escape
After being soaked by rain overnight, the rugged dirt road became loose and soft. With each step, the edges of your shoes would be covered in yellow mud, and the road surface was full of puddles.
Yu Xi was only wearing a thin jacket. Her shoes and trouser legs were already soaked by the floodwater and covered in yellow mud. She dared not listen for a moment, nor dared to look back. She could only keep running forward.
It was as if they would be safe once they ran out of that village.
She couldn't forget what happened last night; the painful memories lingered in her mind, impossible to erase.
She was a well-known child in the orphanage for her eccentric personality and reluctance to get close to people. Parents who came to choose children could easily find out about her by asking around.
Even when the child reached junior high school age, no family was willing to raise him.
Watching her peers being taken away one by one, Yu Xi wasn't worried at all; it suited her perfectly. She would grow up here, and after turning 18 and getting into university, she could start her own life. Even without her parents' support, it wouldn't bother her.
After all, she had long been used to bearing everything alone.
But on this day, a couple came. As usual, Yu Xi hid by the window, pretending to play cat's cradle, but actually eavesdropping on the conversation between the headmistress and them.
"We came here this time hoping to find a girl to adopt," the woman said, wiping away her tears. "To be honest, I've always wanted a girl, but I just can't get pregnant."
"We had no other choice, so we thought of coming here to take a look."
The dean nodded and refilled their empty cups with tea. "I understand how you two feel, so I wanted to come and see the girls today, right?"
"Yes, yes, yes," the woman replied repeatedly, while the man who had been mostly silent just kept fidgeting with his fingers, a hint of impatience showing on his face.
“As you said, most of the girls around 10 years old here have been adopted, and some of the children are still very young.” As the director spoke, she suddenly thought of Yu Xi, who had always wanted to find a home for this child and someone who could love her.
So she said, "Choices are always a two-way street; it depends on whether the child is willing. We also have a girl who fits your age requirements, but it depends on whether she's willing."
Upon hearing this, Yu Xi ran out.
She stayed here indefinitely, and even Chen Miao was adopted by a couple. There were no children her age here anymore; the older children looked down on her for being childish and didn't want to play with her.
Those younger than her were somewhat afraid of her, and they almost all avoided her in groups.
Over time, Yu Xi gradually began to live a monotonous life, going to class, eating, and returning to her dormitory, without anyone to talk to.
How could she not feel lonely? This loneliness grew stronger with time, and her emotions gradually became numb.
Yu Xi also knew that if she were adopted, perhaps the director would worry less.
Thinking of this, she stopped and walked around the path directly to the three of them.
The dean watched with some surprise as she climbed over the bushes, then smiled and explained to the couple, "This is the child I told you about. She's not usually like this; she's just a little naughty. Kids are all like that."
The moment the woman saw Yu Xi, she quickened her pace to stand in front of her, circled around her, and looked her up and down as if she were a product, a satisfied smile on her face.
"This girl is lovely, she's really pretty."
Seeing that she was full of praise for Yu Xi, the dean thought to herself that Yu Xi had finally found a family willing to adopt her and that she could have a place to belong.
"Yes, our Xiaoyu is the prettiest girl here. She's also very sensible and has helped me with a lot of chores."
The woman nodded repeatedly, then turned to the man who was ignoring her and said, "What do you think? Isn't this girl exceptionally nice?"
The man waved his hand, "I don't know. You two will be spending more time together in the future. I'll be out earning money. If you think it's good, we'll take her back."
Hearing his answer, the woman laughed even more happily and reached out to take Yu Xi's hand, but he quickly dodged it.
The dean quickly said, "The child is a little shy since we just met."
"It's okay, you'll get used to it as you get to know each other better."
The woman chimed in, "Yes, you're right, I was too hasty."
"We also need to hear what the child has to say. Only if both parties are willing will we allow the child to go back with you," the dean said, looking at Yu Xi.
She knew Yu Xi was somewhat averse to these people who came to adopt children, and she hadn't said a word since she arrived. Normally, Yu Xi would have turned and left the moment she saw them.
But this time, she didn't. She just stood there, her backpack still containing the gift she received at that birthday party—a doll wearing a pink tutu.
"I agree to go with them," Yu Xi said abruptly, never imagining that six months later she would regret saying it.
"Oh, that's perfect." The woman hurriedly took out the documents she had prepared in advance from her bag, and pulled the dean towards the front yard. "Tell me how to proceed, and we will fully cooperate."
"I will treat this child as my own daughter from now on, and I will definitely not mistreat her."
"As you know, I only have one son in my family, and I've always wanted a daughter."
Yu Xi had no interest in listening to what they were saying anymore. She turned around and went back to her dormitory to pack her own luggage. When she was finally packing, she was surprised to find that all the things she had been able to take with her over the years could be packed into just one duffel bag.
——
As she gradually transitioned from the bustling city to the quiet mountain village road, she followed her new parents, traveling from a car to a bus, and then to a tricycle they flagged down from a fellow villager, enduring a bumpy journey until they finally arrived at what they called home.
For Yu Xi, it makes no difference whether she is adopted by a rich family or an ordinary family; each has its own advantages and disadvantages. All she needs is a place where she can eat and sleep.
But she didn't expect that the house where the couple lived was so dirty and messy. The moment she entered, the yard was littered with trash, and the main hall was dark because the lights were off.
