Lost Youth – When Love Lies

<<“Where did she go?” Yuluo tried hard to hold back her tears from falling. “I don’t know either. She said she’ll contact you after your college entrance exam. Seems like she went south.” “What about the house in the countryside?” “She’s sold the house. There wasn’t much money. I even helped her find a buyer.” “Why didn’t she tell me?” “You wouldn’t come with your father. What could I do?” Xia Yuluo stood up. She wanted to go to her room. She needed to be alone. Was this a nightmare? A misunderstanding would be better Her mother remarried and went somewhere without a word, which made Xia Yuluo feel like an unnecessary burden that no one needed or loved. That night she fell asleep crying and woke up crying, crying all night until her eyes were swollen and sore. Looking in the mirror, oh my, they were swollen to a slit! “Why are you crying! Isn’t it better here than your poor countryside!” Her stepmother was unhappy seeing her like this. She suddenly had an extra freeloader to feed! This place was better than the countryside—the food, clothing, and housing were all much more superior. But she didn’t like it because this home felt too cold. Except when Xia Dahao occasionally remembered to care about her, no one treated her like family. In the hallway of the teaching building, Fang Yuzhe saw Xia Yuluo. Her eyes had mostly recovered, but it was still obvious she had been crying. “What’s wrong?” he asked in surprise. “Nothing! Xia Yuluo quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile. “Just a bit tired from studying.” “Are you sure? You can talk to me if something’s bothering you,” Fang Yuzhe offered, concern etched on his face. “It’s really nothing,” she insisted. Their conversation was interrupted when the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Xia Yuluo hurried inside, grateful for the distraction that school provided. As the days passed, Xia Yuluo struggled to focus, continually haunted by her mother’s departure. She pushed herself harder in her studies, hoping to escape her troubled thoughts. When the day of the college entrance exam finally arrived, she felt a mix of anxiety and determination. She needed to perform well; it was her chance to change her life. After completing the exam, Xia Yuluo sat alone outside the school, replaying the events of the past few weeks in her mind. The sun began to set, casting a golden hue across the sky, but the beauty of it eluded her. She felt trapped in her sorrow, and the weight of her emotions threatened to pull her under. >>>