Once Wanqiu woke up, her low-grade fever quickly subsided, and a full-body checkup was arranged, all of which came back normal. She was discharged from the hospital soon afterward.

Given the cause of this incident, Chu Jianshu guessed that it was a problem with Wan Qiu's psychological state and wanted Yan Hua, who was more professional, to examine Wan Qiu's condition.

But this time things didn't go smoothly.

Wan Qiu refused to communicate with Yan Hua.

Wan Qiu, who once had no suspicion or apprehension towards Yan Hua, seems to have learned to refuse after this experience.

Yan Hua tried every means to communicate with Wan Qiu, but no matter how she guided or probed, Wan Qiu remained unmoved.

It's like holding a combination lock box tightly locked with iron chains in a dark world, acting as a guardian, not giving anyone the chance to touch the box, and guarding against anyone who gets close to it.

Yan Hua is just a psychologist, not a god.

Wanqiu refused to speak, refused to look up, and would not even look into her eyes again.

Curled up, all Yan Hua could see was a silent, rejecting back.

Yang Xiaoyu's comforting, hugging, and coaxing, which used to directly affect Wanqiu, no longer had any effect.

After another failure, Yan Hua told Chu Jianshu about the situation.

Chu Jianshu sighed deeply.

However, apart from refusing to communicate with Yan Hua, it seems that nothing else has been greatly affected.

Wanqiu will live a normal life, eat normally, not cry or make a fuss, and be as well-behaved as before.

But Yan Hua said that this might not necessarily be a good thing.

It's also possible that the situation has worsened.

Chu Jianshu had no choice but to take Wan Qiu for another check-up, and Wan Qiu cooperated fully.

However, this time, no problems were found again.

Wanqiu became a dead end, and no one could find a way to untie it.

Yan Hua proposed a solution to the Chu family: a child's healthy growth is inextricably linked to the family.

A good family atmosphere, loving parents, and harmonious parent-child relationships can all influence Wanqiu's state of mind.

Since we can't get to Wanqiu, let's try to make some changes within the whole family.

It has a profound impact on future generations.

Chu Jianshu accepted Yan Hua's suggestion and was also thinking about what to do.

I never imagined that things would come to this point, and I would have to consider how to communicate love with my family.

——

"Baby, can you talk to Mommy? Mommy is really scared. Can you please stop doing this?"

Wan Qiu felt Yang Xiaoyu's icy hands touch his cheeks.

Wan Qiu could see Yang Xiaoyu's haggard face, which was so close to him.

My mother is much paler than before, as if her life force has been drained away.

Her eyes were red, and the warmth of her hands touched Wan Qiu's heart.

He didn't want his mother to be like this.

He wanted to comfort his mother and tell her that he was okay.

But he didn't dare to speak.

They dared not make any move.

The rage roaring within him seemed poised to seize control of his mind at any moment, bursting forth from its barrier and harming others.

—Hypocritical, so hypocritical! Did you think a few words would make me feel better and everything would be alright? Since you brought me into this world, you have to take responsibility for me! Did I beg you to give birth to me? Shameless!

—You even found a substitute, letting that damn substitute enjoy my life while I was suffering, just to give yourselves some psychological comfort?!

Wan Qiu bit her lip and lowered her eyes.

Yang Xiaoyu received no response.

Wanqiu's mind was in a daze, with random, incoherent words appearing in his head from time to time.

It influences his thoughts and his way of thinking.

Wanqiu knew that his family had been unhappy all this time.

Wanqiu also knew that the reason for his unhappiness was because of him.

His parents must be very angry that he refused Dr. Yan Hua's guidance.

Dr. Yan Hua must be very disappointed.

The vivid memories that came to mind in the dream made Wanqiu instinctively sense malice.

Wan Qiu didn't know what it was, but the malevolent aura, like black oil stains, seemed to pour out completely from between the lines.

This was the first time Wanqiu had so clearly received emotions of anger, hatred, and disgust.

