◎He was once my forever.◎

That evening, Fu Jiaxi invited Bai Duo out.

“How rare for you to take the initiative to invite me out. Where’s my godson?” Bai Duo clinked glasses with her. The alcohol had a slight burn.

“He’s over there.” Fu Jiaxi rested her cheek on her hand. Her face reddened easily when she drank, and the glow lent her a fragile beauty.

“You’re feeling down about quitting your job, aren’t you?” Bai Duo understood her and couldn’t help but feel indignant on her behalf. “You should’ve used Yue Jincheng’s influence—it would’ve made things so much easier. What’s the point of avoiding suspicion? Did you even consider him? You should’ve focused on earning more money and stopped sympathizing with men.”

Fu Jiaxi sipped her drink, the sharpness of the alcohol mirroring the bitterness in her smile. “You think I’m considering him? Fine, let’s just say that’s what you believe.”

Was living under someone’s shadow really something to be proud of?

Fu Jiaxi shook her head. “Maybe you’re right, but I can’t do it.”

Bai Duo spoke candidly. “After all these years with Yue Jincheng, he’s always been generous toward you.”

No sarcasm, no ridicule, no belittlement. He truly fulfilled the basic duties of a husband quite well.

Fu Jiaxi curved her lips faintly. “Even his generosity is framed as a virtue, while all my efforts—to simply maintain my sense of self—are seen as unreasonable?”

Bai Duo sighed. “I just think you’ve worked too hard.”

Fu Jiaxi tilted her head back, downing her drink in one gulp, and smiled bitterly. “If I were afraid of hardship, I wouldn’t have come this far. Though we’re divorced, with Jiayi around, I can’t completely separate from him. No matter how hard I try, as soon as people hear Yue Jincheng’s name, all attention shifts to him. So… what am I?”

Bai Duo defended her indignantly. “He’s your child’s father and was once your husband. Why shouldn’t he shoulder some responsibility? It’s only fair.”

The glass in her hand spun gently, refracting light. Fu Jiaxi’s eyes seemed like translucent glass—ethereal and distant. “You said ‘was,’ didn’t you? He was once… my forever.”

Bai Duo felt a pang of sadness, her expression heavy.

Fu Jiaxi smiled faintly. “It’s fine. I understand clearly, and I’ve never regretted my decisions. Can you call a designated driver for me? I need to go pick up Jiayi.”

________________________________________

On the other side, Yue Jiayi successfully assembled his model car and excitedly asked his father to take a photo to share with his mother.

Yue Jincheng helped him pose for the picture. Just as he was about to send it, Fu Jiaxi called, her voice anxious. “Sorry, could Jiayi stay with you tonight? Something urgent came up.”

Yue Jincheng immediately stood up. “What happened?”

“I need to go back to Xinchao,” Fu Jiaxi replied.

“Now? By yourself? How are you getting there?”

The call ended abruptly.

Yue Jiayi set down the model car. “Is Mommy not coming to pick me up?”

“Mommy has something to take care of. Would you like to stay here tonight?” Yue Jincheng squatted down, leveling his gaze with his son’s. “Aunt Mingxin will tell you stories.”

“Daddy, what about you?”

“I’m not at ease leaving Mommy alone,” Yue Jincheng replied.

After settling his son, Yue Jincheng grabbed a jacket and a stack of cash before heading out.

The housekeeper hurried after him. “Mr. Yue, do you need a driver?”

“No,” Yue Jincheng instructed. “Arrange for someone to take Jiayi to kindergarten tomorrow morning.”

________________________________________

From Jincheng to Xinchao, it was a 320-kilometer drive, taking three and a half hours.

The designated driver was visibly nervous. “Are you sure you’ll come back tonight? Don’t leave me stranded—I’d have to pay for the return trip myself.”

Fu Jiaxi reassured him repeatedly. “Don’t worry.”

“You could transfer the return fare to me now.”

“My car is here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“Alright,” the young man said. “Don’t rush. As long as they get to the hospital in time, everything will be fine.”

“Mm,” Fu Jiaxi murmured.

From her phone calls, the driver deduced the situation and chatted enthusiastically. “Is it your dad or mom? What’s wrong?”

“It’s my uncle,” Fu Jiaxi replied.

Xu Fang had frantically called earlier—Yuan Dingguo had suffered a heart attack and collapsed. An ambulance had been called, and there were risk forms to sign and stents to be inserted. She urgently urged Fu Jiaxi to return.

En route, Fu Jiaxi sent a message asking, “How’s Uncle’s condition?”

Xu Fang didn’t reply.

She held her phone tightly in her palm, not making another call.

The driver remarked, “You’re surprisingly calm. Aren’t you worried?”

Late at night, the sparse lights outside the car window reflected her weary smile. “Worrying won’t help.”

After exiting the highway, there were only two kilometers left to her uncle’s house.

At this moment, Xu Fang finally replied:

“Old Yuan is fine now. Xi Xi, you don’t need to come back.”

