In early November, the weather turned thoroughly cold, and everyone had no choice but to put on slightly thicker autumn clothing.

The big event happening in the neighborhood recently was that Officer Pei’s family was moving.

Cao Li and Pei Haobin had registered their marriage for over a year and had lived in the neighborhood for a year. This woman had quite a knack for getting along with people—she had made several friends in the neighborhood.

However, Zhao Zhilan had gotten along fairly well with Pei Haobin’s ex-wife Jiang Wenjuan back then, so facing Cao Li this past year had created many awkward situations. Therefore, her relationship with Cao Li wasn’t as good as the other ladies’.

Speaking of which, moving to a new home was also a happy occasion. Pei Haobin specifically chose an auspicious day to move.

Pei Haobin was incorruptible—he refused all gifts from neighbors outright and also instructed Cao Li not to accept any. Although Cao Li felt somewhat regretful in her heart, she understood clearly about such important matters and quickly agreed.

When the Pei family hired a moving company and began preparing to move, Pei Haobin hesitantly asked Bai Yutong again.

“He really said he wouldn’t come back?”

Bai Yutong’s eyes flickered evasively as she stammered, “Mm, yes.”

Pei Haobin let out a long sigh. That slap was like an abyss separating him and Pei Chuan. He couldn’t bring himself to cross it, and Pei Chuan’s personality naturally wouldn’t compromise either.

However, if Pei Chuan didn’t come back, what would happen when he discovered one day that his old home was gone?

Pei Chunli and Liu Dong also came to congratulate the Pei family on their move.

Liu Dong’s face was glowing. “Big Brother, just say the word if there’s anywhere you need my help. Oh, is this Tongtong? She’s grown even prettier than last year. Sister-in-law looks well too.”

Cao Li was pleased to hear the flattery and quickly poured tea for the couple. “Not at all, not at all.”

Pei Chunli spoke hesitantly. “Brother, you’re moving, but what about Xiao Chuan…”

The festive atmosphere seemed to hit a pause button. Liu Dong secretly pinched his tactless wife hard.

Pei Chunli was overcome with sadness, remembering how over a year ago, the lonely young man had stayed by Pei Haobin’s side alone, afraid his father would never wake up again. At that time, with no one to care for him, her family’s heartless and obsequious husband Liu Dong had also refused to take in Pei Chuan.

Pei Chunli was at least Pei Chuan’s blood aunt. Even though the atmosphere was wrong, she forced herself to finish speaking painfully. “Xiao Chuan won’t come of age until next summer. How can he manage alone out there? Big Brother, the child is a bit rebellious, but that’s not a crime. What about when he goes to university later, finds work, gets married—how will he manage without family?”

Liu Dong saw Pei Haobin’s silent expression and quickly said, “Chunli doesn’t understand things. Xiao Chuan is very capable—hasn’t he been fine this past year?”

Bai Yutong said nothing. Naturally, she didn’t want Pei Chuan to come back. That person had a terrifying temper—just thinking about him made her heart tremble with fear. However, not wanting Pei Chuan to return was something that could never be said openly. No matter how stupid she was, she couldn’t say it in front of Uncle Pei.

Instead, Cao Li smoothed things over with a smile. “Chunli has a point, but a few days ago our Tongtong went to ask, and that child was unwilling to come back.”

Liu Dong thought disdainfully—a cripple wanting to go to university and get married? Thinking too highly of himself. Which family would be willing to marry their daughter to him? Only his wife had no brains. But in front of Officer Pei, he couldn’t possibly scold Pei Chunli. He could only watch Pei Haobin.

Pei Haobin said with his head lowered, “I’ll go ask him after work.”

He was, after all, the head of the household. His temperament wasn’t vastly different from Pei Chunli’s. Having made this decision, no one dared object.

Pei Haobin came to No. 3 High School at dusk. It was his first time here, and he felt somewhat ill at ease.

No. 3 High School had just started evening self-study. Pei Haobin went to find Pei Chuan’s homeroom teacher.

Pei Chuan’s homeroom teacher was a woman around forty years old. After understanding why Pei Haobin had come, she said in surprise, “You’re his father? But his file says both parents are deceased.”

Pei Haobin was shocked, angry that this rebellious son had even altered his records.

