Chapter 61: Escape Route

The originally melancholic atmosphere was broken by the cheerful laughter of the two little girls behind.

“Really? Did Da Zhuang really say that?”

Bai An smiled mischievously, “Yes, he said he wants to come back to marry you in the future.”

Cui Ju’s face flushed, and glancing at Bai An’s family ahead, she quickly put her finger to her lips, “Lower your voice, it’s so embarrassing.”

Bai An poked her arm and teased quietly, “I’m a bit shy too.”

“What are you shy about?” Cui Ju mimicked her and poked her own arm.

Bai An shook her head, “I don’t know. Just seeing you shy makes me shy.”

Cui Ju’s face turned even redder. “What are you doing?”

“But in the end, I really didn’t misjudge Da Zhuang,” Cui Ju said, pulling on Bai An’s arm. “Originally, my parents wanted to marry me off early, and I was thinking that if I had to marry, I might as well marry someone I know, someone with good character.”

Bai An listened, her thoughts becoming a bit muddled. “But didn’t you say before that you didn’t want to get married? I told you we could study hard and get into college together, so we wouldn’t have to marry.”

At this moment, Cui Ju’s expression turned a bit forlorn. She bit her lip thoughtfully and said, “I did think that way before, but Bai An, sometimes thoughts can’t always be realized. At home, no one is willing to listen to me seriously.”

Bai An understood a bit more now. She patted Cui Ju’s shoulder, saying, “Look, you’re about to leave the village with me, right? Don’t worry, my family is very nice.”

Cui Ju glanced at the three people ahead who were leading the way for them, their tall figures making her feel very reassured.

Although Lu Jin’an didn’t speak, he kept an eye on Bai An. When he saw her about to step into a small puddle, he quickly reminded her, “Bai An, watch your step.”

“Oh, okay.” Bai An carefully avoided the puddle and reminded Cui Ju as well.

Seeing Lu Jin’an taking care of Bai An, Cui Ju nostalgically said, “Your brother takes good care of you. Although my brother can be a bit of a jerk sometimes, I still find myself missing him for some reason.”

“You’ve started thinking about him already? It’s okay; you can think of my brother as your brother too,” Bai An comforted her.

Cui Ju shrugged, “Forget it, I’m not familiar with your brother. I really can’t treat him like my brother in my heart.”

Bai An laughed at Cui Ju’s carefree attitude. “By the way…”

Bai An raised her hand to reveal the jade bracelet on her wrist and asked, “Is this the family heirloom your brother gave me?”

Seeing the emerald green bracelet, Cui Ju suppressed her urge to exclaim and took Bai An’s wrist closer to examine the bracelet carefully.

After a moment, she whispered, “It really is a family heirloom. This is what my mom gave to my brother to give to his wife.”

“My brother actually has feelings for you,” Cui Ju teased Bai An. “So, do you want to be my sister-in-law?”

Bai An shook her head. “Not really.”

As she spoke, she was about to take off the bracelet.

Seeing this, Cui Ju suggested, “Since my brother gave it to you, just wear it for now and return it later.”

“And this bracelet can keep you safe.”

Bai An thought for a moment but still refused. “This is what your mother left for her daughter-in-law; I’d rather not wear it.”

When Bai An really took it off, Cui Ju quickly waved her hands. “Then don’t give it to me; I’m likely to lose it easily.”

Bai An looked at the bracelet in her hand. It was such a precious item, and she was afraid of losing it too.

“Then I’ll keep it safe for my mom, but since I won’t be your sister-in-law, it’s still your family’s.”

Bai An carefully wrapped the bracelet in a handkerchief and stepped forward to hand it to Wan Qing, saying, “Mom, can you help keep Cui Ju’s bracelet safe?”

Wan Qing took it and looked closely, a bit surprised, “This bracelet is quite valuable. Let me keep it for now, and I’ll return it to her once we’re settled.”

Saying this, she glanced at Cui Ju and added, “I’ll keep it here for now.”

Cui Ju quickly expressed her gratitude, “Thank you, Aunt.”

Lu Jin’an, on the side, watched as his mom placed the bracelet in her bosom, frowning slightly. He had heard everything Bai An had said just now.

As he cleared the weeds ahead, Lu Jin’an sneered to himself, that Lin Zhixia really wasn’t easy to deal with; they were about to leave, and she was still giving away bracelets.

“Are you tired? Do you want to take a break?” Lu Demin wiped the sweat from his forehead and suggested during a pause in Bai An and Wan Qing’s conversation.

Bai An nodded, “I think that’s a good idea; we have been walking for a long time and are a bit tired.”

Cui Ju also expressed her agreement.

Lu Jin’an was indifferent.

“Okay, let’s take a break now.”

Lu Demin set down his backpack, found a clean spot for Wan Qing to sit, and sat beside her.

Bai An casually found a place and sat down with Cui Ju.

Lu Jin’an watched the scene of Bai An and Cui Ju together, feeling a stir in his heart. If not for Cui Ju’s presence, he would be the one sitting with Bai An now.

“Do you want something to eat?” Wan Qing pulled out some baked flatbreads from her backpack.

Bai An raised her hand and called out, “I want some.”

She then walked over and grabbed two pieces, holding one in each hand.

Lu Jin’an glanced indifferently at the bread in Bai An’s hands until she handed one piece to Cui Ju.

“Cui Ju, here, my mom’s bread is really delicious.”

“Thank you, Bai An.”

Lu Jin’an snorted coldly, and everyone heard it, turning to look at him in surprise.

Seeing this, Wan Qing quickly took out another piece of bread and handed it to Lu Jin’an, asking, “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well?”

All eyes turned to Lu Jin’an, who turned aside and accepted the flatbread from Wan Qing. “No, just a bit of discomfort in my throat.”

“Discomfort in your throat?” Wan Qing frowned, looking at Lu Jin’an’s thin clothing with some concern. “How did that happen? Did you catch a cold?”

Seeing Wan Qing’s worried expression, Lu Jin’an replied, “No, it’s probably just because I haven’t drunk water in a long time.”

As he spoke, he took a sip of water in front of Wan Qing. “It’s fine after drinking, so don’t worry.”

Wan Qing felt relieved once everything was settled.

On the side, Bai An was biting into the flatbread with great effort. Unlike Cui Ju, who was enjoying her bread, Bai An felt that something should accompany it to make it taste better.

So she secretly reached into her backpack and, using her mind, pulled out the chili sauce she had taken from home.

“Do you guys want chili sauce? It’s really tasty.” She lifted the chili sauce up.

Wan Qing looked on in confusion, “When did you bring the chili sauce from home?”

Bai An replied sheepishly, “Just now, haha.”