Wan Qiu didn't know what it was. He clearly felt that it should be himself, but it was too unfamiliar to him, making him resist it.

These are things that can make people unhappy.

Even more serious than unhappiness are emotions called disappointment, pain, and hatred.

Wanqiu tried his best to block out all this malice, instinctively imprisoning these dark things in his heart.

These things are like sharp knives; once unleashed, they will surely wound others.

He absolutely did not want anyone other than himself to see these things.

Therefore, Wanqiu rejected Yanhua.

He feared that Yan Hua would discover everything that couldn't be discovered.

Those vicious curses were distributed fairly to everyone in the Chu family, with a particular favoritism towards Chu Yigui.

His brother, his friend, should not be treated like this.

Wanqiu wanted to communicate with those memories, but it didn't work.

That wasn't a soul existing within his body; it was something that had happened, his memories, and he couldn't communicate with them.

So Wanqiu remained silent.

Wan Qiu remained silent until he was able to completely seal these things away.

Even though the people around me are very sad right now.

——

A week later, Wanqiu's sprained ankle was only a light bluish-purple color. During the most serious period of his injury, there was always someone by his side to apply ice to his ankle.

Wan Qiu did not refuse, just like a doll, letting the people around him do whatever they wanted to him.

Wan Qiu would play mobile games on his phone and also go to the screening room to watch animated films.

However, Wanqiu's gaze remained fixed on items other than her family.

Wan Qiu always dreams when he sleeps, but when he wakes up, he will see that Yang Xiaoyu, who is sleeping next to him, has already opened her eyes and is looking at him.

The look in his eyes was the one Wanqiu had seen most often during this period: worry.

At this time, Wan Qiu would always bury himself in a quilt, with his back to Yang Xiaoyu.

Yang Xiaoyu would reach out and pat him, singing a lullaby rhythmically to lull Wanqiu back to sleep.

Wanqiu felt warmth from her mother's voice and her mother's melody.

But those words seemed to be trying to block the warmth of Wanqiu, appearing repeatedly.

Wanqiu spends most of his time sleeping, waiting for those memories to fade away.

But thankfully, time seems to have calmed them down.

Little by little.

Time and time again.

It seems to be fading gradually.

Wan Qiu felt that this seemed to be a forgetting.

The words that initially appeared repeatedly gradually seemed to become impossible to repeat in detail.

Until one morning, Wanqiu opened his eyes.

Wan Qiu sat up. In his room, Chu Jianshu was wearing pajamas and working.

Wanqiu turned around and, through the large French windows, could see the gloomy sky over the snow. The snowflakes fell on the snow, small but seemingly making a crisp, colliding sound.

Wanqiu suddenly felt a sense of tranquility.

Chu Jianshu heard Wan Qiu get up and sat up to go to Wan Qiu's side.

The bedside was pressed down a little by Chu Jianshu's weight.

"Wanqiu, how are you feeling now?"

Chu Jianshu's voice was gentler than ever before.

Chu Jianshu's complexion also looked paler than before.

"Are you alright?" Chu Jianshu asked again, touching Wan Qiu's forehead with his hand.

It's so quiet.

My father's voice is also very nice.

My father's hands are warm.

The jumbled words in my mind seem to have all settled down.

Amidst the fading autumn air, there is a strange feeling.

It's like...

He won first place in the 50-meter group stage of the sports competition.

Is it... the feeling of winning?

Wan Qiu rubbed against Chu Jianshu's palm, as if trying to absorb the warmth of Chu Jianshu's palm.

Chu Jianshu's hand immediately froze, until Wan Qiu raised her eyes to look at him.

It remains clear, bright, and very beautiful.

Chu Jianshu's fingertips trembled slightly before he finally let go, unconsciously tightening his grip on the soft bedding.

"Are you hungry? Do you want some fruit? Or do you want Mommy to come?"

Wan Qiu shook his head.

This is the first reaction Wanqiu has given in this period of time.

