rely

Autumn winds swept through the campus, and sycamore leaves twirled and fell. Shen Ci walked out of the teaching building, a beige knitted cardigan draped over his arm, and a light yellow thermos cup printed with daisies in his hand—the one Qing Ran had left in his office last time.

The "Classic Recitation" activity on Wednesday afternoon had just ended, and students were leaving in twos and threes.

Shen Ci did not immediately return to his office. Instead, he turned and walked towards a small, quiet corner behind the teachers' apartment building, where a few osmanthus trees and a patch of daisies grew.

He knew there was a little girl there, waiting for him.

Sure enough, as soon as I turned the corner, I saw Qingran squatting beside a small patch of white daisies in full bloom. She was wearing a pale yellow sweater today, which made her face look even whiter and cleaner.

Unlike other children, she didn't pick the flowers. Instead, she stretched out a finger and touched the delicate petals very lightly and carefully. Her amber eyes were focused on the petals, and the sunlight gave her a soft golden edge.

Shen Ci unconsciously lightened his steps, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips before he even realized it.

He didn't speak immediately, but just watched quietly. Every time he saw Qingran, his heart would soften like a cloud warmed by the autumn sun.

She possessed a purity untouched by the world, like the clearest mountain stream, making him want to hold her in his hands and shield her from all hardship.

Seemingly sensing the gaze, Qingran looked up and her eyes lit up the moment she saw Shen Ci, as if stars had fallen into them. She immediately stood up, somewhat excited, yet with a touch of childlike reserve. Unlike usual, she didn't run over, but simply stood there, smiling with pursed lips, a faint blush rising on her cheeks, her small hands unconsciously tugging at the hem of her sweater.

"Brother Chen." The voice was clear and bright, filled with undisguised joy.

Shen Ci walked over, casually unfolded the cardigan from his arms, and draped it over her shoulders. "It's getting windy, be careful not to catch a cold."

His movements were practiced and natural, as if he had done it a thousand times. The clean, scholarly scent and sunshine still lingered on his cardigan, enveloping Qingran and making her appear even more slender.

Qingran stood obediently as he draped the clothes over her, looking up at him with her eyes crinkling into crescents: "Flowers, beautiful." She pointed to the patch of daisies.

"Yes, it looks good." Shen Ci replied, following her words, but his gaze fell on her smiling face, which was brighter than a flower. He squatted down to be at eye level with her and took out the light yellow thermos from his pocket. "Your thermos. I forgot to take it."

"Ah!" Qingran exclaimed softly, took the cup, hugged it to her chest, and smiled shyly, "Thank you, Brother Chen."

"Did you enjoy listening in the activity room today?" Shen Ci asked, her voice as gentle as ever, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a subtle softness beneath that gentleness, a tenderness reserved only for her.

"Happy!" Qingran nodded vigorously, then started counting on her fingers, trying hard to organize her thoughts, "The older sister in the blue dress reads like a little bird singing... The older brother with glasses has a very loud voice, like thunder..."

Her vocabulary was limited, and her descriptions were somewhat childlike, but the joy she felt after listening attentively was expressed perfectly.

Shen Ci listened patiently, nodding occasionally, or whispering a word or two to prompt her when she stumbled over a word.

He never interrupted or urged her, but looked at her with encouraging eyes, as if every word she said was the most beautiful story in the world.

Sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the osmanthus tree, casting dappled patterns of light that danced on the two people, creating a tranquil and beautiful scene.

After Qingran finished speaking, Shen Ci smiled and magically pulled out a small paper packet from his other pocket. "A reward for our most attentive little listener."

Qingran's eyes lit up even more. She took the paper package and opened it. Inside were several crystal-clear fruit candies shaped like small animals, and a small, individually wrapped honey butter cookie shaped like a book.

These were all her favorites, and they were clearly specially selected, not just snacks she bought on a whim.

"Wow!" Qingran exclaimed in surprise, picked up a little rabbit candy, looked at it again and again, reluctant to eat it, and then held it to Shen Ci's mouth, "Brother Shen, eat."

Shen Ci paused for a moment, looking at the candy offered to his lips and Qing Ran's pure, unadulterated eyes, full of joy and happiness.

