Back in the dormitory, Lin Xiaonuan collapsed onto her bed at once. She was exhausted—her body was tired, but her heart was even more so.
Like a wounded kitten, she curled up in bed, licking her wounds alone.
She took out her phone to call her parents, but feared that once she spoke, her tears would pour out uncontrollably and become another worry for them.
Every time they spoke before, her mother would always remind her:
"Your uncle and aunt send money every month for my treatment. We must know how to be grateful. When you visit your uncle's house, mind your manners. Your cousin Xuanxuan has a bad temper, so you should let her have her way."
Her mother's voice would always begin to choke as she said it, blaming herself for dragging the whole family down with her illness.
Every time, Xiaonuan would swallow her tears and smile as she reassured her,
"Mom, I know. Don't worry about me. I'm doing great here—my teachers are good, my classmates are good, Uncle's family is good, and the food is good. We have meat every day."
She always reported only good news, never bad. Her parents truly believed that she was living well in Jiangcheng, studying at university under the care of her uncle's family.
But being taken care of and living well.
But…
Half-dazed, she fell asleep and dreamed a distant dream…
Four years ago, she received the admission letter from the prestigious M University in Jiangcheng. Her parents' joy was tinged with a shadow of worry.
Her mother's health was poor—she had to be hospitalized every so often. Her younger brother was still in high school. Her father, Lin Qingping, was just a loader at the town's wholesale vegetable market—doing the hardest work for the smallest pay.
"I won't go. Jiangcheng is too far. I can't bear to leave you. Besides, there are many ways to succeed; going to university isn't the only one."
She tried to persuade her parents, but in truth, she was persuading herself.
The villagers also tried to convince Lin Qingping:
"Your family's already so poor. It's one thing for your son to study, but what's the point of sending a girl to school? She's so pretty—if she marries early, you can get a bride price to help the family. Isn't that better?"
But Lin Qingping would never agree. His child had worked so hard all those years—wasn't it all for the chance to go to university?
He had lived his whole life in the countryside. Though poor and unfamiliar with the outside world, he was remarkably open-minded.
"The more you study, the more you can see the world outside. That's always a good thing."
Lin Qingping took a deep drag on his cigarette. The white smoke formed a thin mist, veiling his weathered face.
…
When he escorted Xiaonuan to M University for registration, he bought two boxes of gifts and took her to visit her uncle, Lin Qingshan, in Jiangcheng.
Lin Qingshan lived far from the university, in a three-story villa decorated in gaudy gold—so flashy it was as if he feared people wouldn't know how rich he was.
His wife, Zhang Liyun, came from a wealthy family in real estate. Lin Qingshan had married into her family and settled in Jiangcheng, rarely having contact with their poorer relatives back home.
The last time Xiaonuan saw her uncle was when her grandfather passed away—he had returned alone and stayed only a single morning. She had been just ten years old then.
Lin Qingping knew his elder brother had his difficulties as a son-in-law, so he never bothered him. This time, though, he wanted to make sure his daughter had someone to rely on in a city so far from home.
The two brothers looked alike, but where Lin Qingping was thin and deeply wrinkled by hardship, Lin Qingshan was plump and oily-faced, his jade thumb ring a display of wealth.
"Hello, Uncle."
"So this is Xiaonuan, huh? Haven't seen you in years—you've grown so much. Girls change a lot as they grow—you're getting prettier and prettier."
Lin Qingshan put an arm around her shoulders as he praised her, though a flicker of disappointment crossed his mind. His own pampered daughter, Lin Xuanxuan, wasn't as striking as this niece from the countryside.
He cursed inwardly: All my ugly wife's fault—our daughter takes after her.
After some polite chatter, Lin Qingshan spoke warmly:
"Brother, why don't you let Xiaonuan stay at my place? Xuanxuan also got into M University this year—they can go to and from school together and keep each other company."
"No need, Brother. I've already arranged her dorm. I just wanted to introduce her, so she knows where you live. If she runs into any trouble here, I'd be grateful if you could help."
Lin Qingping hunched his back, not wanting to trouble his brother.
"No problem. Don't worry—this is nothing. Dorm life is fine, but she should come here during holidays and treat this like her own home."
With a generous wave, Lin Qingshan patted his niece's head.
"Come by often. Spend some time with your cousin. In a few days, I'll have your aunt take you shopping for some new clothes—dress you up a bit."
His kindly demeanor warmed Xiaonuan's heart.
With someone to depend on in Jiangcheng, Lin Qingping felt relieved. He took his daughter back to campus and bought the cheapest train ticket to return home that very night—every extra day in this expensive city meant more expenses.
…
That night, Lin Qingshan's wife, Zhang Liyun, came home from shopping with their daughter, Lin Xuanxuan.
The maid quickly handed her a cup of tea and leaned close to whisper:
"Madam, this afternoon, the master's younger brother and niece from his hometown—"
Before she could finish, Zhang Liyun smashed the teacup in her hand.
"How dare he! Bringing those poor relatives here behind my back?"
Lin Qingshan was burning incense for the God of Wealth. Seeing his wife in a rage, he rushed over in a fluster.