Fu Jiaxi’s fingers froze on the screen.

The navigation system chimed: “Your destination is on the right.”

She turned her head to look at the brightly lit building less than ten meters away, its lights glaring in the night.

The driver said, “Go ahead. I’ll take a nap in your car.”

“Sure,” Fu Jiaxi replied. “But you’ll have to leave your ID with me.”

“...” The driver gave her a thumbs-up. “Props to your caution.”

When Xu Fang opened the door, she muttered complaints. “Who could it be at this hour?”

Upon recognizing the visitor, she exclaimed in surprise, “Oh, Xi Xi! What are you doing here? Old Yuan’s fine now. Did you really come all this way?”

Fu Jiaxi replied calmly, “Sorry, I saw your message late.”

Xu Fang forced an awkward laugh, not mentioning the text she had sent just ten minutes ago. “Come in, come in.”

Yuan Dingguo sat up weakly from his bed but seemed stable. “Jiaxi’s back! Have you eaten? Are you hungry? Come, sit down—Yuan You, are you blind? Can’t you see your sister’s here? Go pour some water... cough, cough, cough.”

The young man sprawled on the couch, still engrossed in his mobile game, lazily dismissed her. “Mom, you pour it.”

“You little brat!” Yuan Dingguo kicked at him weakly, losing his balance and clutching his chest, gasping for air.

“I’m not thirsty. Please rest,” Fu Jiaxi interjected smoothly, diffusing the tension.

“It’s an acute episode—his old ailment,” Uncle Yuan explained, pointing to a large bag of medication on the table. He sighed. “He’s been taking these for so many years that there’s no more room in the cabinets.”

Xu Fang poured a glass of water and handed Fu Jiaxi an apple, her expression troubled. “Many of these medications are imported—the medical insurance doesn’t cover them. It’s all out-of-pocket.”

“Health comes first,” Fu Jiaxi said, pulling out a red envelope from her bag. “I didn’t have time to bring anything this trip, but you can use this to buy something you like.”

“Oh! You don’t need to give us anything!” Uncle Yuan protested feebly.

“Take it.”

“Ai… Jiaxi is always so thoughtful,” Uncle Yuan said, turning to his son and raising his voice. “You useless brat, learn from your sister!”

One person insisted on giving, the other pretended to refuse—but the outcome was inevitable. The gift was accepted.

Xu Fang spoke up. “Stay here tonight. I’ll prepare a bed for you.”

“No, Aunt Xu,” Fu Jiaxi stood up. “It’s just a coincidence—I happened to be nearby for work and thought I’d drop by to check on Uncle. My friend’s waiting for me, so I’ll stay with her tonight.”

“Oh, oh, is it Yao Yao?” Xu Fang smiled politely. “Every time you come, you stay at her place. Don’t trouble others—you should stay here; it’s more convenient.”

Fu Jiaxi smiled faintly. “Uncle and Aunt Xu, rest early and take care of yourselves.”

“Eh, eh, take the apple with you then.”

As Fu Jiaxi left her uncle’s house, she glanced back one last time.

The newly renovated self-built house was just one of many in Xinchao, a town famous for its tourism. Under government planning, many had turned into guesthouses. Yet, despite its lively atmosphere, this place no longer felt like home to her.

The designated driver was snoring softly in the car. Fu Jiaxi’s hand hovered over the door handle before she pulled it back.

She leaned against the car door, head bowed, absently scuffing the pebbles beneath her feet.

When headlights swept past, she instinctively looked up.

A black car was turning around. As it faced her direction, Fu Jiaxi frowned, unsure.

Then, the car came to a stop, and Yue Jincheng stepped out of the driver’s seat, walking toward her like a towering pine tree—both real and surreal.

“You… how did you get here?”

“I was worried, so I came to check on you.”

He was honest, not bothering with excuses. Seeing Fu Jiaxi, his tense expression visibly softened.

“What happened to Uncle?”

“It’s nothing—just his usual condition.” Fu Jiaxi brushed it off lightly, unwilling to dwell on the topic.

Yue Jincheng retrieved a coat from the car and handed it to her. “Put this on—it’s colder here than in Jincheng.”

“I’m not cold.”

His outstretched hand paused mid-air, silently insisting.

Fu Jiaxi relented, taking the coat and draping it loosely over her wrist.

“Let’s go find a hotel to rest,” Yue Jincheng suggested.

Fu Jiaxi hesitated. Her relationship with her uncle’s family was complicated. During their early dating days, every time they visited, she never stayed overnight at her uncle’s house. Instead, she would lead him to stay elsewhere.

At first, Yue Jincheng didn’t understand and would tease her. “What, afraid I’ll disturb your performance?”

Fu Jiaxi pinched his cheek in mock anger. “So big-headed!”

“I know—you said so last night.”

“…”

Later, he learned the reason behind her actions.

Each time he saw her gaze—like a boat that had sailed past countless mountains, yet still seemed bruised by the sand—it pained him deeply.

