There was another inkstone that Xiao Liulang had given her yesterday.
Elder Jiushi's eyes were red.
"Teacher," Xiao Liulang spoke softly.
"I'm all right." The elder Jiushi wiped his old tears, put Zhang Xiu's belongings in order, packed them up, and then stumbled as he walked out.
Xiao Liulang supported him.
Elder Jiushi's voice trembled, "I...I'm really all right."
Clink!
The inkstone slipped out of the bundle and smashed onto the floor.
The elder Jiushi bent down to pick it up.
"I'll do it," Xiao Liulang said.
He picked up the inkstone first, "I'll keep it."
The elder Jiushi did not insist.
His feelings were complex, and his mind was in chaos. He felt that he had hurt both Zhang Xiu and Xiao Hen.
He choked out, "You... don't resent her... blame me... it was me... she did it for me..."
