What is family?
Under Mu Ning's startled gaze, the girl slowly collapsed into Ji Yu's arms. Neither Ji Yu nor their mother knew what had happened, so they could only offer her a few clumsy words of comfort.
Family is the place that still welcomes you when the world has abandoned you. The place that feeds you, shelters you, and lets you wake up under the sun of the next morning.
This time, Ji Yu pressed her cheek against her sister's chest, listening to the gentle rhythm of blood-borne comfort. Her reddened eyes could no longer hold back the flood, and tears streamed freely down her face.
"Uu… uuuuu… Jie… I don't want to let go… uu…"
Hearing the little sister cry like this for the first time, both mother and daughter felt their hearts twist painfully. Yet the sobs were so pitiful, so broken, that neither of them could bring themselves to ask why.
Yu Yuan's heart ached as well. He paid no mind to Mu Ning and Qin Xiao's surprised expressions—or perhaps he hadn't even noticed them. He simply stepped forward, draped his jacket over Ji Yu's shoulders, and gently plucked the ribbon from her hair. His hand brushed across her head, his lips curved in a faint, bitter smile.
"Silly girl. Tie the ribbon at your bangs instead. That way no one will see your red, swollen eyes. Come on, turn this way."
Did Ji Yu hear him?
Perhaps sensing the comfort in his voice, she turned, showing him her most vulnerable, tear-streaked face—even though her vision had already blurred.
Qin Xiao stood in the corner, holding Mu Ning's hand, her expression calm as she watched Yu Yuan.
The long-lost moon finally pierced through the clouds, spilling silver light over all six of them, making Ji Yu's tears glisten like crystals.
In this quiet, moonlit night, the pampered girl cried without restraint. Even passing strangers, caught in the festival's joy, quieted their laughter when they heard her sobs, and continued their journeys in silence.
"There. Now no one will see your eyes. Alright, Ji Yu, don't cry anymore. Want me to stand up for you, hm?"
He couldn't help but wonder—how was it that, even with her eyes closed tight, her tears flowed endlessly, like a broken string of pearls? Pressing down on her shoulder, he gently guided her back into Ji Yu's embrace, then stepped aside, head lowered in silence.
The moonlight shone softly, wordless comfort in its glow. A single sob escaped, and slowly Ji Yu's breathing steadied. None of them rushed to question her. They simply held her quietly, hands warm, presence steady.
Shhh—shhh—shhh—
The moon still shone.
The lake whispered, then faded into silence. Exhausted, Ji Yu finally drifted into shallow sleep.
The world was quiet once more.
"Yu Yuan… what happened to Ji Yu?"
"Why was she crying like that? Son, do you know something? You didn't… bully her, did you?"
Qin Xiao finally asked after Ji Yu's breathing grew calm. But unlike usual, Yu Yuan did not leave at the sight of Mu Ning. His gaze stayed fixed on Ji Yu.
That look was not just gentle—it was indulgent.
"Ji-jie, Auntie, let me carry Ji Yu back. It must be hard for you ladies to carry her."
Ignoring the questions, Yu Yuan offered something unconventional, yet utterly reasonable at the moment.
They knew, of course, that this young man was Mu Ning's son. They knew there was friction between them. But in life, there is always one golden rule: don't meddle too much in another family's affairs.
Ji Yu wasn't light, but Yu Yuan carried her without complaint. He didn't use the chance to take advantage—he simply carried her.
The night deepened.
His shadow blended into the quiet darkness, carrying the sleeping girl on his back.
For some, this was the moment when a protective older brother began his silent duty. And the questions Ji Yu couldn't answer began to take root in Yu Yuan's own heart.
By the time they returned to the hotel, it was already 11:30 at night.
Yu Yuan collapsed into a chair, gulping down the drink Ji Yu handed him. They had chosen to walk back on foot, so as not to disturb Ji Yu's rest. An hour of carrying her left even him breathless—Tang Li himself would have struggled.
Five people now sat around Ji Yu's bed, watching her pink lips part faintly in sleep. No one dared disturb her. Each wondered silently what kind of sorrow had made her break down so shamelessly in the street.
Their quiet musings contrasted with Yu Yuan's heavy breaths as he cracked open another soda, drinking noisily. The sound finally drew their attention.
"…Don't look at me. I carried her for over an hour—it's normal to be tired."
His face flushed red, rare for him. He stammered on—
"This… this is her business. Even if you ask me, I can't say. And honestly, I don't even know why she cried."
Ji Yu let out a quiet breath, then looked at him. "If you don't know either, then go rest, Yu Yuan-didi. And… thank you."
That simple gratitude loosened something in his chest. Still, he felt undeserving. Perhaps it was his own harsh words earlier that had broken her composure.
"Ji-jie, it's fine. Taking care of my junior is just what a senior should do."
The moment those words left his mouth, the room erupted into laughter.
Qin Xiao and Mu Ning knew all too well Yu Yuan's reputation as a flirt and a scoundrel. Ji Yu and her mother had heard enough from Mu Ning to understand as well.
That such a "playboy" would suddenly talk about duty—who could resist laughing?
And yet, sincerity was always the strongest weapon. His eyes, his tone, his posture—all told them he was telling the truth. He had no ill intentions toward Ji Yu.
"This girl… does she really have so much charm? In such a short time, so many people already care about her."
The dark eyes of her sister shimmered as a breeze slipped in through the still-open window, brushing against Ji Yu's sleeping face. In that fleeting moment, a pale hand, in stark contrast to her dark hair, brushed her cheek.
"Born with the life of a princess…"
Ji Yu's voice carried both laughter and tears. Even so, she reached out, pinching Ji Yu's nose gently.
The girl stirred, lips parting, breathing through her mouth. Her pale face flushed pink, as if painted with sunset.
"Hehe… Still the same. When you were little, I'd do this whenever you slept. And you'd always end up breathing with your mouth. You still haven't changed, have you?"
Warm yellow light bathed the room. The women around the bed watched, smiling helplessly yet tenderly.
Yu Yuan stood quietly aside, phone in hand. He snapped a photo, discreetly.
On the screen, Ji Yu's cheeks were still streaked with tears, even in sleep. Zooming in, he touched the marks on the image, as if trying to wipe them away. But the stains stayed, no matter how many times he tried.
At last, he exhaled. His finger slid across the screen.
Photo…
Sent.
Recipient: Tang Li.