“My dad and I returned to the city last week.”
"Seven years have passed since my father was reported and sent to the countryside. In those seven years, all sorts of things have happened, big and small. Every time, I felt... that I might not make it through... so be it..." As she spoke, Dong Ya's expression showed emotions that were sometimes painful and sometimes numb. Perhaps she was blaming the unlucky world, or perhaps she was blaming her bad luck.
"But thankfully... this day has finally come..." As Dong Ya spoke, tears welled up in her eyes, but they didn't fall. A smile graced her face, as if she had found relief or reconciliation.
She was probably only a few years older than her, and seven of her beautiful youth had been wasted on increasingly heavy labor. Looking at the original female lead's feigned strength, Wen Ruan couldn't describe her own feelings at that moment.
When Song Yan learned that Dong Shuangqun was in relatively good health and had regained her original identity to return to Tsinghua University to teach, he was very happy for his teacher, who had finally seen this day of hope.
During her time in the countryside, Dong Ya was only seventeen years old. She was forced to grow up gradually, from an innocent girl who didn't have to worry about anything, and witnessed the coldness and warmth of the world.
When Dong Shuangqun was first reported and demoted, her usually gentle and dignified mother immediately published a notice in the newspaper announcing her divorce from her father and severing ties with him. She then turned around and married the culprit who caused all of this.
Even her younger sister, who used to be clever and obedient and always acted cute and charming, seemed to have grown up overnight and chose to stay by her mother's side.
At the time, Dong Yan was still young, so Dong Ya didn't blame her. But when she learned that her younger sister had recognized a thief as her father and treated that revolutionary committee director better than her own father, Dong Ya couldn't help but hate her.
For seven whole years, neither my mother nor my younger sister ever wrote a single letter on their own initiative, nor even asked someone to pass on a message...
Fortunately, some of my father's former students secretly provided assistance. In particular, there was a time when my father had a high fever for two consecutive days and tried everything to bring it down. Finally, they secretly contacted Song Yan, who sent him fever-reducing pills overnight, and my father was able to recover.
Thinking of this, a burly figure flashed through his mind. He always had a kind smile on his face, but only Dong Ya knew very well that he was shrewd and calculating.
Chen Jianwei... Is he alright...? Dong Ya was momentarily stunned.
Over the past few years, Song Yan had been secretly looking after his mentor, especially since their assigned area was in Haishi, very close to his elder brother Song Heng's post. He would sometimes ask his brother to provide as much assistance as possible...
Song Yan was also very happy about the successful exoneration of the two men.
Finally, Song Yan and Dong Ya agreed that they would visit their mentor the following afternoon.
The group quickly said goodbye...
On the way home, Wen Ruan remained silent. She watched Song Yan, immersed in the joy of his mentor's exoneration. She knew she shouldn't be like this, but she couldn't help wondering if he was simply happy because of Dong Shuangqun, or because of Dong Ya...
After washing up that evening, as she lay in bed, Song Yan pulled Wen Ruan into his arms. Wen Ruan felt uncomfortable and tried to push him away...
"What's wrong, Ruan Ruan? I noticed you didn't eat much for dinner tonight. Are you feeling unwell?" Song Yan asked with concern, his eyes almost overflowing with worry.
Wen Ruan felt she couldn't act this way, but it would be a lie to say she didn't mind meeting the original female lead today. After all, Song Yan and Dong Ya were married in the original book, and she didn't know how Song Yan truly felt about Dong Ya... Song Yan was such a responsible person; would he really agree to marry someone...?
Wen Ruan felt she couldn't think any further, but her mind seemed to be slipping out of her control...
If the two really did elope and get married because of love after the original owner, then what would her appearance mean? Wen Ruan was somewhat conflicted.
"It's nothing, I'm not feeling unwell, I just don't have much of an appetite today. It's probably because I've been working hard writing these past few days. I'll be fine after a rest." Wen Ruan didn't dare to look Song Yan in the eye, and just stared intently at his chest.
"Okay, then you should get some rest. What would you like to eat for breakfast tomorrow? I'll make it in advance." Song Yan patted Wen Ruan's back as if to comfort her.
"Anything is fine, just do whatever you think is best." After saying that, Wen Ruan closed her eyes, not wanting to say anything more.
After seeing Wen Ruan close her eyes, Song Yan quickly turned off the light as well.
The room was dark...
Wen Ruan rolled over, opened her eyes, and stared at the ceiling, her mind flashing back to the events of the past few months since she transmigrated...
She gradually heard even breathing beside her, then turned to look at Song Yan, who was fast asleep. Her eyes were filled with complex emotions. After a long while, Wen Ruan finally fell asleep.
The next morning, Wen Ruan heard Song Yan getting up early, followed by a series of footsteps in the courtyard. Unable to bear the disturbance, Wen Ruan got up and left her room.
"Ruan Ruan, wake up. Did I wake you up? We're going to visit Teacher Dong later, and I was thinking of preparing the gifts for our visit in advance."
"Do you want to eat now, or go back to sleep for a while?" Song Yan asked apologetically.
Wen Ruan's mood suddenly turned sour again: "No need, let's eat now."
Then, ignoring Song Yan behind him, he walked towards the restaurant.
After the two finished packing and picked up the various gifts prepared by Song Yan, they arrived at the Dong family's house at around 2 p.m.
Wen Ruan could tell at a glance that Song Yan valued this visit very much. Just looking at the various gifts he carried, including cigarettes, alcohol, and tea, it seemed that Dong Shuangqun did indeed hold a certain place in his heart.
When the two arrived at the Dong family's residence, Dong Shuangqun was already prepared and hadn't gone anywhere, just waiting for his prized disciple to arrive.
After Dong Shuangqun was exonerated, the authorities returned the courtyard that had been confiscated from the Dong family. The courtyard was not far from Tsinghua University and had a very advantageous location.
Song Yan knocked on the door, and Dong Ya quickly opened it. The staff at their post office didn't have fixed holidays; they had to take turns working each week. Dong Ya had specifically changed her holiday to Sunday.
Dong Ya greeted the two warmly, urging Song Yan and his companion to come in quickly. Seeing the items they were carrying, she scolded them, "Why did you bring things when you came to my house? My dad will definitely scold you when he sees this."
As soon as he finished speaking, a thin, middle-aged man with almost half-white hair walked out of the room. He was wearing a white shirt that was ironed very neatly, and his hair was also meticulously styled. Despite the long period of suffering he had endured, his refined and peaceful demeanor remained undiminished.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com