Everyone turned to look. They all saw Liu'er standing under the delicate, drooping willows. The branches were still green, but the person beneath them had withered. The most beautiful girl in Qingnan Village now resembled the twilight of a spring day, already sinking into darkness. But after the night passed, people would welcome the bright spring light of a new morning. Would she ever have another spring?
Qingmu was also stunned. 'How did the Liu'er who clutched my sleeve, crying that she wanted to marry me, turn into this?' he wondered. 'Shouldn't she be dressed in fine clothes, with smooth, delicate skin from a life of leisure, sitting at home doing embroidery?'
Liu'er slowly shuffled forward. Little Shitou quickly grabbed her arm to support her, and Gou Dan steadied her from the other side as they helped her toward Liu'er's mother.
