normal state of life is 'the face is gone, but the peach blossoms still smile in the spring breeze.' The joy of life is returning to the old place and finding that the old friends are still there."
"What do you think, young embroiderer?"
Zhao Qingxiu lowered her head.
I don't know, and I don't like being apart, but... I have family.
Ouyang Rong didn't ask any more questions, and the two seemed to have skipped the topic.
However, the two people washing dishes side by side by the sink then moved slightly closer together.
It's unclear who was the first to "accidentally" get close.
It's also possible that they had almost finished washing the dishes in the sink, leaving only a few, and the two of them were "competing" to wash them, so naturally their bodies were drawn closer together.
They would occasionally brush shoulders.
Sunlight streamed in from the back door, falling on their backs and obscuring their subtle expressions.
After wiping the last bowl clean and putting it back in the cupboard, Ouyang Rong suddenly turned around, reached into his robes, and spoke:
"Oh, right, I have something for you. I mentioned it before I left."
"ah?"
Before Zhao Qingxiu could react, she felt a gust of wind blowing against her face while she was blindfolded.
It was his outstretched hand.
Zhao Qingxiu grabbed his arm, traced his arm down to his hand, and groped her way to accept a gift.
Before even opening it, Zhao Qingxiu was the first to smell a delicate fragrance.
She carefully felt it with both hands. It seemed to be a small, square box made of rosewood with delicate grain. The box was inlaid with mother-of-pearl and pearls, and there was a lifelike picture of a dragon and phoenix on the front.
This is……
Zhao Qingxiu opened the box with some confusion.
The lid of the box is inlaid with a small bronze mirror. The interior is cleverly divided into several small compartments, each containing some powder and wet mud... It is these that give off the fresh fragrance that just lingered in the nose.
"Huh?"
Zhao Qingxiu opened her mouth and uttered a few empty words, then heard the composed voice of the man in front of her:
"I wonder if the embroiderer would like rouge and face powder."
"Last time I went out for a stroll on the Lantern Festival, I saw that many young women liked to dress up like this. It seems that I have never seen the embroiderers wearing rouge since I met them."
His voice was warm and gentle, like a laugh.
"I happened to pass by a time-honored cosmetics shop in Longcheng on this trip. The owner recommended it, saying that this kind of cosmetic box is more convenient. It was introduced from Luoyang and is the most fashionable style at the moment."
Zhao Qingxiu held the rouge in her hands, somewhat lost in thought.
She rarely used cosmetics; having lived in seclusion in Yunmeng for years, she had never come into contact with them.
The last time I applied rouge was when I was a child in my hometown of Nanlong, when my mother-in-law, Zhao, took me back to my husband's home. I quickly applied ordinary rouge.
I remember that day, my mother didn't know how to use this item very well either. It was my mother-in-law, Zhao, who was waiting in the sedan chair at the door, who suddenly came in and helped her with her hair and makeup.
My mother-in-law said something at the time.
A scholar will die for one who understands him; a woman will adorn herself for one who appreciates her.
"Since we have nothing to do this afternoon and the dishes are washed, why don't you give it a try, Miss Embroidery?"
Zhao Qingxiu was awakened by Ouyang Rong's voice.
Before she could speak, Ouyang Rong pulled her into the side room.
"You get ready first, I'll go out and wait... wait, wait, can't the embroiderer see me? Um, I'll do it then."
Ouyang Rong volunteered immediately, without waiting for Zhao Qingxiu to refuse. He returned to the dressing table, pressed her down on the embroidery stool, opened the rouge and powder box, and began to busy himself with the task.
"It'll be easier for me if you hold the box."
The sky-blue ribbon in front of her was untied, and Zhao Qingxiu held the open rouge and powder box in both hands. The bronze mirror on the lid of the box reflected her dazed face and the busy figure of Ouyang Rong behind her.
The pretty young woman was still a bit confused. Wasn't she just washing dishes? How did she suddenly start putting on makeup?
Ouyang Rong coughed, feeling that the gift was absolutely perfect.
Thanks to the long period of time he spent living with Ye Weilai at Yinbingzhai, Ouyang Rong had some knowledge of how to do a woman's makeup and eyebrows.
Even if you've never eaten pork, you've seen pigs run.
Ouyang Rong's brows furrowed as he focused intently, and then... his actions were as fierce as a tiger.
Zhao Qingxiu was a very quiet and patient person. Holding the box in both hands, she sat upright on the embroidery stool, silently letting her lover paint on her.
During this time, some physical contact between the two was inevitable.
However, the rouge on her face was probably already quite red, which masked the girl's flushed cheeks.
"alright."
After an unknown amount of time, Ouyang Rong took two steps back, clapped his hands, and said with a sigh of relief.
He turned to face Zhao Qingxiu directly, scrutinizing her intently.
"The embroiderer is so pretty."
Zhao Qingxiu suddenly trembled.
Ouyang Rong noticed that her eyes were red.
"Uh, what's wrong?"
Zhao Qingxiu's originally dim eyes suddenly became bright and clear, like a dried-up pond beginning to fill with clear stream water.
She raised her hand to cover her face and shook her head.
"What exactly happened?"
