Chapter 1: Ru Ru Song Yu, wearing Lolita, meets Zhou Ci for the first time...

The first time Song Yu met Zhou Ci was at his father Zhou Tingan’s wedding banquet.

Zhou Ting'an, accompanied by his second wife, greeted Song Yu's parents with a cheerful face, and introduced the little girl his wife was holding to Song Yu.

The little girl is called Zhou Nian. She is the illegitimate child of Zhou Ting'an and his current wife. She is one year older than the son born to his original wife.

The wealthy circles in City B have been going crazy over the past few years with the story that the youngest son of the Zhou family angered his original wife to death and supported his mistress to enter the house. This drama almost made a group of rich wives laugh to death. People could hear about it wherever they went. The old man of the Zhou family was so ashamed that he didn't even show up at his son's wedding today.

Zhou Nian had been living outside for a few years and had only recently returned to the Zhou family. Zhou Ting'an introduced Zhou Nian to Song Yu, hoping that Song Yu would take Zhou Nian to meet more people of the same age so that he could quickly integrate into the wealthy circle of City B.

After all, the eldest daughter of the Song family and the prince of the Shen family were well-known. In the eyes of their wealthy parents in City B, they were the children of other families. They were always ranked first or second in their age group in academic performance, and were excellent in other aspects, making people envious. They were also famous for their good interpersonal relationships, and their classmates and friends all responded to their calls. They were unparalleled figures among the younger generation in the wealthy circle of City B.

Song Yu accepted the request out of politeness from her elders. She was not familiar with Zhou Nian and there was a two-year age difference between them, so they could not play together.

Song Yu didn't like Zhou Nian's mother, nor did she like Zhou Nian's identity. She took Zhou Nian around the wedding banquet and introduced her to a few of her ordinary friends, which she considered as completing the task of an elder.

Just as he was about to find an excuse to send Zhou Nian back to her parents, Song Yu saw Zhou Ci when he turned around.

The reason why you see him at first glance is that he is so eye-catching that it is hard to ignore him.

He was wearing a small suit, a black bow tie, black leather shoes, and a slicked-back hair. He was incredibly handsome.

However, Song Yu saw the confusion and fear in his eyes. The small man was all alone, with his innocent eyes like a deer's. He stood awkwardly in front of the screen in the corner of the hotel lobby, as if he had made a mistake and was being punished. He stood there not daring to move. There were many guests around him, coming and going, but no one seemed to notice him, and it seemed as if they had deliberately forgotten him.

He was quite well behaved, not making any noise or noise, but he looked a little hurt. Maybe he didn't understand why everyone pretended not to see him; maybe he didn't understand why his father left him here alone without paying any attention...

He looked so pitiful, like an abandoned puppy, he could only whimper silently, not knowing what he had done wrong.

Song Yu didn't recognize that this was Zhou Ci, but she was wondering in her heart whose child this was. He was so handsome, with big, round, star-like eyes, long, straight, and thick black eyelashes, a face as soft and sticky as a white cake, and an aggrieved little expression. He was so cute that people wanted to pinch him. She was overwhelmed with love for him and wanted to protect him behind her, telling him not to be afraid, sister is here to protect you.

Zhou Nian cursed in her ear: "Zhou Ci, you crybaby, why are you standing there like a fool?"

Song Yu then turned his head and asked in surprise, "He is Zhou Ci?"

Zhou Nian was still indignant: "Sister Song Yu, don't pay attention to him, he's just a nuisance. Today is Mom and Dad's wedding, and not only did he not smile, but he also stood there with a stern face, as if he was about to cry. If someone didn't know, they would think we were bullying him."

Song Yu's joke was half serious and half fake: "So did you guys bully him?"

"Of course I didn't..." Zhou Nian probably didn't have the confidence to say this. After all, he was still young and hadn't learned to cover up. When he lied, his eyes darted around and he didn't dare to look directly into Song Yu's eyes.

A child whose mother dies and whose father remarries is so weak that he dares not resist when bullied. It seems unlikely that he can grow up without being wronged, especially for an old and wealthy family like the Zhou family with deep roots and great wealth.

The old man of the Zhou family had more than just Zhou Ting'an, an unpromising son. Old Mrs. Zhou gave him four sons and two daughters. By the third generation, there were even more grandchildren, and they all tried their best to win favor and attention.

Old Master Zhou is a person who believes that having many children brings more blessings. He believes that if he has many children, there will always be one or two who can become successful. Those who are not ambitious are not even considered by him. Zhou Ting'an has no ability, so Old Master Zhou gave up on him a long time ago. It is normal that his son is not valued by Old Master Zhou.

