Xiaotian walked down the street with a determined mind, waiting for the work hours to pass before heading home to avoid being noticed by the young master.
As she wandered aimlessly, she suddenly heard someone calling her from behind.
"Xiaotian, Xiaotian, is that you?" The approaching voice sounded very anxious.
Who could it be? Xiaotian turned around, puzzled, and her eyes widened in shock the moment she saw who it was. Why was it him? Was he still alive?
"Xiaotian, it really is you. I thought I would never see you again in my lifetime."
The newcomer was a man about twenty years old who, upon seeing Xiaotian, grabbed her hand and asked anxiously.
"It’s been seven years, you’ve grown up into a beautiful young woman."
Xiaotian immediately pulled her hand away and stepped back.
"Xiaotian, are you doing well now?" The man’s face was filled with excitement as he looked at her.
Xiaotian looked up, gazing at the man, and said joyfully, "Brother, you’re not dead?"
"Yes, I didn’t die. I thought I would, but heaven let me survive."
As Xiaotian looked at the man, memories seemed to flood back, and tears welled up in her eyes again. She was happy that he was alive.
"Xiaotian, where have you been sold to now? I’ll help you buy back your freedom."
He had been searching for her for seven years and was about to give up when he unexpectedly found her here.
Xiaotian smiled with relief, content to see him alive, "No need, I am free now."
"Really? Who helped you buy back your freedom?"
"My previous master returned the indenture contract to me."
"Your buyer is truly a good person. I need to thank him."
"No need, she has already passed away."
"Oh, so are you alone now? I’ll take you home immediately."
"That’s no longer my home." That home, left behind seven years ago, she no longer wished to return, especially since she now had only the young master in her heart.
"Xiaotian, I apologize to you on my mother’s behalf for selling you back then. We were framed and forced to leave the Guo Residence. I fell ill, and without any money to treat me, my mother had no choice but to sell you."
Guo Feng was the son of Lin County’s largest cloth shop owner, Guo. Seven years ago, amidst a rivalry among concubines, Mrs. Guo took Guo Feng and Xiaotian away from the Guo Family. As Guo Feng had always been frail, he fell ill on the way, and Mrs. Guo, having no money, was forced to sell Xiaotian, who was then bought by Mrs. Li and Li Fugui who were visiting Lin County.
Only after Guo Feng was treated did he learn that Xiaotian had been sold. Over the seven years, he continuously searched for her but found no news. He also resented his mother for selling Xiaotian.
"Yes, I understand, I don’t blame her. As long as you are alive, my being sold was not in vain."
"Xiaotian, look, what is this?" Guo Feng said as he pulled a chain out from around his neck.
"This was left to you by your parents. I found it and have kept it with me all this time, hoping one day to return it to you. Look, your name is engraved on it."
Xiaotian took the chain, which was just a worn rope with a wooden pendant hanging from it. Her name was carved on the wooden pendant, the only thing her parents had left her.
"Thank you!" She was very happy to be able to wear the chain again.
"Xiaotian, come back home with me."
"I’ve been looking for you all these years, and I’ve been waiting for you. I will marry you with a grand procession, you were meant to be my wife."