Indeed, at the time there might have been better solutions, such as seeking help from relevant departments or the community, or perhaps finding a way to persuade my mother’s side of the family to step in by using interests as leverage.
But for Lu Zhu at that time, she could only think of one solution: prostrating until her forehead bled.
Sudden growth is always exceptionally cruel.
Lu Zhu was forced to shoulder burdens at a young age that she shouldn’t have, necessitating that she provide for her family in addition to her studies.
The landlady felt both sympathy and helplessness towards this mother and daughter who were always behind on rent; she wasn’t wealthy herself and couldn’t offer much help.
She advised Lu Zhu to drop out of school and work instead, but Lu Zhu refused, knowing that education was her only way out.
These issues were spoken of lightly by Lu Zhu, yet Qu Ruorui couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart upon hearing them.
"I’m also dealing with my parents’ divorce, and sometimes it really upsets me, but it seems trivial compared to what you’re going through."
Lu Zhu, uncharacteristically, rolled her eyes, "Take back your tears, I hate other people’s pity the most."
Qu Ruorui quickly wiped the tears from her face with a towel.
After wiping, she suddenly realized something and screamed, "Oh no, I forgot this is the foot-washing towel."
Yue Qingqing teased her, "After all, it’s all flesh from your body; no need to discriminate between high and low, noble and lowly."
Qu Ruorui sniffed the towel vehemently, comforting herself, "It’s okay, it’s okay, I wash my feet every day, they don’t stink."
Although she knew these two were trying to cheer her up, seeing Qu Ruorui’s foolish look still made the corners of Lu Zhu’s lips rise slightly, a touch of warmth in her eyes.
The dormitory was unlike home, which was forever cold.
Her mother was used to washing her face with tears, often causing Lu Zhu to feel frustrated at her inability to toughen up.
But Lu Zhu couldn’t blame her.
Her mother had never been schooled, and all her understanding of life came from her dreadful experiences.
People always ridiculed the frog at the bottom of the well, but living in the depths, did the frog not wish to see the vast world outside?
It was simply that it couldn’t jump high enough or see beyond, forced to accept the world as it appeared in front of it.
From a young age, her mother had been like an object in the house, piecing together dowries for her brothers, slaving away for the household, having long forgotten how to be an independent person.
Like ivy, she needed to cling to someone else to survive.
Reflecting on this, Lu Zhu’s expression suddenly changed, and she stood up abruptly.
Water from the foot basin splashed all over the floor.
"Lu Zhu?" Yue Qingqing looked over, puzzled.
Without giving it much thought, Lu Zhu dried her feet and prepared to change clothes, "If they can’t take advantage of me here, they’ll definitely go find my mom."
Upon hearing this, Qu Ruorui and Yue Qingqing also felt a sense of urgency.
However, before Lu Zhu could reach the door, the dormitory supervisor teacher’s voice echoed through the corridor.
"Ten minutes until lights out, everyone should go to bed early."
Lu Zhu had asked for leave, but the dormitory supervisor teacher didn’t agree.
"Is someone sick in your family?"
"No." Lu Zhu disliked lying.
The dormitory supervisor teacher shook her head, "Then it’s not possible; it’s too late now, and I can’t be responsible if something happens to you on the way."
Without a valid reason to ask for leave, the dormitory supervisor teacher couldn’t let her leave.
Back in the dormitory, Lu Zhu didn’t say a word, just kept glancing towards the balcony outside.
Qu Ruorui was startled, "You’re not thinking of jumping down, are you? We live on the third floor; you could break your legs if you jump."
The ground below was concrete, not grass; Lu Zhu would likely end up in the hospital if she went down that way.
Yue Qingqing said leisurely, "Don’t worry, it will be the same if you go back tomorrow."
Lu Zhu immediately asked, "Really?"
Yue Qingqing nodded, and only then did Lu Zhu breathe a sigh of relief and climb into bed to sleep.
Qu Ruorui’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two, "Are you two hiding something from me?"
Lu Zhu was not one to be easily tamed.
Yue Qingqing and Lu Zhu simultaneously said, "Not at all!"