The homeroom teacher said, “Since you’re his father, it’s been a year or two—why have you never appeared? You didn’t come to parent-teacher conferences, never asked about his situation. Originally, seeing he was admitted through recommendation, we had high expectations. But later he mixed with those rich kids in class, wasting his days away. We can’t even control him. And you, as his parent, never thought to intervene.”

Pei Haobin’s heart felt belatedly cold.

What stood between him and Pei Chuan had never been the divorce from Jiang Wenjuan. There were also those severed legs—in the dead of night, the nightmare he and Jiang Wenjuan shared, their son’s medal stained red with blood.

Both parents deceased.

This was Pei Chuan’s perception and choice.

Pei Haobin didn’t know how he walked out of the school. His posture remained upright—after all, he was only forty this year. But his heart felt like it was weighed down by a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.

The Pei family still moved in the end. The neighborhood had lost another household.

The Pei family packed and took away many things. In the end, no one went to call Pei Chuan.

~

Zhao Zhilan said, “Although Officer Pei is a good person, I always feel he’s missing something when it comes to Pei Chuan. Sigh, it makes me angry just talking about it.”

However, other people’s family affairs were at most topics for casual conversation.

After autumn passed, winter came quickly. Little Bei Jun had grown another year older after the New Year. Last year’s old padded jacket no longer fit, and it was time for him to attend preschool.

Zhao Zhilan was under heavy pressure. She had missed a year of work when giving birth to her second child. Two children were an enormous burden on the family.

Not to mention every family had its difficulties to recite. Her family’s difficulty was her own younger brother—Bei Yao and Bei Jun’s uncle. He had hit someone with his car before, and a lot of money had been spent to bail him out. All the Bei family’s savings had been thrown into it.

Zhao Xing was useless. In the years since, he had been wasting away at home. The money couldn’t be repaid—he’d become a bottomless pit.

Zhao Zhilan felt very sorry toward her husband and children.

Although she wouldn’t lend Zhao Xing another cent, the money already lent was gone. She couldn’t just kill him, could she? The one suffering most now was Bei Yao’s grandmother. After all, Zhao Xing was grandmother’s only biological son. That era’s preference for sons over daughters was too severe.

It was almost 2008. Zhao Xiu’s family was living better and better. The Pei family had also moved. Even Chen Hu’s family had been doing quite well these past two years. Only their family, because of Zhao Xing’s situation, was having a hard time.

Zhao Zhilan simply put Bei Yao’s childhood clothes on Bei Jun. “You’re not as delicate as your sister anyway. Isn’t it all the same what you wear? Just make do this year.”

Bei Jun wore the girls’ clothing, holding his little sword, and didn’t mind—he was wild and carefree.

Children this age didn’t care that much about face.

Only Bei Yao found it both funny and sad, feeling somewhat sorry for her younger brother.

Zhao Zhilan said, “Yaoyao needs to buy new clothes. She’ll be seventeen next year. A couple days ago I saw a winter dress in a shop—everyone says it looks best on young girls.”

Before Bei Yao could refuse, Bei Jun said, “Good! Buy sister something pretty!”

Zhao Zhilan thought to herself that at least she hadn’t given birth to this son in vain. He knew to care for the family’s only girl.

In December, C City saw its first snowfall of the year. Zhao Zhilan and Bei Lican both went to work. Bei Jun said, “Sister, I really want to go play in the city center. I heard that during New Year’s, the city center has really bright lights, and people build snowmen. Xiao Gang’s toy gun was also bought in the city center.”

Bei Yao’s school was in the city center—she was familiar with that area. She looked at her younger brother’s mismatched outfit, then went back to her room to take out her savings. “Let’s go. Sister will take you to buy clothes.”

Bei Jun didn’t care about clothes or whatever—being able to go out made him so happy he could flip with joy.

Bei Yao carried Bei Jun to catch the bus. Not long after, a dispirited man walked out from a corner. He watched Bei Yao and her brother walk away, then knocked on the door. “Sis! Brother-in-law!”

No one answered.

Zhao Xing anxiously rubbed his hands. Thinking of his wife making a fuss about divorce, he chased after the direction the siblings had left.

~

Although it was snowing in C City’s winter, it wasn’t particularly cold.

Bei Yao held her brother’s hand. Small children get hungry easily. Bei Yao looked at the money in her pocket and took him to KFC, which Bei Jun had never eaten in his entire life.

Walking out of the KFC store, Bei Jun still didn’t forget to suck his fingers. “Sister, this ‘De Ji’ is really delicious.”

