Zhao Nuanyue checked the time. It was a little after two in the afternoon; there should still be a bus back to the city. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

’I have to go. Right now!’

Yesterday, only one of the fish dishes had been drugged with sleeping pills. Today, she suspected almost every dish would be. If she didn’t eat, it would arouse Zhao Jinghai’s and Wang Lianhua’s suspicion. But if she did, she would be drugged, pass out, and be framed by those people, helpless like a lamb to the slaughter.

’Go. I have to go immediately.’

Zhao Nuanyue saw that her mother looked exhausted and said softly, "Mom, you’re too tired. Why don’t you go lie down for a bit?"

Hearing her daughter’s concerned words, Xia Yingyu was overjoyed. She had been afraid that her daughter resented her. Seeing now that Nuanyue didn’t hold a grudge, she was deeply relieved. "Alright, I’ll go rest for a while," she said. "I’m getting older. I don’t have the energy I used to."

"Well, Nuanyang and I are grown now, so you’re not young anymore either. And being pregnant on top of it all must be exhausting," Zhao Nuanyue replied, a hint of sadness in her voice. "I was a little upset at first when I heard about your marriage, but I’ve had time to think it over, and I’m happy for you. You’ve given so much to this family, but they’re still so wary of you, still bully you. Maybe once you’re carrying Zhao Jinghai’s bloodline, they’ll finally accept you."

Her daughter’s words made Xia Yingyu’s heart ache, but she was also happy to have her blessing. She nodded. "Thank you, Nuanyue. You’re so understanding, you know how hard it’s been for me. Don’t worry, I can definitely protect you both now!"

"Mm, thanks," Zhao Nuanyue said. ’She knows Xia Yingyu doesn’t have the power to do that, but at least she has the heart.’

That, at least, kept Zhao Nuanyue from feeling completely disappointed, from giving in to despair.

If even her own mother was capable of betraying her, then Zhao Nuanyue would truly be the most pitiful person in the world.

Zhao Nuanyue helped her mother to her room to rest. Once her mother was asleep, Nuanyue quietly slipped out. She went to her own room. She decided not to take the bag she had packed, leaving it behind to create a diversion. It would make it look like they had just gone out for a walk, not run away, buying them more time.

However, Zhao Nuanyue did take the three letters, along with the money, ration coupons, and identification papers, tucking them securely into an inner pocket of her clothes.

"Nuanyang, come out," Zhao Nuanyue said, going to her brother’s room. "We’re leaving!"

"Sister, where are we going?" Zhao Nuanyang tilted his head, looking at his sister, not understanding why she was in such a hurry.

"Nuanyang, just listen to me, okay?" Fear gnawed at Zhao Nuanyue. She couldn’t delay any longer. She was terrified her brother wouldn’t obey her. Even if she could escape by herself, she would never leave her brother behind.

Zhao Nuanyang glanced at their mother’s door, a look of reluctance on his face.

Still, he nodded and started to go into his room to pack his things and leave with his sister.

"Don’t pack anything," Zhao Nuanyue stopped him hastily. "Don’t grab a thing. I already have what we need."

As she reached the door, Zhao Nuanyue’s heart softened. She left a note on the table that read: "Mom, I just got back. I’m taking my brother out for a walk. Don’t worry, I brought some ration coupons, so we’ll get some wonton noodle soup outside. It’s his favorite."

The note was intended, on one hand, to keep Xia Yingyu from worrying, and on the other, to mislead Wang Lianhua and Zhao Jinghai, buying herself more time.

Zhao Nuanyang kept looking back as they walked away, unable to bear leaving.

Zhao Nuanyue’s heart ached too, but she knew that house was a pit of fire. If they didn’t leave, they would just be pushed into it.

When they reached the main gate, they ran into some acquaintances. She told them she had just gotten back from the countryside and wanted to look around.

After buying tickets and boarding the bus, Zhao Nuanyue held Zhao Nuanyang’s hand and spoke softly, "Nuanyang, we’re in a lot of danger right now. You have to listen to me so we can get back to Nianqiao Village safely. If the bad guys catch us, you’ll never see me again. And they’ll beat me, and I’ll have no hope of escape."

Hearing his sister’s words, Zhao Nuanyang was stunned.

"Why?" Fear and panic filled Zhao Nuanyang’s eyes. He couldn’t understand why his sister would be in danger.

"Because Zhao Jinghai wants to sacrifice us for his own benefit," Zhao Nuanyue said. Worried her brother wouldn’t understand, she added, "That Zhao Jinghai isn’t our real father. Our real dad already passed away. He’s the man in the photograph in our room. So, Zhao Jinghai doesn’t care about us."

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyang’s eyes turned red. He nodded and said, "So we’re not the same as Zhao Huilan."

"Right!" Zhao Nuanyue nodded, tears finally streaming down her face. She quickly wiped them away, afraid they might run into someone they knew on the bus and give themselves away. "They want to hurt us. Mom is pregnant and can’t protect us, so we have to run away!"

Hearing this, Zhao Nuanyang grew anxious. A look of urgency crossed his face as he said, "Mom is in danger!"

Zhao Nuanyue squeezed Zhao Nuanyang’s hand and quickly explained, "Mom is pregnant, and the baby is his, just like Zhao Huilan is his child. So Zhao Jinghai won’t hurt Mom. She’s very safe."

Hearing his sister’s words, Zhao Nuanyang froze, asking uncertainly, "Really?"

"Of course," Zhao Nuanyue whispered, nodding to reassure her brother. "Mom will be fine. I’ve never lied to you, Nuanyang. You trust me, don’t you?"

"Mm, Nuanyang trusts Sister," Zhao Nuanyang nodded. "I’ll go with Sister! It’s dangerous here, dangerous!"

"Right, dangerous," Zhao Nuanyue agreed. "You’re so smart, Nuanyang, you can tell good from bad now. From now on, you have to pay attention to the necklace around your neck. If it gets hot, you need to get away from bad people. And this is our secret. If you tell anyone, I’ll disappear, and you’ll never see me again."

"Won’t tell. Nuanyang won’t tell," Zhao Nuanyang said, shaking his head vigorously. "Sister, don’t go!"

"Mm, as long as you listen to me, Nuanyang, I’ll always be by your side." Zhao Nuanyue patted her brother’s head. "When we get to Nianqiao Village, I’ll make you something delicious!"

Hearing his sister’s promise, some of the tension left Zhao Nuanyang’s face. He nodded. "Okay, back to Nianqiao Village!"

Zhao Nuanyue’s mind was in turmoil. She prayed the bus would get to the county town quickly so they could transfer to Jincheng City. By the time they arrived, it was five in the afternoon and already dark. At the train station, Zhao Nuanyue discovered she couldn’t buy tickets without a letter of introduction. She took one of her letters and went to find Chen Lei, but he was out on a job and hadn’t returned yet.

Without a letter of introduction, not only could she not buy train tickets, but she also couldn’t get a room at a guesthouse.

In her desperation, Zhao Nuanyue could only rely on the letter Hua Yusen had given her before. She had to take it to the scrap collection station—it was the only place left for her to go.