Shen Yue and Qi Rui's relationship grew stronger, and undeniably, with Qi Rui around, the home felt more like a home, becoming warmer and brighter.
Young people are not afraid of hardship or fatigue. He smiles often, has matured considerably, and his shoulders are broader and sturdier, carrying the responsibilities of a man.
The pigs in the pen were getting fatter by the day, looking particularly appetizing.
Shen Yue finally gained a little weight; her chin was no longer as sharp, and there was some flesh to it. This delighted Qi Rui immensely, filling him with pride, and he worked with even more vigor.
He dreamed of taking Shen Yue out of this mountain village, of letting her live in a big house and promising her a good life. He would go out to work, and Shen Yue would only need to wait for his return.
Perhaps they could adopt a cat or a dog. Shen Yue was meticulous; she would surely take good care of them.
However, such peaceful days did not last long. The Qi family arrived.
Shen Yue was not present at the time; she was watering vegetables in the backyard.
Uncle Liu looked at the sharp and confident young man before him and could barely recognize him; the change was too profound.
The superficial restlessness and violence were all hidden away, revealing firm and powerful muscles, and calm, contained eyes.
Uncle Liu was very gratified. He thought, the young master has finally grown up.
***
Shen Yue returned with a basket of fresh vegetables, her hands covered in mud. Qi Rui was feeding the chickens and ducks. Seeing Shen Yue approach, he joined her in washing the vegetables.
The sky was filled with the sunset, still breathtakingly beautiful.
Qi Rui seemed a little off. While washing vegetables, he suddenly said, "Sister Shen, I have to go back."
Because she was washing vegetables, her sleeves were rolled up, revealing delicate wrists. Perhaps it was because her skin was so fair and smooth, it even had a rosy hue.
Her slender fingers washed the leaves. Hearing Qi Rui's words, she was stunned for a moment before reacting, her dark eyes looking towards Qi Rui.
Qi Rui, however, dared not meet the young girl's gaze.
Those eyes were likely still gentle, and her voice was calm: "When are you leaving?"
Qi Rui's jaw was tight. After a moment, he uttered two words.
"Tomorrow."
The atmosphere was filled with a moment of silent oppression.
This news exploded in Shen Yue's mind like a bomb.
The young girl's face was very pale.
Deathly pale.
Making the fresh red vegetables appear even more vibrant.
She said softly, "Okay."
Qi Rui remained silent, his brow furrowed, as if shrouded in deep gloom.
Shen Yue knew the plot.
The Qi family had an illegitimate son, born only a year younger than Qi Rui, who had even been brought into the household and was favored by their father, who was even considering grooming him as the heir.
Qi Rui's mother was a very formidable woman, and their marital relationship had never been deep, only slightly better than strangers. Now, with the mistress flaunting herself before her, how could she possibly watch the Qi Corporation be handed over so easily?
Perhaps even Qi Rui had not expected that the father who seemed so doting would turn out to be such a beast in disguise.
Four years later, Qi Rui took over the Qi Corporation, using swift and decisive means to transform the group into his personal domain.
He was ambitious and charismatic, a young talent admired by all.
Meanwhile, the young girl in the countryside foolishly waited for four years, clinging to a promise that could never be fulfilled.
Only she remembered.
Eventually, she came to the capital to find the young man.
But the young man was no longer the youth he once was.
Before dawn, Qi Rui had already packed his belongings.
A luxurious car, utterly out of place in this dilapidated countryside, was parked by the entrance.
As Qi Rui opened the door, he saw the young girl's fair and beautiful face.
He paused for a moment, his initially somber and sharp emotions softening. The young man cupped Shen Yue's face, the woman he loved.
"Sister Shen, can you wait for me?"
When he had resolved the matters of the Qi family, when everything had settled down, he would come find Shen Yue and take her to the city for a good life.
The young man's eyes were ardent and expectant, seemingly glistening with tears, or perhaps like a plea.
Shen Yue clenched her fingers, the sharp nails digging into her flesh, yet she seemed unfazed. She asked earnestly, "Will it be long?"
The young man had grown up; his features were sharp and defined. He had not slept all night, his eyes bloodshot.
Besides his height, the young man bore no resemblance to a young master.
He said, "It won't be long."
The young man said so.
Shen Yue believed him.
Because she knew the young man had never lied to her.
Shen Yue felt she should be smiling, as this was a farewell. She hoped to leave a good impression in the young man's eyes.
But as the young girl looked at Qi Rui's face, which seemed to have matured even more in a single day, tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks.
Qi Rui was startled and quickly stepped forward to wipe away her tears, his expression panicked.
This was the first time Shen Yue had cried not from pain, but from emotion. After all, her nature had always been gentle and tolerant.
Her thin eyelids were faintly pink, her lips a vivid red, and her face pale, her long lashes casting a shadow on her fair face. In this dilapidated house, she was like a luminous pearl.
Her dark, moist eyes held trust and affection.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
Qi Rui gave the young girl something – a necklace, warm and carrying the young man's body heat.
***
Winter arrived, with white snow falling.
Shen Yue and her grandmother celebrated the New Year and slaughtered a chicken from their yard.
Another winter came. The pigs in the pen were sold, leaving only a few piglets.
Grandmother fell gravely ill. The doctor from town shook his head, saying her time was short.
This New Year was bleak, without firecrackers. The Spring Festival couplets were from last year, faded and worn.
Grandmother lay in bed. The room was heated with plenty of charcoal, but Grandmother still felt cold, even with three layers of thick quilts.
Shen Yue went to town to buy medicine. The snow outside was heavy, making her hands and feet numb. Her entire fair face was flushed red from the cold.
She brushed the snow off her clothes outside the door and then went to the kitchen to prepare a bowl of porridge.
Grandmother had not slept, as she had slept during the day and couldn't sleep at night.
Lately, Grandmother's appetite had been worsening; she vomited whatever she ate. Her already gaunt body had become even more frail, as if clinging to life by a thread.
She still had concerns.
If she passed away, Shen Yue would be alone, which would be too lonely.
She decided to cherish each day as much as possible.
The medicine was taken after meals. Grandmother disliked taking medicine, saying, "This medicine is useless; it's a waste of money. Don't buy it anymore."
Shen Yue would say "okay," and that there would be plenty left, so as not to waste it.
However, the medicine went uneaten.
The medicine had a sedative effect. Grandmother had not slept during the day and felt sleepy as soon as she lay down.
Shen Yue sat beside her, waiting for Grandmother to fall asleep before she would leave.
Just as Shen Yue thought Grandmother was about to drift off, she suddenly spoke.
"Yue girl, you're no longer young. Find someone who can take care of you to build a life together. Otherwise, I won't be at peace when I'm gone, and you'll always make me worry."
Shen Yue pursed her lips, her long eyelashes drooping, casting a small shadow on her fair face.