Heartbroken and lovelorn

  Ling Yuqian returned home and found her mother still awake, making a chain from the trinket workshop she had brought back. After taking a bath, she came over to help.

  "Qianqian, don't rush to find a job, if this one doesn't work out, just look for another one, got it?" Mother said.

  Ling Yuqian suddenly stopped her busy hands, why did her mother say that? Did she already know that she failed the interview today? But she hadn't told anyone, not even when she called Cai Lan, it was temporarily hidden.

  "Why don't you take this opportunity to rest well, the household chores can still be handled by me, or I'll take on more work and you can occasionally help me with it. We can save a bit more for these two months, it should be no problem. As for the debts to relatives and friends, we can repay them later."

  Ling Yuqian's stiffened body slowly relaxed, apparently, her mother still didn't know that she had failed the interview.

  At that time, after her father went bankrupt, he sold all his property to pay off debts, but still owed 100,000 yuan, of which 50,000 was a bank loan. In the past few years, through her and her mother's efforts, they have already paid it back; another 50,000 is borrowed from some kind-hearted relatives and friends, who all said that there is no need to pay them back, but she and her mother always remembered it in their hearts, after all, they are not rich people, being owed indefinitely without interest is enough to be grateful for.

  So, if she takes a break next time, there won't be any problem with her livelihood. Besides, she still has that part-time job to supplement her income. However, she doesn't want her mother to be too tired. For the past three years, her mother hasn't stopped working either - doing household chores, selling things at a stall, processing small ornaments... as long as it's suitable work, her mother will take it on.

  Moreover, if I stay at home all day, it's equivalent to giving Father an opportunity to vent his anger. At that time, Mother will be sad and worried, my sister will be frightened, and I will feel miserable. Father will also be indignant and distressed. Therefore, I would rather go out to work, so at least the family can have peace, and we can earn more income, pay off our debts as soon as possible, and then save money for my sister's medical treatment.

  "Ouch!"

  Suddenly, Mother let out a mournful cry.

  Ling Yuqian quickly regained her composure and ran up to her mother, "Mom, what's wrong?"

  "It's... nothing, I just accidentally got my finger pricked by a needle, it's fine." Her mother gave her a reassuring smile and unconsciously put the injured finger into her mouth.

  Ling Yuqian stopped her in time, "Mom, there are bacteria on the wound, I'll go get the medicine box."

  "It's okay, just a sip will do, it was always like that before." The mother still seemed nonchalant.

  But Ling Yuqian still went to fetch the medicine box and helped her mother clean the wound and apply a hemostatic sticker.

  "Silly child, there's no need to be so tense. This way of holding hands isn't flexible at all." The mother said as she gently wiggled her fingers.

  "I'll just do a bit more, I'm not resting at home anyway. Right, mom, why don't you go to sleep first? I'll finish the rest." Ling Yu Xuan returned to her seat and picked up the chain she had put down earlier.

  "No need, mom will do it with you, at most mom will just be a bit slower." The mother continued to work, her tone suddenly turning nostalgic, "It seems that mom is really old, clearly picking pearls, but actually pricked her finger instead."

  Ling Yuqian listened with a heartache. In fact, her mother's age was not old, her mother was only fifty years old this year, but unfortunately, she looked like she was almost sixty.

  Before the father's company went bankrupt, the family was well-off and had a maid to take care of household chores. The mother usually only cooked some delicious meals, unlike now when she works non-stop day and night.

  At that time, the clothes my mother wore were all famous big brands in the business world. After the family suffered a huge change, those clothes were put away by my mother, not because she couldn't bear to wear them, but because she didn't dare to wear them again. She could only buy a few sets of ordinary clothes and rotate them for washing, making them white and old.

  Those white and smooth hands also became rough and black due to constant labor, with calluses all over them. The beautiful face became thin and haggard from long-term worry and sorrow, the hair turned white, and the eyes dimmed.

  All of this evolution is related to oneself, and it can be said that it was indirectly caused by oneself. If one had listened to their father's arrangement back then and married into a wealthy family that would have helped their father through the difficult times, then their father's company would still be in operation, their mother would still be at home as a carefree young lady, and their younger sister...

  "Mom, I'm sorry!" Ling Yuqian's voice was choked with sobs as she apologized.

  Her mother was taken aback at first, then shook her head, "Foolish child, how did you end up like this again? Mom is a woman too, mom understands your heart. Forcing yourself to spend a lifetime with a man without feelings, that kind of pain, mom knows. Actually, if there's anyone to blame, it can only be me and your dad for not being capable enough to provide you with a good environment, which led to...

