How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Yan Ru awoke from the suffocating despair of drowning, abruptly sat up, and greedily gasped for air.

The feeling of being saved from a desperate situation is not something everyone can experience. With tears in her eyes, Yan Ru slowly returned to reality.

My limbs were limp, but I was driven by the instinct to survive to warm up.

"call…"

Yan Ru gasped for breath, the stale air in her lungs being expelled by the cool air, and she gradually regained consciousness.

As my eyes gradually adjusted to the surrounding darkness, moonlight streamed in through the window, making it possible to vaguely see a scene inside the room.

"Is this the Song residence? Am I back in the small building? Am I not dead?"

Yan Ru asked herself repeatedly, and couldn't help but cry tears of joy. She realized that being saved from a desperate situation was so joyful that she could shed tears when she was overjoyed.

Yanru covered her mouth, letting tears stream down her face. She carefully examined every piece of furniture in the room. Before, she only felt constrained, but now she felt fortunate.

After getting out of bed, Yanxia explored the room inch by inch. The soft bedding, the cold, hard wooden chair, the chaise lounge... she suddenly felt a sense of disorientation, as if she didn't know where she was.

When the lights were turned on again, the glaring light blinded her, and Yanru reached out to shield her eyes.

It took about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea for her eyes to gradually adjust. Once she could open her eyes completely, Yanru slowly strolled around the room.

She walked to the mirror and sat down, quietly looking at herself. Yan Ru reached out to touch her face, but only touched the cold surface of the mirror.

Pale, dejected, and forlorn, with slightly reddened eyes...

As she looked at herself, she felt that the person in the mirror was becoming more and more unfamiliar, and the more she looked, the less she resembled herself. Yanru quickly covered the mirror and dared not look anymore.

People tend to cherish what they have lost, especially life.

I used to be brave and fearless, but I won't be anymore.

We must cherish our lives and never act rashly. Thinking back to that day when I fell into the water, I did have only an impulse to escape, but I felt lingering fear after escaping death.

If she had to do it again, she would still jump into the water, but at least she would think of other ways first. Only if all else fails would that be the last resort.

"Knock knock," a gentle knock was made on the door leading to the veranda. In the quiet night, Yanru was not afraid of the sound; on the contrary, she felt at ease because she knew who it was and that someone was waiting for her there.

When the door was opened, Song Yuanliang's pale face, etched with worry, was revealed.

His arrival stirred a surge of emotion within me.

Yan Ru let herself lean weakly against Song Yuanliang, her arms wrapped around him softly, like a delicate dodder vine clinging to a tree.

Call him softly.

"Song Yuanliang".

These three words alone conveyed a poignant and unsatisfying sentiment.

"Song Yuanliang".

Yan Ru called out again, her voice filled with boundless longing. Song Yuanliang's heart ached at her call, and he quickly embraced her tightly, offering her a sense of reassurance.

He called out again and again, and Song Yuanliang responded to each call.

His eyes were red from crying, and his cheeks were still streaked with tears. Song Yuanliang raised a hand to wipe them away, feeling heartbroken and saying with pity, "I... I was so worried about you, I stayed up all night watching over you."

Hearing this, Yan Ru reached under his clothes and found them damp with morning dew. Catching a chill at this time of year could easily lead to a cold.

He looked up at Song Yuanliang, his brows furrowed slightly in disapproval.

"Why do you have to do this? We've only met a few times as classmates, why make such a fuss?" Though it was a question, it carried a hint of coquettishness.

In fact, Yan Ru clearly knew his feelings, but she asked him this question simply because she felt insecure and needed to confirm with him again and again.

Just like when I called his name over and over again, I only felt at ease knowing that he was by my side.

Song Yuanliang couldn't help but take her hand and place it on his chest, saying frankly, "Don't you understand? I have you in my heart, I always have, ever since we first met.

Every time there was a school party or a gathering of other students, I would put on a great performance just to attract your attention, but you never looked at me. There were so many boys around you, and I didn't dare to be presumptuous with you, so I never took the initiative to go to your side.

Who knew that by divine intervention, he brought you to my home, Yanru. You know how happy I am. I know it's despicable, because your family suffered a tragedy, but I'm still glad you came to my home and not someone else's...

When I came here tonight, I didn't see you. I was very anxious and almost thought it was a dream. I went to look for you again, but I couldn't find you anywhere. You didn't go home either. I couldn't find you anywhere.

I went back to the Song residence and waited there. I had a feeling you would appear again, and sure enough, you were carried back, but you were lying on your back, pale, with cold hands and feet, and unconscious.

