"Dummy," Zhou He muttered as she tightly gripped his hand. Under the dim light, Xu Nianji’s face appeared somewhat blurred, making it difficult for her to see clearly. She tilted her head upward and said, "I have no dowry, and my father took most of those two hundred dollars of betrothal money. Except for this bedding set, some clothes, and a few small items, I have nothing left. Will you despise me?"
"No," Xu Nianji answered without hesitation. He said, "Xiaohe, I will definitely treat you well in the future. Although we are poor now, I will work hard to make money so that you can eat well and dress warmly."
Zhou He sweetly said in her heart, "I will also be good to your parents, and to your younger brother and sister."
"Xiaohe, you look so beautiful today."
Xu Nianji’s face gradually enlarged in front of Zhou He’s eyes.
Having been tired all day, Xu Nianhua lay on the bed, feeling each cell in her body relax and enjoy the comfort.
The moment her head hit the pillow, she didn’t have a dreamless sleep till dawn as usual, but instead, she dreamt about the past.
"Nianhua, I am your father, your biological father," Gu Hai said excitedly, looking at Xu Nianhua. Seeing his daughter after over twenty years, the feelings in his heart were indescribable—both guilt and pity.
Xu Nianhua, who worked as an elementary school teacher in the county, looked guardedly at Gu Hai, who had suddenly appeared before her. She was inexplicably panic-stricken.
Her parents loved her so much, how could they not be her biological parents?
"Nianhua, I really am your father. I’m sorry, your dad didn’t mean to lose you," Gu Hai explained urgently.
Xu Nianhua ran away in fright. She didn’t even dare to return to her village or seek confirmation from her parents, as if confirming it would make it real, that she wouldn’t be their child anymore.
Then, Fang Yue and Gu Mingzhu arrived.
It was her first time meeting Gu Mingzhu. True to her name, she was the Gu Family’s treasured pearl. She had never seen such a beautiful dress on anyone as the one Gu Mingzhu wore, nor such sparkling rings that dazzled the eyes on her wrists.
Standing in front of Gu Mingzhu, a sense of inferiority inevitably surged in Xu Nianhua’s heart.
And Fang Yue, needless to mention, was well-maintained and looked several years younger than Ji Ying, her mother. Her hair was styled and her dress made her look like a lady of high social standing.
"Nianhua, come back with us. I am your real mother, and I’m sorry for having made you suffer all these years," Fang Yue said softly, holding her hand with a teary sparkle in her eyes, radiating a unique beauty even in the moment of crying.
"Little sister, our parents were very disappointed to hear you couldn’t attend university. If you come back to South City with us, they will support your university education. Your grades are so good, it would be such a pity not to attend university," Gu Mingzhu spoke as if having a conversation with her was an honor.
Xu Nianhua silently withdrew her hand and said, "I have parents, and being a teacher is good too."
"Little sister, you should go to university, you should have a broader life instead of being cooped up here as an elementary school teacher," Gu Mingzhu spoke forcefully, as though aggrieved on her behalf. She stepped forward, holding her hand tightly and said, "Little sister, look, we should be the same, yet here you are suffering while I am at ease. It makes my heart ache."
Following Gu Mingzhu’s gaze, Xu Nianhua saw the two clasped hands. Gu Mingzhu’s hand was white and tender, while hers was rough and dark.