  Her mother said, with tears in her eyes.

  Ling Yuqian approached her again, squatted down beside her feet, looked up at her sorrowful tear-stained face, and reached out to wipe away her bitter tears.

  Her mother also reached out and helped Ling Yuqian wipe away her tears.

  They gazed deeply at each other, with affectionate love in their moist eyes.

  The two of them stopped talking and finished the remaining work together before returning to their respective rooms to rest.

  Ling Yuqian didn't go to bed immediately, but instead sat down in front of the dresser, first staring at herself in a daze for a while, then opening the small cabinet and taking out a golden-edged photo album.

  In the album, it was the same man, painted by her own hands, with different expressions and looks, but all were charming enough to make her deeply infatuated and obsessed, making her think of him endlessly. Just one look would keep her gazing for hours, tears streaming down her face as she looked. The next day, her eyes were red and swollen, her spirit low, and she could only cover it up with heavy makeup to avoid her supervisor's criticism.

  Until six months ago, she was promoted to department head and had to pay more attention to her image and emotions. She could only bear the pain of hiding this album away and resisting the urge to flip through it, but tonight she couldn't hold back anymore.

  At that time, after Tianyou and I officially started dating, I discovered that I was a rich girl, but he didn't retreat because of this. Instead, he held me tightly and said in a domineering tone that no matter if I was a millionaire or not, he had decided to pursue me and would never let go for the rest of his life. He also said that he would work hard to earn a lot of money to match my noble status.

  Actually, taking him to meet his father and letting him work in his father's company would be the fastest and most direct way for him to make a name for himself. However, I am clear about my father's temperament, and he will not agree to me being with a "poor boy" who has no education, no status, and no parents. Tianyou also does not approve of this shortcut, saying that he wants to rely on his own abilities to succeed before formally asking for my hand in marriage from my parents.

  Unfortunately, the beautiful dreams and future were not yet realized, what greeted her was being forced to part with him reluctantly, and then she could never see him again. For three whole years, no matter how hard she looked for him, there was no news from him at all.

  Tianyou, where are you? Do you still remember me? Do you know I'm in pain? Do you know I miss you? Tianyou, Tianyou...

  Tears gradually blurred her vision, wetly sliding down her face, she lay on the table, silently wailing.

  A lonely night, quietly disappearing in sorrow. The next day, when Ling Yu Xuan woke up, her eyes were red and swollen again, and her delicate face was pale.

  She didn't want her mother and sister to see her, so she had to put on heavy makeup again, left home after breakfast, took the bus and arrived at Zhonghua Hotel once more.

  Like yesterday, she sat by the fountain, looking up at the top floor, taking in the entire building, recalling scenes with Tianyou together, and naturally thinking of He Yu's indifference and annoyance.

  At noon, she bought a sandwich and a bottle of water, continuing to sit in her original position, absent-mindedly nibbling on the sandwich while staring intently at the exit of the high-rise parking lot. Many private cars came and went, but unfortunately, she couldn't see He Wei. She only remembered that his car was silver, but didn't know what brand it was, let alone the license plate number.

  Until dusk, she didn't see his shadow, so as not to worry and distress her mother, she left with disappointment and sadness, and went to work as usual that night.

  Maybe it was because of the lack of Xiao Yifan's singing, or maybe it was for other reasons, she felt that tonight's tunnel was very quiet, there were fewer vendors, and fewer pedestrians.

  She suppressed the faint puzzlement in her heart, didn't think much about it, took out her easel and started tonight's work. Before long, she suddenly heard a commotion from the front, each stall owner was hastily packing up their things, and a loud shout echoed through the entire tunnel, "The city management is here, everyone run!"

  Has the city management arrived? Having been doing this for a year, it was the first time she heard such news tonight. Looking at those anxious vendors, Ling Yuqian still didn't quite believe it, until several people in gray uniforms appeared at the tunnel entrance, and only then did she quickly pack up her things and escape with other vendors from the other end of the tunnel.

  She trudged along with a heavy backpack, not walking very fast, watching as one by one, her fellow pedestrians carrying even more and heavier loads than she was, hurried past her, and seeing the city inspectors closing in, she grew increasingly anxious, dashing forward desperately, even dashing through red lights.

  "Rustle..."

  A sharp screeching sound echoed through the air, and Ling Yuqian fell to the ground. She endured the pain, lifted her eyes, and glanced sideways. What entered her line of sight was a silver sedan only one meter away from her. The person in the driver's seat was... He Yue!