Yu Tingwan lifted her foot to walk outside.
Seeing that something was wrong, Li Lian quickly chased after her. She didn't rush to stop her; she waited until they were both out of the courtyard before asking.
"What's the matter?"
"Weren't things going well just now?"
How did it end so badly?
Yu Tingwan didn't hide anything.
The young girl kicked at a stone at her feet, feeling especially despondent: "I'm straightforward by nature. If I dislike someone, it's from the bottom of my heart."
"If I could move out, I wouldn't consider reconciling with Mrs. Wang."
Li Lian spoke up for Butcher Wu: "He's just a stubborn person who values family. But he wasn't wrong. If you talk to him nicely, he would still stand by you."
She was unaware that Yu Tingwan had already known about past events.
"Besides, are you seriously planning not to interact with the Hu Family anymore? You're quite stubborn, too. If your aunt is no good, are you going to give up on your uncle too?"
Yu Tingwan pressed her lips together silently.
She blinked and only said in a low voice, "But, Auntie, I've been enduring for nearly ten years, and that's long enough."
"Butcher Wu is a good person with genuine intentions for me, but that's not what I want."
Li Lian hesitated: "This..."
"Our mindsets don't align. I won't change, and there's no need for him to cater to me. It's just a meeting; if it's not right, better to cut losses early. It's no big deal."
Li Lian was stunned.
This idea... seems off, but also quite right.
She still wanted to make amends when she saw Butcher Wu chase after them, suddenly pale and flustered.
Yu Tingwan saw him, too.
But her expression remained unchanged.
She was even stern.
"Auntie, please keep looking for me."
Yu Tingwan was serious: "The more, the better."
Do you think men are like cabbages on the street!
Li Lian: ...
Understood, once Yu Tingwan decides, she won't look back.
But...
You're a young girl, aren't you a bit shameless!
At least your face should redden when saying such things!
Li Lian had never seen someone as odd as Yu Tingwan, seemingly too young to understand love, just simply looking to get married.
Yu Tingwan bid farewell to Li Lian, feeling fortunate that Butcher Wu didn't bother her further.
The wind was strong, stinging her face, so she lowered her head.
The road was slippery with snow, and she walked carefully.
The world around was vast and desolate.
"Husband, be careful, Lang still has injuries."
"I know."
Yu Tingwan furrowed her brows, looking towards the source of the voice, and in the distance saw Wei Shouzhong bringing a donkey cart over.
Wei Shouzhong walked slowly, and the donkey was old, also moving slowly.
But as the wheels rolled over the snowy ground, the uneven road still caused bumps.
Hui Niang smiled: "Lang, there hasn't been much change in our village these years, you might remember it if you see more."
Wei Zhao's eyes were deep and somber. These days, his patience had been worn out by this couple.
These two had mistaken him for someone and didn't hesitate to sell all their possessions to save up money to take him to the town.
Didn't they fear wasting money on someone who might not be saved?
If he wanted to live, he wouldn't have ended up like this.
Similarly, if he wanted to die, no one could stop him.
Hui Niang: "We live at the village's edge now, not with your grandmother and them anymore."
"These days, at Doctor Qian's, I can see you're eager to check out home too."
Wei Zhao didn't want to.
The only thing he wanted was for these two to leave him alone.
Listening to his wife's words, Wei Shouzhong's eyes also held a smile.
He thought his son had died in war, and his daughter had an accident; he and his wife were once hopeless.
Now that Lang is back, there's hope in life again.
Wei Shouzhong's gaze landed somewhere ahead, squinting due to his poor vision.
That looked a bit like Wan Niang who lived next door to them.
Turning around at this moment would seem too deliberate. The countryside roads were narrow, and Yu Tingwan intentionally stepped aside to avoid them.
She heard only Hui Niang's one-sided conversation.
"Our family keeps a few chickens, which lay eggs daily. I'll make one for you each day."
Wei Zhao remained unresponsive.
Hui Niang, fearing her son wasn't eating well, tried her best to nourish him: "Does Lang want fish? I'll have your dad try to catch some in the river, so we can make fish soup with tofu for you."
Wei Zhao's eyes looked empty.
Hui Niang sighed, "Our family hasn't saved much over these years, but your dad and I have a plan. After the spring plowing, your father will go to the dock to carry goods, and I'll weave baskets to sell at the county market."
"If no girl fancies you, we'll save more for a bride price."
Hui Niang: "For the sake of money, they will be willing to settle with you."
Why won't you listen to what you're saying?
Yet Wei Zhao didn't respond; it was as if nothing mattered to him.
Even if someone pointed at him and cursed, Wei Zhao wouldn't...
Oh, he'd just drag that person to die with him.
As they closed in, the young girl's eyes unconsciously fell on the person in the donkey cart.
From this angle, she only saw half of Wei Shen's profile.
But even so, Yu Tingwan was greatly shocked.
He was very pale, with an air of illness.
But his face was also marked with scratches, the worst being his forehead, wrapped in a white bandage. Too sickly to even lift his eyelids.
The hand exposed was red, swollen, and bruised.
Hui Niang kept checking his breathing, as she was worried.
It was clear he had seriously injured himself falling down the mountain that day.
How did he end up in such a miserable state, covered in wounds?
He seemed so... weak.
Unable even to walk, Yu Tingwan realized too late that her fears were unfounded.
Such a Wei Shen could easily be knocked down by her!
Before she could withdraw her gaze, Wei Zhao sensed something, and his sharp eyes turned towards her.
Those eyes, tranquil and deep, gazed over as if piercing through the soul.
As their eyes met, an overwhelming pressure descended. Yu Tingwan was startled, instinctively stepping back a few steps.
But her legs inexplicably gave way.
She staggered a bit.
Discomfort surged through her body; Yu Tingwan's head felt painful and dizzy.
Her vision darkened.
Images flashed before her eyes
The same sound of drums, the sight still of festive red.
Yu Tingwan felt a strange tightening in her chest.
She saw a bride sitting on the wedding bed, covered by a red veil.
Her heart was in a turmoil, assuming it was at the Dong Family again.
No, this wedding room was very simple.
But the decorations were meticulous.
She looked around, somewhat perplexed.
Just then, footsteps outside grew nearer, accompanied by playful noises.
"In just a blink, you're married. Everyone in the village is happy for you. Go in quickly, don't keep the bride waiting."
It was Aunt Wu's voice.
"How muddled I am, to not have thought of pairing you two. Always busy with nonsense, but luckily you two took a liking yourselves."
That was Li Lian's voice.
"So what if it isn't dark yet?"
"You're not well, you should rest early, no need to socialize; your mother is waiting to hold grandkids too."
A creak as the door opened.
The groom was jostled inside.
Yu Tingwan focused her eyes: !!!
Wasn't this the same Wei Shen she saw half-dead on the donkey cart just now!