Bei Yao wiped his mouth. “Small children can’t eat too much of it. If you eat too much, you won’t grow tall.”

She had meant to keep him from obsessing over it, but Bei Jun thought for a moment. “If I can eat this ‘De Ji,’ not growing tall doesn’t matter.”

“…”

End of 2007.

Heavy snow fell in flurries. Bei Yao held her brother’s hand. Her small face was porcelain white, even prettier than an ice sculpture. Even hurried passersby on the street couldn’t help but glance at her a few times.

Bei Yao did remember to buy her brother a padded jacket. Her strength wasn’t great—she couldn’t carry him the whole time, so she held his hand as they walked.

The country had successfully bid for the Olympics. The streets were full of prosperity—2008 would surely be a very good year.

She bought Bei Jun new clothes, then held her brother’s hand and got on the bus home.

Zhao Xing had been following them the whole way but hadn’t found a good opportunity. His niece was good-looking—wherever she stood, she attracted attention. Anxious in his heart, he could only force himself to be patient. His sister Zhao Zhilan was no longer willing to lend him money. He could only resort to this desperate measure.

But if he waited any longer, Bei Yao would take Bei Jun home.

Zhao Xing couldn’t care about that anymore—after all, this was his own nephew. He suddenly rushed over, picked up Bei Jun, and ran.

Bei Jun was holding his sister’s hand. When someone picked him up, he was scared and refused to let go. “Sister! Sister!”

Bei Yao was also startled. After seeing who it was, a bad premonition rose in her heart. “Uncle.”

“Let go, Bei Yao! I’m just taking Bei Jun to play for a couple days.”

How could Bei Yao let go? She immediately shouted, “Someone’s kidnapping a child!”

The crowd looked over one after another. Zhao Xing’s face flushed red. “What nonsense are you spouting? I’m your uncle!”

He gritted his teeth and pushed Bei Yao hard, then picked up Bei Jun and left. Bei Yao wouldn’t let go, but small children’s bones are fragile—if she didn’t let go, Bei Jun’s arm might be pulled apart.

Zhao Xing didn’t care about these things, but she had to.

Bei Yao looked around, her eyes red with urgency. “Please, everyone, he’s a human trafficker!”

Bei Jun cried miserably. Some people felt compassion and came over to stop Zhao Xing.

Zhao Xing’s eyes turned vicious. “Don’t come closer, don’t come closer!” He actually pulled out a folding knife and held it against Bei Jun. “I’m this child’s uncle. I won’t hurt him. Get away, all of you get away.”

Someone had already quietly called the police. This action made Zhao Xing’s already taut nerves nearly collapse. “Don’t call the police!”

~

When Pei Chuan ran down, Jin Ziyang and the others hadn’t reacted yet.

This area’s shopping mall had newly opened—it was part of Ji Wei’s family business. Who knew there would be a commotion below? Originally going to watch the excitement, who would have thought Pei Chuan’s expression would change so dramatically in an instant?

Zhao Xing’s face was covered in snot and tears, his body twitching slightly. Bei Jun in his arms was terrified, wailing loudly.

Zhao Xing couldn’t hold him steady. Bei Jun fell down.

Bei Yao pushed through the crowd and went forward to hold her brother.

Zhao Xing’s eyes were bloodshot. “Don’t snatch him, don’t snatch!” He had lost all reason and stabbed with the knife.

Snowflakes fell on her eyelids. Bei Yao closed her eyes tightly.

Bei Jun cried earth-shatteringly. The next moment, a warm embrace held them both together.

He gripped the knife. The blade was sharp, piercing straight through his palm.

Pei Chuan stood up and punched Zhao Xing in the face.

Seven years of boxing—if he was going to beat someone up, no one could stop him.

When Jin Ziyang and the others came down, that man called Zhao Xing’s face had not only tears and snot but also fresh blood. He was curled up on the ground.

Ji Wei was frightened and somewhat afraid to look.

Pei Chuan seemed to have gone mad with rage, punch after punch. After just three punches, Zhao Xing’s breath was faint as a thread. That knife—if it hadn’t pierced through his palm, it would have stabbed Bei Yao.

Bei Yao called out loudly, “Pei Chuan!”

Pei Chuan’s arm veins bulged. He shuddered and released Zhao Xing. Someone in the crowd had already called the police.

The police car arrived first, then the ambulance.

