chapter33

Ran couldn't help but sigh in her heart, thinking that maybe her first love would end just like this, without a proper ending.

In this world, women were rare. Although both the law and common beliefs here seemed to favor women, Ran could still clearly feel how cruel this world actually was toward them. From childhood, women were spoiled.

They didn't have to learn music, chess, calligraphy, poetry or even basic reading. As long as a girl made a small fuss, they would gladly let her stop learning altogether. Even in families where girls were taught to read, it was only enough to recognize a few simple characters.

In this kind of environment, most girls were raised to only enjoy comfort and luxury without any desire to improve themselves. The result of this was that it became easier for men to control them. No matter what men said, women would accept it as truth because they had never learned to think for themselves.

They couldn't even tell whether they liked something or not. They believed they were born just to have children, and the thing they felt most proud of was how many children they could give birth to. That was also why very few women in this world lived long lives.

After all, in any world, giving birth puts the greatest strain on a woman's body. What's worse, the law here required girls to get married and take concubines after the age of fourteen. Before their bodies were fully developed, they had to start giving birth again and again.

No one cared how much damage that caused to their health. So, when Ran looked at those so-called laws meant to protect women, she couldn't help but want to laugh bitterly. These laws were only believed by the women in this world.

Ran didn't mind the idea of getting married and taking concubines. After all, no woman could easily refuse such temptation. As for having children or how many to have, that would depend on her own decision.

She thought, she probably would want to have kids, since she really liked them. Before, whenever she saw children, she couldn't help but give them the hard-to-find candies she had carefully saved up. But back then, life was so hard that even adults could barely survive, let alone fragile children.

So she had never seriously considered marriage or motherhood. Now things were different. If she could have her own children, she did want to have two to play with.

While Ran's thoughts wandered like this, Simeon stood silently behind her, watching her leave. His whole body felt like it had fallen into an ice cave. His face turned pale, and he couldn't stop himself from shivering.

He stared at her back in disbelief. He never thought Ran would say something like that to him. What she meant was that if he still tried to control her, there would be no future for them.

Caleb, who stood nearby, also seemed to hear their conversation, though he didn't understand what was going on between the two of them. Why had things suddenly turned into an argument? The two of them had walked away so unhappily.

To him, it seemed like a small matter. Ran only wanted to go into the mountains to hunt, not a big deal. He didn't understand why Simeon got so angry and opposed it.

Caleb couldn't help but walk over to comfort him when he saw how upset he looked. "Brother Simeon often goes into the mountains. She knows which places are safe and which aren't, so you don't need to worry so much…"

But before he could finish speaking, Simeon suddenly turned and ran off in the direction Ran had gone. As he ran, he silently prayed in his heart that Ran could still forgive him.

Just like Caleb said, ever since they arrived here, Ran had gone into the mountains countless times. Many times even the most experienced hunters in the area couldn't find any game, but she always came back with a full harvest. He had been too nervous. His worry had made him act irrationally.

When Simeon, panting heavily, ran into the courtyard, he saw Ran sitting calmly in a chair drinking tea. Her face was so calm it was as if their argument earlier had never happened. When she saw him come in, she even poured him a cup of tea.

But the calmer she seemed, the more nervous and uneasy he felt. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing and not appear so flustered in front of her. He walked over with anxiety in his heart and sat beside Ran.

He carefully picked up the tea she poured him. He took a small sip and kept sneaking glances at her face, trying to find signs that she was still angry. But he failed.

Her face showed nothing but calm, and he couldn't read any other emotion from her at all. "Ran… Ranran, I'm sorry. I was wrong just now.

Please don't be mad at me, okay? I promise I won't do that again!" Simeon stared at her closely. As he spoke, his face grew paler and his voice more urgent.

"Please, forgive me just this once, okay? From now on, I'll respect your decisions in everything. What happened today will never happen again!"

Hearing his almost pleading voice, Ran put down her cup and let out a heavy sigh. "Simeon, you really didn't have to do this. I know everyone has their own thoughts.

I can't deny that your intention was for my sake, but you never considered what I wanted. That's not what I'm looking for. This situation gave us both a chance to calm down and reflect.

To see whether we're really right for each other. If we're not…" Before Ran could finish, Simeon anxiously interrupted her.

He spoke quickly. "We're perfect for each other. How could we not be right?"

"It's all my fault, Ranran. Please, I'm begging you, just give me one more chance, okay?" At this moment, his eyes were filled with humble pleading as he looked at her.

His pale and broken look softened Ran's heart. She sighed gently, and just as Simeon's eyes began to dim, she spoke softly. "Okay! I'll forgive you this time!"

"But this will be the last time! Do you understand?" "Yes, yes! I understand!"

As soon as Ran said she forgave him, the light returned to Simeon's eyes. Those bright eyes sparkled like starlight, making it hard for anyone to look away. Overwhelmed with emotion, he didn't care about holding back anymore.

He pulled Ran into his arms, burying his face into her neck. His warm breath touched her skin, making her shiver slightly. Ran smiled gently and was about to hug him back.

Then she suddenly felt warm drops falling on her neck. Soft sobbing sounds echoed beside her ear. Only then did Ran realize he was crying.

Her raised hand paused for a moment. But finally rested on his back. She gently patted him.