Father was also watching over you. People were coming and going inside, and I didn't dare show myself, but even after they all left, I stayed outside watching over you.

Yan Ru listened to Song Yuanliang's heartfelt words, but her heart remained completely unmoved. She even wanted to laugh, but dared not show herself.

It's nothing more than not daring to challenge his father; he says he likes him a lot, but it's really nothing special.

But Yanru would never show it; her eyes were filled with tears, yet she remained strong and resolute.

“I now know the purpose of this small building… I would never, ever be so depraved.”

Song Yuanliang didn't know how to explain, and could only weakly say, "I'm sorry..."

What else can be said? That he dared not defy his father? That he was cowardly and lacked backbone?

Yanru didn't know what to say to him. She couldn't make any promises, nor could she completely refuse. How would she live in the future? She had no idea.

Having just woken from her coma, and with her body not yet fully recovered, Yan Ru was already exhausted after saying just a few words.

Seeing this, Song Yuanliang helped her up, picked her up, and gently placed her on the soft bed, treating her like a precious treasure.

She drank a few sips of water from his hand and gradually fell asleep under Song Yuanliang's attentive care.

Song Yuanliang watched her fall asleep, gently tucked her in, closed the doors and windows, and then left.

He climbed over the low wall and entered the outer study, then headed straight for the main courtyard; he couldn't wait a moment longer.

He wanted to express his true feelings immediately!

He wanted to take care of her and possess her openly and honestly.

Filled with fervent emotion, Song Yuanliang's steps were more joyful than anyone else's.

The colorful lights along the road were flashing, and the servants on the road were also beaming with joy, congratulating him as he traveled along the way.

"May you have a happy Mid-Autumn Festival, young master."

Song Yuanliang was full of pride, and Master Song was also quite surprised by this son, wondering why he had come to see him.

Tonight, Master Song didn't visit any of his concubines' courtyards; instead, he stayed in his study. Although it was called a study, it actually had a courtyard prepared specifically for him, right next to the main courtyard, for his own use.

"sit."

After Mr. Song settled down, he also invited his son to sit down.

Song Yuanliang nodded in agreement, but his earlier high spirits suddenly cooled considerably. Facing his stern father, Song Yuanliang found himself unable to speak.

How should I put it? Should I say that I'm attracted to the woman you're hiding in the brothel? Brothers fighting and fathers turning against each other are always considered immoral.

Master Song asked in confusion, "Yuanliang, you rarely come to see me on your own initiative. Is something the matter? It's getting late. Is there something important?"

Song Yuanliang was flustered, but in an instant, he came up with an idea.

"There is something I would like to ask for your help with."

Master Song became interested. All his sons were afraid of him, so Yuanliang probably had something on his mind.

Seeing that Mr. Song did not stop him, Song Yuanliang continued, "I have a classmate. I went to her house tonight to look for her, but I found that she was gone. The door was locked, and it seems that something happened. I would like to ask you to help me find out what happened."

With a vague answer in his mind, Master Song asked, "Who are you talking about?"

Song Yuanliang said nervously, "She's a female classmate of mine, named Lü Yanru."

As soon as the words left his mouth, he felt much more relaxed. He observed Master Song's reaction out of the corner of his eye and spoke with increasing confidence.

"I'm a very good friend of this classmate, please help me out."

Once Mr. Song had confirmed the answer, he was far from happy. He forced a smile and said, "I understand. Don't tell your mother about this. I'll let you know when I have more information."

After saying that, he changed the subject, "But your grades have dropped a lot since you came in, which is probably due to this matter. You should not spread it around, lest you ruin your female classmate's reputation."

Although he did not explicitly state his desire to marry Yanru, he had already expressed his feelings to Master Song, who would likely have some reservations.

Song Yuanliang was overjoyed, and solemnly bowed, sincerely saying, "Thank you, Father."

After dismissing him, Master Song's face instantly turned cold. He beckoned Song Ren over and asked, "Has anything about Miss Lü's affairs at the Song residence been leaked?"

After thinking it over carefully, Song Ren said with certainty, "No, it hasn't been leaked."

Seeing that Song Ren's expression didn't seem fake, Master Song was also filled with doubt and uncertainty. Did Yuan Liang really know that Yan Ru was in the Song residence?

As for wanting his son's favorite female classmate to be his concubine, Master Song felt no guilt whatsoever; on the contrary, he felt a light sense of accomplishment.

Thinking of Yanru, Master Song asked again, "How is Miss Lü?"

