Shu Yu could abandon him now.
Hearing Si Yiheng's words, the joy Shu Yu had felt upon seeing Song Wenzhao instantly extinguished.
Shu Yu stared blankly at Si Yiheng, as if stunned that he would suddenly say such a thing.
Song Wenzhao: "Little Treasure, come home with Big Brother."
Song Wenzhao: "Big Brother has missed you too. Little Orange is waiting for you at home."
Shu Yu glanced at Si Yiheng, then at Song Wenzhao, and nodded to Song Wenzhao.
"I'll go home with Big Brother."
Only then did the worry fade from Song Wenzhao's brows. Good thing Shu Yu was willing to go back with him.
Si Yiheng watched Shu Yu, his clenched hand suddenly loosening.
Shu Yu: "Si Yiheng."
Si Yiheng smiled lightly at Shu Yu. "Go back. There's a lot of work to catch up on. Once I finish what's on my plate, I'll come see you."
Shu Yu pressed her lips together.
Shu Yu: "Mm."
Si Yiheng watched as Shu Yu took Song Wenzhao's hand and left.
Once Shu Yu was out of his sight, Si Yiheng collapsed onto the courtyard steps, powerless.
From now on, Shu Yu could walk toward her future.
No longer forced by him, no longer bound by him.
And no longer crying heartbroken tears because of him.
Seeing Shu Yu look back every few steps, constantly glancing at him, Song Wenzhao stopped.
Song Wenzhao looked at Shu Yu helplessly. "Little Treasure, if you have something to say, you can tell Big Brother."
Shu Yu tightened her grip on Song Wenzhao's hand and looked up at him. "Big Brother, can I bring Si Yiheng home?"
She couldn't ask in front of Si Yiheng.
If Big Brother said no, Si Yiheng—who had never been truly cherished since childhood—might get hurt.
Only with Song Wenzhao could she coax him a little.
Song Zhaozhao was easy to talk to.
Song Wenzhao ruffled his sister's hair. "Do you like him that much?"
Shu Yu nodded emphatically. "Yes, I do."
Song Wenzhao: "Then go ahead. Bring your boyfriend home with you. Let's go home together to see Mom and Dad."
Shu Yu's eyes lit up again, and she nodded firmly. "Mm-hmm."
Watching Shu Yu run back toward Si Yiheng, Song Wenzhao felt as if he were seeing the toddler Shu Yu, just learning to walk, suddenly grown up.
His little sister had found her own love, and would have an even broader future ahead.
She would stand firm in what she truly wanted.
Song Wenzhao lowered his head and sent a message to their poor, long-suffering father.
Song Wenzhao: Dad, come home early today.
Song Xuyan: …
Song Xuyan: Where's Baby Yu?
Song Xuyan: If you can't even bring your own sister back while not working, Song Zhaozhao, are you messing with me?
Song Wenzhao: …
Song Xuyan: You come back to work. I'll go find Little Treasure myself.
Song Wenzhao: Baby Yu is coming home today.
Song Xuyan: I'm coming home now.
"Si Yiheng."
The tears on his face made Si Yiheng look somewhat ragged. Hearing the voice, he suddenly looked up from where he sat on the steps.
His vision was blurred by tears.
But he could still see clearly.
Not far away, the wind lifted Shu Yu's hair and the hem of her dress.
The girl he thought had left was standing before him once more.
Seeing Si Yiheng cry made Shu Yu sad too. In truth, the one trapped on this island was never her.
It was Si Yiheng.
Unhappy, abandoned, anxious—that was Si Yiheng.
Shu Yu's eyelashes fluttered. "Si Yiheng, won't you hold me? Don't you love me anymore?"
Si Yiheng froze. Before Shu Yu's tears could fall—
Si Yiheng pulled her into a tight embrace.
Si Yiheng: "Why are you back? Where's Song Wenzhao?"
Shu Yu held him just as tightly. Si Yiheng was always like this.
His embrace always came faster than her tears.
Shu Yu rubbed her tears against his chest, then looked up at him, the corners of her eyes red. "Because... I'm not going to abandon you anymore."
"Si Yiheng, come home with me."