Clothes were piled up in the corner of the bedroom, and the kitchen was even worse. Because of years of cooking, the grease and grime hadn't been cleaned up and were all piled up on the walls and kitchen utensils, making them greasy and difficult to clean if touched.
Inside the main hall, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties was playing a game on his phone, with the game sounds coming from the speaker.
Yu Xi hated this environment from the bottom of her heart.
Being poor is not an excuse for not cleaning and making everything dirty.
She couldn't imagine how busy the two of them must be to live like this in such a dirty and chaotic environment.
The boy, who was playing a game, hadn't even glanced at them since they entered. It wasn't until the woman stepped forward and snatched the phone from his hand that he exploded in anger, "What are you doing? Don't you understand promotion matches? My hard-earned rank is about to drop."
"Stop playing games! Look at you, you didn't even bother to pick us up at the village entrance when we got back!" the woman complained, letting him snatch the phone away.
"What's the point of answering?" the boy said, then continued playing his game with his head down.
The woman grabbed him by the ear and dragged him in front of Yu Xi, saying, "Look who I brought back!"
He then looked up at Yu Xi and clicked his tongue, "She's too young, just a little girl. Why did you bring her back?"
"Her name is Yu Xi, and she'll be your sister from now on." The woman said, leading the girl into the house. "No, you'll be taking our surname from now on, so you'll need to change your name."
Yu Xi shook off her hand and retorted, "No way, this is the name my parents gave me, I won't change it."
"You brat, I kindly adopted you and changed your name, and you're still not happy about it."
Yu Xi didn't listen to what she was saying. Since she couldn't leave on her own, she had no choice but to run outside and squat down in the corner.
At that moment, she clearly understood that the days ahead were definitely not going to be easy.
From the moment she entered this house, the woman strictly forbade her from studying, only allowing her to help with farm work, and keeping a close eye on her every day.
Half a year passed in this way. Yu Xi resisted countless times, but to no avail.
This place is remote, and the people living here still hold feudal ideas. They believe that girls shouldn't study too much, that studying is meaningless, and that they will all get married sooner or later anyway, so studying so much is just a waste of money.
Yu Xi knew she was being held hostage and had no way to escape. Then one day, when she was bringing them food as usual, she overheard their conversation outside the door.
"I think the age is just right. Let's get things done as soon as possible to avoid any unforeseen problems."
The man complained, "This girl is too young. Is she suitable to marry our son?"
“Look, our son really likes her. Besides, that girl is cunning. In a couple of years, once she's familiar with this place, you'll know when she runs away.”
"We can't do that. What if someone from the orphanage comes to investigate?"
“You said she’s an orphan, who’s going to support her? Even if those people find out, what can they do? How much does it cost to get a wife these days? It’s better to get a clean one like this from the start, and after a year or two I can finally have a grandson.”
Yu Xi stood at the door, unable to listen any longer.
She had considered all the worst possible outcomes, but she never dared to think about it. Having never experienced such dangers, she never imagined that this family could do something so unscrupulous.
From the very beginning, the purpose of adopting a girl from the orphanage was solely to make her a child bride.
Yu Xi's desire to escape intensified. Taking advantage of the opportunity to bring them food, she crushed the fruit that could cause temporary paralysis, which she had seen in her textbook, and put it into the bowls of the three of them.
She acted extremely naturally, constantly reminding herself that if she failed, she would lose her chance to escape and would be locked up here forever.
"Dinner's ready." Yu Xi called out as usual. The boy who had been playing games walked over angrily, grabbed her hair, and said, "What are you yelling for? We lost the game, it's all your fault."
The woman pushed him away, scolding him, "What are you doing? Don't hit people so easily, what if you hurt them?"
"Quickly, sit down and eat."
That day, Yu Xi was grateful for the books she had read in the orphanage, and also grateful that she could run very far under the cover of night.
She didn't have a winter coat, and was wearing a thin jacket that was clearly too big for her. She had been running all night, her shoes were completely soaked, and her pants were torn.
The cold wind blew relentlessly against her body. She didn't know how far she had run, but she dared not stop for a moment, dared not take the main road, and could only run forward along the rugged path.
Around noon, she arrived at a cemetery, hungry and thirsty, and had no idea where to go.
A person who felt hopeless was about to throw herself into the icy lake when the person who would later become her love would envelop her like a warm flame and pull her ashore.
It gave her hope to live again.
These memories are etched in her mind, and she can never forget them.
——
“Yu Xi, you’re not coming out, are you? You’re just hiding there, aren’t you?” The woman said as she struggled. “I know which elementary school your son goes to. I think he’ll be very happy to see his grandmother every time he goes to and from school.”
“If I can’t see you, I’ll go see my grandson. He’s never been to his grandmother’s house before, and I think he’ll definitely come with me.” The woman knew that Yu Xi valued Meng Qingze highly, and she knew exactly how to hit Yu Xi’s sore spot.
Yu Xi pushed open the office door, walked towards her, and amidst the probing gazes of everyone, slapped her across the face.
Before the woman could speak, she bluntly said, "If you want to call the police or file a lawsuit, that's fine with me. I'm ready anytime!"
"You... don't think that just because you've become a big boss, I won't dare to hit you. You've really gone too far!" The woman said, raising her hand to strike her.
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