Chapter 2, Let's Annul the Engagement

Seeing Lu Ying standing by the bed, gazing at him so intently, Zeng Lang smiled sincerely and said with concern, "It is good that A Ying has woken up; I have been worried about you all along"

After staring at him for a moment, Lu Ying lowered her head, bowed slightly to him, and said softly: "Has Zeng Lang arrived? I am much better now." Having said this gently, she slowly raised her head and asked quietly: "Zeng Lang, do you know how I fell? I can't seem to remember it at all."

Yes, sister

Turning her head, Lu Ying looked at her brother, who was staring at her in astonishment. With her eyes reddening, her voice came out particularly cold, "He has been arrogant towards me, and there is an underlying impatience. His mother does not like me either..." Speaking in a difficult tone, she paused after saying this, pressed her lips together, and suddenly said after a moment of silence, "In a few days, Uncle Zeng will return home. Ah Yun, when that time comes, you should take the marriage certificate to the Zeng family and request to annul the engagement."

After Lu Ying walked around the yard for a while, her head started to ache again, so she returned to her room

Hearing the footsteps coming from outside, Lu Ying hurriedly reached out to smooth the hem of her clothes. When she reached up to touch her hair, she realized that her head was wrapped in several layers of cloth, leaving no trace of beauty.

The small wooden house where she lived with her younger brother was low and simple, consisting of only two rooms, converted from a storage shed of her maternal grandparents. After their parents passed away, her brother needed to attend school, and the household was always managed by Lu Ying. As a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, she had no means of making a living. All she could do was embroider a couple of flowers and, relying on her beautiful handwriting, write a few letters for the neighbors.

It is unclear how much time has passed, when Lu Yun's voice came from outside, "Sister, Zeng Lang has arrived"

Lu Ying continued to gaze at the figure of Zeng Lang, who was sitting in the donkey cart and departing in the distance, and softly said: "You are right, he has grown weary of me..."

Zeng Lang glanced around and turned back to see Lu Ying with her head lowered, silent, her face pale, which, combined with her exceptionally beautiful features, made her quite enchanting. Uncontrollably, a softness welled up in his heart, along with a kind of affection and satisfaction that he himself could not comprehend. However, when he caught sight of the only intact piece of cloth she was wearing, which she had not changed since their meeting, he inexplicably felt a surge of irritation.

Upon seeing Lu Yun's astonishment, Lu Ying herself was also taken aback. She stood there with her mouth agape, hardly able to believe that such words had come from her own lips

My sister has woken up

In shock, Lu Yun widened his eyes. Although he had never particularly liked this Zeng Lang, he also understood that a woman's marriage is a matter that concerns her entire life. How could his sister make such a hasty decision?

Lu Ying quickly stood up, and a genuine smile appeared on her otherwise indifferent face. Since the death of her parents, she and her younger brother had experienced the vicissitudes of life. Regarding this man, whom she would rely on for the rest of her life, she felt both admiration and a sincere desire to depend on him

With meager income, the lives of the brother and sister were also lived in a constrained manner

What?

A Yun, do you remember what father said? He said that although he is a sinner of the Lu clan, he will never have the face to return to the clan. But you and I, we are both proud descendants of the Lu family. No matter when, we must not lower our heads; even when facing kings and nobles, we should smile calmly

After a while, Lu Yun's voice came from behind her, mocking, "Stop looking, their father is already a general. Even if you keep looking at him, he won't linger any longer."

That is fine

To Lu Yun's surprise, Lu Ying, who had always held Zeng Lang in high regard and never allowed him to speak freely in criticism, let out a soft sigh this time. Amidst the lingering sound of her sigh, Lu Yun heard Lu Ying quietly say: "Indeed."

Regardless of the circumstances, she does not like it this way

"En," Lu Ying's voice was soft and gentle, "My engagement with Zeng Lang was established when our parents were both alive. There is a saying that as long as a person exists, their heart exists. I believe that if my father were alive, he would not want his daughter to accept the charity of others, even if it is in the form of marriage."

Two people walked out of the wooden cabin, one in front and the other behind. After Lu Ying came to a stop, she turned her head and caught a glimpse of Zeng Lang, who was frowning in annoyance at the puddle accumulating in the corner of the house. For some reason, an indescribable pang of sorrow surged in her heart.

All along, the man whom she regarded as her heaven, as the support for her later years, how could she so lightly deny him? Was it the unease that surged forth after seeing Zeng Lang just now, or the constant warning voice reminding her at this very moment?

It is a common phenomenon in the world to favor the rich and disdain the poor, and one cannot help but feel a bit shabby in comparison to oneself, which explains his frequent frowns. Ain is also beautiful and captivating, which is why he expresses joy when mentioning her

Noticing that Zeng Lang mentioned Ain, her pupils dilated slightly, and there was a hint of hidden tenderness in her tone, which made Lu Ying narrow her eyes. After a while, she let out an "oh" and saw Zeng Lang standing at the door with his head lowered, looking rather awkward. Lu Ying stepped towards him and gently said, "A Lang, please stand outside and speak."

What?

He spoke the truth, and Lu Ying knew it, yet for some reason, she just stared at him intently

Lu Ying did not take her eyes off Zeng Lang's unwavering back.

Zeng Lang breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing her say that she was much better. Standing in this cramped room, which he found difficult to adapt to, he furrowed his brow again and finally replied in a gentle tone: "It was the moss on the stone steps; Ain gave you a little push, and you lost your balance and fell down." After a pause, he defended Ain by saying: "She was just joking when she pushed you; she didn't expect you to be so fragile."

But sister

Zeng Lang has arrived

At this moment, Lu Ying sat in the room, gently stroking the patched burlap quilt on the bed while furrowing her brow in contemplation

I am awake now, he should be happy, so why is he frowning? Also, why do I say it is habitual?

Upon hearing Lu Ying mention their deceased father, Lu Yun's eyes reddened. He gritted his teeth and said, "Sister, I understand."

He pressed his lips together and finally spoke softly, "I just came to see you. Since you are much better now, take good care of your recovery. You need not worry about the doctor; I have already paid the fee."

At that moment, a somewhat anxious voice from Zeng Lang came through, "A Yun, has A Ying really woken up?"

Indeed, if a woman marries a husband who is not satisfactory to her, and has a mother-in-law who is perpetually critical and will never like her, her happiness in life does not require further speculation or fantasy. Right? It is this warning that echoes repeatedly in her heart, prompting her to express such sentiments.

"That's good." At that moment, a figure appeared at the low doorway. The tall Zeng Lang stepped in, and as he looked up at Lu Ying, she clearly sensed his habitual frown.

There is a saying that rigidity is easily broken; Lu Ying's father was, throughout his life, broken due to his excessive rigidity. Before her injury, she would have dismissed her father's teachings without a second thought. Strangely, the current her naturally accepts her father's philosophy. Perhaps it is because the green trees and red flowers swaying in the spring sunlight are so vivid and bright, or perhaps it is more due to an indescribable sense of understanding and confidence that fills her entire heart at this moment

Lu Yun saw his sister walking lightly, her smile bright. Although he could not discern the reason, he ultimately felt relieved.

With a light sigh, Lu Ying nodded towards Lu Yun and said: "Let’s decide on this. When Uncle Zeng returns, you will go to withdraw the engagement."

Having said this, he turned and left