Since returning home for summer vacation, Anning has not stopped working for a single day. Every day at dawn, she has to feed the chickens, ducks, and pigs, and also make breakfast for them.
Despite this, her parents were still dissatisfied with her. Her father was an alcoholic and would beat people when he was drunk, and she was the one who was beaten the most.
She often endured the pain to work in the fields, just hoping that school would start soon, and she could graduate in a year.
She'll find a place where nobody knows her, and nobody will know about her shameful past.
This thought is what has kept her going until now.
But she's so tired, it seems like she can't fulfill her dream anymore.
A rough male voice said, "How could I have given birth to such a shameless slut like you? You've ruined your chastity at such a young age. Who do you expect me to marry you off to?"
"Who would want a shameless slut like you? If no one marries you, where will I get my money?"
"I think you're a heartless ingrate. I've raised you for nothing."
*Cough*, a mouthful of spit landed near Anning's legs. She was locked in a small room, and the man seemed to still be cursing her.
He kicked her twice, causing Anning to groan in pain.
The arrogant man spoke again:
"Let me tell you, you better behave and stop going to that lousy school."
"Stay here and wait for someone from the next village to come and marry you."
"It's useless for girls to read so many books; they all end up in their assholes."
"It's better to get married early and stay home to have children."
"Did you hear that? You'd better not even think about running away again."
The door creaked shut, plunging the room into darkness. Anning curled up on the floor, hugging herself tightly, her soft sobs echoing through the room.
This man is her so-called biological father, and she is the same; she only cares about her younger brother, and no one cares about her. Even if she dies, no one will know.
Shen Muqing and Ye Chuqing from Beijing had just boarded a train to Ning City. Shen Muqing's clothes were not very convenient, but she didn't have time to go back and change.
"Qingqing, you look exceptionally beautiful today, you're practically my goddess."
Ye Chuqing sat next to her, her hand still rubbing against her leg, and sighed, "I wish you were my wife."
"Okay, let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get married tomorrow."
Time always flies when you have someone with you. Four hours later, the two arrived in Ning City. Anning's home was in a village called Yangguan in Ning City.
They still have to take a bus to get there, but thankfully it's not too late and they managed to catch the last one.
Before we arrived at Anning Village, the sky was already beginning to darken.
Even on summer nights, the temperature in the countryside is lower than in the city at dusk.
Shen Muqing's hands were covered in goosebumps. "Chu Chu, let's go find someone to ask An Ning where she lives."
"good."
The country roads were sparsely populated; everyone worked from sunrise to sunset.
Fortunately, there was an elderly woman on the street. Shen Muqing asked, "Hello, ma'am, do you know where Anning lives?"
The old woman carrying a hoe immediately recognized the two as city people. They were asking about Anning, which made her think they were restless girls. She glanced at them sideways without saying a word.
They avoided Shen Muqing and Ye Chuqing as if they were some kind of plague.
But she was alone on the road, and Shen Muqing couldn't catch up with her: "Auntie, we can give you a reward."
Upon hearing that there was something to gain, the old woman immediately stopped in her tracks, her attitude changing from disdain and indifference to a wide grin with her eyes narrowed into slits.
"You should have said so earlier. You mean that girl Anning? Everyone in the village knows her. Come on, I'll take you there."
His loud voice is very energetic.
"Okay, thank you, Auntie."
Ye Chuqing clung tightly to Shen Muqing's side, "Qingqing, I don't know why, but I have a bad feeling."
"It's alright, Chu Chu, I'll protect you."
Looking at Shen Muqing's thin arms and legs, Ye Chuqing said, "You should take good care of yourself."
After many twists and turns, they finally arrived at Anning's home. The old woman shouted loudly inside, "Old man An, someone is looking for your girl."
After the old woman finished speaking, she rubbed her hands together as a hint. Shen Muqing immediately understood and took out a red paper ticket from her bag and gave it to her.
"Tsk, city people are so stingy."
The old woman voiced her dissatisfaction, but Shen Muqing, not wanting to cause any more trouble, gave her three more bills.
The old woman left satisfied, saying, "Young lady, please ask me for directions next time."
Ye Chuqing disagreed with Shen Muqing's approach, saying, "Why is Qingqing giving her so many? One is enough."
“At first I didn’t want to give it to her either. Look at her hoe and her physique, I was afraid she would hit me if I didn’t give it to her.”
Ye Chuqing laughed out loud, surprised by this reason. "I thought you were being a saint and pitying people."
"How could that be? I'm poor myself, you know."
The old man, who had been called by the old woman, came out carrying a wine bottle. "Who's looking for my daughter?"
Shen Muqing: "Hello, Uncle. We are Anning's college classmates. We have some urgent matters to discuss with her."
Old Man An looked to be in his fifties or sixties. He had thinning hair, a slightly hunched back, dark and rough skin, a face full of wrinkles, and narrow, small eyes.
He scrutinized the two of them with the same eye one would use to appraise an item, and only spoke after a long while:
"You've come to see our girl? Come in, come in!"
Shen Muqing and his companion went inside. The house was fairly tidy, and it was clear that the owner lived a life of care and attention.
Old Man An poured each of them a glass of water, his face all scrunched up.
“An Ning is still working outside and won’t be back for a while. Please have a seat.”
"Chunfeng, quickly cook two dishes to entertain the guests."
A woman who had weathered many storms walked out. She looked to be under fifty, but upon closer inspection, one could tell that she must have been very beautiful in her youth, for she carried the shadow of An Ning.
With the arrival of Anning's mother, Shen Muqing and Ye Chuqing felt a little more at ease.
Shen Muqing's dress revealed her fair and tender legs, which Old Man An brazenly stared at without restraint where they couldn't see, his eyes filled with lewdness.
After sitting and waiting for a long time, Shen Muqing also got thirsty and took a sip from his bowl. Ye Chuqing also took several sips.
Old Man An's eyes gleamed, and his smile grew increasingly pronounced.
However, the two of them were still unaware and continued to sit and wait for Anning.
It was already seven o'clock in the evening. Ji Yan sat in the spot where Shen Muqing usually sat, without turning on the light, the light in his eyes dimming as time passed.
He took out his phone to check Shen Muqing's location. Seeing that she was very far away from him, he stopped trying to hide his feelings.
Make a phone call.
The voice on the other end said, "Young Master, you've finally contacted us."
Ji Yan moved his lips: "Send me a team of men."
"Yes, young master."
He wanted to personally capture the runaway girl. Did she think she could escape?
Perhaps due to excessive excitement, Ji Yan trembled all over, like a demon returned from hell, the seal broken, the demon whispering...
"Qingqing, you'd better run away. I'm really looking forward to seeing your expression."
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