One Sunday after receiving the money, Ding Cheng went to find Pei Nian.

He initially wanted to invite her to dinner, but he knew that Pei Nian was different now; she had eaten all kinds of delicious food and wouldn't miss out on this meal.

But he really wanted to use the money to do something for her.

So he invited Pei Nian: "Teacher Pei, let's go to the amusement park! It's on you."

Pei Nian didn't want to agree, but Ding Cheng was so enthusiastic that she couldn't refuse, so she arranged to meet him at the amusement park.

This was actually her first time at an amusement park.

Despite living in the central city for so many years, she still had an instinctive resistance to this kind of place. She always felt that the laughter and joy here belonged to a world that didn't belong to her.

Her world deserves only a gray, gloomy sky.

Even after meeting Huo Jingnan, she never went on a Ferris wheel with him—because she had heard that couples who had ridden on Ferris wheels would break up, and what she feared most was that she and Huo Jingnan wouldn't end up together.

"Hey, Teacher Pei, what are you thinking about?"

A crisp voice pulled Pei Nian back to reality.

She looked down and met Ding Cheng's smiling eyes.

“I bought a pass.” Ding Cheng waved it at her. “Do you know what a pass is? It’s like a pass! With this, you can play all the rides in the amusement park, which saves money compared to playing them individually!”

"You're quite smart," Pei Nian smiled gently. "And you're adaptable too."

"How can I play with you if I'm not smart!"

"Okay, I'll do whatever you say today." Pei Nian looked at him. "Which activity should we do first?"

Boys like thrills, so Ding Cheng dragged her to ride roller coasters, drop towers, and log flumes.

Pei Nian, however, wanted to ride the carousel.

The two played in the bustling amusement park until noon, sweating profusely, laughing and joking.

"Ding Cheng, are you hungry?" Pei Nian finished a bottle of mineral water. "Let me treat you to dinner."

"No way! You promised it would be my treat!"

“You…” Pei Nian looked at him suspiciously, “Where did you get the money?”

She knew that Ding Cheng had excellent grades and might receive a scholarship.

But he still has to make a living, so he really shouldn't be so extravagant.

"You don't need to worry about where my money came from," Ding Cheng said with a faint smile. "Anyway, I didn't steal or rob it; it's all legitimately obtained. Besides, I really wanted to treat you to a meal and some fun, because..."

Because he felt that Ding Daming should compensate her.

But he didn't continue.

Pei Nian's heart skipped a beat; she seemed to see something unusual in his eyes.

Ding Cheng looked up and met her gaze.

At this moment, the two seemed to have guessed each other's thoughts. Pei Nian nervously clenched her hands, her throat was dry, and she bit her lip, unable to speak.

Ding Cheng paused for a moment, then turned and ran towards the convenience store in the amusement park. When he returned, he was holding two candies in his hand.

He smiled slightly and placed it in Pei Nian's hand. Pei Nian's heart trembled violently, and a mix of emotions welled up inside her, her eyes suddenly reddening.

"Ah..."

“I’m not A-Ye anymore, I’m Ding Cheng.” His gaze was calm. “If A-Ye brings back any bad memories, then forget him and just remember Ding Cheng.”

Pei Nian felt as if her heart had been pricked by a needle, and tears streamed down her face as she suddenly hugged Ding Cheng.

Ding Cheng was short, and due to long-term malnutrition, he looked like an eight or nine-year-old child. Pei Nian stroked his head, tears falling onto his hair, choking back sobs and unable to speak.

"Don't cry!" Ding Cheng tugged at her. "I didn't want you to cry. I... I wanted to make you happy, I wanted you to eat candy! I..."

"sister!"

Ding Cheng's childhood remains a vague memory.

Back then, Pei Nian carried him on her back during the day and coaxed him to sleep at night. In his life, which had little warmth, Pei Nian was the only light that shone in.

Who says three- or four-year-olds have no memories? That memory stayed with him as he grew up, supporting him in finding his sister again.

"Sister, please...please don't cry, okay? Teacher Pei!"

Pei Nian was taken aback, then looked at him and burst into laughter through his tears.

The two found a small restaurant and sat down. Coincidentally, this was the place where Huo Jingnan had once taken her to eat beef noodles.

Once again, the shop owner greeted me warmly.

"Oh my, what a rare guest!" His gaze lingered on Ding Cheng's face. "This is..."

“I’m his younger brother!” Ding Cheng answered quickly.

Pei Nian smiled at him and ordered two bowls of beef noodles from the owner.

The owner looked at the two of them with suspicion at first, then turned around and went back to the kitchen. When he came out, he was carrying two bowls of beef noodles with generous portions of beef.

"Eat up!" Pei Nian handed him chopsticks. "This restaurant is honest and fair, super affordable, and the food is delicious. Jingnan brought me here..."

Her face flushed slightly when Huo Jingnan was mentioned.

Ding Cheng laughed, looking at her like a little fox, and asked, "Sis, is that guy good to you?"

Pei Nian feigned ignorance, "What man?"

"It's the Jingnan you were talking about!" Ding Cheng laughed even harder. "Don't hide it anymore. I saw you two hugging in the mountains, and he even kissed you!"

"Ding Cheng!"

Pei Nian glared at him, only to see that everyone around them was looking over.

"Alright!" She gently kicked him under the table. "Kids shouldn't talk nonsense!"

“I’m not a child,” Ding Cheng retorted. “I’m twelve years old! I’m all grown up.”

"Twelve years old, still a child!"

"Sister," Ding Cheng said with a warm smile, "why didn't he come out with you today?"

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