The Female Cannon Fodder With Boundless Merits-Chapter 1267 - 1271: The Pact (19)

In addition to his studies, he took on several part-time jobs outside, but earned too little, still significantly delaying his progress in studies, and damaging his health, ultimately gaining nothing from it.

Su Xiaomei felt sorry for him, worried that his pride wouldn’t allow him to accept help, thus awkwardly using this obviously poor excuse to bring those things to him.

Zhang Yang comforted himself, accepting help now, promising to repay Su Xiaomei manifold in the future.

Only then could he face himself without guilt.

Indeed, good habits are hard to maintain, but laziness can quickly form.

Surely, those who are used to living good days find even their minds rusting.

If time could reverse, Zhang Yang wished he could travel back and give the stupid past version of himself a few hard slaps.

What exactly was he thinking at the time, that he chose not to live well, but instead wanted to learn about lovers’ suicide?

At the same moment, Zhang Yang and Chen Rong regretted their decisions, mysteriously sharing the same mindset.

"Ah, what should I do, I’ve borrowed some money from your little aunt, promising to return it in a few days."

This is also one of the reasons why Mrs. Zhang constantly urged Zhang Yang to return to the city.

The trouble was solved, no point in staying in the countryside.

Besides, her son being so outstanding, those unimpressive girls in the countryside always had their eyes fixed on her son.

After long solving the issue with Su Xiaomei, if another one came along, Mrs. Zhang would likely be infuriated to the point of vomiting blood.

Moreover, what success could she expect in the countryside, apart from farming? There are more opportunities and money to be earned in the city.

And what Zhang Yang just said completely shattered Mrs. Zhang’s understanding.

She refused to acknowledge that her proud son wasn’t as capable as she imagined.

Zhang Yang broke her illusion once again, mocking himself: "I’m just a high school student who hasn’t graduated yet, not a saint who can balance studies and earning...."

Mrs. Zhang slapped her thigh fiercely, reprimanding: "Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

As the family responded with silence, new bad news struck them again.

Far away in the city, Uncle Long, through several people, brought the bad news to the Zhang family at the first opportunity.

The marriage arrangement failed.

Zhang Yang stood up abruptly, overturning a chair, saying, "Wasn’t it supposed to succeed in eight or nine cases out of ten?"

Mrs. Zhang anxiously clenched her palms, "Old man, quickly find out what’s going on....."

"Alright, alright, I’ll go tomorrow."

Mrs. Zhang objected: "No, don’t wait until tomorrow, borrow a bike from the village head, and go find out tonight."

Mr. Zhang glanced outside at the sky growing darker, then saw the undeniable expressions of his wife and son.

He hesitated for a moment, then agreed.

He only had Yang as his sole son, if anything happened to him, he and his wife might not survive.

It’s all for the children.

This night, for the Zhang family, was destined to be a sleepless one.

Watching the outside being drenched in darkness, Zhang Yang paced nervously back and forth in the room.

Bright and warm lights always fill hearts with a sense of safety, as if they can dispel the deep black.

An oil lamp, Zhang Yang found still insufficiently bright, so he lit several candles.

On the window sill, on the desk.... wherever there was a bit of darkness, he lit candles.

The candlelight illuminated the room brightly.

Even so, ever since Zhang Yang learned about the failure he felt uneasy.

His eyes did not dare look toward the doors and windows, afraid to see that familiar figure outside them.

The time spent waiting for daylight felt excruciatingly long.....

Zhang Yang almost fell asleep counting until a rustling cuckoo call outside suddenly woke him.

"Who is it?" Zhang Yang’s voice revealed a slight tremble.

This was his usual phrase when meeting Su Xiaomei, and using it exhausted all his courage.

Facing away from the door, with a trembling body, he didn’t dare turn around.

"It’s me, Zhang Yang."

Hearing Chen Rong’s voice, Zhang Yang eagerly ran to open the door for her.

Zhang Yang overestimated his courage, thinking he could withstand the fear.

But unexpectedly, he was weaker than imagined.

He didn’t care about being alone with a girl late at night and what rumors it might cause.

Having even a dog nearby that could breathe and have warmth felt better than being alone.

"Why are you here?"

"Zhang Yang, let’s leave here."

Both spoke simultaneously.

Chen Rong looked directly at Zhang Yang, "Let’s leave this shadowy place, find somewhere no one knows us, and start a new life."

Seeing Zhang Yang didn’t immediately oppose her, Chen Rong grew more excited, "Due to helping you, my reputation in the village is ruined, my mother is now planning to sell me cheaply, exchanging some dowry...."

Saying this, Chen Rong burst into tears.

The crying was partly genuine sorrow and fear, and partly pretend.

"Hey, don’t cry." Zhang Yang said guiltily: "It’s all my fault, I’ve dragged you down."

"Besides, they all say.... Su Li, Su Li has returned...." Chen Rong’s latter words were barely audible, but they still reached Zhang Yang’s ears.

Suddenly, his mind was a mess, like a startled bird, stiff and tense.

Once again, Zhang Yang was inherently weak-minded and emotionally fragile.

He clenched his fists, walking circles in the room.

Fear, anxiety, pressure, breakdown, weakness.... stirred his brain into a mess, short of breath, unable to think.

Subconsciously, he once again chose to escape.

"Okay, let’s go, leave here."

Chen Rong: "Ah?"

She never expected Zhang Yang would agree with her.

She was just scared, seeking solace from Zhang Yang, not expecting him to agree.

In her plans, she intended to leave the village, go anywhere.

During the final farewell to Zhang Yang, urging him to leave with her, speaking candidly.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yang agreed.

What could be more joyful than the agreement of your crush?

This excitement and joy suppressed the fear of the unknown.

However, Zhang Yang and Chen Rong might not know that by leaving they would be gone for twenty years.

When they returned to the familiar village, everything had changed, like an otherworldly nightmare.