Chapter 15

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Yu An had never experienced such a pounding in his chest before. Smiling, he ran over, not caring that the wind had tousled his bangs, and reached Gu Yuzhou in one breath. When their eyes met, the man’s gaze was warm and smiling. Only then did Yu An shyly fix his hair, though the corners of his mouth still curved up uncontrollably. “Good evening, Mr. Gu!” Gu Yuzhou’s lips twitched in response, and he said, “Mm, get in the car first.”

Yu An took the initiative to sit in the back seat and noticed a small bag of strawberries beside him. Gu Yuzhou explained, “Aunt Yu asked me to bring these for you; she already washed them.” Realizing this, Yu An laughed, “The teacher is really kind to me. I’ll go over to the small villa for dinner tomorrow!” He bit into a strawberry—the fresh aroma blossomed instantly in his mouth, and the fruit’s texture was just right.

While waiting at a red light, he couldn’t resist picking another strawberry and brought it to Gu Yuzhou’s lips. “Very sweet. Mr. Gu, would you like to try?” Gu Yuzhou paused for a moment, then, meeting Yu An’s bright, expectant eyes, took a bite and said, “Mm, very sweet.” Yu An became even happier, eating nearly half the bag.

Through the rearview mirror, Gu Yuzhou noticed how the young man’s head would bob slightly whenever he tasted something sweeter. Quite endearing. He pressed a hand to his lips and asked, “Feeling good?” Yu An finished chewing and replied with a hum. “Mr. Gu, let me treat you to dinner.” Gu Yuzhou thought for just a second before deciding to have another meal.

The restaurant was near Yu An’s rented apartment, discovered on a stroll with Pingping that evening. The owner was an elderly grandmother in a clean apron who greeted them with a warm smile. “What would you two young friends like to eat?” Yu An glanced at Gu Yuzhou, signaling him to order, as if saying, “It’s on me.” Gu Yuzhou looked over the menu and finally ordered two small wonton dishes, specifically requesting one without any spice.

Yu An checked the prices and found the small wontons were the cheapest on the menu. So, he also ordered two small sweet soups. The restaurant was busy but meticulously clean. Shortly after they sat facing each other, their wonton and sweet soup dishes were served. Yu An didn’t start eating immediately but let Gu Yuzhou try first. When Gu Yuzhou said it was good, Yu An finally relaxed.

He scooped a spoonful of sweet soup filled with tangyuan, taro balls, and red beans, paired with refreshing milk pudding—a delightfully sweet flavor. Half an hour later, with their meal finished, Yu An paid contentedly and watched Gu Yuzhou leave.

The next morning, Yu An woke early but almost forgot his bag. Pingping trailed behind and meowed at him. Turning around, Yu An saw Pingping carrying his backpack with its handle in her mouth, using both paws and mouth to hold it. Yu An’s eyes lit up; he took out his phone to snap a photo and gently stroked the cat’s head. “Pingping, you’re so clever.” He slung the backpack over his shoulder, picked up Pingping, kissed her, and then left.

At the theater, two large foam boxes awaited him outside the training hall. Approaching, Yu An saw they contained steaming hot breakfasts. Nearby, someone remarked, “This theater really spoils us. Recently they said drivers would take us home if we’re late, and now they’re handing out free breakfasts every day. Amazing!” Another added, “Yeah, not only will I save on transport, but breakfast money too—what a treat!” A troupe member glanced at Yu An and said, “Yu An, we already ate here at the theater, but I remember you often skip breakfast. Come take one.” Yu An blankly took the steaming soy milk, eggs, and xiaolongbao, still a little stunned.

His phone buzzed suddenly. Holding breakfast in one hand, he unlocked the screen with the other. It was a message from Gu Yuzhou.

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Mr. Gu: [Remember to eat your breakfast well.]

A warmth blossomed in Yu An’s heart as he replied: [Thank you, Mr. Gu.] Turning off the screen, he saw a photo of himself smiling with eyes curved warmly.

After breakfast, Yu An worked enthusiastically all morning. After training in the afternoon, he didn’t go home but went to Teacher Yu’s place instead. This time, it wasn’t Yu Ling who answered the door but the housekeeper.

“Where is the teacher?” Yu An asked.

“She’s on the second-floor balcony,” the housekeeper replied, hesitating before adding, “Miss Yu was in a bad mood after going out yesterday—it seems she even cried.”

Yu An frowned. “Alright, thanks.” He hurried upstairs to the balcony and, seeing Yu Ling sitting in the shade on a lounge chair, quickly approached and crouched beside her with a worried expression. “Teacher, what’s wrong?”

Yu Ling was momentarily stunned when she saw Yu An, then opened her arms wide. “Let me hug you.” Yu An didn’t understand but obediently complied. Then he felt droplets on his neck—Teacher Yu was crying?

Flustered, Yu An instinctively reached to call Gu Yuzhou. Then Yu Ling said, “I went to your home yesterday.”

He froze in place instantly.

