Zhou Nan had cried until she was sobbing uncontrollably. An JingZhi stood by her side wanting to comfort her, but felt utterly powerless.
Possibly really too heartbroken, and in addition to her existing illness, she cried until she was gasping for breath.
"Zhou Nan..." Seeing Zhou Nan faint on the ground, An JingZhi anxiously called out and hurriedly took her into his arms.
Knowing summer also noticed this scene. Although she said she would no longer treat them as her parents, she had no intention of taking Zhou Nan's life. Seeing the situation, she hurriedly opened the door, only to find unexpectedly that grandfather and grandmother as well as her brothers were all outside, looking at her with complicated expressions.
Knowing summer then became alert, having just spoken too freely, she had actually forgotten to control her voice.
An JingZhi carried Zhou Nan out, and the two brothers hurried over to help. The group hastily departed halfway.
There was a glint of tears in the old lady's eyes. She had long guessed that her granddaughter did not have a good time when she was young, but she did not expect that she would be abused to such an extent.
The old gentleman was also angrily shaking, but did not know how to start to comfort her.
What had happened was now a fact. No matter how much more was said, it would seem to only reopen old healed scars and rub salt in her wounds again.
Knowing summer went over and hugged the old lady, taking the initiative to comfort her, "Granny, I'm fine, don't worry about me either. It's said that life itself is bitter, sour, sweet and spicy. I believe the bitter parts of my life are over, and the rest will be sweet."
"Well said, granny is here to love you." The old lady's voice trembled as she patted Knowing Summer's arm. She had to use great patience to keep herself from crying. "Alright, don't worry about your mother's side, your father and brothers are taking care of her. You and Little Jing hurry up and pack up to leave. Remember to write home often in the future."
Liu Ling hugged Wen Qing and saw the grandparents leaving. She also smiled at Knowing Summer reassuringly before following to the living room.
Just as they reached the living room, the old lady said to the old gentleman again, "Let's give the young couple some time. Little Jing also heard all that just now, I wonder what he is thinking..."
Especially that part about being abused by an old man.
The old lady had never asked Knowing Summer about her past, not because she didn't care, but because she cared too much, afraid the child would become upset again remembering those times.
She had quietly asked Granny Zhou about Knowing Summer's state when she was found by the family, and had already guessed what her granddaughter had gone through before coming home. So she used her greatest patience to make up for the child.
At this moment, she truly felt distressed for the girl, but also worried that Knowing Summer had been taken advantage of by someone before Pei Jing, and it would affect the feelings between the young couple.
The old lady had the ability to take care of Knowing Summer. Although she was old, she had money, and could ensure Knowing Summer would not live too poorly even if she raised a child alone. But she still hoped that her granddaughter, who had already suffered so much, could live happily for the rest of her life.
She left Knowing Summer and Pei Jing space to talk also to test them—if Pei Jing really minded and argued with Knowing Summer, then she would have to re-evaluate their marriage and make early preparations for her granddaughter.
Liu Ling still had to hurry to work, so she could only leave her child here first.
Inside the room, Knowing Summer watched as Pei Jing came in.
For the first time, he took the initiative to approach her, and patted her back with his long, large hand, comforting her, "Don't be afraid, I'll be here from now on."
"Mm." Knowing Summer nodded, taking advantage of the situation to wrap her arms around his slender waist, and buried her face in his embrace.
Pei Jing was visibly startled for a moment, but did not push her away.
After a long while, Knowing Summer asked him, "Did you hear what I just said?"
Pei Jing nodded, "I heard it."
"So don't you have anything you want to ask me?" Knowing Summer looked up at him, happening to see the stubble growing on his chin, already beginning to emerge.
"Things of the past are over, we won't mention them again in the future. Knowing Summer, I will take good care of you." Pei Jing was still calm, but felt extremely moved inside.
He had originally thought that he should take good care of her, but after knowing her past, it was really hard not to be touched.
Knowing Summer's past was too bitter, and it made his heart feel sour.
"That's not it," Knowing Summer said. "Won't you ask if I was really taken advantage of by another man?"
Pei Jing frowned, "That's unimportant. Since I have married you, I will be responsible for you. Don't worry too much either. I, Pei Jing, am not such a conservative person."
He only thought that even if it was true, it could not be blamed on her, only those who had harmed her.
This girl was pitiful enough already. If he made a big deal about these things, how could he still call himself a person?
Although she knew he did not have much feelings for her at the moment, Pei Jing's words still moved Knowing Summer very much.
Not everyone in this world could be so rational.
In her previous life, Knowing Summer knew that the most disgusting thing was that some people actually felt the victim-blaming mentality made sense.
When a girl suffered abuse, they did not blame the abuser, but blamed the girl for being too provocative and seducing others. It was simply bizarre.
If this principle was really followed, then there would be no bad people in the world, because bad deeds were only committed when bad people were seduced into it.
Touched by Pei Jing's understanding, but Knowing Summer still had to explain clearly, "Pei Jing, no matter how conservative you are, I still have to make it clear to you. I'm sure you remember the circumstances when we first met. What I said refers to that day—I was secretly drugged and sold off. When I woke up, I saw an old man touching me inappropriately. But I was not taken advantage of. I took the chance to injure him when he was not paying attention, then ran up the mountain. Afterwards I met you. You are my first man, and my only one. I'm not saying this to emphasize anything, just that I don't want to pin things that didn't happen to me onto myself."
"I know, I believe you. Don't think too much about it. Let's hurry and pack up to go, or we'll miss the train." Pei Jing did not doubt Knowing Summer's words. Recalling carefully, the awkwardness between them that day, if either had any experience at all, things would not have turned out that way.
Also, there was blood on his stick when he woke up. He just hadn't made the connection at the time.
"Do you need to explain these things to Granny? She probably misunderstood too. I'm afraid she might overthink things in her mind."
Pei Jing's words made Knowing Summer agree as well. After packing up their things, she told him to carry them while she went out first.
After explaining everything to the old lady, the old lady's spirit clearly improved. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as the child was not taken advantage of, that was good. As long as her granddaughter was well, even if she had to live a few less years, she would be happy.
After all, she had lived to this great age already, and got her money's worth out of life.
Taking Knowing Summer's things, they still had to stop by next door first.
Inside the room, Pei Jing saw the box Knowing Summer refused to let go of, and asked her, "Is that stuff really important?"
Knowing Summer opened it in front of him, revealing the pearls and jewels inside, "The dowry Granny gave me, she said for me to keep it myself."
Considering the previous status of the An family, Pei Jing was not too surprised. He only urged, "The wooden box is too conspicuous. Take the stuff out and put it in with the luggage. There will be a lot of people on the train, we have to watch our belongings carefully."
The old lady had considered it would be difficult to store, so she did not give Knowing Summer too much. But a dowry was a matter of face for a woman, she could not go without one, and had no intention to make her hide it from Pei Jing.
Knowing Summer responded with an "Mm," and took the chance while he went to speak with the old gentleman to stow the box into her space.
She only needed to maintain appearances by showing him the items. It would make it easy to explain if she needed them someday in the future.
