He unclenched his fists as if his strength had left him and took a deep breath. "Uncle Arthur, Auntie Xie, I’m going out for some air."

Outside.

Julian's hands trembled slightly as he took a cigarette from the pack and bit down on it. It took several strikes of the match to light it, the faint red glow looking particularly feeble in the pitch-black night.

Just then, a light turned on in a room on the third floor.

He subconsciously looked up at the balcony filled with flowers, unable to imagine how beautiful Elena must look sitting there.

He thought, Elena must be living a very good life here—so good that she could leave him behind, without a thought or a care.

Julian looked down and smiled bitterly, taking a deep drag and exhaling a cloud of turbid smoke.

"Elena, I’ve found you. Don't even think about shaking me off again."

His mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, constantly flashing back to scenes of his time with Elena. He had always been restrained and disciplined, rarely regretting the things he did or the decisions he made.

But in the year or more since Elena had left, he had truly, deeply regretted it.

If he had known she would make his heart ache this much, would it have been better to embrace her the very first time she approached him?

Unfortunately, there were no "ifs."

Seeing Elena again didn't bring the joy of recovery, but the panic and heavy pain of total loss. He had never felt so insecure about anything in his life.

Julian rarely smoked, and after just a few puffs, he frowned.

Just then, a rude complaint drifted down from above—

"Who’s that smoking under our window in the middle of the night? Don’t you know how harmful secondhand smoke is?"

This was followed by the "clatter" of a window being shut.

Julian’s eyes reddened slightly as he extinguished the cigarette butt in his hand.

Not long after.

Mrs. Wu had a table full of food ready.

Elena, Arthur, and Fu Shuning walked down the stairs together.

Almost the instant I appeared, Julian noticed me. His hands involuntarily clenched, his heart tightened, and it felt as if a giant hand were ruthlessly pulling at his chest.

I had changed clothes.

When I first arrived, I was wearing an orange-red skirt, a pale yellow short-sleeved shirt, and a hair clip the same color as the skirt.

But now, I was wearing a water-blue dress, my hair combed to one side and braided, hanging obediently over my chest.

In a split second, Julian’s sharp gaze slashed at Arthur, who didn't care in the slightest. He lifted his chin slightly toward Julian, the contempt in his eyes unmistakable.

We stood in confrontation, sparks of fire almost visible where our gazes met.

I didn't miss their silent duel. I reached out and tugged at the hem of Arthur's shirt. His heart felt like it had been scratched by a cat, instantly softening as he turned to give me a reassuring smile.

Julian’s heart surged with pain, and his gaze trembled, defeated.

Arthur saw there was no more show to watch, chuckled, and warmly ushered everyone to take their seats.

"Don't just stand there, everyone. Sit down."

Xie Wanzhi beckoned to me with a smile, patting the empty seat beside her.

"Come, Elena, sit by me. We got fresh seafood delivered this morning. I know you love it, and Mrs. Wu made plenty."

I smiled and sat obediently beside Xie Wanzhi, directly across from Julian. Arthur sat right next to me, leaving only Fu Shuning, who sat reluctantly between Arthur and Julian.

The round table was full.

Julian’s mother, Jie Xiao, wore an awkward smile. Looking at me—educated, composed, and well-loved—she couldn't help but ask:

"Elena? Are you really the daughter of Brother Gu, Gu Anguo? I... I am your Auntie Jie Xiao; you probably haven't met me before."

I set down my chopsticks and hooked the corner of my mouth into a faint smile.

"Yes, Auntie Jie Xiao. My father was Gu Anguo."

Arthur’s gaze swept over Cheng Julian’s shame-faced expression. He picked up a large piece of fish belly and placed it in my bowl. The former's movements were skillful, and the latter's were accustomed; it was clear this was something done a thousand times on any ordinary day.

The care and affection the Arthur family had for me were never superficial.

After placing the food, Arthur set down his chopsticks and let out a long sigh.

