Chapter 111: A Well-Intentioned Lie

On the morning of the third day, Kang Ning, who had been quietly worried, finally received a call from Shuyi. Although Shuyi didn’t say much, Kang Ning could sense something from her hesitant tone.

Kang Ning drove to the bank first, then headed straight to the southern suburbs. Passing by the ill-fated farmhouse, he saw the gate sealed shut with a notice, tightly closed, and not a single stray dog in the large courtyard.

Turning into the village and making a U-turn beneath the big banyan tree, Kang Ning parked his jeep at the junction connecting Shuyi’s home to the village path. Several elderly women chatting under the banyan tree watched Kang Ning’s tall figure stride toward Shuyi’s door with keen interest, perhaps seeking some excitement to break the monotony of their quiet lives.

Shuyi, waiting by the door, heard the jeep’s sound and stepped out. Her waist-length hair flowed naturally like a waterfall, and her youthful oval face flushed with two rosy clouds. She wore a purple floral dress, washed pure white, which only enhanced her serene yet lively aura, accentuating a unique classical beauty. Her clear eyes held shyness and anticipation, mingled with a complex blend of impulse and restraint. Her slightly parted, rosy lips seemed ready to whisper untold sorrows that evoked pity. Tiny beads of sweat dotted the tip of her elegant nose. Leaning against the worn doorframe, she looked like a delicate, nostalgic portrait of a refined lady, momentarily captivating Kang Ning, whose immunity had greatly improved.

“Brother Xiaohua, come in and sit,” Shuyi stepped back to make room.

Realizing his momentary distraction, Kang Ning smiled gently. “Is your mother at home?”

“Yes, busy in the back. She didn’t expect you to come so soon.” Shy Shuyi fetched a tall stool for Kang Ning and then turned inside, likely to inform her mother.

Kang Ning glanced around the small, humble house and shook his head silently. He stood, took out thirty thousand yuan wrapped in newspaper from his pocket, and carefully placed it on the incense table against the wall in the main room. Just as he sat down, Shuyi appeared, holding her mother’s hand.

Kang Ning quickly stood, “Hello, Auntie!”

Shuyi’s mother, a middle-aged woman still carrying some charm, looked flustered. She tugged at the hem of her blue apron and said softly, “Please sit! The house is messy, don’t mind it.”

Kang Ning thanked her and inwardly sighed. The woman was petite and thin, her eyes devoid of confidence or optimism. Early wrinkles creased her forehead and eyes, etched by hardship and suffering. Her pale, taut face had lost much of its expressive vitality, appearing stiff and numb, yet her straight nose and gentle chin hinted at a once beautiful past.

“May I ask, Auntie, has Shuyi told you about my identity? And what do you think about her plans?” Kang Ning asked politely.

Her mother’s gaze darkened, and she shook her head slightly. “She told me. As for her plans, I really can’t help. Our family is too poor to afford her continuing school. It’s better for her to stay home and help.”

Kang Ning nodded understandingly and turned to Shuyi. “What about you? Have you changed your mind?”

“No! I want to go to school, and to as good a university as possible! I can’t help much at home or solve the root problem. Maybe in a year or two, I’ll be forced into marriage. Mom, won’t that be the same as now? It’s better to let me try out there—maybe I can make a new life.” Shuyi’s determination was unwavering.

Her mother remained silent, looking down at her left foot rubbing the floor, her thin shoulders trembling slightly.

Kang Ning’s heart grew heavy. He forced a smile at Shuyi and turned to her mother. “Auntie, I understand your difficulties, but if Shuyi gives up this chance, it would mean abandoning a great hope in life. Personally, I support her decision.”

Seeing the pain on her mother’s face, Kang Ning waved his hand and continued, “I heard your family owes quite a debt. I have an idea that might benefit everyone. Please hear me out before deciding. A few friends and I are starting a company in Chengdu. We plan to sponsor Shuyi through university and pay her a thirty-thousand-yuan settlement upfront, so she can focus on her studies. After graduation, if she returns to work for our company, we’ll consider that settlement part of her salary and deduct it gradually from her wages. Auntie, what do you think?”

“Brother Xiaohua, why haven’t I heard this before?” Shuyi asked, puzzled.

Kang Ning smiled. “This was decided by the shareholders just these past days. We didn’t know your contact number, so we couldn’t inform you.”

Neither Shuyi nor her mother had expected this. Thirty thousand yuan was an enormous sum for them!

Shuyi’s mother stared in surprise, her eyes gradually brightening. After a long moment, she asked gratefully, “That’s wonderful! Is it really true?”

“It is! We’ll also sign an agreement with Shuyi. Don’t worry, Auntie.” Kang Ning smiled and pointed at the incense table. “I brought the money; it’s right there. Auntie, please count it. If there are other difficulties, our company will consider them.”

Shuyi’s mother hurried to the table, trembling as she opened the bundle. Seeing three thick stacks of hundred-yuan notes, she choked up, “This is amazing! We don’t have to owe anyone anymore...”

Seeing this bittersweet scene, Kang Ning quickly looked away. “Shuyi, are you packed?”

“Not yet... I thought I couldn’t go...” Shuyi lowered her head and fell silent.

Kang Ning smiled gently. “Go get ready.”

Shuyi happily ran into her small room. Her mother carefully wrapped the money again, placed it back on the incense table, covered it with a small bamboo basket, then turned to Kang Ning, tears welling as she expressed her gratitude. “You must think me foolish. Ever since Shuyi’s father passed away, our family has owed eighteen thousand yuan, and we’ve never been able to repay it. Now we still owe more than fourteen thousand. This is so much help from all of you. I’ve dreamed of letting my child study, but... her brother has been working away for over two years and hasn’t returned. Except for a monthly call to the village shop asking someone to pass a message, there’s been nothing. I worry so much!”

Kang Ning stood, took her hand, and helped her sit down. “Auntie, Shuyi told us some of your situation. Like her teachers, we all want to see her have a bright future. She did very well on her college entrance exam. I believe once she graduates, the benefits to your family will be at least ten or even a hundred times greater than if she stayed home farming. So, Auntie, you must support Shuyi. Temporary difficulties don’t matter. If this money isn’t enough, just say so—we will help.”

“That’s enough, enough! It’s more than enough!” Her burden lifted, Shuyi’s mother looked revitalized, her eyes shining with hope. She stood up, grasped Kang Ning’s hand anxiously, and said, “Shuyi told me you arranged a place for her to stay in the city so she can focus on her studies. I don’t know how to thank you. Please take her away now—it’s better for her to leave than to be influenced here at home. The moment I saw you, I trusted my eyes and knew you were a good person. With your help and everyone’s, I feel at ease...”

Unable to hold back her tears, she hurried back to her room. Kang Ning took the bundle from Shuyi’s hands and said, “I’ll wait in the car. Go talk to your mother. Remember, when repaying debts, have one or two witnesses present. If there’s an IOU, make sure to get it back! Your mother... she’s too kind.”

“Okay.”

Kang Ning waited in the car for over twenty minutes before Shuyi, eyes red-rimmed, climbed in and sat beside him, wiping tears.

After entering the city, Shuyi finally asked, “Brother Xiaohua, did you really start a company? Can I really work there after I graduate?”

Kang Ning smiled softly. “Absolutely! I’m just afraid you’ll become so talented you won’t want to come work with us! Haha!”

“Never! I’ll come back. I want to be with Brother Xiaohua!” Shuyi declared firmly.

Seeing Kang Ning laugh heartily, she suddenly realized the flaw in her words and blushed deeply.