Chu Jianshu received a response from Wan Qiu, and a look of joy gradually appeared between his brows, which had been clouded with worry.

"Would you like some water?" Chu Jianshu immediately asked.

Wan Qiu nodded.

"Wait a minute, Dad will get you some water."

Wan Qiu looked at Chu Jianshu's back; he was tall and handsome.

Wan Qiuming has been in bed all this time, sleeping, eating, and engaging in basic physiological activities.

But I felt very tired.

But it's very easy now.

Wan Qiu felt that nothing seemed to have changed.

They returned to their previous state of confusion and disorientation.

Because Wan Qiu responded again, the atmosphere in the entire space eased up.

Wanqiu realized that her ankle had healed and wanted to return to the dance studio.

He actually wanted to see Zhou Peiyu again.

Although Wan Qiu's memory of leaving Zhou Peiyu was vague, she felt that it must have ended on bad terms.

The unhappiness emanating from him worried Wanqiu greatly.

Today, Wan Qiu finally asked Yang Xiaoyu, "Mom, when can I go to the dance studio?"

Yang Xiaoyu suddenly looked up and immediately stepped forward: "Baby, do you want to go back to dancing? But your sprain has just healed, so it's not suitable for you to go to the classroom... Otherwise, how about you practice at home with Mommy, and Mommy will practice with you?"

Yang Xiaoyu was worried that Wan Qiu would remain silent again, but this time Wan Qiu nodded.

"Sweetie, wait a minute. Mommy will ask Butler Bai to come and bandage you up, okay?"

Yang Xiaoyu maintained a smile nervously, but she couldn't hide her worry. She still wanted to hear Wan Qiu's voice.

“Okay,” Wan Qiu replied.

Wan Qiu noticed that after he started speaking, the people around him breathed a sigh of relief.

Wan Qiu secretly clutched his chest and breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems... it's not as difficult to hide as he imagined.

For a period of time after regaining consciousness, Wanqiu even felt that those dark and filthy words were himself, and it took him a long time to distinguish them.

After stretching exercises, Wan Qiu danced with Yang Xiaoyu, but he was only allowed to practice for one hour and had to rest every fifteen minutes.

Even though Wanqiu felt no pain in her ankle.

Wanqiu is still the same as before, Wanqiu.

Once Wanqiu could speak again, she returned to her pre-fever state.

There was nothing unusual.

She's just become more independent, has her own judgment on many things, and still rejects Yan Hua.

Wanqiu noticed that the atmosphere at home seemed to have undergone a subtle change.

Yang Xiaoyu and Chu Jianshu seemed to be closer than usual. They would occasionally go out together and come back together, and even kiss each other on the forehead.

Yang Ze also seemed to have changed his usual silence, and always tried to say something.

Chu Zhang was always very busy, but he would call Wan Qiu at a fixed time every day.

but……

Wan Qiu felt that Chu Yigui seemed to have become silent.

Chu Yigui seemed to have always been silent, but now it's become even more serious.

Wan Qiu could sense Chu Yigui's displeasure, a deep, oppressive feeling, like a dark cloud pressing down on the ground.

Wan Qiu wanted to get close to Chu Yigui, but Chu Yigui hardly ever spent time alone with Wan Qiu.

Wan Qiu sat in the living room, holding his phone, and sent a message to Zhou Peiyu.

During this period, Zhou Peiyu would often ask him what he had been doing and would occasionally call him, which Wan Qiu always answered.

Wan Qiu remained silent and did not have much interaction with Zhou Peiyu.

Zhou Peiyu suggested that she wanted to visit him, but no matter what, it was because of her.

Wan Qiu did not think this was Zhou Peiyu's problem.

He twisted his ankle by accident.

After Wanqiu understood malice.

Everything Zhou Peiyu said became understandable.

It wasn't just Zhou Peiyu and Jiang Chengfeng, but also all the people who had helped him.