"Brother Gu had a good daughter, but her fate was just too bitter."

As he spoke, his eyes turned sour. He pinched the corner of his eye and placed his heavy hand firmly on Cheng Julian’s shoulder. Cheng Julian’s expression froze for a second, knowing things were about to go south.

Sure enough, Arthur’s next sentence slapped him right in the face.

"When Elena came to me, I couldn't believe my eyes. But I knew that a strong woman like your sister-in-law would never have come to me unless she had run out of all other options."

"But I never imagined... that your sister-in-law had been in a car accident, unconscious, and that Elena had actually been kicked out! Over a thousand kilometers of travel—if anything had happened to that mother and daughter, how could I have had the face to see Brother Gu in the afterlife!"

Arthur spoke with genuine emotion and deep grief.

I instinctively wanted to stand up to comfort him, but Xie Wanzhi gently pressed my hand. She shook her head tenderly and gestured with her mouth toward the front of me.

Arthur just happened to place a bowl of shelled shrimp in front of me.

Arthur’s breathing was unsteady, but the hand pressing on Cheng Julian’s shoulder was exceptionally heavy. He looked at Cheng Julian with tearful eyes and asked: "Old Brother Cheng, do you have any face left?"

Chapter 19

Cheng Julian’s aged face flushed deep red with shame, and Xiao Jie wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

While feeling ashamed, she couldn't help but glare at her son.

Back then, they had genuinely intended to adopt and care for Elena and Selina. Who would have thought that just as the two girls were about to arrive home, they were sent to another province on assignment? When they finally returned and took a look:

Good grief!

Their son had gone simple-minded.

Their goddaughter had been lost.

And their reputation in front of an old comrade-in-arms was ruined.

"I... sigh..."

Cheng Julian slapped his thigh. With things having reached this point, what else was there to hide? Even before he arrived, he knew he couldn't escape this dressing-down.

Like Arthur, he was a soldier trained personally by Gu Anguo. Without Gu Anguo, they wouldn't be where they were today. To have things turn out like this was truly unbearable.

Moreover, Arthur’s family was determined to help me vent my grievances.

Cheng Julian stood up and poured himself a glass of wine, raising it toward me. I was caught off guard for a moment, and just as I was about to stand up, I saw Arthur pull him back down.

"If you have something to say, sit and say it. Why do this and make the child feel uncomfortable?"

Cheng Julian set down his glass and looked at me, his expression earnest and sincere.

"Elena, after you left, Julian looked for you, and your aunt and I have lectured him. But what happened before truly caused you to suffer grievances. Your aunt and I would like to offer you an apology here."

"It was indeed our negligence. Elena, I'm sorry."

I pursed my lips, picked up the fruit juice, and stood up with a smile.

"Uncle, Aunt, what are you saying? I have always been incredibly grateful that you were able to take me out of that village. When I left the capital, I was truly terrified—terrified that my stepfather would kill my mother. I have never blamed you."

I drank the juice and gently wiped the corner of my lips.

Julian’s gaze remained fixed on me, never wavering for a second. Deep within his somber eyes was a mixture of bitterness and sorrow.

I blamed him.

Otherwise, why wouldn't I spare him even a single glance?

Thinking of this, Julian picked up his glass and downed two ounces of liquor in one gulp.

Seeing the atmosphere had eased up, Xie Wanzhi quickly smoothed things over: "Elena is a child with a heart of gold. You were all away at the time; how could she possibly blame you? Eat, eat, before the food gets cold."

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere softened considerably.

Xiao Jie set down her chopsticks and looked at me. The young girl had grown up fair, tender, and obedient, making her tone soften involuntarily.

"Elena, what are your plans for the future?"

I put down my chopsticks, wiped my mouth with a small handkerchief, and looked up to answer: "My father’s greatest wish was to take the college entrance exam, but he never got to fulfill it. I want to help him fulfill that wish."