Chapter 40 The handwriting is really ugly
"Mom, stop talking..." The third sister's voice seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth, trembling with a hint of despair, like a trapped beast forced into a corner.
Mother Sun wanted to howl again, but when she met the murderous look in her third sister's eyes, she was like a duck with its neck strangled, and she swallowed back the rest of her words.
She felt so aggrieved, but no matter how aggrieved she was, it couldn't outweigh her fear of her third sister's secret.
The feeling was like swallowing a fly, making her feel sick.
Xu Yao watched the interaction between the mother and daughter, sneered in her heart, but remained expressionless on her face. She just glanced at Sun Zhiqiang indifferently.
That look was like looking at a clown, full of disdain and contempt.
Sun Zhiqiang felt uneasy when he saw her looking at him. He opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but when the words came to his lips, he swallowed them back.
He knew that it was useless to say anything now, the marriage was cancelled!
He was like a deflated ball, slumped in his chair, with empty eyes and a look of despair on his face.
Seeing this, the director of the street office coughed lightly, breaking the awkward silence.
He pushed his reading glasses on his nose and said slowly, "Since both parties have no objection, let's go through the procedures for canceling the engagement according to the regulations."
As he spoke, he took out two forms from the drawer and handed them to Xu Yao and Sun Zhiqiang: "Here, fill this out."
Xu Yao took the form and glanced at it. It contained nothing but some personal information and reasons for breaking off the engagement.
She picked up the pen and began to write quickly. The tip of the pen scratched across the paper, making a rustling sound, as if announcing her complete break with the past.
Sun Zhiqiang was also filling out the form mechanically. His hands were shaking and his handwriting was crooked, like earthworms.
Every time he wrote a word, he felt like he was cutting his own flesh, and the pain made him grimaced.
"Hey, Zhiqiang, your handwriting is too ugly, isn't it? How about I help you write it?" An enthusiastic old lady nearby couldn't bear to watch it anymore and couldn't help but speak up.
Sun Zhiqiang looked up at her, his eyes full of gratitude, but the words that came to his lips turned into: "No, thank you." He didn't want to create any more trouble.
"Tsk tsk, what a pity, such a good girl is ruined by your family." Another aunt shook her head, her tone full of regret.
"That's right. These days, it's rare to find a girl as good as Xu Yao. I don't know what kind of luck the Sun family has that they don't even know how to cherish her!"
"That's right, you're still thinking about climbing up the social ladder all day long, but you don't even take a piss to look at yourself. Are you worthy?"
The onlookers were talking at the same time, and their words showed sympathy for Xu Yao and contempt for the Sun family.
Xu Yao seemed not to hear and concentrated on filling out the form.
She knew that these discussions were the best support for her and the best punishment for the Sun family.
Finally, the form was completed.
The director of the subdistrict office took the form, checked it carefully, and after confirming that it was correct, he took out his seal and stamped it with a "click".
"Okay, the divorce procedures are completed. From now on, you two will have no relationship at all." The director's voice was solemn and dignified, as if announcing the end of an ill-fated relationship.
Xu Yao took the form that belonged to her and held it tightly in her hand. She felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted off her shoulders and her whole body was relaxed.
She raised her head and looked out the window. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing, and the air was filled with the smell of freedom.
She took a deep breath and felt like she was reborn.
Walking out of the street office, Xu Yao saw Xue Han standing at the door.
He still had that stern look on his face, with his hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall like a sculpture.
Seeing Xu Yao coming out, Xue Han's mouth corners slightly raised, revealing a barely perceptible smile.
He stretched out his long legs and walked towards Xu Yao.
"Congratulations, you are finally free." Xue Han's voice was low and magnetic, like the bass of a cello, creating ripples on the lake of Xu Yao's heart.
Xu Yao looked at him, feeling an inexplicable emotion in her heart.
There is gratitude, relief, and a hint of...an indescribable emotion.
She smiled, nodded, and said softly, "Thank you."
In the sunshine, Xu Yao's smile was bright and brilliant, like a ray of sunshine in winter, warming Xue Han's heart.
He looked at her with deep eyes, as if he wanted to carve her into his soul.
"Let's go." Xue Han's low voice, like a bullet wrapped in honey, hit Xu Yao's heart unexpectedly.