Zhou Ci was ignored by Zhou Ting'an and rarely had a chance to show off in front of the old man. It would be difficult for him to carve out a path in the Zhou family. There was resistance from his stepmother, and obstacles from his uncles and aunts. If he was truly capable, these people would not let him succeed. If he was incompetent, his stepmother alone could crush him.

When Song Yuguang thought about it, she knew how difficult Zhou Ci's future life would be. She felt a little uncomfortable, but she didn't say anything else and directly sent Zhou Nian back to the bridal lounge.

In the lounge, Zhou Ting'an and the bride were sitting on the sofa and talking, and the content seemed to be related to Zhou Ci.

Just by listening to his current girlfriend speak, Song Yu felt that she was very powerful. Zhou Ci was still so young, and he would definitely suffer a lot of grievances if he fell into her hands.

She didn't listen any more, reached out and pushed open the door of the lounge, sent Zhou Nian back to them, politely declined their invitation to stay with Zhou Nian for snacks, and left quickly.

As soon as she reached the stairs, her phone rang, "Chen Zhiyan? Uncle Zhou is getting married today. Didn't your family come to drink?"

"He didn't come. Our family is not that familiar with him. Besides, even the Zhou family didn't come. Our family just contributed some money, but we didn't show up." There was a boy's voice on the other end of the phone. His tone was a bit casual, as if he didn't care about anything.

Song Yu walked down the stairs one by one: "No wonder when I passed by your house on my way out today, your nanny said that you and your uncle and aunt went out for a short trip."

Shen Zhiyan laughed on the other end of the phone: "I have to find an excuse to say I'm going on a trip so that I can avoid attending the wedding of Zhou's youngest son. Ru Ru, are you stupid?"

Song Yu stopped on the steps and quickly replied to the person on the other end of the phone, "You're the fool! All you have left is scheming and calculating. It's only because of my good temper that I can tolerate you."

Shen Zhiyan interrupted and said to her: "Isn't this a good thing? I'm so capable, no one will dare to plot against you in the future."

"I won't talk to you anymore. I'm going to go find my parents." There were people coming and going here, and Song Yu didn't want to talk much.

Shen Zhiyan didn't let her hang up the phone: "Why are you in such a hurry? Is the wedding scene fun?"

Song Yu was afraid of being overheard, so he covered the microphone and complained quietly: "It's not fun at all. This marriage makes me feel depressed. The current wife is quite arrogant, and the son of the original wife is a bit miserable."

Shen Zhiyan knew what she was thinking just by hearing her words, and warned her on the phone: “Ru Ru, don’t meddle in other people’s business again!”

"I won't. Can you please stop making such a fuss? Are you bored over there?" Otherwise, why would he always keep chatting with her?

"It's quite boring, the grass is almost growing there." Shen Zhiyan did not hide it, "I can't stay here for another day, I will be back tomorrow."

Song Yu had already gone downstairs at this time. She was anxious to hang up the phone: "I really don't want to tell you anymore. Let's do this for now. Come to my house for dinner when you come back."

Shen Zhiyan could only say: “Okay, then hang up the phone!”

Song Yu put away his phone and walked out, passing by the screen in the hotel lobby. He felt something in his heart and looked over there, but Zhou Ci was no longer in front of the screen.

She looked around the wedding venue but couldn't find Zhou Ci. Just as she was about to give up, she glanced and saw him sitting on the steps of the musical fountain outside the hotel entrance, his hands on his knees, still alone.

Song Yu breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't rush to get closer, but just stood there and observed him. She didn't know what the child was looking at. He looked very serious and didn't move for a long time.

Song Yu was curious and planned to go over and take a look.

"Little boy, what are you doing sitting here alone?"

Zhou Ci looked back at her and answered obediently: "Sister, I'm watching the fish."

Song Yu followed his gaze and saw a group of red carp swimming happily around in the pool of the musical fountain, vying for food. Apart from that, there was nothing unusual. "What's so interesting about these fish?"

"Sister, don't you think they're happy?" Zhou Ci said in a muffled voice, "I'm very unhappy. Mom said she'd come back in the spring when the trees sprout, but she lied to me. Dad asked me to live with him, saying he'd treat me well in the future. But now that he has an aunt and a sister, he doesn't like me anymore and isn't treating me well anymore."

Zhou Ci's eyes were filled with sad tears. He lay on his knees, tears falling on the cement floor in front of him, quickly soaking a small area. "Even though my mother is a big liar, I still miss her very much. I don't want to live with my father. Sister, can you take me to find my mother?"