Even things he didn't understand in the past became clear because he understood malice.

Zhou Peiyu said over the phone, "Can't I really come to see you?"

Wan Qiu said, "It's all better now."

"But aren't we friends? Even if I'm not going to see a doctor, can't I just visit a friend's house?"

Zhou Peiyu was still worried about Wan Qiu's situation and didn't want to give up.

"And if the sprain is nothing serious, shouldn't you be able to come to the classroom? But I haven't seen you come."

Wan Qiu thought for a moment and said, "Well, I'll ask my parents then."

However, when Wan Qiu suggested asking the parents, Zhou Peiyu hesitated: "Um, will it be a problem if I go?"

Wan Qiu looked bewildered: "What's the problem?"

"Won't your parents blame me? Wasn't it because I hurt you?" Zhou Peiyu still remembered the angry voice Yang Xiaoyu had when she called.

"I don't know." Wan Qiu was completely clueless about what her parents were thinking until she saw their expressions.

"Have they mentioned me?" Zhou Peiyu asked anxiously.

Wan Qiu thought carefully for a moment and said, "No."

What really worried Chu Jianshu and Yang Xiaoyu was that Wan Qiu's fever made the sprain seem less difficult to solve.

Zhou Peiyu asked nervously on the other end of the phone, "Um, will your brother have a problem with me?"

Wan Qiu subconsciously turned her head to look in the direction of the study where Chu Yigui was currently studying: "I don't know."

Zhou Peiyu thought back to the day Chu Yigui told her to leave.

"Your brother looks really fierce when he gets serious, or rather... it's not just his expression that's fierce."

Even Zhou Peiyu himself couldn't describe it.

When Chu Yigui covered Wanqiu's eyes and looked at her, the intense, irresistible demand was like a command.

Even now, Zhou Peiyu still feels terrified when he thinks back to that time.

Wan Qiu could hear the slight tremor in Zhou Peiyu's voice: "Then maybe you shouldn't come?"

“Yes, I’m going. I want to see you,” Zhou Peiyu said immediately. “Go ask him. If he scolds me, I’ll accept it.”

When Wan Qiu hung up the phone, he stared blankly at his phone.

I originally wanted to go directly to Yang Xiaoyu, but Yang Xiaoyu is currently working in the study.

Yang Xiaoyu usually only leaves when necessary, and she will return as soon as possible.

As Wanqiu grew older and more sensible, he realized that this was because his mother was worried about him.

Is there any way to stop my parents from worrying?

Wanqiu feels that she is already doing very well.

I no longer see those memories repeatedly in my dreams.

Wanqiu thought for a moment and then sent a message in the family group: Mom and Dad, Zhou Peiyu said she wants to come and see me. Can she come?

Yang Xiaoyu: Of course! We will definitely give our darling's friend a warm welcome.

Chu Jianshu: When should we send a car to pick her up?

Yang Ze: Of course, that would be great.

Wanqiu breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that his parents had agreed.

Once Zhou Peiyu got permission, he immediately asked to come the next day. It just so happened to be during winter break, so he didn't want to delay it.

Wan Qiu, on the other hand, found that everyone except Chu Zhang was home.

Wanqiu was confused. Shouldn't today be working hours?

Wan Qiu, wrapped in comfortable plush pajamas, sat in the living room, while Yang Xiaoyu leaned against Chu Jianshu as they watched TV together.

Yang went to pick up Zhou Peiyu, while Wan Qiu continued to receive messages from Zhou Peiyu.

Zhou Peiyu: Why do I need your brother to pick me up? Can't I go by myself?

Zhou Peiyu: Why is your brother driving to more and more remote places? Where exactly is your home?

Zhou Peiyu: I haven't been trafficked, have I?

Zhou Peiyu: This is your brother, right? I didn't get on the wrong bus, did I? I clearly remember what your brother looks like.

Zhou Peiyu: I'll take a picture and send it to you. If anything happens, you must find a way to save me.