Xu Yao's heart skipped a beat and her cheeks flushed slightly, like the first blooming peach blossoms in March, delicate and a little shy.
She hummed softly, her voice as soft and sticky as freshly-baked marshmallows, sweet enough to touch Xue Han's heart.
The two walked side by side, the sunlight shining on them, casting two long shadows, like a perfect couple, slowly moving forward in the golden halo.
A breeze blew by, and Xu Yao's hair fluttered gently, with a faint scent of shampoo, which vaguely tickled Xue Han's nose.
He couldn't help but turn his head to look at her, and saw that she had a smile on her lips and curved eyebrows, like a kitten that had eaten honey, satisfied and comfortable.
Xue Han's heart also softened, like ripples on a lake brushed by the spring breeze.
He wanted to say something, but when the words came to his lips, they turned into: "Um... do you want to go to the supply and marketing cooperative to hang out? To celebrate your... rebirth."
"Okay!" Xu Yao agreed readily, her voice as clear as a wind chime, pleasant to the ears.
She had long wanted to visit the supply and marketing cooperative. Supply and marketing cooperatives in that era were rare places. The things sold there were all in-demand goods that were supplied with tickets!
The two of them arrived at the supply and marketing cooperative. As soon as they entered the door, they heard an enthusiastic greeting: "Hey, isn't this Xu Yao! What a rare guest! Come in and take a look. What do you want to buy?"
The person who spoke was Aunt Wang, a salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative. She was a kind-hearted person and helped Xu Yao a lot.
Seeing Xu Yao coming, he was even more enthusiastic.
Xu Yao smiled and responded: "Auntie Wang, I'm just here to take a look."
Aunt Wang looked Xu Yao up and down and praised her, "Oh, Xu Yao, you look so energetic today! Your complexion is as rosy as a peach! It seems that people are in high spirits when they are happy. This is absolutely true!"
As she spoke, she glanced at Xue Han who was standing next to Xu Yao. A hint of understanding flashed in her eyes, and she said with a smile: "This is... your boyfriend, right? He's so handsome! You can tell at first glance that he's a reliable guy!"
Xu Yao's face flushed instantly, and she quickly waved her hands to explain: "Auntie Wang, you misunderstood. This is my friend, Xue Han."
Xue Han also nodded slightly as a greeting.
Aunt Wang didn't care about that and continued to say with a smile: "Friends are good, friends are good! Friends get along well, and they will become lovers! I think you two are a good match!"
Xu Yao was so amused by her words that she had to change the subject: "Auntie Wang, do you have any new goods here? I want to buy something."
Aunt Wang perked up when she heard this, and pulled Xu Yao towards the counter: "Yes, yes, yes! We just got a batch of Dacron fabrics, as well as malted milk, brown sugar, White Rabbit candy... Just tell me what you want!"
Xu Yao's eyes lit up when she looked at the dazzling array of merchandise.
This was an era of material scarcity, and being able to buy so many good things was even more exciting than winning the lottery!
She picked out a few things she needed and bought a pack of cigarettes for Xue Han.
Xue Han wanted to pay, but was stopped by Xu Yao: "It was agreed that I would treat you to celebrate my new life. How could you rush to pay?"
Xue Han looked at her insistent look, smiled helplessly, and had to give up.
The two of them walked out of the supply and marketing cooperative carrying large and small bags, and Xu Yao felt particularly happy.
She felt like a huge mountain had been lifted off her shoulders and she felt relaxed all over.
The picture of a new life is slowly unfolding before her, full of hope and beauty.
She turned to look at Xue Han. The sunlight shone on his face, casting a soft halo on his cold features.
She suddenly felt that this man wasn't that cold...
"Um...Xue Han," Xu Yao said softly, "Thank you for accompanying me today."
Xue Han looked at her with deep eyes and a slight smile on his lips: "You're welcome. I... am also very happy."
"By the way, where do you live? I'll take you home." Xue Han added, breaking the subtle atmosphere between the two.
Xu Yao was stunned for a moment, then gave her home address. Then, she seemed to suddenly remember something and asked inexplicably: "What about you... where do you live?"
Xue Han looked at her, a mischievous smile flashed across his eyes, and he slowly said, "I live in..."
The voice stopped abruptly before he finished speaking.
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