Yuan Su let out a soft laugh at the sight of her tear-streaked face and fierce expression.
"You're still laughing!"
Pu Yu felt even worse and turned her face away, refusing to look at him.
Yuan Su took her wrist and drew her closer, bringing her forehead against his chest.
"I'm not tired."
Resting his chin on the top of her head, he said gently, "I'm really not."
"Liar." Pu Yu sniffled, not believing him at all.
"It's true." His gaze was earnest. "The factory makes a lot more than you think. It's small, but there's more work than we can finish. In another year, I'll be able to pay off all those debts."
"Then..."
He paused, his gaze deep and intent. "Whether we go back to Nanhua or stay in Dongzhou will be up to you. All right?"
Pu Yu's tears still wouldn't stop.
It wasn't that she didn't believe him.
Her heart ached for him.
It ached because someone so outstanding had to shoulder so much in the prime of his life; because he had to endure another year in this bitter cold, perhaps even longer, just to earn the freedom everyone else could so easily have, yet remained far beyond his reach.
She lowered her head without saying a word, tears falling silently.
Yuan Su sighed.
He bent down, resting one knee on the edge of the bed to bring himself level with her, then cupped her face in his hands and made her look at him.
"Stop crying." He gently stroked her cheek. "If you keep crying, your eyes will be all puffy tomorrow. How will you go back to school?"
"Then I won't go back," Pu Yu said petulantly.
She didn't want to go back anyway.
Yuan Su smiled helplessly, ignoring her sulky words. "If