A corner of his heart felt as if it had been brushed by the softest feather, a ticklish, warm sensation. He lowered his head slightly and, taking her hand, put the candy in his mouth. The sweetness melted on his tongue, spreading all the way to the depths of his heart.

"Is it sweet?" Qingran asked expectantly.

"Sweet." Shen Ci nodded, his smile deepening. He took the book-shaped cookie out of the paper bag, unwrapped it, and handed it to her. "Try this. It's new. They say it has a strong milk flavor."

Qingran took the cookie and ate it in small bites, her eyes crinkling with satisfaction, like a cat that had stolen some dried fish. Shen Ci squatted beside her, quietly watching her eat, occasionally reaching out to gently wipe away a crumb of cookie that accidentally got on her lips with his fingertips. His movements were so natural, as if he had rehearsed them countless times. The warm, delicate touch from his fingertips sent a shiver through his heart, but his expression remained one of quiet tenderness.

After finishing the biscuits, Qingran seemed to remember something. She rummaged through her small bag and pulled out a crookedly folded little frog made of colored craft paper.

She handed it over a little shyly and whispered, "I learned this... I'm giving it to you, Brother Chen."

The paper frog wasn't folded neatly; it was even a bit wrinkled, clearly the result of her repeated practice. Shen Ci, however, treated it like a rare treasure, carefully cradling it in his palm, examining it closely, and then sincerely exclaimed, "It's folded so well! The frog looks so spirited. Ranran is so skillful!"

Qingran's face flushed even more, but her eyes shone with the light of affirmation. She sidled up to Chen Ci, squatted down next to him, and whispered, "I can also fold boats and airplanes... I'll fold them for you next time."

"Okay, I'll wait." Shen Ci replied gently, naturally placing his arm loosely around her back—a protective gesture that didn't make her feel restricted. He pointed to the daisies on the ground, "Do you like this flower?"

"Mm." Qingran nodded, looking at the small white flowers swaying gently in the autumn breeze. "They are small, but there are so many of them, blooming together, it's very beautiful." She paused, then added, "Like stars."

Shen Ci followed her gaze.

Yes, these unassuming daisies, individually simple and plain, when viewed together, bloom quietly under the autumn sun, possess a resilient yet serene beauty. Just like the girl beside him, perhaps not clever enough, not mature enough, but her world is pure and clean, with its own perceptions and romance.

Instead of picking the flowers, he gathered a few freshly fallen, perfectly shaped golden sycamore leaves from the side and handed them to Qingran. "Look, this is a bookmark that autumn gave you."

Qingran curiously picked up the leaf and looked at it against the sunlight; the veins were so clear they looked like a painting. "Beautiful," she said with a smile, then carefully put it into her small bag, along with the colorful craft papers.

The wind picked up, ruffling Qingran's cardigan and soft hair. Shen Ci stood up and pulled Qingran up as well, naturally adjusting the neckline of her cardigan and the strap of her thermos to a comfortable length. "Let's go, it's time to go back, otherwise Teacher Jin will worry."

"Mm." Qingran nodded and took the initiative to extend her hand, the one that wasn't holding the cup, and grasped one of Shen Ci's fingers hanging by his side.

This wasn't the first time she'd done this, but every time she took the initiative to get close to him, Shen Ci's heart would melt completely.

He turned his hand over and completely enveloped that small, slightly cool hand in his warm, dry palm. He didn't hold it very tightly, but it felt secure enough.

The two walked hand in hand slowly out of the quiet corner. The setting sun cast long shadows of them, nestled together.

Shen Ci's heart is like this autumn twilight: tranquil, warm, and filled with a kind of indescribable, abundant satisfaction.

His feelings for Qingran evolved from initial pity and responsibility to later appreciation and guidance, and unknowingly, they had long since settled into a profound and unique affection.

This favoritism wasn't intentional; rather, it grew quietly and seeped into every little detail.

It means remembering all her subtle preferences, always keeping her favorite candies in your pocket, being willing to squat down and see the world from her perspective, patiently listening to her words that may not make sense but are full of whimsy, offering silent support when she is uneasy, and generously praising her when she makes progress.

Even though she knew she was different from ordinary people, she never regarded her as special or troublesome. She was just "Qingran," a unique little girl who needed to be treated gently and deserved to see more of her beauty.