After he finished speaking, his misty eyes stared at Song Yu nervously, as if he was afraid that Song Yu would reject him. He clearly wanted to cry, but he bit his lips tightly, leaving a row of deep teeth marks on his pink and tender lips, just to suppress his tears, afraid that others would dislike him. He must be feeling so wronged and missing his mother so much. He was so sensible that it was distressing, and Song Yu's sympathy burst out.

Song Yu sat down beside him. Although she sympathized with this little brother, she was also in a dilemma. The little brother wanted to find his mother, but his mother was dead. Where should she take him to find his mother?

Song Yu thought for a moment before speaking: "I'm afraid I can't take you to find your mother..."

She wanted to explain to Zhou Ci that people can never see again after they die, but as Zhou Ci's gaze gradually dimmed, she softened her heart and smiled and changed the subject: "But I can take you out to play. Do you want to come with me? How about we go to the amusement park? It's so much fun there."

Zhou Ci hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Okay!"

He hadn't been to the playground in ages since he started living with his dad. Every time, his dad and aunt went without him, secretly taking his sister there. There wasn't much fun at the playground. When he lived with his mom, she'd often taken him there, but he was tired of it.

He had agreed to go to the playground with this strange girl today because he wanted to find his mother there to see if she, like his father, had secretly taken other children to play without him. If his mother really did take other children to the playground without him, he would be very angry and would never talk to her again.

All right!

Xiao Zhouci admitted that this was an excuse he made up.

He just missed his mother too much. If he found his mother in the playground, he thought he should not lie to her and say that he would be angry and ignore her. He simply couldn't bear to ignore her. He would just tell her directly that he missed her very much and didn't want to be separated from her. His mother would definitely be very happy to see him.

Song Yu carefully took Zhou Ci's hand, found his driver, and they went directly to the largest children's playground in City B.

Zhou Ci was very happy at first, but after a tour around the amusement park, he became noticeably depressed. Even when Song Yu asked him to try new projects, he was listless and had no enthusiasm.

He didn't find his mother, and his mother really didn't want him anymore.

On the way back, Song Yu saw Zhou Ci looking aggrieved, as if he had something to say but didn't dare, so she took the initiative to ask him, "Little boy, do you have something you want to say to your sister?"

Zhou Ci hesitated, but finally spoke: "I heard from Grandma Zhang, who cooks at home, that my mother is dead. Sister, is my mother really dead? Will I... really never see her again in the future?" He became more and more choked up as he spoke the rest of the words.

Song Yu was stunned. She was also a child. She was afraid that she could not comfort a crying child who wanted to find his mother. Because his mother was dead, it was impossible to find her again. She had no idea how to answer him.

In silence, Song Yu thought of the time when her grandmother passed away. She was so sad that no one could comfort her, and what her mother said to her...

Song Yu thought about this, turned around, and said to Zhou Ci: "My mother said that after people die, they will turn into stars and return to the sky, just like my grandmother and your mother. Although we can no longer see them, they can still watch over us and protect us in the sky."

She patted his shoulder gently and continued to soothe him in a coaxing tone, "So you see, it's not that sad if you think about it this way, right? They can see us. On a clear night, we can also see the stars in the sky. They are just one of those stars, which means we can see them too."

Zhou Ci seemed to be finally comforted. He looked up at her, this kind and beautiful sister. She was wearing a pink Lolita puffy skirt, squatting in front of him with a smile, talking to him gently and patiently.

The sun was scorching, and they stood under it. Zhou Ci could see the beautiful sister's red cheeks from the sun, and beads of sweat on the tip of her nose. A gust of hot wind blew over, gently ruffling her bangs on her forehead, and her twin ponytails tied with lace bows also moved.

That frame of the picture was forever frozen in Zhou Ci's heart.

Many years later, every time he woke up in the middle of the night, he would always dream of her with her curved eyebrows and beautiful smile that day.

After waking up from the dream, I tossed and turned in bed for the rest of the night.

She was the only warmth he ever received in his childhood.

She will never know how hard he worked and how much he paid to be by her side, the shining one.

Later, after his sister sent him home, she received a phone call and left in a hurry.

Before leaving, she made a promise with him: "Little friend, let's stop crying secretly and be happy every day, okay?"

That midsummer, Song Yu was 8 years old and Zhou Ci was 5 years old. It was the first time they met.

Zhou Ci regretted it so much. He was too young at the time and didn't even react to ask her name.

He really wanted to see her again.

He should have asked, so their second meeting wouldn't have been so late.

If he could have intervened in her life earlier, there wouldn't be only Shen Zhiyan by her side. Relying on the name of protecting her for many years, he occupied such an important position in her heart, making him repeatedly hit a wall when he wanted to get involved.