"The person is fine. The doctor said that the time spent in the water was short and the water that was inhaled into the lungs was expelled in time, so there is no danger to life. It's just that the person was too frightened and had palpitations, so they need to rest in bed."

After pondering for a while, Master Song said, "Once she is fully recovered, I will have Second Concubine go to see her."

It's time to bring things to the table. Whether Lü Peijun is alive or dead, once this is done, he'll have no choice but to admit it.

Moreover, after so much time, it's not certain that Lü Peijun will survive.

Ever since Lü Peijun came to ask for his daughter's hand, Master Song had made up his mind to take her as a concubine.

Among the fellow townsmen who took the imperial examination together, Lü Peijun excelled in everything and naturally surpassed him. Later, when Lü's father passed the imperial examination, he was even more outstanding, which made Master Song both envious and jealous.

Later, the Qing Dynasty fell and the imperial examination system was abolished. Mr. Lü could no longer advance and could only rely on his ancestral property for a living, which made Mr. Song feel a little better.

He wouldn't miss the chance to bring his daughter into his backyard this time.

As for whether Lu's father's daughter was beautiful or ugly, round or flat, Master Song didn't know or care. As long as he took her in and put her in the backyard, he would consider himself to have won against Lu's father once.

Moreover, Yan Ru was so beautiful and stunning.

Outsiders, unaware of Master Song's intricate and subtle thoughts, all assumed he had taken a liking to Yan Ru's youth and beauty, little did they know of this hidden secret.

Master Song was, after all, a businessman, and he didn't have time to stay in the backyard every day, so he finished making the arrangements and then left it to others.

The banquet was getting better day by day, but people became more and more silent, no longer liked to talk or laugh, and preferred to stand on high places and look into the distance.

Looking at the distant mountains and the high clouds, one can find a sense of peace in one's heart.

Song Yuanliang still came to report every night. Since he had expressed his feelings, he took Yan Ru's silence as a shy consent from a young woman.

Flowers, fruits, novelties—each time is different.

He was a cheerful young man who always made Yanru happy, and Yanru gradually opened up to him.

"You'd better not come here often," Yan Ru said that day.

"Why? Don't you welcome me?" Song Yuanliang asked anxiously.

“No,” Yan Ru said carefully, “You told me that you had informed your father, but you didn’t say that you knew I was here. Besides, I’m a fugitive, and it’s not good for you to be with me. I don’t want to affect you.”

In truth, Yanru simply didn't know what Master Song's attitude was—whether he wanted her to be his daughter-in-law, or...

So that's how it is. Song Yuanliang breathed a sigh of relief and sprawled on the bed, feeling more comfortable here than in his own room.

He popped a grape into his mouth and said while chewing, "Don't worry, our Song family is a respectable family. Since I have already explained to my father, I can't lie about it."

He gently pinched Yan Ru's cheek and said with a doting smile, "Don't worry, just wait for my wife."

Yan Ru could only smile; she wasn't as optimistic as Song Yuanliang. The way Master Song looked at her that day had startled her; she wasn't entirely oblivious.

However, since it wasn't brought up openly, Yanru couldn't bring herself to say it.

Seeing that Yan Ru looked worried, Song Yuanliang couldn't help but ask, "What's wrong with you? Tell me and I'll help you."

Yan Ru came to her senses and smiled forlornly, "What else can I worry about? It's nothing more than my father and sister. I can't afford to offend the Guo family easily, but I can't just let things go unchecked either."

My father hurriedly arranged a place for me to go, but my sister was still collecting rent in our hometown of Jiuhuangzhuang, and I didn't know how she was doing.

It was originally just an excuse, but the more I talked, the more genuinely worried I became.

Song Yuanliang reassured him, "Don't worry, your problem is my problem. I'll find your sister for you."

Yan Ru nodded and nestled back into Song Yuanliang's arms. Although she didn't know if he could really do it, she was grateful for his intention.

Fearing that her feelings might change, Song Yuanliang reiterated his stance.

"I'm not afraid. I've said it before, I will protect you, and my feelings will never change."

Originally, she wanted to create some distance, but he was unyielding and made all sorts of promises and guarantees. Yanru didn't know what to say. She tried to persuade him with similar words countless times, but he wouldn't listen at all.

His gaze was unfocused, seemingly fixed on nothing in particular.

Yan Ru felt as if she were walking on a mountain of knives, and no matter which way she turned, it would be a dead end.

But she didn't want to die; she just wanted to live well, to live well for her family. So she had to clarify her relationships before her status was confirmed, to avoid getting entangled in any mess, in order to have a better future.