An Yuan'er always felt that this gaze belonged to Yi Chenli.
She turned her head suddenly several times, but there was clearly nothing behind her.
She thought about it for a moment. Yi Chen was far away in Shengjing, so how could he appear in a remote town? She must be overthinking it and hallucinating.
She put aside all distractions and focused intently on playing marbles.
Boys all like to gather around her.
"So your name is Yuan'er. Your name is so beautiful."
"What kind of place is Shengjing? Are there lots of delicious foods there?"
"Yuan'er is so beautiful. She's even more beautiful than Cuizhen, the prettiest girl in town."
An Yuan'er replied to them very patiently.
However, the closer the boys got, the stronger the gaze from behind became.
It was even a bit eerie.
An Yuan'er shivered slightly. "How strange. I have a feeling it's..."
The gazes from behind were too torturous, and An Yuan'er had had enough fun, so she said, "It's too late. If I don't go back soon, my father will worry about me."
The boys were reluctant to part, but they couldn't go against An Yuan'er's wishes.
"Yuan'er, here's a sandbag for you."
"You can have my slingshot too."
"And my toy gun, wooden sword..."
The boys all gave their most prized gifts to An Yuan'er.
An Yuan'er couldn't hold it all in both hands, and she hesitated before saying, "These are the prizes you won playing marbles. Can I really accept them?"
The boy smiled brightly and nodded at her.
These boys were rugged-looking, their cheeks tanned from being out in the sun every day, but they were simple-minded, and these gifts were just a way for them to express their goodwill.
An Yuan'er didn't refuse everyone's kindness: "Thank you. Let's play together again tomorrow."
An Yuan'er returned to the Yan family with a large pile of gifts.
When I returned to the Yan family home, the dishes had already been washed.
An Huaishou was helping with farm work in the yard when An Yuan'er ran up to him quickly.
"Brother, the boys here are so friendly. They all like Yuan'er so much and have given her so many gifts!"
An Yuan'er's little face was flushed with excitement as she ran around the yard.
An Huaishou said matter-of-factly, "Because our Yuan'er is a likable girl by nature!"
An Yuan'er then asked, "Does brother also like Yuan'er?"
The little girl opened her big eyes, expectantly awaiting the answer.
“Silly Yuan’er, although we have been separated for many years, I have always been thinking of you. I still remember the day I left home. I don’t know if you had a premonition that I was leaving, but you kept crying and making a fuss, and I couldn’t comfort you no matter what I did.”
An Yuan'er touched her nose shyly: "So Yuan'er has always been a crybaby. But brother is going home soon, and Yuan'er will never be separated from brother again."
An Huaishou smiled and nodded: "Yes. Brother will be there for Yuan'er as she grows up."
Cuizhen hid behind the door, watching the harmonious scene between the brother and sister, and quietly left with a sullen face.
She returned to her room and saw the gifts An Yuan'er had received.
She recognized Erniu's slingshot at a glance. She had asked Erniu for it before when they played together, but Erniu had never been willing to give it to her.
Now, it's actually been given to An Yuan'er, whom I met on the very first day.
Just because she's a pretty city girl? Cuizhen was unhappy.
She picked up a pair of small scissors and secretly cut the leather strap of the slingshot.
She can't play with it, and she can't let An Yuan'er play with it either.
Cuizhen reached into her pocket, took out the small flower bracelet that An Yuan'er had given her, and put it on.
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