"You have to study with Grandpa Tate. I’ll buy you meat buns when I get back." Adrian Hawthorne’s refusal was firm, but his tone was gentle. He even promised to bring back something tasty. Compared to his old, cold self, Adrian was much kinder now.

Tang Xiao’nan pouted. She didn’t want meat buns; she just wanted to go into town to play. But she didn’t dare go against the future big shot. ’I’ve worked so hard to get on his good side; I can’t make him angry now.’

With a faint, mournful sigh, Tang Xiao’nan reluctantly agreed. Her unhappiness was written all over her face, but she knew she had to obey. Her serious, adult-like expression amused Adrian Hawthorne. ’This chubby girl seems to have grown up overnight. She’s not throwing tantrums anymore; she’s actually quite thoughtful. She’s completely different from the unruly girl she used to be.’

’They say a girl changes drastically by the time she’s eighteen, but this one’s changed long before that. Looks like she’s an early bloomer.’

"Study hard, and I’ll buy you some White Rabbit candy," Adrian Hawthorne added, sweetening the deal.

Both Old Master Tate and Rosalind Green had a sweet tooth, and they were quite particular. They wouldn’t even look at ordinary fruit drops. In a small county town like Vessaria, the fanciest candy available was White Rabbit. Now that Adrian Hawthorne was earning money, he had become more generous with food, and the house was never short on pastries and sweets.

Tang Xiao’nan wasn’t interested in White Rabbit candy either; she was trying to lose weight, after all. But she could take it back for Amanda Chapman. Her eight-year-old cousin had never had an easy life, and she didn’t get to eat well while living with Raina. Tang Xiao’nan’s heart ached for the little girl, so she often saved her own snacks to give to Amanda.

Adrian Hawthorne took Tang Xiao’nan to where Old Master Tate was. The old master was watching over four or five cattle as they grazed on the hillside. He was in much better spirits, and his face had filled out. Leaning against a tree, he sat on a small stool, reading a book with an air of tranquil contentment.

"Feed these eggs to the cattle later."

Adrian Hawthorne placed the basket of eggs beside the old master. Soon, people from the production brigade would come to take the cattle for plowing. The animals took turns working the fields, and those doing the hard labor needed extra nutrition. Adrian was very fond of these animals; he would rather eat less himself to ensure the hardworking oxen were well-fed.

"I know. You’d better get to town. Don’t forget the candy." The candy was always on the old master’s mind. Eating a few pieces of White Rabbit every day did wonders for his mood.

Life now was a world apart from how it used to be. If not for how much he missed his wife and children, Old Master Tate might even think that living out his days in this mountain village would be perfectly fine. But he knew he would have to leave eventually, and he believed that day would come soon.

"I won’t."

Adrian Hawthorne gave one of Tang Xiao’nan’s little pigtails a gentle tug and walked off with a spring in his step. Having a bicycle meant he could get a lot more done. He planned to visit the scrap yard to see if he could find any more old books; he’d already finished all the ones he found last time.

"Xiao’nan, come sit here. I’m going to recite a poem for you. It’s my favorite—Pushkin’s ’If by Life You Were Deceived’."

Old Master Tate had Tang Xiao’nan sit beside him. His deep voice, though hoarse and lacking its former strength, was full of emotion, rising and falling with a stirring cadence. It was the most moving recitation Tang Xiao’nan had ever heard.

"If by life you were deceived,

Don’t be dismal, don’t be wild!

In the day of grief, be mild:

Merry days will come, believe.

..."

"That sounds so beautiful, Grandpa. What is the poem about?"

"It teaches us not to despair or lose heart when we face adversity. It tells us to believe that a better future will surely come. Xiao’nan, no matter what difficulties you face, you must never surrender. Focus on the good things, and you’ll overcome any hardship."

Old Master Tate seemed to be speaking to Tang Xiao’nan, but he was really speaking to himself. Over the years, whenever he felt he couldn’t go on, he would recite this poem to give himself strength. He had to stay alive. He had to wait for the day his family would be reunited.