The look in Sun Jiaming’s eyes changed. He didn’t know what his mother was thinking, but her expression sent a chill down his spine.
’As her son, have I been blinded by affection all this ti? Do I really not know my own mother at all?’
In the end, however, thanks to Sun Jiaming’s persistence, Cao Qiu agreed to drop the matter between him and Zhou i.
However, Cao Qiu didn’t give her blessing for him and Gu’er. She said that since Gu’er had just gone through an incident, it wasn’t a good ti to bring it up. They should wait. She wanted to first see if Gu’er was truly a good person before discussing it further.
Sun Jiaming didn’t say much more. He knew it was impossible to get his mom to agree right now, but as long as he persisted and was sincere, he believed she would eventually co around.
’And then there’s Gu’er. I have to find so ti to ask her, too. If Gu’er doesn’t have feelings for , then...’
Sun Jiaming didn’t tell Gu’er any of this, only that the matter with Zhou i was over.
He looked at Gu’er, who let out a long breath, as if relieved on his behalf.
’Does Gu’er have feelings for ?’ Sun Jiaming wondered.
He thought of Liu Yuan. He rembered the way Liu Yuan looked at Gu’er—it was the sa as his own.
’Liu Yuan is better looking than . Has Gu’er taken a liking to him?’
’If Liu Yuan is the one in Gu’er’s heart...’
The thought made Sun Jiaming’s heart ache. ’Turns out I already like Gu’er this much, huh?’
Sun Jiaming felt a tightness in his chest.
Completely unaware of what was going on, Gu’er just felt a little shy under Sun Jiaming’s constant glances.
While Gu’er was clearing the table, Grandma Sun told Sun Jiaming about her plan to go to the city to sell popsicles.
Sun Jiaming was surprised at first, but then he understood. ’Gu’er is bent on earning money to pay back Zhou Mazi and gain control over her own marriage. After what happened, she must be even more determined now. She’ll definitely insist on paying back. Even if I tell her not to, she won’t feel at ease.’
’Then let her go earn money. If it’s what she wants to do, I should just support her.’
"Gu’er, my woodworking isn’t great, but I can manage to build a box. Don’t worry, I’ll get so planks in the next couple of days and make one for you. It’ll only take a day or two."
Sun Jiaming said to Gu’er.
"Brother Jia Ming, you know how to make boxes?"
Gu’er’s eyes lit up. She had been about to ask Sun Jiaming if he knew any carpenters, not expecting him to know how himself.
"I never formally learned. I’ve just watched others do it. It definitely won’t be as good as one made by a real carpenter."
Sun Jiaming blushed a little under Gu’er’s sparkling gaze. He was telling the truth; his skills were average, but it wasn’t like he was selling it. As long as it was usable, it would be fine.
"Thank you, Brother Jia Ming. I’m not in a hurry. Just help make it when you have ti."
Gu’er hadn’t expected the problem to be solved so easily. A weight lifted from her heart.
"Yeah, I have to go into the city again tomorrow. Wait for for a day or two, and I’ll definitely have it made for you."
Seeing Gu’er so happy made Sun Jiaming’s heart feel lighter too.
Gu’er didn’t ask what Sun Jiaming was going to the city for, and he didn’t say.
After chatting for a little longer, Gu’er told Grandma Sun she was heading over to the other house.
The old house was already tidied up. They had helped heat the kang that morning. Since it was hot now, heating it once a day was enough. She could stay there tonight.
Sun Jiaming walked Gu’er over. He saw her inside the house and looked around. There wasn’t much, but all the necessities were there: a kang mattress, sheets, and a quilt. He also checked the door and windows.
"Sister Gu’er, you should get so rest. If anything happens, just give a shout. I’ll co over as soon as I hear you."
Sun Jiaming instructed her. He had originally wanted to ask her about her feelings, but after so thought, he decided against it. ’I should give her a few days to decompress. I’ll ask her once her emotions have stabilized.’
