How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

The next morning, someone from the Marshal's Mansion sent someone to tell Lao Hei that Qingru and Jiang Shen had gone to Nanjing on official business and left, without explaining why.

Old Hei pondered that it was probably related to Zhang Xun's hurried visit to Qingru last night, but he couldn't guess exactly what it was about.

After much deliberation, Lao Hei went back to his room and wrote a letter, informing Lü Peijun of the situation.

For a while, none of the main members of the Lü family were home. Fortunately, Yanru was on spring break from school, and judging by the days, she should be back soon.

After delivering the letter, Lao Hei packed some things for Guiying to take with her. Looking at the car full of gifts, Guiying thanked him repeatedly with gratitude.

"That's enough, that's enough. I'm not saying I'm not coming back."

Qiu Shuang sneered, "Hmph, open your eyes and see. The grain we've prepared for you is all durable and meant for certain people's wedding feasts."

Xiao Erlang also said, "Brother Zhuzi, I don't want my old courtyard anymore. You can ask the village chief to decide how to arrange it. Give it to whoever needs it. Of course, I originally wanted to give it to you, but since you're coming to the city, you won't need it."

Zhu Zi chuckled as he touched Xiao Erlang's face; he had gained quite a bit of weight these days.

“I won’t touch that courtyard. Even though you’ve changed your surname, you were once a resident of Woniu Village. I’m leaving you a memento, a place where you can still have roots.”

Xiao Erlang waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no, I don't want any thoughts, I don't want to get up at all."

Old Hei had been catching up on the story of Xiao Erlang's parents last night and felt that there was no point in keeping the house. So he suggested, "If neither of you wants it, then leaving the house empty is a waste. I have a suggestion. Back then, Niu Da and his wife committed many evil deeds and harmed a lot of girls. Why not sell what you can in their house to compensate those families? That would be a good deed."

Xiao Erlang thought it was a good idea too. "That's right, let's do it this way then. Brother Zhuzi, can you help me with this? I'll tell you where the land deed is hidden. When we sell the goods, you can deduct a portion as my gift money, hehe."

Xiao Fuzi shoved Xiao Erlang aside, "Hey, is this all the money you're giving as a gift? How stingy! You expect people to do the favor first before you can give me any."

The young man retorted defiantly, "So what? What did you give me?"

Xiao Fuzi handed over a box. "Here, Sister Guiying, this is a gift I prepared for you. I wish you and Brother Zhuzi a long and happy life together."

Guiying opened the box and saw two glittering gold rings lying quietly inside. Guiying hurriedly handed them to Xiaofuzi as if they were burning her hands, saying, "You didn't save up much money, don't take such an expensive gift."

Xiao Fuzi pouted and said, "Sister Guiying, I've been saving this up for a long time. I bought it because I like you, so why aren't you accepting it?"

She bought those two plain rings from a jewelry store early that morning; the two small plain rings cost her all her spare change.

Guiying was at a loss for what to do. On one hand, she was concerned about Xiaofuzi's feelings, and on the other hand, she was thinking about her. How could a little girl like her know the value of money?

Zhu Zi dared not say anything more; this was Gui Ying's good friend, how could he possibly interrupt?

Old Hei made the final decision, handing the ring to Guiying. "Take it. It's a token of the child's affection. If you think it's too precious, it's not like you're never coming back. We'll have plenty of time to get together in the future."

Indeed, the thought that Guiying and her husband would come to the city after their marriage eased much of the sorrow of parting.

They saw them off all the way to the street corner before turning back. Qiu Shuang was quite sad. "We were all sisters together, and now one of us is gone. I feel a little unaccustomed to it."

Xiao Fuzi quickly said, "Then I'll move in and sleep with you. I'm not used to sleeping alone."

"Row."

The two of them were chatting and laughing together again, while Lao Hei was worried.

Xin Wu Hui noticed the worry in Lao Hei's eyes and was somewhat at a loss. "Uncle, what's wrong?"

Old Hei came to his senses and said, "It's nothing. Let's go pick up the Second Miss. She's on spring break and will be staying home for a while."

Xin Wuhui was a good driver. He drove Qiu Shuang and the other two home and then headed towards Nancheng University.

Nancheng University was among the first batch of schools established after the founding of the Republic of China. It has many majors, many teachers, and a very good academic atmosphere.

Nestled in a picturesque spot in Sifang City, thanks to the protection of Commander Guo, this place can be considered one of the most peaceful and tranquil locations.

Half an hour later, the car arrived at the entrance of Nancheng University.