After receiving Yu You’s invitation, Yu Ling had thought the words she spoke to him at the banquet had taken effect. In truth, Yu You no longer opposed the idea. He brought Yu Ling to persuade Yu An’s father to change his view of Yu An.

But the outcome was disappointing. When Yu Ling entered, Yu An’s father simply left the living room and didn’t return. Yu You had to apologize, but Yu Ling wasn’t too bothered. Since it was her second visit to the Yu household, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

During this time, Yu An’s mother came downstairs, and upon seeing Yu Ling, she immediately approached. “Are you Teacher Yu?”

Yu Ling was surprised. “You know me?”

Yu An’s mother smiled warmly. “Of course. Haven’t you been teaching our An An all along?”

“An An?”

Yu You’s expression shifted. He stood and gently guided his mother upstairs. “Mom, you should rest first.”

Meanwhile, a young boy with long hair and delicate features came down the stairs. Yu Ling clearly saw the love flood Yu An’s mother’s face as she softly called, “An An, come down quickly.”

Something struck Yu Ling deep within. When Yu An’s mother pulled the boy before her, she said, “An An, say hello to Teacher.”

The boy gave a well-behaved smile. “Hello, Teacher.”

Yu Ling didn’t respond, her gaze lingering on the boy’s long hair. Yu An’s mother’s gentle voice echoed, “An An is the best at opera singing; make sure to teach him well, but don’t be too strict—he cries easily.”

Yu Ling recalled that when Yu An was five, he also wore his hair long—small, pale, delicate, sensitive skin that hurt easily and brought tears, yet he refused to give up and insisted on practicing hard.

She had liked little Yu An then and wondered who wouldn’t. Later, she heard of his disappearance and sent many people to investigate but found nothing. When she learned Yu An had been found, she went to see him joyfully.

That was her first time visiting the Yu household, but everything had changed.

Yu An had become quiet and stoic, enduring pain well, yet sometimes he would look at her with dull eyes and say, “Teacher, why am I still so sad after my parents took me back? I waited for so long…”

At the time, she only knew Yu An’s mother had lost her memory due to trauma.

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What she didn’t know was that Yu An’s mother had not only forgotten but had mistaken Yu An for someone else.

When Yu An was brought back full of hope, he was cruelly forced to face the fact that his mother’s love was given to another, someone else who received her care.

Yu You seemed to sense something and coldly told Yu Qing to take their mother upstairs.

After that, Yu Ling didn’t pay much attention but made one request: “May I see Yu An’s room?”

Yu You hesitated briefly, then led Yu Ling to Yu An’s room.

Yu Ling kept wondering what circumstances could make Yu An practice not at home but at her place or the theater.

When she saw the small room that barely fit a bed and a wardrobe, she understood.

So that was it.

Yu An’s experience in the Yu household was far worse than she had imagined.

How had he endured all these years?

She released Yu An and asked softly, “Xiao An, you…”

Yu An took the initiative. “Teacher, I’ve already moved out of the Yu home. Once I receive my admission letter, I won’t be going back.”

Yu Ling studied him carefully and suddenly noticed his eyes were no longer dim as before. Now they were calm and gentle, as if he had finally bid farewell to the past.

Her eyes reddened again. She hugged him and led him to the south-facing door on the second floor.

“Xiao An, open it and see.”

Yu An realized what it was. When he opened the door, his breath caught.

The room was neatly arranged, with a fluffy light blue comforter, a desk, bookcase, sofa by the window, and even a gaming console favored by boys.

Yu Ling’s voice echoed beside him, “Actually, a room has been kept for you here. The housekeeper cleans it every day.”

He turned to meet Yu Ling’s gentle gaze as she continued, “Whether you come for meals or to stay, the door to my home will always be open to you.”

Yu An was deeply moved. He slowly leaned closer until his head rested against her neck.

The boy who had once been misunderstood and cast out by his father, lost and confused, seemed to have finally found a place to belong.

—

At the Yu household, after Yu An’s father turned off the light and lay down, he suddenly heard Yu An’s mother talking about costumes.

She counted on her fingers, “Tomorrow we have to take An An to the theater to sing opera. Prepare his water cup, wet wipes, and his favorite small cakes…”

She seemed to be reminding Yu An’s father, “Don’t forget. An An will cry if we do.”

Yu An’s father was momentarily stunned but agreed.

After gently coaxing Yu An’s mother to sleep, he rose and went to the study.

As he sat down, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a photograph tucked among the bookshelves.

It was a picture of Yu An as a child in opera costume—small, with round eyes, bright black pupils, a serious expression with delicate hand gestures.

Yu An’s father turned on the desk lamp and stared for a long moment before calling the butler in.

“Go and urge Yu An to come back. I won’t pursue the theater matter any further.”

The butler responded and made a call, but there was no answer.

He said, “Sir, it’s a bit late now. The second young master may already be asleep.”

Yu An’s father sighed. “Then call him tomorrow.”

Outside the door, Yu Qing clenched his fists tightly at the words.