Whenever I see her smile, I feel the sunshine brightens up; when I see her frown, I can't help but want to smooth her brow.

This favoritism, though silent, permeates every moment: patient waiting, every gentle glance, every soft word, and every natural hand-holding.

Like a gentle rain nourishing daisies, like sunshine illuminating a clear sky.

Seeking no reward, and not worrying about the future.

I just hope that this pure daisy, under his small protection, can safely and as much as possible feel the kindness and beauty of this world.

He was willing to be the one holding the umbrella, shielding her from the storms and leaving only a clear sky so that they could share peaceful moments together.

The little hand nestled trustingly in his palm.

Shen Ci slightly tightened his grip on that warmth, holding it even more tightly.

Over the weekend, Qi Shuo and Tan Huaiyu took Qingran to the park. Qingran's eyes immediately lit up when she saw other children blowing bubbles. Qi Shuo wanted to buy some, but Tan Huaiyu stopped him and gestured for him to look to the side.

Shen Ci had arrived at the park at some point. He was squatting in front of Qing Ran, holding a bottle of bubble solution, but instead of giving it to her directly, he asked gently, "Ranran, do you want to play?"

Qingran nodded vigorously.

"Then we need to ask the lady who sells bubbles how much they cost, and then we need to use our own pocket money to buy them, right?" Shen Ci patiently guided her.

Qingran thought for a moment, then took out the few coins that Sister Jin had given her from her pocket. She hesitated for a moment, but under Shen Ci's encouraging gaze, she mustered up her courage and walked towards the bubble stall, asking softly, "Auntie, how much are the bubbles...?"

After successfully buying the bubble solution, Shen Ci didn't immediately help her blow the bubbles. Instead, he demonstrated how and then encouraged her to try it herself.

Qingran tried several times, but either couldn't blow bubbles or spilled the bubble solution, which made her a little discouraged. Shen Ci didn't scold her; he simply wiped her hands clean with a tissue, then held her hand and guided her to blow bubbles slowly and evenly.

When the first complete bubble, shimmering with iridescent colors, floated out of the tube, Qingran's eyes widened in surprise, and she smiled happily.

"Ranran is amazing!" Shen Ci praised with a smile.

At that moment, sunlight streamed through the leaves, falling on Qingran's radiant smile and on Shen Ci's gentle profile as he gazed at her. The scene was so beautiful it almost seemed unreal.

Qi Shuo and Tan Huaiyu stood not far away watching. Tan Huaiyu gently touched Qi Shuo's arm and whispered, "Teacher Shen... really knows how to teach children."

Qi Shuo watched silently, seeing the pure joy on his sister's face, a joy earned through her own efforts, and seeing the genuine appreciation and encouragement in Shen Ci's eyes. His taut jawline relaxed almost imperceptibly.

The bitterness in my heart seemed to be replaced by another, more complex emotion—an undeniable feeling mixed with gratitude, relief, and a subtle sense of letting go.

He walked over, took the bubble wand from Qingran's hand, and said gently, "Brother, you should try it too."

Qingran immediately handed him the bubble wand and looked at him expectantly. Qi Shuo imitated Shen Ci and blew a bubble that wasn't too big or too small. Qingran clapped her hands and laughed, "Brother is great too!"

Qi Shuo looked at his sister's happy smile, then glanced at Shen Ci, who was standing quietly beside him. Shen Ci nodded slightly to him with a gentle smile.

The autumn wind blows, bringing a chill and stirring up the golden leaves scattered on the ground.

Some dependencies are like the umbilical cord of life, which cannot be severed.

Some dependencies are like gentle lighthouses encountered on the road to growth, like a steadfast wind guiding fledglings to try to fly.

Perhaps, Qingran's world needs more colors, more voices, and more gentle protection.

As long as that protection is sincere, pure, and capable of making her smile so brightly.

So, as family members, perhaps what we should do is not build higher walls, but learn to trust, learn to let go, and also learn to... accept this light that unexpectedly entered her life, but which did indeed illuminate a corner of her sky.

Qi Shuo handed the bubble wand back to Qing Ran, watching her excitedly continue trying it, his gaze deep and thoughtful.

Dependency can take many forms.

Perhaps the most beautiful kind of dependence is one that makes the person being depended on better and brings joy to the person who depends on it.