"Ningning! Can you please stop bullying me? I have no family left, and no one to stand up for me."
I'm so unlucky! Countless times I've wanted to give up on life! But I don't have the courage to die.
I wish I had been eaten by the monster with my parents. Why did Wu Gang have to save me?
He forced me, coerced me into becoming his wife. I couldn't fight him, so I had no choice but to live with him.
Liu Yan sobbed as she recounted her ordeal in fits and starts, which deeply saddened Jian Ning.
I wiped away her tears with my hand.
"Yan Yan, don't cry. You've met me this time, so I'm like family to you. What are you thinking now? If you don't want to be with him anymore, I can help you move out on your own."
“Ningning, I know you mean well, but I can’t leave him. Wu Gang will beat me to death.”
I'm pregnant with his child again. What will happen to the child if I leave? I can't let him be born without a father, can I?
"What can I say to you?" Jian Ning could only sigh after hearing Liu Yan's words.
She doesn't want to separate, so she'd rather endure being beaten and scolded herself. What can she do? As the old saying goes, it's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage.
Although Liu Yan and Wu Gang did not register their marriage, it was still a de facto marriage, and she couldn't persuade them otherwise.
"Then take good care of yourself. In about twenty minutes, come out and wait for me behind the house over there. I'll bring you some food."
"Let me make this clear first, this is just for you, it has nothing to do with Wu Gang's family. You'll eat it yourself later, I'll go home and get it for you. Don't forget."
After Jian Ning finished speaking, she walked quickly toward the villa area without waiting for Liu Yan to refuse.
"Honey, what did your friend say to you?" Before Liu Yan could even return to the house...
Wu Gang came out, grabbed her arm, and asked.
His attitude towards Liu Yan has improved significantly now. Having an acquaintance like Liu Yan here will definitely bring him some benefits. Liu Yan is still somewhat useful.
"We just caught up, nothing much was said." Liu Yan said, instinctively shrinking back. She was even a little scared when she was talking to Wu Gang normally.
"Then you go back to your room and help Mom tidy up the house. I'll go look around and see if we can get some food or something."
"We've come all this way to seek refuge with them, we can't be left with nothing, can we?" Wu Gang said, walking towards the army's barracks.
Liu Yan then lowered his head and walked into the house. As soon as he stepped over the threshold, a tattered rag with holes was thrown at his head.
"Hurry up and go wipe the stove. My son will bring back some grain so we can cook."
Do you still think you're some rich heiress? You have absolutely no sense of propriety.
The old lady sat cross-legged on the only clean spot on the kang (a heated brick bed), pointed at Liu Yan's nose, and glared at her while cursing and yelling at her to do the work.
Liu Yan gave a soft "hmm," squatted down to pick up the rag that had fallen to the ground, and walked out with his head down.
"Look at her pathetic state, it's so annoying to look at. You guys hurry up and clean up, otherwise no one can sleep."
The old lady is all talk. In this house, she's the one who has the final say, and everyone has to listen to her.
Liu Yan was outside with a tattered rag, which had no water, so he just used it to wipe the ashes off the stove.
She figured it was almost time Jian Ning had mentioned. She threw down the rag and headed outside. Seeing Jian Ning today had given her a sense of security.
She was no longer so afraid of Wu Gang's family, because she had a way out.
When I got to the back of the house that Jian Ning had mentioned, I saw that she was already waiting there. There was a small folding table and two stools on the ground.
On the table was a large plate of braised pork and a lunchbox of rice.
Next to it was a large bowl filled with black chicken soup, which was probably stewed with medicinal herbs.
It had a faint medicinal aroma, and there was also a cold cucumber and tofu skin salad. The bright green color looked very appetizing.
"Yan Yan, sit down and eat. This is a soup my mother-in-law specially made for you to help you recover. Your body is very weak, and the baby in your belly also needs nutrition."
Jian Ning pulled her to sit down and handed him the chopsticks.
"Thank you, Ningning, thank you. I..." Liu Yan choked up, not knowing what to say for a moment.
"Why are you being so polite with me? Aren't we best friends? You've helped me a lot before, so eat up. It'll get cold soon."
Liu Yan stopped being polite, picked up his chopsticks and soup bowl, and drank it in big gulps. This black chicken soup was really delicious, and the medicinal herbs in it must be very nourishing.
She had only taken two sips when she felt a warm sensation in her lower abdomen, and her fatigue seemed to have lessened considerably. She didn't know if it was the soup's effect or if she was hallucinating because of the food.
She was so hungry that she ate every last bite of the food. Her belly was bulging from being so full.
"Ningning, I'm full."
"Wipe your mouth. Drink some water, and don't let them see you eating," Jian Ning said, taking a thermos from a bag on the ground and handing it to Liu Yan.
It contained soaked goji berries and rock sugar, making it sweet and delicious. It wasn't too hot to drink either, and Liu Yan gulped it all down in one go.
After a satisfying meal today, I feel refreshed and have a lot more energy.
"I have to go back, otherwise the old lady won't be able to find me and I'll get scolded again."
Ningning, I won't say much more in thanks.
Liu Yan stood up and gave Jian Ning a tight hug. Then, with tears in his eyes, he turned and left.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would start crying again. She had already cried enough today. From now on, Liu Yan's life should only be filled with laughter and happiness.
For the sake of her child, she will have to endure it for a while longer.
Once she has established herself here, she will no longer tolerate it.
Jian Ning watched Liu Yan's thin figure disappear into the distance and sighed.
Her life has truly taken a completely different turn, but compared to those who have died, she is still lucky. At least she is alive, and as long as she is alive, there is hope.
I put all the bowls, chopsticks, and tables away and then went back to my own home.
As soon as I entered the yard, I heard the cheerful laughter of Jian Anping's children next door, which instantly lifted my spirits.
Pushing open the small door and walking over, I saw not only Tie Dan and Hu Tou, but even Huang Fugui had turned into a child, playing on the slide.
They were laughing louder than anyone else; it seems this simple children's playground is very popular with the kids.
"Xiao Ning, you've done a great job! These two rascals haven't wanted to stay indoors for even a moment since they got this toy. What will they do in winter?"
As soon as Li Mengyao saw her come in, she smiled and said something.
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