Looking at the series of messages from Zhou Peiyu, Wan Qiu was bewildered and didn't know how to reply.

Zhou Peiyu: I've arrived at the entrance of your residential compound. Is there even a residential compound in such a remote place?

Wanqiu: We've arrived?

Zhou Peiyu: Why are there only a few buildings in this community?

Wan Qiu immediately sat up and went to the door, where Butler Bai was already waiting.

Wan Qiu opened the door and heard Yang Ze's words: "This is not a residential area, this is Wan Qiu's home, it's a villa area."

Zhou Peiyu was dumbfounded.

"I...I'm not dreaming, am I? Wan Qiu, are you a super rich second-generation?" Zhou Peiyu was extremely shocked when he followed Wan Qiu into the room.

Wan Qiu looked at Zhou Peiyu's exaggerated expression.

Yang explained from the side, "To be precise, he's a fourth-generation rich kid."

"..." Zhou Peiyu was stunned.

Zhou Peiyu's indoor shoes, which were even perfectly fitting her size, were already laid out at the door. Butler Bai respectfully said to Zhou Peiyu, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Zhou Peiyu. You may give me your coat."

Like a broken old machine, Zhou Peiyu stiffly handed the coat to Butler Bai.

Zhou Peiyu finally turned his attention to Wan Qiu.

"Why do you look thinner? You don't look well either. Shouldn't you be gaining weight since you're not dancing?"

Wanqiu hasn't remembered to weigh herself lately, nor has she taken a proper look at herself.

"Welcome to our home." At this moment, Chu Jianshu put his arm around Yang Xiaoyu's shoulder, and the two of them stood in front of Zhou Peiyu.

Zhou Peiyu suddenly froze, looking at the two people in front of him with a hint of fear in his eyes.

"It's alright, we just came to look after you, don't be nervous." Yang Xiaoyu looked down and saw a box of milk and a box of health products that Zhou Peiyu had brought, and asked Butler Bai to help put them away.

"You two go have some fun. Young people should stay together. If we, being older, are around, it will make you feel uncomfortable."

It was rare for Chu Jianshu to smile when facing a stranger, though he looked a little stiff.

"Wanqiu, why don't you take your friend for a walk?"

Wan Qiu didn't know where he was going to take Yang Xiaoyu, but in order to obey Chu Jianshu, Wan Qiu eventually took Zhou Peiyu to his room.

Back in the room and as soon as he closed the door, Zhou Peiyu's eyes widened: "This is your bedroom?"

Wan Qiu replied, "Yes."

“Your bedroom is three times the size of my entire house!” Zhou Peiyu was shocked. “I always thought my family was quite wealthy, nothing compared to yours.”

"My family seems to be quite wealthy." Before this, Wan Qiu didn't really have a concept of how wealthy they were.

For him, as long as he had enough to eat and wear, other expenses were not something he needed to worry about.

However, in the fragments of his memory, in the resentment he once harbored, there seemed to be something hidden about the money in the Chu family.

This gave Wan Qiu a vague idea that his family was very wealthy.

"That's great." Zhou Peiyu suddenly thought, "How's your foot? I saw you were walking without any problems, is it better now?"

Wanqiu took off her plush lounge shoes, revealing her sprained ankle, which was now completely undetectable.

"Does it still hurt when you walk?" Zhou Peiyu asked.

Wan Qiu shook his head.

Zhou Peiyu breathed a huge sigh of relief: "I'm sorry."

"It's alright," Wan Qiu said.

"Anyway, it's good that everything's alright now." Zhou Peiyu thought for a moment, "By the way, were your parents the ones who hit you? I don't look like they are."

Wan Qiu shook his head.

"Then who hit you?" Zhou Peiyu was bewildered. Could a person have two parents?

"They are adoptive parents."

Zhou Peiyu was taken aback: "How come you have adoptive parents?"

Wan Qiu briefly explained his situation, which shocked Zhou Peiyu.

