Chapter 28

Chapter 28 – Not elopement!

Regarding this plan to run away from home, Mei Fang had already conceived of it three years ago when he learned that Xia Yuan was the tragic protagonist. After comprehensive analysis and reflection last night, he ultimately decided to prioritize this as the primary plan.

He believed that Xia Yuan’s father deeply loved his precious daughter. By using this opportunity to run away from home, he could make him truly value his daughter’s thoughts, thus calming down and giving up on the pursuit of wealth.

After all, running away from home was merely a plan rather than a goal. If his pursuit of wealth far exceeded his love for his daughter, Mei Fang would have to adopt a second plan—

Persuade Xia Yuan’s mother and father to timely cut ties, meaning divorce, to avoid being further implicated.

Whether out of consideration for his daughter Xia Yuan or his love for her husband, in the end, Teacher Yu from his past life chose to compromise and did not ultimately separate from Xia Yuan’s father.

And if none of these were possible, he would at least need to protect Xia Yuan and prevent her from being drawn into tragedy.

This plan involved having Xia Yuan stay at his house or with her grandmother for a while to weather through this period.

Of course, this was not what Mei Fang wished to see as the final outcome, but it was the only thing he could do at his age.

Because of the existence of this incident in his past life, it had always made Mei Fang harbor reservations about Xia Yuan’s parents, especially her father.

Perhaps the immense pain Xia Yuan’s father experienced when he fell from a high place was something a poor person like him could not imagine, or perhaps it was just a momentary impulse.

But such an act of disregarding life would make him feel “extremely regretful.”

He didn’t know whether Teacher Yu was aware of those events, but in his past life, Xia Yuan was definitely kept in the dark about the details.

She might be fragile, but she wasn’t weak.

This was how Mei Fang had come to know Xia Yuan over the years.

In today’s class, Xia Yuan seemed unusually quiet, lowering her head for several consecutive lessons while writing on a beautiful notebook.

She was planning the items to bring for her runaway plan.

[All saved money]

[Seven sets of change of clothes]

[Phone card]

[Towel]

[Toothbrush, toothpaste]

[Small mirror]

[Lip balm]

[Compass]

[Fruit knife]

[Fruit cans (bring more peaches)]

[Family photo of three]

[School bag, stationery, textbooks]

As Mei Fang watched Xia Yuan cross out two sets of clothes and write down a list of absurd equipment, he finally couldn’t hold back after class and commented:

“Are you going camping? Why do you need a compass?”

“In case we go very far and don’t know which way, wouldn’t it be useful then…”

“You’re even bringing textbooks?”

Xia Yuan replied seriously, “We’re faking a runaway, we can’t let our studies slip…”

“Just bring money.”

Mei Fang casually asked Xia Yuan, “By the way, how much money have you saved?”

Xia Yuan rested her chin on her hand and thought for a bit, “The New Year’s money from relatives and my pocket money, I’ve been saving them well. When I counted during this year’s Spring Festival, it was around… six thousand yuan?”

“Six thousand?”

Although he had expected Xia Yuan to have saved a lot, this number still surprised Mei Fang.

This was the year 2005, 2005!

Six thousand yuan could buy one square meter of land in Pengcheng!

Mei Fang crossed out some unnecessary items for Xia Yuan and told her to just bring two hundred yuan.

After all, it wasn’t a real long-term runaway, so bringing so much money made no sense.

Today, Xia Yuan’s mother, Teacher Yu, taught normally. She was a Chinese language teacher.

Apart from speaking softly in class, she appeared calm and maintained a very dignified image.

Compared to other class teachers, she always seemed approachable, though this also meant she found it difficult to control some troublesome students. Overall, the students liked and respected her.

Mei Fang remembered that when their family passed away, the students in their class spontaneously organized to attend their funeral.

The last class was physical education. Before class, Xia Yuan and Mei Fang discussed something.

“After school, let’s tell Lin You Xi about this plan.”

“What? Are you crazy? Why tell her?”

“Do you remember the time you guys hid from me to play games? That made me angry for a long time.”

Xia Yuan explained, “If we keep this major thing from her, Lin You Xi will definitely be hurt.”

“I’m not questioning whether Lin You Xi is hurt or not…”

Mei Fang sighed, “If you tell her, she will—”

“I want to run away with you guys!”

After hearing the whole story, Lin You Xi made her own decision.

I knew it!

Mei Fang quickly stopped her, “You can’t come along, you have to be our insider.”

“Insider?” Lin You Xi tilted her head in confusion.

“If Xia Yuan and I run away, we need someone who knows what’s happening here, right? If they don’t find us for a long time or if things escalate, you can tell us, or tell our parents where we are.”

“Why can’t Mei Fang be the insider…”

Lin You Xi complained, “Why can’t Xia Yuan and I run away together?”

Xia Yuan hurriedly added, “Lin You Xi, I think Mei Fang is right. After all, he’s a boy, doing things will be easier…”

“Is it because he’s a boy!”

Lin You Xi frowned, “If he runs away with you, isn’t that practically elopement?”

“E-elopement!”

Upon hearing Lin You Xi say this, Xia Yuan’s face immediately turned red. It took her a long time to react and explain stammeringly,

“It’s not elopement! We’re elementary school students! How could we do such indecent things!”

“Actually, if I put it differently, I could distance myself entirely.”

Mei Fang pondered, resting his chin in his hand, “For example, I’m actually chasing Xia Yuan, trying earnestly to persuade her to come back. That kind-hearted student might even get recognized as this year’s county-level outstanding student, giving a speech in front of all the teachers and students.”

“Mei Fang!”

Lin You Xi said angrily, “Right now, we’re trying hard to help Xia Yuan solve her crisis. Can’t you take it seriously?”

“I am taking it seriously.”

Mei Fang said, “Otherwise, if Xia Yuan and I both run away, explaining to the school and parents will cause a lot of trouble.”

“Lin You Xi, I think Mei Fang has a point… Let’s settle it this way! I don’t want to be called something with Mei Fang…”

“Xia Yuan, why is your face suddenly so red?”

Lin You Xi touched Xia Yuan’s face with concern, “It’s so hot, are you sick?”

“No, no! Help me think of what else to bring…”

Mei Fang watched Lin You Xi and Xia Yuan interact warmly, feeling a mix of emotions.

Clearly, Lin You Xi was still a simple child who didn’t think much, while Xia Yuan had more complex thoughts in her little head.

“Oh, besides preparing the items, have you planned where you’ll run away to, and for how long?”

“Oh, I haven’t considered these things…” Xia Yuan was in a dilemma.

“Don’t worry!”

Mei Fang smiled, “Just rely on me, I’ve planned everything.”

The preceding chapters 23~now have been supplemented with illustrations! If you can’t see the images, come find them in the group!

(End of Chapter 28)