Looking at these unfamiliar, slightly worn items, Qian Yu fell silent.

Perhaps she’d seen them before, but time had long since erased those memories completely. So, they felt utterly foreign to her.

"Aren’t you going to open it?" Xia Chuan suggested, noticing Qian Yu’s dazed expression.

"Mm..."

Weighed down by sorrow, Qian Yu had lost her usual spark. She murmured softly and picked up the photo album.

The album looked thick, but after a quick flip, only a quarter held photos. The rest was blank.

No wonder. Her mother had only been with her for less than four years. Given their life back then, having any photos at all was a blessing...

Qian Yu flipped through the pages. Each photo captured moments with her mother. Like puzzle pieces, they slowly rebuilt her forgotten memories...

—

"Mom, I’m hungry..."

"Hold on, Qian Yu. Mom’s bringing the food right up."

"Mom, waaah, these greens are so salty..."

"Huh? Really? Let me taste... Ptooey! They really are salty... I’m sorry, Qian Yu..."

—

"Mom, can you buy me a doll?"

"But we don’t have much money..."

"Oh..."

"...Alright, alright, I was joking. Even if we’re poor, we can afford a doll for you."

"Really? Mom is the best!"

—

"Mom, that uncle just now was so scary..."

"That’s because he’s the Demon King..."

"Eh?!!"

"Don’t be afraid. Mom’s the Hero—I’ll protect you, Qian Yu."

"Really?"

"Of course. You’re my princess, after all..."

—

Watching these photos, memories flashed like a slideshow in Qian Yu’s mind. Her eyes instantly stung with tears.

Even the happiest memories felt heart-wrenching against harsh reality.

Qian Yu sank into the past, but she hadn’t forgotten her mother was gone. That’s why it hurt so much...

After finishing the album, she closed it.

Xia Chuan saw her reddened eyes and whispered gently, "If you want to cry, it’s okay. No one else is here..."

"Pfft! Who’s crying? I’m not a kid anymore!" Qian Yu snapped back, her voice thick with a heavy sniffle.

Xia Chuan knew her too well. She was just putting on a brave face. He didn’t call her out. Instead, he nodded. "Yeah, yeah... But you haven’t opened this letter yet. Want to read it?"

Qian Yu paused, staring at the yellowed envelope.

*Is this Mom’s final letter?*

After a moment’s hesitation, she tore it open. Inside lay a page covered in delicate handwriting. She began reading silently...

—

Qian Yu, it’s Mom...

I’m sorry. By the time you see this, I... I might already be gone...

It’s not that I don’t want you. But some things forced me to leave. I might never come back...

Where am I going? You’re not even four yet—you wouldn’t understand. You might not even grasp this letter. But don’t worry. When you grow up, you’ll know where I am...

—

Qian Yu’s fingers tightened around the paper’s edges.

Her mother had worried she wouldn’t understand at age four. She never imagined her daughter would read this letter over a decade late.

Qian Yu already knew Mo Yao hadn’t just "gone somewhere." She was dead.

Death could be called a journey, but this one had no return...

—

...You might wonder why I didn’t take you with me. But I couldn’t. Unlike me, you’re young. Full of hope. You still have the whole world to see. I couldn’t drag you to that cold, dark place...

I truly, truly love you, Qian Yu. I wanted to stay forever—to watch you grow up, make friends, fall for a boy, walk down the aisle...

But...

I’m just not strong enough. In the end, I left you alone. Don’t be like me, Qian Yu. Live well, even if you’re by yourself. I know I’ve no right to say this...

I have some last words for you. Please listen carefully...

First, my savings book—the little red one. Guard it well. Never give it to anyone. It’s important. Remember that.

Also: no skipping veggies at meals; never follow strangers—they’re all bad people; stop kicking off your blankets at night, you’ll catch a cold; be kind in new places, avoid fights...

—

The letter went on, detailing every worry. Her mother hadn’t rushed it. Knowing she was leaving for a place impossibly far, she’d poured every detail onto the page. Only then could she find a sliver of peace.

—

...I know it’s a lot, but please remember it all, okay?

Still... even after all this, I can’t help worrying...

But... I have to go now...

You must hate me for leaving like this...

I know I was a terrible, useless mom...

But I don’t want you to hate me. Not even from far away...

Can you forgive me, Qian Yu?

...

Finally... it’s time to say goodbye...

Qian Yu, Mom is leaving now...

I’ll watch over you from that distant place.

So live well...

Goodbye, Qian Yu...

...

—With all my love, Mom

—

*This is Mom’s final letter?*

*But why does it only talk about her...*

Clutching the paper, Qian Yu sobbed uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheek, tracing her tear mole, and splashed onto the page.

Even in her final moments, her mother had only thought of her daughter. Her suicide might seem irresponsible to a three-and-a-half-year-old Qian Yu. But given everything, bringing Qian Yu into this world was already her greatest effort.

She wasn’t a perfect mother—she was so young. Yet her maternal instinct had given Qian Yu everything she thought was best...

She’d done enough.

*Do I hate Mom?*

Staring at the yellowed paper, Qian Yu knew the answer instantly.

*No. I love her...*

*More than anything...*

She ached to tell her that. But the person was long gone.

Xia Chuan watched Qian Yu cry. He said nothing, just stayed silent.

Afternoon sunlight felt warm and gentle. Yet on these old, worn things, it cast a lonely shadow...

—

One week later.

"Xia Chuan! How can you be this lazy? It’s already what time, and you’re still asleep!"

Qian Yu woke him at dawn, whacking his bed with a spatula. Groggy, he mumbled, "Seriously? It’s only eight! It’s Sunday—can’t I sleep in?"