Looking at the magnificent building, the green trees and red walls, and the energetic students, Xin Wu Hui couldn't help but exclaim, "This is Nancheng University!"

He looked up and saw three large, golden characters standing next to the towering, heavy gate: "Nancheng University".

Seeing the longing in his eyes, Lao Hei couldn't help but feel sorry for him. He clearly had such a father, yet he didn't give him a good education.

Nancheng University was very grand, and the students coming and going all looked well-dressed and elegant. The girls, wearing T-shirts and long skirts, sat in twos and threes on the grass, chatting animatedly.

"Studying for the rise of China is the fundamental purpose of us scholars and our lifelong pursuit."

Another retorted, "No, no, the purpose of reading is to understand principles and put them into practice. It is about cultivating oneself, managing one's family, governing the state, and bringing peace to the world. Bringing peace to the world is the last one."

This statement was immediately criticized: "Bah, cowardly rat! Now is a time of national crisis, how can you think of yourself first?"

Another person said, "How can you take care of the world if you can't even take care of yourself? If you ask me..."

Then the arguments began, one after another, each saying their own thing, neither willing to give in.

Listening to the students arguing, Xin Wuhui scratched his head. He didn't really understand any of it, and it seemed like everyone had a point.

"Uncle, who do you think is right?"

Old Hei laughed and said, "That's all right."

"Huh? Then who's wrong?"

"None of it is right."

Xin Wu Hui was puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"They are all one-sided and narrow-minded, so they are all correct from their own perspectives, but they are all wrong in the big picture. The idea that the country comes before the family and the ambition to govern the country is absolutely true. The country is composed of countless small families, so the idea that one should cultivate oneself before serving the country is also true. So they are all right and all wrong."

The students listened, seemingly understanding but not quite.

Old Hei laughed and walked away, going with Xin Wu Hui to find Yan Ru.

After walking for half a day, and with the weather gradually getting warmer, Xin Wu Hui regretted parking the car too far away.

"Uncle, where is the Second Miss? Is there any hope of finding her?"

Old Hei looked up and saw an artificial lake that flowed into the Mi River. It was early spring, and the surrounding area was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers. The lake surface shimmered, making it a perfect place for a date and relaxation.

"It should be over there."

Yanru studies fine arts, and with such a beautiful scene and such good weather, she had no reason not to come and sketch.

After walking along the lake for a while, I saw a group of students gathered in front of me, chattering away, arguing about something.

Xin Wu Hui and Lao Hei went over, and from the outside, all they could see was that they were watching a female student.

"Her smile is enchanting, her eyes are bright and beautiful; she is so lovely, so beautiful."

"Tch, that's so cliché. I think the beauty of my junior should be compared to a daffodil by a lake, truly intoxicating."

"It's a pity that my junior is drawing a sketch today, otherwise I would definitely draw this picture myself and hang it on the dormitory wall."

One boy lamented, "This student, Ms. Lü, is already stunningly beautiful, but I never expected her to be so talented in painting. What a twist of fate! Oh, I mean, she's incredibly talented."

Everyone sighed.

Seeing so many people discussing this, Xin Wu Hui was a little puzzled. "Did they learn how to flatter at school? This is going too far."

This statement was immediately refuted: "Who is spouting such nonsense?"

Looking back, he saw a tall man who looked much more imposing than him.

Xin Wu Hui flexed his muscles and forced his way in.

Pushing aside the crowd, Xin Wu Hui gasped in astonishment; it was simply too beautiful.

He had never seen such a beautiful and charming girl before. He didn't know how to describe the beauty he was seeing. All he knew was that all the words in his vocabulary could only describe her as, "Holy crap, she's so beautiful."

The most beautiful person he had ever seen was Qingru, but Qingru was charming and heroic, and her personality was decisive. He could only admire her and could not have any other thoughts about her.

The woman before him was different; delicate and beautiful, she blended perfectly with the surrounding scenery, yet her beauty made her stand out and become the most eye-catching.

But her beauty was too fragile, as if a single heavy breath could blow the person in front of her away. He now understood why these boys only stayed on the outside, but didn't get closer.

The woman put down her brush, dried the drawing paper, and carefully put it away.

As soon as the drawing paper was put away, a helpful boy immediately lifted the flower stand. The woman declined his offer and used her own slender body to lift the stand.

When Lao Hei saw her approaching, he called out, "Second Miss."

It turned out that she was Lü Yanru. After not seeing her for a long time, she was even more beautiful than before, and her expression was more calm and composed.