Shao Qiyun, who was soaking in the river, ranted with resentment that it was Mu Jingzhe who had done it. However, the villagers, who stood by the river and covered their noses, waved their hands to stop her from spouting nonsense. No one believed her, nor did anyone suspect the five kids. They only said that Shao Qiyun was careless and had suffered this retribution.

  After spending a few days in hell and now losing all face in front of the entire village, that night, she left with a smell that couldn’t be washed away.

  Previously, she had been afraid of the debt collectors, but now, Mu Jingzhe was even more terrifying than the debt collectors. She was afraid that she would be the victim of some kind of revenge plot and really drown in the toilet, so she tied Zhao Lan up and ran away that night.

  Zhao Lan was tied up the entire night and was only discovered and untied by Eldest Sister-In-Law Shao the next day. Now that Shao Qiyun had run away, she feared that Mu Jingzhe would blame her for not taking good care of her. Fortunately, Mu Jingzhe didn’t.

  It was good that Shao Qiyun had left. Previously, she had been angry, but now, Mu Jingzhe didn’t want to see Shao Qiyun anymore. The sight and sound of her ruined Mu Jingzhe’s mood and made Xiao Wu feel uncomfortable.

  After Shao Qiyun left, Xiao Wu was finally willing to go to the courtyard and go back to school.

  At school, Xiao Wu was still the most popular classmate. Everyone loved to hear him play the flute, but things were different now.

  When Xiao Wu played the flute for his classmates again, everyone no longer smiled. Instead, they cried and said that the melody invoked feelings of sadness and fear in them.

  Xiao Wu quickly changed the tune, and this was resolved. His classmates didn’t take it to heart, so only Xiao Wu knew that he had changed.

  In the past, he wouldn’t think so much. As long as he could play the flute or some other musical instrument, he would be happy and full of joy. When he thought of Mu Jingzhe and his siblings, he would also be happy. If he experienced any unhappiness, he would just have to play the flute and hum a tune and his mood would become sunny again.

  But now, that no longer did it for him. Even while playing the flute, he felt gloomy. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but think of unhappy things. Then, he would subconsciously play some depressing songs. Instead of cheering one up, this would stir up unpleasant memories.

  Before Mu Jingzhe knew it, Xiao Wu’s dark music phase had begun. Although she had changed many things, certain aspects of the fate of the five kids hadn’t changed.

  Xiao Wu knew that this wasn’t good, but he couldn’t help but feel sad sometimes. He used to love playing music, but now he was afraid.

  The fear deep in his heart resurfaced. He was afraid that he would become a bad person. Because of his fear, he started to reject his favorite thing—music.

  \r \r \r

  Mu Jingzhe and the others didn’t notice at first. Upon seeing that Xiao Wu suddenly stopped playing the flute every day, they thought that it was because he was in a bad mood.

  However, when it was time to go to art school over the weekend, they realized the gravity of the matter.

  After what had happened at the art school, the school paid more attention to safety management. Because the school was quite responsible, Mu Jingzhe decided to let them continue going there.

  However, when he returned that day, Shao Qihai said that Xiao Wu was no longer willing to attend music class, and there was nothing Ji Buwang could do about it either. Ji Buwang asked Mu Jingzhe to go see him.

  When Shao Qihai told Mu Jingzhe, he was still a little unwilling, but Ji Buwang had said that he had to discuss this with Mu Jingzhe. Unfortunately, since Shao Qihai couldn’t do anything about Xiao Wu, he could only pass on the message.

  When Mu Jingzhe asked Xiao Wu why he didn’t want to learn anymore, Xiao Wu said that he simply didn’t.

  Although he said that he didn’t want to, after saying that he wouldn’t learn to play or touch musical instruments anymore, Xiao Wu felt like he had lost his soul and was often in a daze. He didn’t seem like he was fine, nor did it seem like he really didn’t want to learn anymore.

  Mu Jingzhe had been counseling Xiao Wu and encouraging him to continue learning. However, after trying to persuade him, she realized that Xiao Wu was really repulsed and even a little afraid.

  Under the circumstances, they naturally couldn’t force Xiao Wu. The next day, Mu Jingzhe asked Shao Qihai to take care of the five children and rode her bicycle to look for Ji Buwang.

  Ji Buwang was still working part-time at the art school, but other than on Sunday, he usually wouldn’t go over. He basically only taught Xiao Wu and Xiao Wu alone. Rather than calling him a teacher, it would perhaps be more apt to call him Xiao Wu’s private tutor.

  The school teachers didn’t have a problem with that. After all, the school’s musical instruments had basically been donated by Ji Buwang. Furthermore, if he saw a talented student, he would even sponsor them. His attainments were also very high.

  The school couldn’t wait for Ji Buwang to stay.

  When Mu Jingzhe went over, Ji Buwang was playing the piano. Coincidentally, sunlight shone in through the window and fell on Ji Buwang, making him look like he was covered in a layer of golden light.

  It was a truly wonderful scene. Mu Jingzhe lightened her footsteps so she didn’t disturb him. She leaned against the wall and listened to Ji Buwang, who was like a prince.

  When they were young, orphanage kids like her didn’t have the chance to study music, so they were envious when they saw people who learned to play musical instruments. At the time, the piano had been an unattainable existence to them, and a prince who played the piano had been even more unattainable.

  Mu Jingzhe looked down at the dust on her pants and couldn’t help but pat them.

  Ji Buwang quickly noticed her. “Jingzhe, you’re here.”

  Too many things had happened during this period of time. Mu Jingzhe and Ji Buwang hadn’t spoken properly in a long time, and it had also been a while since they’d last met. When Ji Buwang saw her clear face again, he was filled with emotions.

  “Mm, have you been well recently?” Mu Jingzhe nodded and walked in.

  “Same old. What about you?”

  Mu Jingzhe shrugged. “There are many things that are difficult to explain in a few words. You know that too.”

  After some small talk, the two of them talked about Xiao Wu. “What happened to Xiao Wu?”

  Ji Buwang was always very sensitive. Mu Jingzhe nodded. “Something did happen.” After saying that, she didn’t continue. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Ji Buwang, but it was best that fewer people knew about this.

  “I went back last night to talk to him…” Mu Jingzhe told him about her conversation with Xiao Wu. Ji Buwang nodded and didn’t pursue the matter. “It’s similar to what I thought. He’s just a little repulsed. We have to guide him well through this situation, or it might affect his future.”

  Those who studied music or drew and those who walked the path of art would sometimes feel disgust and loathing midway. Some would even want to give up. Some people’s condition improved later on, but some really gave up for good.

  “Xiao Wu’s situation is a little similar to theirs but also a little different. I keep feeling that he has suffered a huge blow.”

  Mu Jingzhe smiled bitterly. He had indeed suffered through a lot. “Then what should we do next?”

  “Don’t force him to continue learning for the time being. Give him some time. Most importantly, rebuild his confidence. Observe him more.”

  After the two of them finished talking about Xiao Wu, Ji Buwang suggested having lunch together. Mu Jingzhe hesitated for a moment and nodded. “Alright.”

  She felt that Ji Buwang had something to say.

  Ji Buwang indeed had something to say. After the meal, he walked out of the restaurant and said, “Jingzhe, have you thought it through?

  “I’ve given you time to consider it and make a decision. Although I was joking previously, in your current state, it’s actually not easy for me to see you. I’m afraid it will affect you.”

  He didn’t say anything, but Mu Jingzhe knew that he was talking about the divorce.

  “A lot has happened during this period of time. I didn’t have time to…” How could she care about getting a divorce now? It wasn’t a good time to get a divorce either, with Xiao Wu being in such a situation.