Chapter 0 Part 2: Prologue

“This will be your room from now on.”

“I wasn’t sure what style you’d like, Xiao You, so I decorated it simply.”

“If there’s any book you want to read, you can use the computer on the desk or just tell me.”

“I like it a lot. Thank you, Sister Yuan.”

Lu You genuinely liked the room.

The pure white walls featured a large glass window.

A small desk by the window held a blue pen holder.

A black laptop sat neatly beside it.

A clear water glass and a stack of delicate notebooks were also on the desk.

Across from the desk, a wooden wardrobe and bookshelf stood against the wall.

The room was simple and clean, without any unnecessary decorations.

Lu You had no specific expectations for a room.

This minimalist style suited his taste perfectly.

The only exception was the double bed, which felt a bit too large for him.

“You’re welcome.”

“This is your new home.”

“Except for the drawers and computer in my room, you can use anything freely.”

“Okay.”

“By the way, doesn’t Auntie Yun live with us?”

Yun Xi had dropped them off at this apartment and left quickly.

She only left a few words for Lu You about studying hard and living well.

She also said something cryptic to Mo Yuan: “Xiao Yuan, don’t go too far.”

Mo Yuan didn’t react much to it.

She simply said she knew her limits.

Then she led Lu You inside and showed him the room prepared for him.

“Well, Mom lives in another house.”

“It’s just the two of us here.”

“Why? Would you rather live with Mom?”

“Don’t you like your big sister?”

“No, that’s not it. I’m sorry.”

“I was just curious.”

Mo Yuan blinked her beautiful eyes.

A faint smile, tinged with an almost imperceptible strange emotion, appeared on her face.

She leaned forward slightly.

Her flawless hands gently cupped Lu You’s face.

“No need to apologize, Xiao You.”

“Why so reserved?”

“I’m your big sister now.”

“I’ll take care of you from now on.”

“You can be as carefree or willful as you want with me.”

“If there’s anything you’re unhappy about, just say it directly.”

“Your sister will make it right for you.”

Lu You forced a smile that wasn’t particularly charming.

He hadn’t smiled in a long time.

But facing this warm, kind, beautiful sister, he wanted to show his friendly side.

Even if it meant forcing himself.

“Thank you, Sister Yuan.”

“I’m not unhappy about anything.”

“Then sit here and read for a bit.”

“I’ll go prepare dinner and call you when it’s ready.”

Mo Yuan opened the door and left.

The room fell silent again.

Lu You walked to the bookshelf.

He scanned the various book titles.

Works from both East and West lined the shelves.

History books, fairy tales, novels—there were many genres.

All were hardcover editions, clearly expensive.

He pulled out a copy of Journey to the West.

The books on the shelf were part of complete sets.

This one was clearly part of a series too.

But the other three volumes weren’t on the shelf.

‘Is it because… the endings of those three books aren’t exactly happy?’

At night, Mo Yuan set down the report she was reading.

She glanced at the time.

Then she looked at Lu You, sitting on the bed, engrossed in a book.

“Xiao You, it’s getting late.”

“Time to sleep.”

“Rest early, okay?”

“Can you sleep alone, or should your sister stay with you?”

“No, I can sleep alone.”

“Good night, Sister Yuan.”

“Good night.”

Mo Yuan gently closed the door.

She walked to the balcony, where a few potted plants were placed.

The summer night breeze felt soothing against her skin.

In the past, during quiet nights, Mo Yuan loved standing here alone.

She would let the breeze embrace her slender, graceful figure.

She would feel its gentle caress.

But tonight, she wasn’t here to enjoy the breeze.

She made a phone call.

Mo Yuan held the phone to her ear and spoke to the person on the other end.

– Mom, is the paperwork done?

– Yes, Li He’s efficiency surprised me.

– Xiao Yuan, I’m also surprised you’re willing to go this far for Xiao You.

– Mom trusts you can take care of yourself and him.

– I hope everything goes as you envision.

– But at least bring him back to visit often.

– Xiao Rou misses you.

– I will, Mom.

– I know today’s request was a bit unreasonable.

– Thank you for understanding.

– As for Xiao Rou, she…

– Compared to her sister’s embrace, she’s better suited to a mother’s care.

– As her sister, I’ve probably failed her.

– But for Xiao You, I’ll spare no effort.

– Sigh, you child.

– You’re only twelve, yet so mature it’s absurd.

– I wish you could be like Xiao Rou and cuddle in my arms, acting spoiled.

– Never mind, let’s not talk about that.

– Xiao You’s school enrollment is being processed.

– It’s a well-known elementary school nearby, very close to your place.

– Thank you, Mom. You’re the best.

– Oh, it’s not the same school as Xiao Rou’s, right?

Mo Yuan shifted from her rational, mature tone to a sweet, girlish one.

– Of course not.

– I know what you’re thinking.

– Until you choose to let them meet, I’ll make sure they don’t cross paths.

– Also, next year is the high school entrance exam.

– I know your grades are excellent, so I’m not worried about you passing.

– But have you decided which high school you want to attend?

– Not the one closest to your place, right?

– It’s decent, but compared to top-tier key schools, it’s a bit lacking.

– You’re not seriously considering it, are you?

– Hehe, Mom, you guessed it.

– You know I can’t go to a school so far away that I can’t come home daily.

– Not seeing Xiao You for a week or two?

– Aren’t you afraid I’d do something drastic when I get back?

– Don’t worry, with my two-grade-skipping level, any school will do.

Mo Yuan kept her playful, sweet tone.

It was a side she never showed to outsiders.

Even with her mother, she usually maintained a mature, calm demeanor uncommon for her age.

To others, she was cold as frost, sparing no extra words.

– You, honestly.

– Fine, I can’t stop you.

– Go where you want.

– But I’m warning you, Xiao You is only seven.

– You need to control your emotions.

– If you ever do something out of line, I’ll drag both of you back home.

– Okay, okay, I get it.

– I’ll keep myself in check until Xiao You is fifteen.

– Don’t worry.

– Good night, Mom.

– Fifteen?! Mo Yuan, hold on, what do you mean by—

Yun Xi’s words were cut off as Mo Yuan hung up.

‘Mom probably won’t be mad, right?’

‘I promised to hold back until Xiao You is fifteen.’

‘Why is she so surprised?’

Mo Yuan thought to herself.

She picked up the report sent by Yun Xi’s assistant two hours ago.

It contained all the information they could gather about Lu You.

The moment Mo Yuan saw Lu You, she was certain he was that boy from back then.

This report only confirmed it.

‘You’ve been through so much these past few years.’

‘No wonder the sadness in your eyes, which I once eased, has grown deeper.’

‘It’s best to forget those painful memories.’

‘I’ll heal your wounds, little by little.’

‘You can, and should, rely on me more.’

‘I’ll never leave you again.’

‘I won’t abandon you like they did.’

‘I’ll always protect you.’

‘Just as I promised, I’ll stay by your side forever.’

‘So, don’t leave me either.’

‘Never again.’

‘I can’t bear that kind of pain again.’

‘It’s because of you that I’ve become this way.’

‘Even if I do something you might not like, it’s okay, right?’

Mo Yuan opened Lu You’s door again.

She gazed at the frail, sleeping figure on the bed.

Her eyes gradually filled with an intense, bottomless possessiveness.

She walked to the bedside.

Leaning down, she took in his sleeping face.

Then, she gently kissed his pale, thin cheek.