"My God, is that even possible? So why were you behaving so strangely when I said being hit was wrong?"

He used to be beaten all the time? Zhou Peiyu couldn't even imagine that kind of life.

"May I ask you some questions?" Wan Qiu curled up her legs and turned her head to look at Zhou Peiyu.

"Go ahead and ask." Zhou Peiyu sat cross-legged on the blanket. Despite it being a cold winter day, it didn't feel cold at all.

Wan Qiu looked at Zhou Peiyu, who was completely unfamiliar compared to the Chu family.

In the Chu family, everyone was taking care of him, so Wanqiu's understanding of many things was not very clear.

Those vague, indirect teachings were meant to comfort him out of personal motives.

But if it's Zhou Peiyu...

Just like last time, when she said those words without hesitation...

“I’m always hungry, is that abnormal?” Wan Qiu asked.

Zhou Peiyu's eyes widened: "Your adoptive parents don't feed you? That's not normal, of course it's not normal! Who doesn't feed their child?"

Wan Qiu looked at Zhou Peiyu; the other party's words were too blunt.

Wan Qiu continued, "Is it normal for me to wear two pairs of shoes in three years?"

"Two pairs? One pair for summer and one pair for winter? How is that enough? Won't they be washed? Won't they get damaged? This isn't normal, this is absolutely not normal!" Zhou Peiyu's eyes widened, he was practically bursting with rage.

"Was it wrong for me to wake up my dad while I was cleaning?"

"You didn't do it on purpose! Besides, how old were you back then? My parents wouldn't let me do any work when I was that age."

"I won't get up at night to cook for my parents..."

“It’s normal to cook occasionally, and my family members are busy and will take the initiative to do housework, but how can you cook so late at night…”

Wan Qiu and Zhou Peiyu chatted for a long time.

Butler Bai also brought tea and snacks along the way.

Wanqiu was questioning all the messy, complex fragments of memories that surfaced in his mind.

He occasionally gets a positive answer, but most of the time he gets a negative answer.

His past was gradually overturned by Zhou Peiyu's words.

Wan Qiu actually couldn't remember all of Zhou Peiyu's words.

but……

Wan Qiu, however, saw in these conversations a corner of his own world crumbling little by little.

Those homes, shaped by his beliefs and memories into a sweet candy house, were actually nothing more than garbage coated with a layer of sweet sugar.

When the candy coating melted completely, the houses he once thought were indestructible collapsed to the ground, having lost the support of the hard candy.

What remained at Wanqiu's feet.

It was a chaotic garbage dump.

“Wanqiu…” Zhou Peiyu’s expression shifted from righteous indignation to suspicion about Wanqiu’s past life, and he could no longer maintain his composure. “You…”

"It seems there are still many, many things I don't know." Wan Qiu could only recall a few.

Fragments of memories are piled up haphazardly.

"I can't remember what I wanted to ask," Wan Qiu said, lowering her head.

Zhou Peiyu opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it seemed that anything he said would be too powerless.

“No wonder your brother reacted so strangely back then. I think I really did do something wrong.” Zhou Peiyu felt that she shouldn’t have said certain things so casually.

She doesn't know Wanqiu's past, so she can't just say things that seem so natural.

Upon hearing Chu Yigui's name, Wan Qiu looked up from his thoughts and gazed at Zhou Peiyu.

“Your brother must have known you were confused back then, no wonder you acted that way. The way he protected you was like a mother hen.”

Wanqiu doesn't remember much, the only lingering feeling is the warmth of the hand that covered her eyes at the time.

“Well, you have a good younger brother now, and such rich parents, and you also have an older brother, isn’t that great?” Zhou Peiyu said to Wan Qiu, “Let’s forget about the past.”

Wan Qiu's eyelashes trembled slightly, but she did not answer Zhou Peiyu's question.

Zhou Peiyu was warmly entertained by the Chu family for lunch, and everyone in the house was very kind during the meal.

