Clara descended from the mountain with her small drawing board strapped to her back, nodding greetings to the elderly women she passed along the way.

The mountain air was crisp and refreshing, a healing balm that seemed to accelerate the closing of her physical and emotional wounds.

She had initially intended to get a local SIM card and a new phone upon arriving, but she soon realized she didn't really need them.

The signal was poor anyway, and since she had no one left she wished to contact, she naturally let the matter slip from her mind.

As she reached her small cottage, she saw a timid little figure peering around the doorway.

"Lulu, you're back again?"

Clara reached into her bag and handed over some wild fruit she had gathered on the mountain.

Lulu took the fruit, offering a shy smile as she asked cautiously, "Can I stay at your house today, Auntie?"

"Of course you can."

Upon receiving permission, the girl’s face lit up with a bright, cheerful grin.

Lulu was a young girl Clara had met after moving here. She lived alone with her elderly grandmother, who sold medicinal herbs at the local market to provide for their basic needs; there was no extra money for school.

Clara’s resources were limited, but she did what she could, teaching Lulu basic literacy.

Thinking of how Leo, with his wretched personality, lived in luxury while the well-behaved Lulu struggled for food and warmth, Clara felt an even deeper sense of pity for the girl.

She led Lulu inside, and the girl sat down obediently in her usual spot.

"Auntie, Uncle Ethan is coming today too. Can we all have dinner together later?"

"Uncle Ethan" was Clara’s neighbor. He was a somewhat mysterious man who left early and returned late.

Before Clara arrived, he had been the one occasionally looking after Lulu.

Clara had only caught glimpses of him on a few rare occasions. He didn't look like a local; his manner and dress suggested a high-end professional from a Tier-1 city.

However, Clara had no interest in prying into other people’s private lives, so she never asked.

"I’m afraid Uncle Ethan won't make it in time for dinner."

In fact, "Uncle Ethan" had never once shared a meal with them, yet for some reason, Lulu was persistent about bringing the two of them together for a meal.

As Clara went to the kitchen to prepare the food, she suddenly heard Lulu’s excited shout: "Uncle Ethan! Auntie said we can eat together!"

Eh? At this hour?

Curious, Clara walked out and locked eyes with the man at the gate.

She had only seen him in passing before, but today she saw his face clearly. He had the unmistakable air of a cultivated, wealthy gentleman.

She felt a bit awkward, and he seemed to share the sentiment.

Only Lulu remained unfazed. With practiced familiarity, she grabbed "Uncle Ethan's" hand and pulled him inside, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Uncle Ethan, I finally caught you!"

Since he was already inside, there was no reason to turn him away.

Clara wiped her hands and smiled. "I’ll go whip up two more dishes."

Half an hour later, three virtual strangers sat together for dinner like a family of three.

It was an indescribable scene—odd, yet permeated by a strange sense of warmth.

"Uncle Ethan" ate with slow, methodical grace; he managed to make a common porcelain bowl look like royal chinaware.

Lulu was clearly energized, chirping away about forest stories, a stark contrast to her timid behavior outside.

The man listened quietly, occasionally responding with a smile, though he rarely spoke.

After dinner, Lulu took over the task of washing the dishes, leaving Clara and the man sitting awkwardly in the main room.

The man smiled and extended a hand in introduction. "My name is Ethan Shen."

Clara replied politely, "I’m Clara Su."

Ethan glanced at the drawing board behind her. "Are you an artist?"

It was the first time anyone had called her that. Clara waved her hands dismissively. "No, no. I used to be a jewelry designer. Now, I just paint for fun."

Ethan opened his mouth to say more, but an elderly neighbor came rushing toward the house, shouting breathlessly, "Something's happened! Something's happened! Lulu's grandmother was hit by a truck!"

————————————

Clara and Ethan exchanged a quick look and silently agreed to keep the news from Lulu for the moment.

"I’ll go check it out. You stay here and keep Lulu calm," Ethan said quickly. He turned and strode out of the house with long, purposeful steps.

