The Gu Family had already decided to go to Gaoliang County to look for someone.
Xu Nianhua was completely unaware of this. She was startled as she stared at the person rushing towards her.
"Nianhua, I’ve finally seen you!"
The woman excitedly grabbed Xu Nianhua’s hand, her pale face flushed with intense joy.
"You, how did you get here?"
Xu Nianhua looked at her, overwhelmed with indescribable feelings.
This woman was none other than Zou Yaru, whom she had met in January. A few months had passed, and Zou Yaru had become even thinner. Her clothes hung loosely on her frame, and her sharply pointed chin together with her pale, paper-like cheeks made her eyes appear even larger and rounder.
She looked utterly exhausted. Could it be that she had trouble with Gu Junhe and came to seek Cheng Hao’s help?
"Nianhua, can you tell me where Cheng Hao is?" Zou Yaru’s eyes were red as she looked at her. She clung tightly to her arm, as if she had grasped a last lifeline.
Her child was gone. She had a huge fight with Gu Junhe about getting a divorce, but Gu Junhe was unwilling. Her parents also urged her not to divorce, leaving her disheartened. She had purchased a ticket to Beining, and just like that, she arrived in Beining.
Beining was so vast, teeming with people, that she had no idea where Cheng Hao’s home was, let alone his telephone number in Beining.
Zou Yaru was in a daze at the train station, almost having her money stolen. Fortunately, a kind-hearted person helped her, and she stayed overnight near the train station, recalling that Xu Nianhua had gone to Beining University.
The next day, Zou Yaru asked her way to Beining University. Yet, she did not know which department Xu Nianhua was in, so she simply waited at the university gate, hoping Xu Nianhua would eventually come out. She spent nights in a nearby hotel and days at the university entrance. Since she didn’t carry much money, she was running short after a few days in the hotel.
In her rush, Zou Yaru only brought a change of clothes. Having not slept well for several days, she now looked nothing like her former self, exceedingly disheveled.
"Let go of my hand first." Xu Nianhua’s arm was hurting from her grip.
Zou Yaru released her grip apologetically, looking at her eagerly, "I need to find Cheng Hao. Please help me. I don’t know where his house is, nor am I familiar with the streets here. In Beining, you are the only one I know."
Zou Yaru looked at Xu Nianhua imploringly. She truly regretted it; she had given up the ever-attentive Cheng Hao to marry Gu Junhe instead.
Her parents claimed it was for her own good, but in reality, they had pushed her into an abyss for their own interests, disregarding her happiness for a lifetime. She despised them.
"This isn’t a good place to talk. How about we go sit in the park nearby?" Xu Nianhua looked around at the bustling entrance of the university.
"Alright." Zou Yaru nodded, noticing the increasing crowd of onlookers, she too felt this was not a place for conversation.
"Jiayi, I’m sorry, but I ran into someone I know. I might not be able to go today. How about you guys go instead?" Xu Nianhua apologised to Fei Jiayi and the others. It was Saturday and they were all excitedly planning to look for a store.
However, as soon as they had left the university, they ran into Zou Yaru.
"No problem, we can go look as well, but your friend..." Fei Jiayi quietly observed Zou Yaru, asking, "She won’t, harm you, will she?"
Zou Yaru seemed somewhat unhinged.
"No." Xu Nianhua answered confidently, briefly explaining that they were from the same county and that Zou Yaru came here looking for someone.
As for whom, Xu Nianhua did not elaborate further.