253: Background

Background

Lu Yan forced a smile.

I tried to share my own story as plainly as possible. "To tell you the truth, I was orphaned when I was five years old. I was brought up by my uncle and aunt. In other words, I grew up under another person's roof. So I understand your feelings. Actually, I worked hard to get into M University for a reason not that different from yours. I wanted to escape from home. It just so happened that my little uncle found me at that time."

Lu Yan's eyes glowed.

I continued, "Even though Jing Ni was a part of the Jing Family, her father passed away early, so she didn't have a good life there earlier. After she got into university, she worked as hard as you to bring her mother out of the Jing Family. Therefore, Lu Yan, there is nothing for you to be ashamed of. No one has it easier than anyone else. Everyone has their own challenges to face. The most important thing is we do not stray from our goal. Of course, when we run into kindred spirits on the way, it is important to help each other. It is more fun to fight together than alone, am I right?"

Lu Yan finally smiled and she said, "Nanxing, you're so kind. I'm so glad to know you."

"So, what is your relationship with Ye Qian?" I suddenly asked. Lu Yan's smile froze. I added apologetically, "During Jing Ning and Nanyang's wedding, Mai Qi and I saw you two talking from afar. We didn't disturb you. However, after that, you two acted like you didn't know each other so I was confused." I dropped the observation casually.

Lu Yan's smile disappeared entirely and her fingers twisted together. I waited for a full minute and I got nothing. I poured her another cup of tea and said.

"It's fine if you don't feel like sharing." 

"She and I come from the same orphanage."

We said at the same time and we were both stunned.

I looked at her and smiled. "Lu Yan, I am so sorry, I thought it was a question which could be explained easily. If this invades your privacy, then forget I ever said anything."

Lu Yan shook her head gently. "Nanxing, I've never told anyone about these things. There is no friend who I can confide in. My four younger brothers are my family. We grew up together and built our family together. We are too busy earning money to talk about feelings and emotions."

I couldn't help but be touched.

"I thought that I would never see Ye Qian again in my life. But the world is so tiny. We met up at M University and it was because of you and Mai Qi that I reencountered her.

"When I first saw her, I wasn't sure that she was the same girl I knew. However, from then on, I paid attention to her news. And then, from you and Mai Qi's conversation, I knew that she was indeed the girl from my orphanage. It was why I wanted to go to the wedding with you. I am so sorry for lying to you. I was there just to see Ye Qian. I've used you." Lu Yan lowered her head in shame.

This made me feel guilty because Mai Qi and I had done our own digging behind Lu Yan's back. However, this was not the time to bring it up.

"Ye Qian's original name was Lu Qian. We have the surname Lu because it was the surname of the orphanage manager. Lu Qian was older than us and she took good care of us. When I cried, she would coax me patiently. I became very reliant on her because, in that unknown environment, she was the only person who was nice to me. One day, a family wanted to adopt me but I didn't want to leave her. I hugged her and cried. She told me gently that she would check out the family who wanted to adopt me. When she came back, she said the family's mother had lost one of her children and she was a little bit crazy because of it. She was known for scolding and beating children. Lu Qian hugged me and cried because she was very concerned about my future."

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