Chapter 65: Reality 60 – Help  

Just as Bai An was about to step outside, Lu Jin’an grabbed her hand and asked, “It’s so dark outside; do you really not need me to go with you?”

“No, I don’t need you, brother.” Bai An glanced at the current situation, “You should stay home and help pack; I’ll be back soon.”

Lu Jin’an looked at Bai An’s retreating figure with some worry, fearing that the group of people they encountered earlier hadn’t gone far and that Bai An might encounter danger.

Lu Demin, seeing Lu Jin’an’s expression, comforted him by patting his shoulder, “Da Zhuang’s home isn’t far from here, don’t worry; just focus on packing.”

With Lu Demin’s reassurance, Lu Jin’an felt slightly more at ease. He turned around and saw Cui Ju still sitting on the ground, looking sad and indifferent. He reached out and pulled her up, saying, “Let’s pack first; you can be sad after we’re done.”

Cui Ju looked at Lu Jin’an in surprise. Under his cold gaze, her tears were frightened back, and she could only nod dumbly, following Wan Qing to help pack up their belongings.

Bai An walked along the small path in front of her house, feeling a bit timid in the dim surroundings, always sensing that something might suddenly rush at her.

While she was lost in her thoughts, a light, slow footstep sound appeared behind her.

Bai An paused, unsure if it was an illusion or reality. She was about to stop and listen closely to the sound when she noticed the footsteps were getting faster and louder.

It was real, not an illusion.

At that moment, there was only one thought in Bai An’s mind.

Run!

“Bai An, why are you running?”

Hearing the familiar voice, Bai An frowned and turned to look forward.

“Lin Zhixia?” Bai An hesitated and called out to the blurry figure in front of her.

Lin Zhixia shrugged and took a few steps forward. Noticing Bai An stepping back, he stopped and smiled, asking, “What are you afraid of?”

Bai An ignored him, feeling confused, “What are you doing here?” She looked around at the scenery illuminated by the moonlight and said, “I remember this place isn’t close to your house; don’t tell me you just happened to pass by.”

Lin Zhixia laughed at Bai An’s guarded demeanor, “My sister is going to follow you guys, so of course, I had to come and take a look.”

“Don’t worry, I will definitely treat Cui Ju well.”

“I know that, but I’m just curious.” Lin Zhixia walked in front of Bai An, bent down to look into her eyes, and asked softly, “At a time like this, every family can’t afford to eat, so for them, children are just a burden. Are you really so kind-hearted to take Cui Ju in?”

Bai An looked speechlessly at Lin Zhixia in front of her, stepping back a few paces to maintain distance, “What else should I do? Let Cui Ju wait at home to die?”

“Die?” Lin Zhixia frowned and replied, “If you’re talking about what she did to help you today, she won’t die because of that; she’ll just marry a man she doesn’t like, like every girl from a poor family here, staying home to have children.”

“Isn’t that more terrifying than death?”

Bai An chose not to respond to him and turned to leave.

Lin Zhixia quickly stepped in front of her, looking at Bai An’s expressionless face, feeling as if his heart was being tightly gripped, causing a dull pain. “What about you?”

“What?”

“Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”

Bai An thought for a moment, looking at Lin Zhixia blocking her way, and said, “I will take good care of Cui Ju; as long as I have food, she won’t go hungry.”

Just as Bai An finished speaking and tried to walk around him, Lin Zhixia grabbed her hand and slipped a bracelet onto her wrist.

“Just put this here for now. When I leave the village later and come back to find you, consider this a token.”

Bai An couldn’t see the bracelet clearly on her wrist; she could only feel its cold touch, and it seemed quite valuable.

“What do you want me to do with this? What if I break it?” Bai An said as she put down the food in her arms and reached to take off the bracelet.

Lin Zhixia grabbed Bai An’s restless hands and said seriously, “This is a family heirloom. You must take good care of it. It was left to me by my mother for her daughter-in-law. I will come back to get it from you later.”

Bai An’s expression turned even more speechless. What was this all about?

Just as Bai An was about to say something, suddenly a soft, warm thing pressed against her face.

Taking advantage of Bai An’s stunned state, Lin Zhixia kissed her a few more times and released his grip before Bai An could react, his own face burning hot.

“Bai An, you must remember me.”

Bai An seemed to suddenly come to her senses, raised her hand to touch her face, and shouted at Lin Zhixia’s back in the distance, “Who wants to remember you? Next time I see you, I definitely won’t let you off!”

Hearing Bai An’s strong voice, Lin Zhixia couldn’t help but smile, unconsciously touching his own lips, as if the sensation from earlier lingered.

After scolding Lin Zhixia, Bai An felt like she was sweating all over, her body hot, especially her face, as if she could cook an egg on it.

She raised her hands to fan herself and then picked up the food on the ground to continue on to Da Zhuang.

After that experience, Bai An was no longer afraid of the dim surroundings and moved even faster.

Before long, she arrived at Da Zhuang’s doorstep.

Feeling a bit shy, Bai An knocked on the door, and soon, a flurry of footsteps could be heard from inside.

“Auntie, hello.” Bai An greeted Da Zhuang’s mother politely, “May I come in to see Da Zhuang?”

“This…” Da Zhuang’s mother was somewhat reluctant to interact with Bai An and casually said, “Da Zhuang is busy right now.”

Bai An noticed Da Zhuang’s mother’s concerns and said, “No one will know I’m here.”

She handed the food in her hands to Da Zhuang’s mother and continued, “We’re leaving tonight, and this is for you. Also, thank you for Da Zhuang’s help today.”

Da Zhuang’s mother was pleasantly surprised to hold the bag of food in her arms. After seeing what was inside, she realized it was much more and of better quality than what she had given away.

“Leaving so soon?” Da Zhuang’s mother warmly pulled Bai An inside. “Da Zhuang is still sleeping; I’ll wake him up now.”

Bai An nodded, “I’ll just say goodbye to Da Zhuang and leave.”

“Right, your family must be very busy now.” Da Zhuang’s mother said as she opened Da Zhuang’s door.

As soon as the door opened, they saw Da Zhuang lying on the bed, mumbling and groaning.

“Da Zhuang, Bai An is here to see you.”

“Who?”

Da Zhuang raised his head and saw Bai An standing at the door, surprised and wanting to get up to greet her.

But as soon as he moved, a sharp pain shot through his backside.