In the evening, while the family was having dinner, Chen Rong quickly packed a few clothes and snuck out.
However, for a mont, she had no idea where she should go.
Her feet instinctively moved forward, and when she stopped, she found herself at the entrance of the Su Family’s courtyard.
Through the wooden gate’s railing gaps, she could vaguely see the gradually decaying appearance of the Su Family’s small courtyard.
That’s how houses in the countryside are; as soon as they’re uninhabited for a while, the liveliness quickly disappears, and the house becos dilapidated.
At this mont, the Su Family’s small courtyard was in such a condition.
The unattended courtyard was overgrown with weeds. Several consecutive rains recently had spread the damp air, allowing moss to flourish.
The unused stone slabs were covered in a greenish hue.
Startled, Chen Rong retreated several steps, clutching her bundle tightly, and turned around to run.
Just peeking inside from the entrance, the Su Family’s small courtyard shrouded in shadows looked like a monster ready to devour her.
Already harboring guilt in her heart, Chen Rong felt a chill crawling up her back.
This was due to her subconscious habits.
Previously, whenever she suffered grievances at ho or outside, she would always co to the Su Family to seek comfort from Su Xiaoi.
And then... Su Xiaoi would secretly slip a sweet milk candy into her mouth.
That taste lingered endlessly...
The obscure sadness in her heart would also slowly dissolve like the milk candy lting in her mouth.
When did this simple happiness begin to fade away?
This question, Chen Rong couldn’t answer.
When she gradually took Su Xiaoi’s kindness for granted.
Or perhaps when she lanted the unequal fate between people?
They were friends, yet they were worlds apart. Was that fair?
Earlier, when Second Brother Su suspected her, she felt a bit regretful, just out of guilt-induced fear.
But now, a genuine trace of regret surfaced in Chen Rong’s heart.
If Su Xiaoi were still around, she would surely drag her into a room, help her figure things out, and then give her lots of good food.
But now, all of that was gone.
Previously, Mrs. Chen knew her daughter could obtain many precious things from Su Xiaoi, so her attitude was sowhat tolerant, at least not as harsh as it was now.
Although Chen Rong’s days at ho weren’t great, they were not too bad either.
But now... as a spoiled, useless girl, how could Mrs. Chen treat her well?
Shutting off the tumultuous emotions in her mind, Chen Rong bit her lip, turned on her heel, and ran towards Zhang Village.
------
Earlier, hearing his father say that things were nearly settled, Zhang Yang’s anxious heart finally felt relieved.
Once he put down the heavy thoughts, his spirits imdiately revived.
His previously thin body also recovered bit by bit.
Now, Zhang’s mother was already urging him to return to school.
The school year was about to start, and Zhang’s mother had long since packed her son’s luggage.
"Yang, you need to prepare to buy a ticket. Let know in advance when you’re returning to the city, and I’ll have your father send you off. The suitcase is too heavy; let your father help you carry it."
Upon hearing Mrs. Zhang’s constant chatter about returning to the city, Zhang Yang’s previously relaxed mood vanished.
Frustrated, he ruffled his hair, racking his brains to co up with a way to temporarily brush it aside.
Surely he couldn’t say that he had no money, not even enough for the new sester’s tuition fees?
The family expenses exceeded their inco, and with Mrs. Zhang’s nature of always using the best stuff, constantly trying to be number one among rural won, how could they possibly save money?
Thinking about these things, Zhang Yang couldn’t help but resent his parents’ ways, for pretending to be affluent while the family wasn’t as well-off as outsiders believed.
It seed like they were living well, but in reality... better left unsaid.
Previously, when expenses were at their worst, Su Xiaoi’s support helped, and Zhang Yang didn’t think anything of it. But now, just thinking about this trouble added to his anxiety.
Already this vexed and annoyed, his mother kept adding more trouble for him.
Suddenly, Mrs. Zhang shifted the topic, casually saying, "By the way, before you leave, leave so money for mom. My cold cream is almost used up, and I need to ask soone to go to the departnt store to bring back a bottle."
Hearing this, Mr. Zhang couldn’t help but add, "Yang, if you still have extra money, could you lend so to your uncle? It’s for your cousin’s wedding. He managed to get an industrial coupon to buy a radio, but he’s still short of so money. I promised him..."
Zhang Yang’s emotions exploded, his calm expression shattered into a shocking anger as he shouted, "Mom, you’re old enough, always going up and down the mountain and field; using cold cream is pointless, a waste of money. At your age, don’t bother with such vanity like young girls."
"And Dad, if you don’t have the Vajra, don’t take on porcelain work. If Uncle doesn’t have the money, there’s no need to pretend to be rich to buy a radio."
The Zhang elders were utterly shocked, unable to fathom that these words ca from their precious son.
Wasn’t their son always extrely filial?
Zhang Yang was not soone who could withstand pressure, otherwise, he wouldn’t have had suicidal thoughts over those earlier trivial setbacks.
After impulsively venting with jibes, the accumulated frustration eased, yet guilt and regret quickly filled his heart.
Facing two pairs of bulging, murky eyes, he shyly explained, "I... I don’t have any money... I can’t even piece together the tuition fees; otherwise, I would’ve left for school days ago."
"How could that be...."
"Rest assured, your uncle is just borrowing from you. Once things are easier financially, he’ll repay you."
Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang were both displeased, feeling that Zhang Yang was growing distant from them, that his earlier words were re excuses.
Mrs. Zhang: "Yang, are you still blaming mom for what I did earlier?"
"Mom did it for your own good. You’re destined for big things, whereas Su Xiaoi is beneath you. When you’re older, you’ll understand that beauty is the most worthless thing."
Zhang Yang explained, "No, it’s not... Mom, I really don’t have any money now."
No matter what Zhang Yang said, the Zhang parents clearly did not believe him.
Helplessly, Zhang Yang could only reveal everything, "Earlier, Su Xiaoi supported greatly, that’s why..."
Saying this, Zhang Yang couldn’t help but blush, feeling deeply ashad.
Mrs. Zhang: "Wasn’t it from your extra work earnings?"
Zhang Yang: "Money from outside isn’t that easy to earn."
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