Before she left, it was Chu Jianshu who saw her off.

On the bus, Zhou Peiyu was completely stiff and actually let her elders take her home...

"Thank you so much for making the trip to visit Wanqiu," Chu Jianshu said to the nervous Zhou Peiyu.

Zhou Peiyu immediately felt guilty and stammered, "It's because of me that I sprained my ankle."

Chu Jianshu knew that Zhou Peiyu probably only knew about the sprained ankle.

But that's not what he wanted to say.

"Thank you so much for becoming friends with Wanqiu. Wanqiu is a little different from ordinary children."

The white snowscape receded into the distance as Zhou Peiyu listened to Chu Jianshu's words.

"He really needs a friend, and a normal friend who can guide him, so we are very grateful to you."

Chu Jianshu's words also represented Yang Xiaoyu.

I don't want Yang Xiaoyu to put too much pressure on Zhou Peiyu.

"I will be good friends with Wanqiu," Zhou Peiyu promised.

On his way back, Zhou Peiyu kept sending messages to Wan Qiu.

Zhou Peiyu: Your parents are fine, they didn't blame me.

Zhou Peiyu: Now you've finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel, and you can now live a better life than others.

Zhou Peiyu: Time heals all wounds! Keep going!

Wan Qiu stared at the messages Zhou Peiyu kept sending, holding his phone.

"Baby." Yang Xiaoyu hugged Wanqiu from behind. "Mommy still has to work. If you feel bored, come and play with Mommy."

Wan Qiu turned around and looked at Yang Xiaoyu.

This was the first time in a long time that Wan Qiu had looked at Yang Xiaoyu so seriously.

In the middle of Wanqiu's questions to Zhou Peiyu, there was also a mention of their current family.

Zhou Peiyu said that his life is normal now.

Even though Wanqiu could no longer accurately judge what was normal and what was abnormal.

"It's okay, Mom, I'm fine." Wan Qiu knew Yang Xiaoyu was worried about him. "Don't worry."

Wan Qiu also hoped that Yang Xiaoyu could have an easier time.

Yang Xiaoyu lowered her head and kissed Wan Qiu's forehead: "You are my child, how could I not worry?"

From the moment Yang Xiaoyu arrived at Wan Qiu's side until she left, Wan Qiu smelled a faint, unique fragrance emanating from Yang Xiaoyu.

Mom and Dad stayed home today because his friend was coming over.

When you're so busy that you have to work from home.

Wanqiu curled up on the sofa, in a warm space that seemed impervious to any cold, gazing up at the vast house.

So, can he consider that he is now living in a candy house?

Wan Qiu stood up and headed in one direction.

That was Chu Yigui's study.

Wan Qiu knocked on the door.

"Come in," came Chu Yigui's voice.

Wan Qiu pushed open the door and entered, where he saw Chu Yigui sitting in a chair reading a book in the large study.

This was Wan Qiu's first time visiting Chu Yigui's study.

This is where Chu Yigui studies; everything here belongs to Chu Yigui.

But once inside, Wanqiu felt the emptiness.

It seemed that there was nothing else besides books, just like in Chu Yigui's bedroom.

"Brother?" Chu Yigui placed the bookmark in the book but did not close it.

Before Chu Yigui stood up, Wan Qiu moved a chair and sat down next to Chu Yigui.

Chu Yigui didn't say anything, but turned around to face Wan Qiu.

It's happening again...

Wan Qiu looked up at Chu Yigui, her expression still calm.

For some inexplicable reason, Wanqiu sensed a distance between them.

Wan Qiu leaned forward and placed his hands on Chu Yigui's legs, as if the physical contact would erase any distance between them.

"Little brother," Wan Qiu asked, "Are we very close?"

It's a rhetorical question.

Chu Yigui lowered her eyes.

As Chu Yigui attempted to make a judgment, Wan Qiu continued, "Can we still be very intimate?"

Chu Yigui found no doubt or hidden emotion in Wan Qiu's expression.