Xinchao was hosting a tourism festival, and nearly all the rooms were booked. After checking three hotels, only one double room remained.

“Let’s take it,” Yue Jincheng decided.

“Maybe we should keep looking,” Fu Jiaxi said, her voice hoarse.

“You’re exhausted,” Yue Jincheng replied.

Fu Jiaxi didn’t argue further.

Neither of them had brought luggage, so after a quick shower, they made do.

Yue Jincheng was considerate, giving her space. “There’s a late-night snack shop downstairs. I’ll go grab something to eat.”

Fu Jiaxi nodded as he left the room.

After freshening up, the faint scent of tea still lingered in the air.

Fu Jiaxi drew back the curtains.

Down below, Yue Jincheng stood by a stone pillar, pacing and smoking alone.

At the same moment, he looked up. Instinctively, Fu Jiaxi ducked away, letting the curtain flutter gently, pretending it was just the night breeze.

After a day of rushing around, her tightly wound nerves finally relaxed, leaving her body feeling like a puddle of soft mud.

Fu Jiaxi rested her head on her arm, her eyelids growing heavy as they closed.

Her mind was like a door being battered by the wind—half-open, half-closed. Drafts blew through, rain splattered, thunder roared, and lightning flashed. Even in her dreams, the noise crashed loudly—like the chaotic fireworks on the day of her parents’ funeral, or the heated arguments between her uncle and aunt about whether to take her in.

Fu Jiaxi remembered it clearly.

It was summer, and fiery clouds rolled outside the window like flames.

“She has compensation money.”

“This area might face demolition soon. Another person means more money.”

“Too much trouble. How can we claim that compensation? Besides…” Uncle Yuan’s voice again, “…since we don’t have children of our own, we’ll need someone to take care of us in old age.”

So money really was a good thing—at least it gave her a place to shelter from the storms… or so she thought.

Fu Jiaxi also had some warm memories. Her uncle would ride her to buy cotton candy on his bike. Her aunt brought a basket of sweet persimmons from her family home for her to eat. There was the fragrant chicken leg on the dinner table and the little bear hair tie her aunt bought specially from the store after finishing her shift at the chemical plant.

She always remembered the little bear hair tie—the thin elastic exposed at the seam. Like a thread, it could snap with just a little force.

Fu Jiaxi was always careful when tying her hair, but eventually, it broke.

In third grade, during gym class, she fainted on the playground and was rushed to the hospital for tests. Through her haze, she heard her aunt’s angry shout.

“Didn’t the doctor say it might be leukemia?!”

“It’s not confirmed—only a possibility.”

“The doctor said that to comfort you. This illness is a bottomless pit. Spending money won’t cure it! If you insist, I… we’ll divorce!”

Fu Jiaxi didn’t fully understand, but she heard her aunt’s sobs and her uncle’s sighs.

“Xi Xi, tomorrow Uncle will take you shopping for new clothes. Your birthday is coming up—you should look pretty.”

“Wear an extra coat. Switch to the thicker sweater—it’s going to get colder. I don’t want you catching a cold.”

Fu Jiaxi happily complied. Her uncle’s concern instantly smoothed over her confused worries.

“Xi Xi, this bag has water, cookies, and snacks. Just stand here and wait. I’ll use the restroom and come right back.”

“Okay, okay.”

“If you get tired of standing, sit by the road for a bit.”

“Uncle, I’ll just stand here and wait. I won’t wander off.”

“Good girl… good girl.”

She stood there, smiling and waving.

Uncle Yuan kept looking back, torn with hesitation. In the end, he never returned.

Nine-year-old Fu Jiaxi, clutching a bag of new clothes, waited from bright sunshine to gusty winds, from dawn to dusk.

Fear, panic, loneliness, helplessness, confusion—all these emotions coalesced into one word: abandonment.

Oh, she was a child abandoned twice.

This was a dream she couldn’t wake from. Standing inside it as an observer, Fu Jiaxi replayed the scene vividly.

She saw herself standing in a bustling market. She wanted to shout, “Don’t wait foolishly! Go after your uncle!”

But the little girl only gazed at her with innocent, deer-like eyes, full of confusion.

Fu Jiaxi couldn’t make a sound. Helplessly, she watched her younger self cry and cry.

Like a lone boat swaying in the deep sea, at the mercy of the waves. The sense of weightlessness left her suffocating and despairing.

Suddenly, a rock-solid presence pressed against her back.

Warmth radiated through her spine, second by second, guiding her back to a safe harbor.

Fu Jiaxi trembled, instinctively leaning closer to the source of warmth.

Yue Jincheng held her tightly, his palm soothing her long hair with gentle strokes.

“Jiaxi, I’m here, I’m here…” he repeated, over and over. “…I’m here, I’m here.”

Fu Jiaxi turned over, burrowing deeper into his embrace.

Like stepping out of an icy memory into a warm room, tears still clinging to the corners of her eyes, she finally fell into a deep sleep.