Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ye Ling blushed and hesitated to meet Min Nan’s gaze. She asked, “Big Brother
Min Nan, what brings you here?”
Min Nan remained silent for a moment and then replied in a calm tone, “I’ve come to pick you up.”
Ye Ling was taken aback. Was Min Nan here specifically to pick her up?
“Have you completed your onboarding paperwork? When are you going to work at the pharmacy?” Min Nan inquired.
Min Nan’s question interrupted Ye Ling’s thoughts. She quickly responded, “I’ve already submitted my employment documents to my colleagues at the pharmacy. I’ll begin working at the pharmacy the day after tomorrow. Tomorrow, the village chief will inform me of my new dormitory assignment, and then I’ll move there directly.”
The last few sentences were challenging for Ye Ling to say. Suddenly, she was about to leave the Wan family, and she wondered if she would ever have the chance to meet Min Nan again in the future. Unless there were unexpected circumstances, it seemed like their interactions might come to an end.
Upon hearing Ye Ling’s words, Min Nan, though mentally prepared, felt a dull ache in his heart. He wished he could turn back time to the day when Ye Ling first arrived in Willow Village.
In the future, when he woke up in the morning, he would never see the young girl who always had a gentle smile on her face again. He would never hear her call his name in a clear voice again.
“Alright, I’ll assist you with your move tomorrow,” Min Nan calmly offered. His voice revealed little emotion.
Ye Ling was feeling quite distressed at the moment, and Min Nan’s composed response made her feel somewhat wronged. She realized that Min Nan might not be particularly reluctant to see her go. She thought to herself that Min Nan was a man and might not have as many intricate thoughts as she did.
Taking a deep breath, Ye Ling managed a forced smile and said, “No need. I don’t have many belongings, and I can handle the move myself.”
Min Nan understood that Ye Ling preferred not to inconvenience others. He didn’t press the matter but had already decided that he would still come to help Ye Ling with her move the following day.
Upon returning home, Ye Ling shared the news of her imminent departure with Sun Li and the others. Sun Li appeared somewhat sad upon hearing this, and Wan Xue tightly embraced Ye Ling, tears welling up in his eyes. He pleaded, “Sister Lingling, can you please stay and not leave?”
Wan Hai gently pulled Wan Xue away from Ye Ling and consoled his brother, saying, “Sister Lingling was originally staying with us for a limited period. Sooner or later, she’ll have to return. But wherever she goes in the future, she will always be your Sister Lingling. If you miss her, we can visit her at the pharmacy.”
Wan Xue looked at Ye Ling with teary eyes. “No, I want Sister Lingling to stay in our house!”
Min Nan, seeing Wan Xue’s continuous crying and commotion, adopted a stern tone. “Stop making a scene!”
Min Nan’s serious demeanor had a commanding presence, and Wan Xue’s tears instantly ceased. He continued to gaze at Ye Ling with a pitiable expression.
Ye Ling was also deeply affected. She took a small paper package out of her pocket and handed it to Wan Xue. “Ah Xue, please don’t cry. I’ll still visit you often in the future. These are various candies I made for you. If you miss me, just have one. Ah Xue, remember to study hard and listen to your mom and your brothers, alright?”
Wan Xue accepted the candies Ye Ling had made for him and nodded, his voice choked with emotion.
The atmosphere in the room was filled with a sense of melancholy. Finally, Sun Li said, “Lingling, come with me to town tomorrow. Let’s take your measurements and get some clothes made. I never expected you would leave so suddenly.”
Ye Ling nodded. She had many things she wanted to say to Sun Li and the Wan family brothers, but ultimately, she fell silent.
When it came to farewells, sometimes saying more words only heightened the sadness.
Ye Ling put on a facade of ease. After the family finished their dinner, she cleaned up and returned to her room to pack her belongings.
She didn’t have many things to begin with, and her wardrobe consisted of just a few pieces of clothing. However, the beautiful jewelry, scarves, and other items that Sun Li had bought for her in the city took up quite some space.
Early the next morning, after breakfast, Ye Ling and Sun Li set off for town. Upon entering an old shop with a weathered sign, Ye Ling saw a tailor in her sixties, busy at work on a sewing machine. The shop’s walls were adorned with various fabrics and partially completed garments.
Sun Li greeted the elderly tailor, saying, “Master, I’d like to have some beautiful clothes made for this girl. Do you have any stylish designs available?
We’ve already brought our own fabric.”
The old lady wore reading glasses on her nose and an old-fashioned gold bracelet on her bony wrist. She examined the fabric Sun Li had brought and nodded approvingly. “You purchased these from the South, right? The quality of this fabric is quite good, breathable, lightweight, and durable..”