Chapter 12: The Sorrow of Parting

The box gleamed with golden light, filled to the brim with small yellow croaker fish. No wonder it felt so heavy when she was holding it earlier.

On top lay a letter and a photograph.

She picked up the photo and studied it carefully. The person in the picture was the mother from the original owner’s memories—her hair styled in a low bun, stray strands tucked behind her ears, dressed in a fitted cheongsam, cradling a child in her arms.

This was a portrait taken when Lu Mingyue was one year old.

Lu Wenzhen’s face bore a gentle smile. She was not the fragile type needing protection but rather had the visage of Mother Earth herself, as if surrounded by a radiant glow.

Talented but doomed, fate had cruelly taken such an exceptional woman too soon.

Lu Mingyue felt a pang of regret as she opened the letter left by Lu Wenzhen for her daughter, her heart heavy.

The box had been entrusted to Ren Huifang, who had kept it safe, following Lu Wenzhen’s instructions to only hand it over after Lu Mingyue had settled the important matters of her life.

Within the letter, Lu Wenzhen reminisced about the amusing stories from her daughter’s childhood and expressed her sorrow at not being able to witness her wedding...

After reading the letter, tears streamed down Lu Mingyue’s face.

“Waaah, system, this is so touching,” she sobbed.

The system’s voice trembled with emotion, “Even I, having weathered so many storms, can’t help but cry o(╥﹏╥)o.”

Together, they clung to the envelope, tears flowing freely.

Noticing the tears dripping onto the gold bars, Lu Mingyue quickly wiped them away.

System: ......

The mood shifted so abruptly—from deeply moved to stark reality.

After the crying subsided, Lu Mingyue grew worried. How was she supposed to carry so much gold?

“Host, you have me. Did you forget this all-powerful system?”

“You?”

“What can you do?”

A trace of doubt flickered in Lu Mingyue’s eyes.

The system’s voice flared in frustration: “I told you, don’t underestimate me!”

To prove its usefulness, the system demonstrated its power.

Following its instructions, Lu Mingyue placed her hand on the box, and in the next instant, the box vanished into thin air.

Her gold?

All that gold just disappeared?

“System, where did you put my gold?”

---

The system chuckled proudly, “See? That’s my skill. Surprised?”

Clenching her teeth, Lu Mingyue replied, “Yes, very surprised.”

Clearing its throat, the system explained the disappearance of the box.

As tasks progress, space expands. Since Lu Mingyue had completed missions before, the system applied for a reward, randomly granting her a one-square-meter space—ample room to store the small box.

That was quite convenient. With this space, she need not worry about anyone discovering the contents. Nothing in the world was safer than this space.

“What about when I want to take my things out? You won’t secretly keep them, will you?”

The system’s little heart fluttered nervously. It had considered such a thought but, to complete the ultimate task, it would obey its host and dare not cause trouble.

Now that the gold had a safe place, Lu Mingyue could finally rest easy, entrusting the letter to the system as well.

Early the next morning, Ren Huifang went to the food station to buy pork.

The train journey to Haicheng would take four days and three nights, and she wanted to make some meat buns for Lu Mingyue to eat along the way.

Although the train sold meals, homemade food was always more flavorful.

By the time Lu Mingyue woke, the dining table was already set.

Soft, fluffy meat buns accompanied by several refreshing side dishes and comforting millet porridge filled the table with the warmth of home.

Seeing her come out, Ren Huifang quickly called everyone to eat.

“After breakfast, your godfather and I will see you off at the train station.”

“I want to go too!”

Zhang Miaomiao chimed in anxiously nearby, afraid they would leave without her.

Thanks to Mingyue, she had escaped a disastrous marriage to a scoundrel, saving her family from ruin. As Mingyue’s closest friend, she naturally wanted to send her off.

Zhang Songwu was still busy with affairs at the military camp and couldn’t accompany Mingyue, but when Huo Zheng came by, he left a stern warning.

“I consider Mingyue my own little sister. If you dare to bully her, I won’t let you off.”

Huo Zheng’s gaze was steady as he looked at him. “Don’t worry, I won’t give you the chance.”

He hated men who laid hands on their wives the most.

Zhang Chengliang drove the group to the train station.

Huo Zheng had bought tickets for a 10 a.m. departure. With half an hour from home to the station, arriving early was just right.

At the station entrance, Ren Huifang anxiously reminded Lu Mingyue,

“Mingyue, if anything happens, call your godmother... and once you arrive, be sure to call home.”

Having finally established a connection with this child, Ren Huifang valued it deeply and didn’t want distance to sever their bond.

---

Lu Mingyue nodded. “Don’t worry, godmother. I’ll call you once I get there.”

“Make sure to write us letters when you have time. If you don’t, I’ll write to you.”

Zhang Miaomiao held her hand tightly, reluctant to part.

Though their time together had been short, she already regarded Lu Mingyue as a dear friend.

As boarding time approached, Huo Zheng carried their luggage ahead, leading the way.

Lu Mingyue followed closely behind.

The trains of this era differed from those in later times—family could accompany passengers right onto the platform.

Huo Zheng had purchased sleeper tickets.

Ren Huifang felt somewhat reassured. The journey was long, and hard seats would have been unbearable.

With the whistle of the train, the moment of farewell arrived.

Half of Lu Mingyue’s body leaned against the window as she bade goodbye to the Zhang family.

“Godmother, godfather, Miaomiao, it’s getting late. You should go back now. I will miss you all.”

As the train gradually pulled away, the three figures on the platform grew smaller and smaller until they vanished from sight.

The surge of parting emotions overwhelmed her. Lu Mingyue sniffled, a strange sadness filling her heart.

Suddenly, a large hand appeared, offering a handkerchief.

Looking up, she met Huo Zheng’s concerned eyes.

She hummed softly, accepting it without hesitation. Feeling the smooth fabric in her palm, she intended to wipe her nose but ended up wiping her tears instead.

At first, Huo Zheng thought she was quietly sobbing and began talking about Meng Xiaoling to divert her thoughts.

“Meng Xiaoling has been sent to the southwest and won’t return for at least three to five years. I’ve also arranged for someone to keep an eye on the house. The Liu family came by this morning.”

Hearing this, an image of Meng Mancang stomping his feet flashed through Lu Mingyue’s mind.

As she had suspected, the moment he learned their house had been sold, Meng Mancang was stunned.

“This is my house! How could it be sold? You must be mistaken.”

Liu Datou sneered contemptuously, “Your house? This is Comrade Lu’s house. Do you really think living here a few extra years made it yours? It’s laughable.”

One by one, the Liu family stood tall at the doorstep. Meng Mancang, scolded and pointed at, dared not utter a word of complaint.