Zhao Qingxiu sniffed, and after a while, she lowered her head to write.
[People have praised me like this before...]
Ouyang Rong asked, "Is this also for you to have your eyebrows done and your hair styled?"
Zhao Qingxiu nodded subconsciously.
Ouyang Rong was quiet.
Zhao Qingxiu immediately realized what was happening and quickly wrote:
"It's a woman."
Ouyang Rong raised an eyebrow and asked:
"Could it be from Nanlong in Luling? I remember back in my hometown of Nanlong, when people describe a beautiful woman, they say she's really pretty. Could it be..."
Ouyang Rong was speaking when he suddenly felt his clothes being pulled.
"Young master, I'm sleepy and want to rest, okay?"
Ouyang Rong was taken aback.
The girl in front of him had a delicate, pale face with light makeup, looking pitiful. Even her beautiful makeup couldn't hide the weariness and exhaustion from long-term insomnia between her brows.
"Alright, Miss Embroiderer, have you not rested well these past few days?"
"Yes, I'm a light sleeper and prone to dreaming, sir. I have a favor to ask."
"you say."
"Young master, are you busy this afternoon? Could you stay and keep me company like you did last time, until I fall asleep before you leave?"
Ouyang Rong immediately nodded:
"good."
One hour later.
In the inner room of the side room, beside the bed with its pale pink curtains.
A pretty young girl with light makeup lay asleep, her eyes closed and her sleeping face peaceful.
The breathing was extremely soft.
Ouyang Rong sat on the edge of the bed, holding a white jade hairpin in his hand, occasionally flicking the pendant with his fingertips.
"Longling—Longling—"
Ouyang Rong yawned, then covered his mouth to suppress the sound.
He glanced at the sky outside the window, then looked back at Zhao Qingxiu, who was already fast asleep.
The embroiderer was indeed sleeping soundly... Ouyang Rong leaned forward slightly, squinted and approached her face, as if examining her closely. His nose was filled with the mixed fragrance of the young girl's body and rouge powder, which made his nose itch and his heart itch as well.
Ouyang Rong paused.
A moment later, he stood up straight and left quietly.
Ouyang Rong carefully stepped out of the door, closed it, fetched some water, and washed his face.
Then, they left the quiet courtyard.
Ouyang Rong found Pei Shisan Niang waiting and gave her a few instructions.
The latter accepted the order and withdrew. He paused, glanced back at the quiet courtyard, remembered that he still had something to take, and turned back.
I had just stepped into the courtyard.
"Waaaaah... Waaaaah..."
Ouyang Rong suddenly heard a series of intermittent sobs, seemingly coming from the side room...
He immediately rushed into the side room.
Turning his head, he saw a pretty young girl wearing only a thin undergarment sitting up on the bed in the inner room.
I don't know when I woke up.
She clutched the blankets tightly with both hands, tears streaming down her face like broken beads, staining her small face with tears.
The makeup and eyebrows that Ouyang Rong had done for her were all stained by tears, leaving her with a face covered in grime.
The mute girl opened her mouth wide, sobbing softly.
"What's wrong? Why are you crying? Did you have a nightmare?"
Upon seeing him return, Zhao Qingxiu's sobbing suddenly intensified, giving Ouyang Rong a headache.
"Don't cry, don't cry."
Ouyang Rong was at a loss for what to do, and couldn't understand why she was crying for no reason.
Zhao Qingxiu looked up with a face covered in tears, her dim, blind eyes filled with clear tears.
"Waaaaah... Waaaaah!" She cried and shook her head, refusing to respond to him.
"Wait a minute, wipe yourself first. We'll talk about it slowly. Don't cry, be good..."
Reaching the bedside, Ouyang Rong reluctantly got up to grab a towel, but as soon as he stood up halfway, he felt a heavy weight in his arms.
Zhao Qingxiu suddenly lunged forward and crashed into Ouyang Rong's arms. Her tear-streaked face was buried in his shoulder, and her slender arms clung tightly to his waist, as if afraid he would run away.
Ouyang Rong's expression froze.
The air in the inner room was completely silent.
His shoulder was soaked with sweat, and there were faint sobs, mournful cries, which made people feel extremely sad and helpless.
Ouyang Rong, who had initially kept his hands slightly apart to avoid suspicion, slowly lowered them after a while and embraced her trembling, thin back, holding her tighter and tighter.
Time passed second by second, but the two people by the bed held each other tightly, as if they wanted to meld each other into their own bodies.
The girl cried her heart out, until she had no tears left. Her shoulders trembled, as if she had used all her strength to make a sound.
The young man remained silent, only gently patting the thin back of the girl in his arms.
His eyes had never looked so gentle.
—————
(PS: 7k words per chapter. Daily updates are 4k words, and bonus chapters are 3k words. They are combined into one, so I won't release them separately. This will increase my performance faster and prevent me from cutting corners.)
Yesterday's chapter was too short, so the bonus chapter doesn't count. Starting from the 20 chapters owed again, I made up for it with a combined chapter today, leaving 19 chapters owed. Future bonus chapters should all be 7,000 words long, combined into one large chapter.
I'm begging for monthly votes with tears in my eyes!! (or 2)
(End of this chapter)
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