Clara was restless, her mind racing as she watched over the girl. It wasn't until well after dark that Ethan finally returned.

He caught Clara’s eye and gave a slight, somber shake of his head.

Almost instantly, Clara’s eyes welled with tears.

Since she had moved here, Lulu’s grandmother had looked after her in many small ways. How could such a kind, gentle soul be gone so suddenly?

Ethan lowered his voice to explain the situation. "Some kids on motorcycles in town weren't slowing down. They've all been caught now."

The news couldn't stay hidden for long.

Before bed, Lulu had reminded Clara to wake her up early so she wouldn't miss her grandmother’s return.

But now, there would be no return.

Clara looked at the sleeping Lulu, unable to find the words for such a cruel reality.

Seeing her struggle, Ethan spoke up softly. "I’ll tell her."

He moved past Clara, gently nudged Lulu awake, and explained the situation in a low, steady voice.

Lulu listened in silence, tears carving slow paths down her face. Because it was night, she didn't dare wail; she only let out muffled, suppressed sobs.

Ethan held her gently, patting her back like a steady, mountain-like father figure.

After nearly an hour of crying, Lulu grew exhausted and drifted back into a heavy sleep.

Clara sat on the doorstep, staring at the crescent moon with an unreadable expression.

Ethan sat down silently beside her, making no attempt to pry. "Lulu has a high psychological resilience."

Having lost her parents at a young age, Lulu had seen her fair share of life and death, so her resilience was naturally high.

But Clara wished the girl didn't have to be resilient at all.

She let out a long, heavy sigh, her heart filled with sorrow and regret.

The funeral was organized by the local villagers, but whenever there was a detail no one understood, they all instinctively turned to Ethan and Clara for guidance.

Ethan seemed to have cleared his schedule over the next few days, handling everything with meticulous responsibility.

On the day of the burial, Lulu finally let out a loud, wailing cry. On a day that should have been still, a gentle breeze began to blow—a warm, comforting wind in the midst of a biting early spring.

After seeing off the neighbors, Clara turned to thank Ethan, only to see an older local man clutching Lulu’s hand.

Clara marched over immediately and pulled Lulu away, warning the man, "Stay away from her."

But the man showed no fear. Instead, he looked Clara up and down with a lecherous, greasy gaze.

Clara instinctively looked around for something to use as a weapon. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan nearby. She opened her mouth to call out, but in that second, she remembered Arthur’s look of embarrassment when she was in trouble.

If even a husband found her a burden, she didn't want to trouble a stranger.

Just as the thought crossed her mind, Ethan appeared at their side, his voice a low, dangerous threat. "Don't make me get violent."

Seeing Ethan’s imposing build, the man immediately cowered. He spat on the ground and turned to leave.

It was clear he hadn't given up.

Clara was a woman living alone, and Lulu was now effectively homeless. If a man was determined enough, he would eventually find an opportunity.

Even more frightening was the possibility that he wasn't the only one with such thoughts.

The air in this remote area was indeed fresh and quiet, but it was also home to many uncivilized minds.

Clara realized it was no longer safe here.

At the very least, they had to move to the town center.

Ethan spoke first. "I have a house in town. You two can move there first. I’ve had all the security systems updated."

Surprised by his thoughtfulness, Clara didn't stand on ceremony and nodded her agreement.

But soon, another problem arose.

The number of people coming to "propose" for Lulu increased. They ranged in age from young to old, and in intelligence from none to average.

Unfortunately, Clara wasn't Lulu’s legal guardian and had no right to refuse on her behalf.

One suitor, after being rejected, even threw out a threat: "Just wait until I find her distant uncle. You’ll have to agree then, whether you want to or not."

The threat was real.

They had to secure legal guardianship before that distant uncle showed up.

But legal guardianship wasn't easy to obtain. Even through adoption, the law typically required the petitioner to be married and childless.

Clara was at a total loss.