He’d expected Qian Yu to stay down after reclaiming her mother’s things. Instead, she’d bounced back in days.

He was glad she was okay. But not if it meant his suffering.

"Are you senile? We promised to see Xiao Yu off today!" Qian Yu yelled, yanking his blanket away.

*Xiao Yu?*

Xia Chuan suddenly remembered. Today was the day to send off Qian Yu’s cheap girlfriend.

Guan Jinyu had been released the day after her suicide attempt. Whether from police counseling or something else, she’d abandoned those thoughts.

The driver who hit her mother was caught days later. He faced heavy charges and paid Guan Jinyu a large compensation. Her future wouldn’t be so tight anymore.

Everything seemed to improve. Yet Guan Jinyu chose to drop out and leave the city.

Understandable. This place held only bad memories—and her only family had died here. Staying would just hurt more...

Qian Yu knew this. She hadn’t tried to stop her. But as Xiao Yu’s self-proclaimed friend, she had to see her off.

And Xia Chuan, free that day, got dragged along too.

After all, he’d promised Qian Yu, so Xia Chuan forced his weary, drowsy body up. He washed up, ate breakfast, and headed to the train station with her to see off Guan Jinyu.

Today was a rest day, and the station crowd was noticeably thicker than usual.

Pushing through the throng, Xia Chuan and Qian Yu finally spotted Guan Jinyu at the entrance. She stood there laden with bags, looking slightly anxious, as if waiting for something...

But when she saw Qian Yu approach, she snapped back to her usual cold self and said:

“Qian Yu, if you’d been any slower, I’d have left already...”

“It’s all your fault, idiot Xia Chuan! You almost made me late!”

Qian Yu kicked Xia Chuan’s leg fiercely.

“What’s it got to do with me?” Xia Chuan replied, looking utterly innocent.

“Don’t play dumb! It’s ’cause you overslept!” Qian Yu shot him a sharp glare.

“Alright, alright, my bad, okay...” Xia Chuan sighed, rubbing his forehead.

Watching their exchange, Guan Jinyu froze for a moment. Guessing what it meant, she instinctively pulled Qian Yu close and whispered in her ear, too low for anyone else to hear.

At first, Qian Yu was confused when Xiao Yu tugged her away. But after the whisper, she stumbled back, blushing deeply, and stammered:

“Xiao Yu, wh-what nonsense! I could never like him...”

“Like who?” Xia Chuan asked, slightly startled.

“Definitely not you!” Qian Yu shouted instantly, flustered under his surprised gaze.

*Not that it matters—why yell so loud?*

Feeling the crowd’s stares drawn by her voice, Xia Chuan grew more flustered. To stop it spreading, he quickly changed the subject:

“Drop it. Weren’t you here to say goodbye? It’s late—go on.”

Qian Yu finally snapped to. The thought of her friend leaving hit her with sudden sadness, and the blush on her cheeks faded fast.

She turned to Guan Jinyu, took a soft breath, and smiled lightly:

“Well then, Xiao Yu, goodbye. Travel safe.”

Even at parting, she smiled while saying farewell.

*That’s what Mom taught me.*

Seeing Qian Yu’s smile, Guan Jinyu rarely smiled back:

“Mm. Goodbye...”

———

After seeing Guan Jinyu through the ticket gate, Xia Chuan and Qian Yu had no reason to stay. They headed home.

Xia Chuan walked ahead, eager for a nap. Qian Yu trailed behind, head down, lost in thought.

Honestly, the station crowd today was insane—a tide of people like a tourist hotspot.

When Qian Yu looked up, Xia Chuan was gone.

She scanned frantically, but only strangers filled her view.

For a moment, she stamped her foot in frustration.

*Idiot! Couldn’t you wait?*

Just then, a hand gripped her wrist from behind. She turned to find Xia Chuan there, having slipped back unnoticed.

“Why’d you lag? You’re not a kid—don’t wander off again...”

He tightened his hold and pulled her through the crowd.

Startled, Qian Yu didn’t resist. Only later, watching his back, did a soft smile touch her lips.

...

*You don’t have a crush on your dad, do you?*

Guan Jinyu had just asked that.

But Qian Yu always knew her heart’s answer.

*I like him. Not like family.*

*I want him all to myself. To stay by his side forever. To... be his bride.*

*This feeling might be wrong. But I won’t give up.*

A faint smile curved on her lips. She hurried to Xia Chuan’s side, frowning:

“Idiot Xia Chuan! Why rush ahead? Would waiting kill you?”

“You were just slow...”

“Even if I’m slow, can’t you match my pace?”

“Fine, fine—all my fault. Look how scared my little sweetheart is.”

“Who’s your sweetheart! Xia Chuan, you’re shameless!”

“Wow—you noticed my rare good traits. Sharp eyes...”

Laughing and bickering, they weaved through the crowd. Xia Chuan kept firm hold of Qian Yu’s wrist, never letting go.

Maybe everyone has a past they can’t shake. But it’s set in stone—no use dwelling.

These hard-won days now? Cherish them.

Growing up is cruel. Qian Yu might like another boy someday. Or maybe she’ll stay with Xia Chuan.

After all, the future’s unwritten—anything’s possible.

Time flows gently; life is serene. Whatever comes, this peaceful moment together matters most.

...

Mom, can you see?

Your daughter’s doing well. A stable life. Good friends. Even a boy I like...

So you can rest easy now.

You can... rest a little.

Goodbye, Mom...

...

——Your most loving daughter

Qian Yu's Side Story End