Chapter 25 A Bond More Important Than Love

But she persevered, not because she was afraid to die, but because of her best friend, Li Qingqing.

【Yingying, I don't know when a plum tree grew downstairs. This is its first year bearing fruit, and the fruit is very sweet. I remember you love these sweet and sour fruits, so I picked some extra for you. I hope you can come and try them yourself next year.】

[Yingying, I didn't receive your letter last month. I wonder how you're doing. Don't worry about me. If there's anything I can help you with, please write to me. The weather is getting colder soon, so I sent you some warm clothes. You're all alone in the countryside, so please take good care of yourself. You said things were tough before the New Year; are you feeling any better now?]

【Yingying, it's snowed heavily here. You mentioned in your last letter that you weren't feeling well, so I sent you some money. You'll inevitably need it in the countryside. Don't rush to send it back; I'm doing alright financially lately. I think we should be able to meet when spring arrives. I really hope you can come back soon.】

Shu Ying still remembers those new items. Li Qingqing would send her something almost every month. Even though she herself lived a very frugal life, everything she sent was complete and of the highest quality.

Back then, what Shu Ying looked forward to most each month was the letter Li Qingqing sent back; it was her emotional support.

Li Qingqing had beautiful handwriting and was always full of hope. At that time, Shu Ying thought that maybe she really would have an ordinary day, and maybe she and Li Qingqing would meet again.

However, this period of peace did not last long. In the eleventh month of Shu Ying's exile, Li Qingqing stopped sending letters.

Shu Ying kept writing letters, but never received a reply.

A bad feeling rose in her heart; Li Qingqing wouldn't just suddenly disappear without a trace.

After making inquiries from various sources, Shu Ying finally received the news in the spring of the following year: Li Qingqing died during the second heavy snowfall. It was freezing cold outside, and she was most afraid of the cold. In that heavy snow, Li Qingqing never opened her eyes again.

Thinking back on everything that happened, Shu Ying involuntarily clenched her fists.

Even though her current situation isn't great, she doesn't want Li Qingqing to die so hastily.

Li Qingqing was very outstanding. Back in the class, her grades were comparable to Shu Ying's, but she couldn't compare to Shu Ying in terms of educational resources or family support.

Even so, she still studied day and night, and in every exam she was among the top students. There weren't many people Shu Ying admired, but she was one of them.

Unfortunately, Li Qingqing's family favored boys over girls. Even though their circumstances weren't that difficult, her parents didn't support her education.

“Starting today, if I see you sneaking off to school alone again, I’ll break your legs. Don’t you even know your family background? Who do you think you are, some rich young lady? A girl like you, going to school so much, what are you going to do in the end but wash clothes and cook for someone else?”

Li Qingqing's mother, Li Hong, was washing clothes while muttering to herself.

That was the first time Shu Ying realized a girl's helplessness.

Li Qingqing was about to retort, "If I can get into university, I can support you all on my own. I will study hard and I won't let you and Dad down. You just need to pay my tuition; I'll figure out the rest myself."

Li Hong glared at her fiercely, "I don't have a single penny here. Look around, how many girls are still studying? What? Do you want to be a rich educated youth? You should first see if you have the fate to do so. If you have to blame someone, blame yourself for ending up in such a family. People your age who are sensible have already gone out to work at a young age."

Li Qingqing moved her lips and explained with a pale face, "Going to school won't interfere with the housework. I'll cut the grass before school ends and do the laundry and cooking after school ends. Mom, please let me go. I'll definitely take good care of you when I get into university."

Li Hong sneered, "Now you're saying all these nice things. A married daughter is like water spilled from a bowl. I've supported you through your schooling for years, and before you've even earned enough for the family for two years, you'll be someone else's wife. Isn't that a losing proposition? Do you think your mother is stupid? If you dare to sneak back to school again, I'll tie you to the gate and make sure you can't go anywhere."

Li Qingqing seemed to be frightened, her eyes reddening as she was unable to utter a word.

Li's father puffed on his cigarette beside him, "You're not young anymore, it's time to find someone to marry. Lately, matchmakers have been practically wearing down our doorstep."

Li Hong threw the washed clothes into another basin. The splashing water from the clothes wet Li Qingqing's shoes and also dampened her heart.

“Li Dacheng, I only have one daughter. When the time comes, you should tell the matchmaker to ask for a high dowry. I’ve raised her for so many years and sent her to school for two years. She’s eaten so much of my food, I don’t know how many pounds of it she has. She can’t just eat it for nothing.”

Li Dacheng looked Li Qingqing up and down. "It was agreed long ago that the bride price would be at least thirty yuan."

The couple openly discussed in front of Li Qingqing what kind of person they wanted to marry her off to and how they wanted to sell her for a good price.

At that moment, Li Qingqing felt as if she were an object to be manipulated at will, rather than a person with an independent personality.

In their eyes, Li Qingqing is a girl, and it's useless for her to read so many books. She'll get married sooner or later, and if a girl knows too much, she'll become wild.

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