Her words were calm, yet the emotions embedded in them deeply shook everyone's hearts.
Zhao Lianmai felt her forehead lightly flicked.
Turning her head, she met Xu Musen's gaze, and he revealed a gentle smile, "I told you, if you follow me and work hard, you could be the one who breaks free from these difficulties. Your sister relies on you, but likewise, you are the meaning of her life.
You're a family, and if you truly want to escape this mire and see the world outside, you must do it together. Even if you don't believe in yourself, you must at least have some faith in me, your cunning boss!"
Xu Musen particularly emphasized his identity.
Zhao Lianmai looked at him, his words like a warm summer rain, repeatedly nourishing the barren land in her heart.
She looked deeply at Xu Musen, then silently averted her gaze, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth: "Alright."
"Hey! You really are quite charmless. Shouldn't you be moved at a time ?"
"You… never mind, never mind. Such a killjoy, really off-putting."
Xu Musen was getting ready to leave when Zhao Lianmai brought out many packages of cured meat.
"What are you doing?"
"Cured meat, I made it myself."
"That's way too much; it's inappropriate, you should keep some to eat."
"This is just half a pig. You gave me a whole one; I still came out ahead."
Zhao Lianmai had already opened the trunk, clearly intending not to take no for an answer.
"Yes, take it. We don't have much at home, and our homemade cured meat is really tasty. You should take some back for your family to try."
Zhao Lianmai's mother also spoke up.
Seeing this, Xu Musen no longer refused; sometimes accepting a gift graciously is indeed the better way: "Alright, I won't be shy then, I'll definitely bring it back for my family to try!"
Before leaving, Xu Musen felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to see Zhao Lianmai's sister looking at him both shyly and expectantly.
"Big brother ... will you come to our house for dinner again?"
This question was asked.
Zhao Lianmai's eyes flickered watching Xu Musen.
"Of course, as long as you don't mind that I eat a lot."
Xu Musen reached out and patted the little girl's head, his smile bright.
The little girl, amused, started laughing, her eyes sparkling.
"Drive safely, take it slow."
The mother and daughters stood watching for a long, long time.
"Sister, big brother is really nice, and he even gave me a beautiful hairpin."
The little girl was finally a bit lively in front of her mom and sister.
Zhao Lianmai patted her sister's head affectionately and smiled: "I see, it's really pretty. It's getting late; go and start the bath water."
The little girl bounced off to her room.
Zhao Lianmai and her mother remained, still looking toward the empty street corner.
She watched her daughter silently, feeling a bit melancholic and a bit guilty: "Lianmai, it's Mom who's holding you back…"
It was clear to her that her daughter had a special affection for this young boss Xu, but she felt they were people from different worlds.
If only their family's situation was a bit better, not so dire, she might have urged her daughter to strive a bit harder.
Zhao Lianmai shook her head and silently withdrew her gaze, looking at her mother, and revealed a smile, "He's a good person, but not necessarily a good man… not necessarily, definitely a very greedy person.
After all, he and I are not from the same path, right here, right now."
Speaking, Zhao Lianmai smiled, turning her head, her high ponytail swaying under the moonlight, splashing like ink.