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墨書 Inktalez
"Of course, besides my efforts, there are also your efforts. In such harsh conditions, why do I insist on having you study? The purpose is to help you understand principles and become better people, not to send you abroad and leave Liu Family Village," Bai Cuifen continued.
The night grew darker, and the sounds of laughter from Shaw Min and the others drifted up from downstairs.
"What’s so good about being abroad? What’s wrong with Liu Family Village?" Bai Cuifen gazed into the vast darkness and continued slowly, "Even if you have studied in Beijing or studied abroad, if you come back to Liu Family Village to work in agriculture, I wouldn’t think you are unsuccessful. What can be done abroad or in Beijing can also be accomplished here in Liu Family Village. Look at Lanlan now..."
Bai Cuifen's voice suddenly stopped.
The mother and son stared blankly at each other.
Lanlan... the topic about her was something Bai Cuifen had been avoiding since An Shaojie returned.
Since An Shaojie came back, Bai Cuifen felt she had a lot to say to him, but every time she opened her mouth to speak, she realized that what she wanted to say was related to Qinglan. So for the past few days, she had been holding back and hardly spoke to him at all.
Not only that, even Shaw Min and the others were actively avoiding mentioning Qinglan's name; no one had brought it up in front of him.
Even Simple, who usually speaks without thinking, seemed either intentionally or unintentionally to have not mentioned her. In the past, given her friendship with Qinglan and her personality, she would have gone to find Qinglan long ago. Even if she hadn’t gone looking for her, she would have at least mentioned her countless times or asked about her, but instead, she remained completely silent.
It seemed everyone was playing a part, as if they had all forgotten about Qinglan.
But Bai Cuifen knew that they all had her in their hearts and were concerned about her.
Before An Shaojie returned, every time Shaw Min came back to Liu Family Village, the first thing she did was ask Bai Cuifen about Qinglan's situation, especially concerned about her progress with Xu Wen. Then no matter how tight the schedule was, she would always make time to see her.
After returning from seeing Qinglan each time, Bai Cuifen would always ask what Shaw Min talked about with Qinglan, and Jian Ming would listen attentively.
Usually, An Shaomin hesitantly said, "We didn't talk about anything, just sat for a while."
Bai Cuifen and Jian Ming both looked at her. Jian Ming probably didn't believe that she had specifically gone to Qinglan's house to see her and yet talked about nothing, just sitting for a while.
But Bai Cuifen's gaze at her was not one of surprise. Yes, sometimes just seeing her was enough; there was no need to say anything.
Sometimes, silence speaks louder than words!
Bai Cuifen understood this.
Wasn't it the same before? He often strolled over to their house, and when she moved a stool for him, he would sit for a while while she busied herself nearby. They often didn't say a word; he simply sat quietly for a bit before leaving without a sound. She would only realize he had gone after finishing her tasks.
Or sometimes, he wouldn't even enter their home but would just stand at the door, pulling out a pouch of tobacco and smoking slowly, taking big or small puffs. After finishing a cigarette, he would tap the pipe and say to her, who was always busy, "Well, I'm off."
She wouldn't look up and would reply, "Mm, take care."
It wasn't just about sitting for a while; sometimes a glance or a fleeting encounter could convey more than words.
All these years, hadn't he shown his silent care for her?
Although in recent years, he no longer openly looked after her as he once did, nor did he visit her home as frequently or even speak much anymore.
But she had never held it against him. As long as he remained in Liu Family Village, as long as he continued to be busy there, as long as she could still see his figure, he could still warm her heart.
She knew that she could take care of herself now, and he, at this moment, had someone weaker than her who needed him more.
She also believed that if she ever needed him more, he would certainly help her just like before. A few chance encounters, although he only gave her a glance or two, were already enough.
A glance was a bond and a longing.
So, in order for him to take better care of those who needed him more, she had to take good care of herself and live well.
Over the years, she had managed to live well.
He was like this towards her.
Then, how was she towards Qinglan? It was the same.
Since Qinglan returned from Beijing, others saw her as somewhat snobbish and indifferent. When she was in trouble before, Qing Shusheng helped her without hesitation. Now that Qing Shusheng's beloved daughter was in trouble, she hadn’t even gone to offer a word of comfort.
Indeed, since Qinglan returned, she hadn’t stepped through that gate even once—the gate of the yard where a tall Old Locust Tree grew. She had never gone back inside.
It wasn’t because of the perceived snobbery and indifference from others, nor was it because Qing Shusheng had stopped helping and caring for her; it was simply because she lacked the courage.
The lonely and frail figure of the returning Qinglan resembled her from years ago.
On an evening filled with sunset glow, when she was at her wits' end, she wandered at the entrance of Liu Family Village. It was Qing Shusheng who took her in, and this act of kindness allowed her to put down roots in Liu Family Village and flourish.
Every time she looked at Qinglan's frail figure from a distance, her heart ached as if pierced by needles, yet she lacked the courage to approach her, not even daring to say a single word. On the surface, she deliberately maintained a calm demeanor.
However, over the past few years, whenever Bai Cuifang stole a glance at Qinglan, her heart would surge with affection and longing for her, stronger than ever before.
Yet outwardly, she had distanced herself from Qinglan, to the point where they hardly exchanged any words.
Bai Cuifang believed that her distance was not true estrangement; Qinglan should understand that.
So when the name that had been buried deep in her heart slipped out unconsciously, Bai Cuifang couldn't help but be taken aback and instinctively looked at An Shaojie, her gaze darting across his face.
If he didn't have feelings for her, his expression and reaction should have been natural and indifferent.
But Bai Cuifang noticed that he was hiding something, concealing his confusion and unease.
Just as he said, he had feelings for her! He always had! He left for her and returned for her.
Bai Cuifang felt a surge of joy in her heart.
"Um... Mother, I... I think I'll return to Beijing a bit later," An Shaojie murmured, shifting his gaze away from Bai Cuifang's face, his demeanor awkward.
Bai Cuifang stepped closer, keeping her eyes fixed on him.
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