Bei Jun cried, “Sister, my hand hurts.”

Pei Chuan stood quietly to the side and turned to leave.

Bei Yao was both worried and had a headache. In Zhao Xing’s condition, he would definitely be sent to the hospital under police supervision. Bei Jun also needed to go to the hospital for a checkup. Bei Yao put him on the ambulance and asked the nurse, “Please help me look after my brother. Please wait for me.”

She ran through the snowy ground. Before Pei Chuan could walk toward Jin Ziyang and the others, she reached out and grasped his uninjured hand.

Pei Chuan frowned and turned back, his voice somewhat hoarse. “What is it?”

“Come with me to the hospital.” She raised her eyes, reflecting his image within them.

Pei Chuan pressed his lips together. “I’m not going.”

He raised his hand to shake off Bei Yao’s hand. His other injured hand hurt terribly, blood flowing freely. It was very difficult for him to speak as if nothing had happened.

Ji Wei said softly behind him, “Brother Chuan, maybe you should still go…”

“Shut up!”

Ji Wei obediently shut up.

Bei Yao was furious. From childhood until now, she had never had any way to deal with the stubborn Pei Chuan. What did he plan to do? Being so resistant to hospitals—was he going to wait for his private doctor to come over and treat it carelessly?

Pei Chuan had already broken free of her hand. After all, with Bei Yao’s little bit of strength, if he really wanted to break free, it was as easy as turning his hand.

Bei Yao was angry, afraid, and filled with an indescribable sadness.

Why are you so worrying and annoying!

A teardrop rolled down as she sobbed and cried.

Bei Jun in the distance saw his sister crying and wailed even louder with a cry. Pei Chuan furrowed his brows tightly, glancing at Bei Yao, then at the ear-piercing wails of Bei Jun.

The little boy was wearing Bei Yao’s childhood pink and tender clothes. Pei Chuan paused.

The siblings were both exquisitely carved like jade. Their crying was heart-wrenching.

Pei Chuan was very irritated. “Let’s go then.”

In the end, he still followed them to the hospital. The doctor exclaimed in wonder, “That little child’s hand is fine—his fingers were scratched by fingernails. But you…” He pointed at Pei Chuan. “Such a huge bloody hole—do you think you’re Guan Gong or something?”

Disinfecting, stitching, bandaging. The whole series took quite a while. Fortunately, the bone wasn’t injured.

Bei Jun’s hand cried very loudly when disinfected with alcohol. After the disinfection was done, Bei Yao blew on it for him, and only then did he cry himself to sleep.

Pei Chuan was next door. She put down her brother and went to see him.

The young man didn’t make a sound—stubborn as could be.

He just bit down hard on his teeth.

When Bei Yao went over, the doctor had already finished bandaging and left.

Outside the window, it was dusk. Heavy snow like goose feathers fell in flurries—very beautiful. Pei Chuan stood up to leave and happened to meet Bei Yao at the door.

Her eyes were filled with the purity of ice and snow as she said softly, “I’m sorry… thank you.”

His hand still hurt. His voice was hoarse. “It’s nothing. Please move aside.”

After all, Bai Yutong’s words that day were still like a thorn, making him want to suppress and hibernate his feelings this whole winter.

Pitiful, you’re so pitiful.

Bei Yao looked at the young man’s pale and indifferent face. Suddenly remembering what she had searched that night, she said softly, “Um… just now my brother was in pain too. He said there’s a method that makes it not hurt.”

He frowned. Impossible.

Bei Yao steeled her heart to try it. Her cheeks were slightly flushed as she looked at Pei Chuan, who was much taller than her. “Sit down.”

He didn’t want to humor her foolishness, but it had truly been too long since he’d seen her. From early autumn to the snowfall, once Pei Haobin moved away, he had only seen her from a distance once.

He sat down silently.

Bei Yao’s ear tips turned slightly red. His pitch-black pupils looked over.

Her heart thumped rapidly. Outside the window flew December snow. They said Christmas was coming soon—every child would have a gift.

She closed her butterfly-wing lashes, bent her waist slightly, and her cherry lips, very lightly, very lightly, kissed the young man’s cheek.

Touching and separating in an instant.

She ran out with her face completely red from panic. He sat there dumbfounded, his heart exploding.

In Pei Chuan’s world, the snow stopped in an instant.

Where did she hear about this pain relief method? Damn it…