第三十五章 (Chapter 35)

Li Jing returned from her uncle's place, her heart as heavy as a thousand-pound stone. She recalled her uncle's haggard face and her aunt's pressure. Tears streamed down uncontrollably.

Aunt Zhao pushed the door open and came in. Seeing her like this, she couldn't help but frown. "Jing'er, you're always so gloomy. How can I feel at ease? As for your uncle's affairs, I'll naturally think of a way. As a young woman, it's more important for you to think about your own future."

Li Jing lowered her head, wiping her tears with a handkerchief. She whispered, "Aunt, I... my heart is in chaos."

"What chaos?" Aunt Zhao sat beside her, her tone softening a little. "I know you have someone in your heart, but that boy Wang De, although kind-hearted, is as poor as a church mouse. How will you live in the future? The Zhang family's marriage proposal, though the other party is older, is well-off. If you marry into it, you'll never have to worry about food and clothing. You can even help your uncle repay his Debt. Isn't this a win-win situation?"

Li Jing bit her lip and did not answer. In her heart, she thought of Wang De, that naive and passionate youth. But the pressure of reality left her breathless.

Wang De was in the Newspaper Office at this moment, proofreading Manuscript absent-mindedly. His mind was filled with the image of Li Jing. Recalling her sorrowful eyes, he wished he could fly to her side immediately.

"No, I must see her!" Wang De threw down his pen and stood up. A colleague glanced at him and laughed. "Wang De, thinking of your Jing sister again?" Wang De flushed but ignored him, walking straight out.

On the street, the north wind howled. Wang De wrapped his clothes tighter and hurried toward the Zhao household. He was determined to make things clear with Li Jing today. No matter what, he would take her away from this cage.

Upon reaching the Zhao family's door, he hesitated for a moment but still knocked. The one who opened the door was Aunt Zhao. Seeing Wang De, her face immediately darkened. "Wang De, why have you come again? Jing'er is too busy to see you."

"Aunt, I just want to say a few words to Jing sister," Wang De pleaded.

Li Jing heard the voice inside the room and hurried out. Seeing Wang De's face reddened from the cold, her heart ached. She said softly, "Wang De, come in."

Aunt Zhao glared at Li Jing but did not stop them further. She turned and went back to her own room. Wang De followed Li Jing into her room and closed the door. They stood facing each other in silence.

"Jing sister, you... are you all right?" Wang De spoke first, his voice trembling slightly.

Li Jing shook her head, tears welling up again. "Wang De, I... I don't know what to do. My uncle's illness is getting worse, and Aunt is forcing me to marry. I..."

Wang De stepped forward and grasped her hand. He said firmly, "Jing sister, come with me! Let's leave Beijing, go somewhere no one knows us. I'll support you!"

Li Jing smiled bitterly. "Wang De, what will you use to support me? You're barely making ends meet at the Newspaper Office yourself. We... we can't fight against this world."

"Then let's die together!" Wang De said impulsively. "Anyway, living is just suffering. Better to die clean!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Li Jing withdrew her hand and turned away. "Wang De, you're still young and have a future. I... I can't burden you. Forget about me."

Wang De felt as if a knife was cutting his heart. He knew that what Li Jing said was true, but he couldn't bear to give up. They remained silent for a long time. Only the howl of the north wind outside the window could be heard.

Finally, Wang De sighed and said, "Jing sister, I won't give up. Wait for me. I'll surely think of a way." With that, he turned and left, his footsteps heavy.

Li Jing watched his receding figure, tears blurring her vision. She knew the road ahead was vast and uncertain. Hope was slim, but deep in her heart, a glimmer of light remained.