"What’s the need for this hardship!" Song Hailong said.

"Brother Hailong, although I don’t have much experience, I understand that for a girl, her reputation is more important than her life. This injury is just painful, it’s not life-threatening. My body is pure and untouched, how can I let unrelated men see it?" Lian Huahua spoke softly, her eyes lifting to briefly meet Song Hailong’s with deep affection.

Huahua was doing this all for him, Song Hailong suddenly realized.

"Huahua, you’re receiving treatment, what’s the big deal? You should know that I’m not that conservative," Song Hailong said.

"Brother Hailong, I know you’re good to me," Lian Huahua lowered her eyelids, speaking in a shy, quiet voice, "But the Song Family is a reputable family, and Lady Chiang comes from a prominent household. She takes these matters very seriously. I, I don’t want to..."

"Huahua, don’t be afraid, mother is not an unreasonable person," Song Hailong hurriedly said.

"Brother Hailong, I’ve made up my mind. I’d rather die than be an embarrassment to you," Lian Huahua said.

"You stubborn child, you’re killing me, your mother," Lady Gu cried.

"Huahua..." Song Hailong was so moved he couldn’t find words to reply.

"Brother Hailong," Lian Huahua began to sob softly, "This injury, I’m afraid it’ll leave a scar. Brother Hailong, let’s call off our engagement. I already had mother return the betrothal gifts you sent. Brother Hailong, please take them back. From now on, we shouldn’t see each other again."

Lian Manman was lying on the roof of the Upper Room when she heard Lian Huahua inside speaking of breaking off the engagement. She couldn’t help but be shocked. How could this be possible? How could Lian Huahua possibly want to break off the engagement and miss the chance to rise so high?

She must be pretending to retreat in order to advance! Lian Manman’s mind spun, and she quickly understood. Eager to hear how Song Hailong would respond, she listened even more intently.

Earlier, when she saw Song Hailong enter the west room, Lady Chiang and Lian Duo left the room. One pretended to be busy by the door of the west room, while the other stood outside, making it difficult for others to approach and eavesdrop. Lian Manman, however, was determined to find out what Lian Huahua was up to. Since she couldn’t eavesdrop from those two spots, she climbed onto the roof.

Eavesdropping like this might not seem honorable, but if the other party was up to no good, then it was justifiable. Lian Manman told herself this; she was only ten years old, so at most she would be accused of being naughty if she were caught.

Inside the room, Song Hailong was even more surprised than Lian Manman when he heard Lian Huahua suggest breaking off the engagement.

"Huahua, what are you saying?"

"Brother Hailong, I didn’t want to part with you," Lian Huahua cried plaintively, "I’m afraid I’ll have a scar on my leg. I, I won’t be pretty anymore. I’m not worthy of you, Brother Hailong... In the future, you’ll dislike me. Then, I’m afraid I would die of a broken heart. I think... I think it’s better to..."

"Huahua, what kind of person do you take me for!" Song Hailong, overcome with emotion, raised his voice involuntarily, "Huahua, whether you’re pretty or not, my feelings for you will never change. Don’t ever bring up breaking off the engagement again, otherwise, I’ll really be angry."

"Brother Hailong." Lian Huahua’s sobs called out softly.

"Huahua, you were injured while protecting me." Lian Huahua’s pitiful look warmed Song Hailong’s heart. Without regard to Lady Gu being nearby, he grasped Lian Huahua’s hand, "I, Song Hailong, will never forget this kindness of yours. Abandoning you is simply unthinkable. Is that something a man would do? The Song Family could never commit such a betrayal."

"Brother Hailong." Lian Huahua’s voice was filled with joy, "You are a true man. I did not misjudge you."

"Huahua, it’s good that you understand," Song Hailong said.

"No, no, it won’t do." Lian Huahua suddenly seemed to remember something, pulling her hand back from Song Hailong’s grasp, "Brother Hailong, you say this now, but if I really do have a scar on my leg and you see it later... you’ll start to dislike me... Let’s break the engagement."

"Huahua." Song Hailong quickly grasped Lian Huahua’s hand again, another hand raised, "I, Song Hailong, swear to the heavens that if I ever come to despise you for this reason, let me be struck by lightning, let..."

"Brother Hailong." Lian Huahua placed her other hand over his mouth, chiding gently, "Don’t say such things, it hurts me too much."

"Huahua."

"Brother Hailong, don’t forget what you said today," Lian Huahua softly said.

Song Hailong and Lian Huahua’s four hands clung together, gazing at each other with tender affection.

Lady Gu coughed lightly, and Song Hailong and Lian Huahua let go of their clasped hands.

"Huahua, the doctors in your village aren’t very good. I’ll immediately send someone back to the town to find a proper doctor," Song Hailong said. After his excitement, he considered that if a scar was left on Lian Huahua’s fair thigh, it wouldn’t be pleasant to look at, so he quickly thought of a solution.

"Wouldn’t a doctor from the city still be a man?" Lian Huahua said, "Brother Hailong, my body... I absolutely won’t let anyone else see it."

"This..." Song Hailong, moved by Lian Huahua’s affectionate words, felt both proud and somewhat troubled.

"Last time I went to the town with Huahua’s father, we bought some medicine from Dexing Hall, it was quite good. Some of it is left, and we’ve already used it on Huahua," Lady Gu said this at that moment.

"Right, that medicine is excellent. I’ll have them deliver more of it here," Song Hailong said.

"We have plenty left, it should be enough," Lady Gu demurred.

"Oh right, the Shopkeeper of Dexing Hall once told me something, and I forgot to ask, how’s your Aunt?" Song Hailong asked.

"You’ve seen for yourself, there’s nothing wrong with her," Lady Gu replied.

"Just don’t mention this in front of others, Aunt doesn’t want people to know," Lian Huahua said.

Lian Manman furrowed her brows, puzzled; why were they talking about Lian Xiu?

*****

First update sent, going to eat now. Will be back to code the second update. Seeking pink encouragement. (To be continued. If you like this work, you’re welcome to qidian.com to vote for recommendation votes, monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)