"Okay. You should hurry back and get so rest too, Brother Jia Ming."
Gu’er nodded.
Sun Jiaming left, leaving Gu’er alone in the house.
The light wasn’t very bright. Gu’er watched her own shadow cast upon the wall.
The shadow flickered. She moved, and the shadow moved with her. The lamplight stretched it long, making it look almost nacing.
The house was quiet. Terrifyingly so.
This was her first day living alone after leaving the Zhou family. From now on, she would be all by herself.
Living her days alone, keeping vigil through the silent night alone.
Everything, all alone. Gu’er hugged her legs, resting her chin on her knees.
A bitter smile touched Gu’er’s lips. ’In truth, I should have been used to being alone long ago.’
Gu’er got ready for bed. Although she knew the door and windows had been checked and were fine, she still couldn’t feel at ease.
After a mont’s thought, Gu’er went to the kitchen. She found the kitchen knife that one of the aunties had brought over today.
Gu’er carried the knife into the inner room and placed it under her pillow.
It wasn’t that Gu’er had developed a taste for hacking at people. She just felt that now that she was alone, and with the Zhou family harboring ill intentions, she couldn’t let her guard down. Having a weapon for self-defense gave her a small sense of security.
She blew out the lamp. Lying on the pillow with the knife beneath it, Gu’er’s thoughts drifted as she slowly fell asleep.
The next day, Gu’er overslept again. She was woken by Sun Jiaming’s calls.
Opening her eyes, Gu’er was dazed for a mont before she got up.
When she opened the door, Sun Jiaming was relieved to see that she was all right.
A faint warmth of gratitude swelled in Gu’er’s heart. ’He must have been worried about .’
"Go wash your face and co over for breakfast. I’ve already made it. After we eat, I’m heading to the city, but I’ll be back before dinner. If you’re free, go spend so ti with Grandma. Don’t stay by yourself."
Sun Jiaming’s voice wasn’t loud. It had a deep, masculine timbre that was very reassuring to hear.
"Okay, Brother Jia Ming. You go on ahead."
Gu’er nodded. As soon as Sun Jiaming turned to leave, she hurried back inside to fetch so water and wash her face.
The cool water felt wonderful on her face, waking her up considerably.
Gu’er straightened her clothes. She was still wearing the sa outfit as yesterday. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to change, but that she had nothing else to change into.
Everyone had brought her many things, but no one had brought her any clothes.
At the Sun family’s house, there were only Grandma Sun’s clothes, which she couldn’t wear.
So she could only wear the outfit she had on.
But Gu’er had a plan. Today, she would co over early to heat a pot of water and wash her clothes in the evening; they would surely be dry by the next day. When she went to the town to sell popsicles, she would find a chance to buy a couple of new outfits. She needed sothing to change into.
After going to the Sun family’s ho, Gu’er ate breakfast with them. Sun Jiaming said a quick goodbye and left.
Gu’er chatted with Grandma Sun for a while, washed the clothes, and then wiped down the Sun family’s house. ’If I’m eating at their ho, I should at least do so chores,’ she thought. Besides, Gu’er was used to working.
When Gu’er finally had a free mont, Grandma Sun took her hand to look at it. The wound had stopped bleeding, but it had turned white from being constantly in water.
Grandma Sun’s eyes filled with heartache.
But Gu’er just smiled.
In the afternoon, Aunt Zhao ca by for a bit. While Aunt Zhao was there, Gu’er took the opportunity to step out. She didn’t really want to go outside, but she wanted to see her adoptive mother, so she pretended to be wandering aimlessly and passed by the Zhou family’s gate.
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Thank you to ’爱旅游的妈’ (Mom Who Loves to Travel) for the monthly ticket, and thank you all for your support. The plot has been a little quiet lately, but the upcoming events and interpersonal dynamics need to be written out and explained. Plus, the heroine is undergoing so psychological changes. She’s just left, and she needs ti to adjust.
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