Shen Zhiyi stared at him intently.

It was as if through him I could see a little boy, crouching in the damp, cold rainy season, his whole body being devoured by darkness.

The raindrops pattered down.

It flowed from his eyes all the way down to his tender heart.

Until it is washed until it becomes hard and cold, and its original appearance is no longer visible.

She touched his face, her eyes tender.

"Pei Ji, you've grown up."

"The person trapped in the torrential rain of childhood is no longer you."

"Now, take my hand and let's pull him out of the rainy season together, okay?"

She extended her hand towards him, palm up.

Pei Ji's eyes welled up with tears.

He first carefully touched her fingertips, then gripped them tightly, pulled her close, and held her close in his arms.

"Baby……"

Will you leave?

Like that woman, first take his hand, then let go, leaving him alone in the dark, sunless alley.

A place where even sunlight cannot reach.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

Before it even reached her neck, he forcefully wiped it away.

Shen Zhiyi hugged him and said softly but firmly, "I've come to take you away."

"From now on, let's walk together, okay?"

A gentle voice dispelled the darkness.

Pei Ji's body trembled slightly, and he said in a muffled voice, "Will you hate me?"

"You saw it all, didn't you?"

"That person... is my mother."

"But I don't want to get involved with her."

"I hate her."

"I even wanted to get revenge on her."

"Am I a bad person?" His heart clenched, tossing and turning in boundless pain and self-blame.

He thought.

He must be morally depraved.

That's why they treat their own blood relatives with such indifference.

Shen Zhiyi released her embrace, grasped his shoulders, and looked intently into his eyes.

She told him more firmly than ever before.

“Pei Ji, you have the right to decide how to deal with the relationship that is causing you pain.”

"Whether to sever ties or maintain them is up to you."

Don't blame yourself.

"Because that abandoned child was never given the right to choose."

Pei Ji was almost stunned.

He gazed at her, tears slowly sliding down his cheeks.

But he stopped caring.

They stopped pretending.

He exposed his vulnerability right in front of her.

Because she is so tolerant.

It's as if having her means having her courage as well.

Knowing the meaning, deeply understanding the meaning.

He never knew that a person's name could be so powerful.

Just silently repeating it in my heart is enough to fight against so much confusion and unease, to fight against the world, and to fight against that dark and gloomy self-loathing.

For the first time, Pei Ji felt himself being fully illuminated by light.

He saw the little boy stand up and run towards her.

He would keep running towards her.

He gave his life for it.

Pei Ji hugged her and burst into tears without restraint.

*

After returning from her business trip, Shen Zhiyi noticed that Pei Ji had become even more clingy than before.

He had to follow her everywhere.

"Baby, how about I move in with you?"

He stayed on her sofa and refused to go back.

Shen Zhiyi was both amused and exasperated.

"Your house is so big, why are you squeezing into this small rented room with me?"

“I like it here.” Pei Ji pulled her close, hugged her, and rested his head on hers like a big doll.

I like you.

"I want to stay with you."

He almost fell in love with everything here.

Small bedposts, a soft carpet, lace curtains fluttering in the breeze by the window, fresh flowers on the table that are changed frequently, and sheets dried in the oven...

Everything has a concrete name because of her.

--happiness.

He wanted to stay by her side for the rest of his life.

Shen Zhiyi turned her head and saw his affectionate gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses, and helplessly curved her lips into a smile.

"All right."

"But be careful when commuting to and from get off work."

"Don't let anyone notice."

"Mmm!" Pei Ji hugged her excitedly, burying his face in her neck. "Baby, thank you."

How could she be so kind...?

So good that even his damp soul was gradually dried by the sun.

He wants to buy everything here.

Write both of their names on the property deed.

At any time.

He always wanted to be close to her.

"Let's go to the supermarket later," Shen Zhiyi said. "Buy some of your things, don't always freeload off me."

"Okay." Pei Ji smiled, his eyes crinkling.

The two changed their clothes and went downstairs hand in hand.

As soon as they entered the supermarket, Pei Ji tugged at Shen Zhiyi's sleeve, dragged her to the large surveillance camera at the entrance, and gestured for her to look up.

"Baby, if we're like this... won't people stare at us more easily?"

Shen Zhiyi looked around and, seeing no familiar faces, looked up at the monitor.

She and Pei Ji were dressed in black, wearing masks and baseball caps, and they were sneakily peering into the electronic screen.

The staff members who passed by behind them all stopped and looked at them with strange eyes.

Shen Zhiyi: ...

That was too hasty.

This is a bit like protesting too much.

She took off her hat and then started to take off Pei Ji's.

"Don't wear the hat."

"That was indeed a bit too much torture."

Pei Ji chuckled softly, his entire chest trembling uncontrollably.

Shen Zhiyi glared at him warningly.

"Keep your voice down!"

Several of my colleagues live nearby.

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