C14 I will Help You to Go to University

"Just call me Changshun."

Du Yuewei was a university freshman, apparently having attended a nearby high school. She was just starting her first year.

"I'm studying at Anewood University."

Xiuxiu's expression turned odd upon hearing this, and she seemed deeply troubled.

Changshun noticed and felt a bit puzzled. Was Xiuxiu harboring some worries?

After settling the bill, they decided to stay over, as they had no luggage to worry about.

That evening, Xiuxiu was lost in thought on the balcony. Changshun suspected the recent eerie events in the village were weighing on her, so he approached to offer some comfort.

"If something's bothering you, you can talk to me. I'm your family now."

Turning around, Xiuxiu's eyes met Changshun's, and a rush of emotion overwhelmed her, bringing tears to her eyes.

"Don't cry. Whatever it is, you can share it with me."

"Brother Changshun, the truth is..."

It took a while for Xiuxiu to regain her composure after crying. She then pulled an envelope from her pocket.

Changshun glanced at it and realized it was a university acceptance letter.

"What's this?"

"I actually got accepted into university this year. I returned to the village to discuss university matters with my dad."

"Discuss? Having a university student should make the village chief ecstatic. He surely wouldn't stop you from going."

Xiuxiu hung her head low.

"I don't want to go. I've always had feelings for you, Brother Changshun. After you left to work, I planned to find you once I finished high school. But then Grandpa... I hoped that when you returned, you would take me away. I never expected the village to..."

Her voice was shaky and broken, leaving Changshun astonished.

"You're considering giving up university for me?"

He opened the envelope.

"It's an acceptance letter from Anewood University. That's the same school as Du Yuewei, isn't it?"

Xiuxiu dabbed at her tears.

"Given our situation, I'm not changing my mind. Brother Changshun, rest assured, I'll work hard. Our days ahead will only get better. As long as I'm with you, I..."

Changshun placed his hands on Xiuxiu's shoulders with a grave expression.

"Don't talk like that. It's a wonderful thing that you got into university. You must go."

"But our home is gone, and I..."

"Our home may be gone, but you have me. I'll support you through university. You gave me your savings, right? I'm sure if I add mine, we'll have enough to cover a year's tuition. Let's not worry about the rest for now. I'll find a way to make money for your education."

Xiuxiu hugged Changshun tightly.

"I don't want you to struggle because of me. I want to work and contribute too."

"Nonsense! You need to go to school. If you want to stay with me, you'll listen. School starts soon, and you'll be going with Du Yuewei. It'll be good to have each other for support. And don't fret about the money; I'll start job hunting tomorrow."

Changshun wasn't as sure as he sounded.

His only option was laboring at construction sites, and that didn't pay much.

Once Xiuxiu was settled and back in her room, Changshun lay in bed, wide awake.

His eyes landed on the wooden box on his nightstand.

After mulling it over, he sat up and opened the box.

Bathed in moonlight, the jade inside shone with a crystal-clear silver glow, as if it naturally radiated a silvery light.

Changshun picked up the jade and examined it closely.

At first glance, it seemed ordinary, but as he continued to gaze at it, his vision blurred.

He thought he saw tiny blood vessels and flowing blood within the jade, as if it were a living creature.

Startled, he turned on the room's light and scrutinized the jade piece.

No matter how he turned it or used a magnifying glass, it appeared to be just a regular piece of jade. The earlier vision of blood vessels and life's pulsation seemed to be a trick of his mind.

"I must be exhausted to imagine this jade has life. I'm losing my mind."

He murmured to himself before he began to ponder the situation.

Was he really supposed to follow the belle's advice and sell the jade for money so Xiuxiu could afford school?

No, that would be tantamount to moral decay.

Besides, this might be the very item his grandfather had entrusted to him in a dream, meant for him to guard. He couldn't just pawn it off carelessly.

Noticing a small hole in the jade, Changshun had an idea. He took a red string, threaded the jade onto it, and hung it around his neck.

"This is definitely safer," he thought to himself.

After turning off the lights and going to bed, Changshun was oblivious to the jade sliding into position over his heart. The jade was unchanged, yet it seemed to be drawing in the moon's glow, slowly amassing a silvery light that enveloped his entire body.

Unaware, Changshun's sleep deepened.

The next morning, a knock at the door startled Changshun awake.

As he rose from bed, he noticed a newfound lightness in his body. He had been feeling utterly drained and heavy for so long.

But now, he felt buoyant, as if he had been resting for an entire month. The sensation was truly extraordinary.

"Brother Changshun, it's time for breakfast. Are you up?" called a voice.

Changshun dressed and opened the door to find Xiuxiu standing there, now wearing a white dress with a black floral pattern.

"This is..."

"I gave this to Xiuxiu. She mentioned there was a bit of trouble at your place, and she left in such a rush she didn't even bring her luggage, so I lent her some of my clothes," Du Yuewei explained with a smile.

Changshun wanted to express his gratitude, but his attention was drawn to Du Yuewei's attire, which was light and airy.

"Oh, I'm accustomed to dressing like this. Please, don't mind me."

Du Yuewei seemed to realize her dress might be considered informal, but city girls dressed quite freely, and she saw no issue with her choice of clothing.

Changshun remained silent.

Xiuxiu had prepared breakfast, a simple meal of porridge and a couple of side dishes.

"Xiuxiu, I'll be heading out later. Stay inside, okay?"

Changshun spoke up.

Xiuxiu immediately protested.

"You're going out to look for a job, right? I'll come with you."

"That won't be necessary. You need to rest up these next few days. School's about to start, isn't it?"

"Brother Changshun."

Xiuxiu glanced at Du Yuewei with a hint of difficulty, seemingly hesitant to share the news about her acceptance to Anewood University.

Changshun gave Xiuxiu a disapproving look, then proactively informed Du Yuewei that Xiuxiu would be attending the same university as her and expressed his hope that Du Yuewei would look out for Xiuxiu in the future.

"It seems we're quite destined to be connected. No worries, you can always come to me for anything at school."

Du Yuewei was genuinely kind-hearted, yet perhaps too trusting. It was a wonder how such an innocent young woman had managed to navigate the world unscathed up to this point.