Even if I've learned a lot and understood things I didn't understand before, Wanqiu is still Wanqiu.

It was under such circumstances that Wanqiu still grew into the person she is today.

"Mmm." Chu Yigui opened her mouth, and finally uttered her first intimate words in a long time, "I really want to be close to my brother."

Wan Qiu seemed to have been comforted, and his expression was much more relaxed.

"I won't bully my younger brother." Wan Qiu said earnestly, wanting to tell Chu Yigui all her inner hopes. "I hope my younger brother will always be well."

Hopefully, the curse was just his illusion.

I hope that all the malice shown towards others, especially towards Chu Yigui, will disappear.

"I..." Wan Qiu opened her mouth, bewildered, wanting to tell Chu Yigui something, "I won't bully you, I won't... I absolutely won't..."

However, no matter how many times Wanqiu repeated himself, he seemed unable to find the words he wanted to say.

Anxiety welled up inside Wan Qiu, making him very flustered.

Wan Qiu grasped Chu Yigui, his unspoken anxiety conveyed through his fingertips, and he handed Chu Yigui his trembling.

Chu Yigui looked at Wan Qiu, gazing into the depths of his eyes, and finally, he simply sighed.

"Brother, do you remember? I once said that as long as we are close enough, there will be no bullying."

Chu Yigui's voice sounded as if she were certain of something.

It was as if they had given up something.

"Now that we're close enough, it doesn't matter how much you bully me. I won't fight back, and I won't hold a grudge against you."

"No," Wan Qiu murmured, wanting to refute Chu Yigui.

What will happen? What should I say?

An unfamiliar word suddenly intruded into Wan Qiu's mind.

"Protect you..." Wan Qiu seemed to understand the meaning of the words and sincerely wanted to tell his cursed younger brother, "I will protect you, I will not bully you."

If someone were to curse themselves with such intense resentment.

What would it feel like?

Wan Qiu couldn't imagine it; just recalling it was enough to suffocate him with the malice.

so……

If he had protected Chu Yigui properly, wouldn't those venomous words have been spared from harming her?

Chu Yigui's eyes slowly widened.

"Brother, what are you saying?" Chu Yigui couldn't understand.

This time, Wan Qiu said firmly, "I will protect you."

Chu Yigui smiled, but his smile didn't ease his brow: "Why would you say that, brother? I don't need your protection."

Wan Qiu was not swayed by Chu Yigui's words; he firmly believed that his idea was correct.

Under Wan Qiu's gaze, Chu Yigui finally sighed: "Then how will you protect me, brother?"

Wanqiu didn't know.

but……

“I’m here with you,” Wan Qiu said.

People you dislike won't be together; if you are together, it's because you like each other.

Wanqiu couldn't find the best solution.

This was the limit he could think of.

Chu Yigui remained silent.

Wanqiu before him seemed to reveal its original form more clearly.

The grit is being ground down little by little, gradually being polished into the brightest and most beautiful pearl in the world.

The pearl landed in Chu Yigui's palm.

The beautiful pink glow illuminated the depths of his heart.

Chu Yigui moved closer to Wan Qiu, and on Wan Qiu's shoulder, which had been approaching him, he silently suppressed his restless heart.

"Thank you, brother." Even though Chu Yigui didn't know why she needed protection.

Even though Chu Yigui never needed anyone's promises.

The two boys leaned on each other.

They find what they need in each other.

"Little brother," Wan Qiu nuzzled Chu Yigui's hair and asked, "Didn't my parents love me before?"

"yes."

"Doesn't Grandma love me either?"

"……yes."

"I see." A sigh escaped Wan Qiu's voice.

"Brother, forget about them."

"No." Wan Qiu shook his head, a more complex expression, perhaps sadness or helplessness, appeared between his brows. "I love them."

Even though Wanqiu could not receive equal love, she still loved them.

This is the first time I've lived in a big house, the first time I've lain in a bed.