Fireworks Gala.

The memory is vivid; that day... was the last day you spent together.

You both went to the market, bought a lot of snacks, and watched many street performances, spending a very happy evening.

The years have passed, and you don't remember the specifics of that day, only that your sister bought you a small pot of cactus, smiling as she said you should raise it together.

You asked her why not raise other flowers?

She said because cacti are resilient, even without human care, just a little water, a bit of soil, and some sunlight, they can thrive.

After saying this, she gently patted your head and continued, "Moreover, a cactus can sprout tiny buds from its spines, watching them grow and mature until one day someone picks them from the branch, allowing them to have their own life in another soil."

You nodded, half-understanding, then asked:

"But if no one breaks them off, can't the cactus and its buds stay together forever?"

Bai Xi was stunned, looking at you, her eyes flickering, turning her head to the side, wiping the corners of her eyes before turning back with a gentle smile:

"Yes... that's right..."

"Then let's raise it together so that the cactus and its buds will always be together, never broken apart by anyone, okay?"

You nodded vigorously.

Then, without warning, Bai Xi knelt on one knee, tightly embracing you.

She was crying.

Her shoulders shook, each tremor a silent sob.

You were at a loss, so you used your small hands to pat her back, feeling the damp fabric on her shoulder, cooing to comfort her.

The next moment, her body suddenly stiffened, as if she had seen something terrifying, quickly pulling you behind her, shielding you with her body.

Curious, you peeked from behind, instinctively looking ahead, only to see several black-clothed people wearing sunglasses forming a human wall, blocking your path.

Suddenly, you wanted to retreat, to return to the time when you lived together, but... no matter what, you couldn't go back.

"Miss," the leading black-clothed person said with a smile, "It's been four years, you should go back to see the master and madam, they miss you very much."

Bai Xi sneered, mocking, "It seems that the so-called Chen family's eldest son is truly infatuated, four years and he still won't let go of a weak woman like me?"

Hearing this, the black-clothed person was visibly stunned but quickly regained composure, continuing to explain, "Miss, you might not know, but last year, your fiancé Mr. Chen passed away from lung disease."

"Dead?"

Bai Xi was puzzled, frowning as she asked, "He's been dead for a year, why does the old man still insist on me going back? Do you think I'm a fool!?"

"No, no... Miss," the black-clothed person smiled, his tone still inexplicably annoying, "We are here to take you home, and also to congratulate you, you will soon become the young mistress of the Chen family."

"Congratulations, my ass!"

Bai Xi pointed at him, cursing without regard for her image, "Do you really take me for a fool? The Chen family has a hereditary lung disease, it's common knowledge in Wanghai City that they have only one heir per generation. Now that the Chen guy is dead, who the hell is going to marry me!? Is he going to crawl out of the coffin!?"

When you're just trying to make great content at pawread.com .

To this, the black-clothed person showed no anger, instead bending over, still smiling:

"Miss, I already told you, you will soon become the young mistress of the Chen family, the only... mistress."

Hearing this, Bai Xi's pupils contracted sharply, her lips parted as if she had heard something incredibly shocking, remaining silent for a long time.

Until her lips curled into a strange arc.

Her shoulders shook as she laughed powerlessly, her voice filled with endless desolation, looking up at the black-clothed people in front of her, muttering to herself:

"Hahaha... it seems the old man has truly gone senile, so obsessed with money that he doesn't even know the Chen family's situation."

"How many aunts of the Chen family are eyeing their money... asking me to marry a dead man and have a child, then cooperate with them to change the inheritance agreement, not only gaining nothing but also losing a marriage pawn, how is that different from sending me to my death!?"

Facing the girl's lament, the black-clothed person suddenly grinned, a sinister smile on his face, then said:

"Miss, I think you still don't quite understand..."

"Your marriage is actually the master's idea..."

Bai Xi's eyes trembled, her gaze vacant, once again stunned, but this time more severely than ever before.

Until... she saw everything clearly.

Despair spread in her heart, at that moment, she realized she had already been sold by her father, the purpose... was just to exchange for some money and connections, giving those eyeing the Chen family a legitimate opportunity to divide the inheritance.

From the moment she was abandoned, she was already dead.

Knowing the truth, she trembled all over, bursting into fits of hysterical laughter, as if mocking the world, and her own naivety for ever believing in the man called father.

Until... she caught sight of you hiding behind her.

That look in her eyes, you could never forget.

Silence, silence.

Something in the air was rotting, you could smell it, but had no power to stop its demise.

"Miss... we are just following orders," the black-clothed person who had been silent suddenly spoke, this time with a hint of pity in his voice, "please don't make things too difficult for us..."

Bai Xi restrained her smile, gave you one last look, then turned to face the leading black-clothed person, asking:

"Hey, leader, if you want me to go back with you, I have a few requests, I wonder if the old man will agree to his own daughter's demands!?"

The other hesitated, pressing a finger to his earpiece, then nodded after a few seconds:

"Please speak, we will do our best to fulfill them."

Hearing this, Bai Xi exhaled deeply, her tone somewhat relieved, pointing at you, she said: "First, I want this child's absolute safety, no matter what happens to me, before or after, it has nothing to do with him."

The black-clothed person nodded, agreeing readily: "That is expected, we don't want any unnecessary trouble."

Bai Xi sighed in relief, then continued: "Also, this child's parents are working out of town, I want them to return to Wanghai City, to take care of him while having a well-paid job, surely the wealthy Old Master Bai won't refuse such a small condition?"

"That's not difficult." The black-clothed person nodded again, agreeing.

"And the last condition... that is..." The girl's eyes flickered, looking at you, she said: "Can I have a moment alone with this child..."

This seemingly simplest request troubled the other, pressing his earpiece while frowning, finally gritting his teeth, tearing it off and crushing it.

"Miss... I can only get you this much... time is short, say what you need to say quickly..."

Watching the black-clothed group leave, Bai Xi nodded with a smile, softly saying:

"Thank you..."

…………

Now, only the two of you remain.

Bai Xi squatted down, holding your sleeve, her voice as gentle as ever: "Little Feng, how is it, did you wear too little today? Are you cold?"

You shook your head, tears streaming down.

"Then are you hungry?" Bai Xi continued to ask: "Sister is a bit hungry, are there any grilled balls left from earlier?"

You trembled as you took out the skewer of grilled fish balls from the bag, handing it to her, watching as she took a bite, satisfied:

"Mm... as expected, Little Feng's share tastes better..."

Swallowing the food, she glanced at her watch, then looked back at your face, seriously reminding:

"Remember from now on, you must take good care of yourself, don't just swallow your anger if bullied by classmates, don't use snacks as meals, and don't secretly cry at night because you miss me..."

"And, this is for you..."

Bai Xi handed over the bag, inside was the cactus you just bought, she wanted to say something, but her voice was already choked with sobs:

"In the future... if you miss sister, just look at it... it's so resilient... even without nourishment, the little buds can live well on their own... right?"

As she spoke, she gently wiped your tear-stained eyes with her fingers, murmuring as she did:

"Really, crying, crying, just know how to cry, such a crybaby, making sister feel a bit sad too..."

"Don't cry, be good, just like before, give sister a smile, okay?"

You...

Cried and smiled.