“I’m late…”
Gao Hongyi leaned into Gu Yebai’s arms, her voice so soft it was nearly swept away by the wind, carrying a sob she couldn’t suppress.
“If only… I could have come sooner.”
In that moment, Gao Hongyi’s tears sparked a wave of belated guilt in Gu Yebai’s heart.
‘She’s grieving too.’
‘She’s been suppressing her own feelings all this time.’
Up until now, he had acted as if — by default — he was the only one at the center of this tragedy.
He had overlooked Hongyi’s emotions.
He had ignored her needs.
These weren’t just his parents.
They were hers, too.
Her biological parents had left her long ago, and in this current family, she surely harbored an unspeakable insecurity.
Thinking this, Gu Yebai’s embrace instinctively tightened.
‘She is the one who truly deserves protection.’
“It’s okay, Hongyi.”
His voice was low and steady.
“I’m here. I’m always here.”
Gao Hongyi looked up slightly, as if she were trying to confirm something, and asked in a small voice, “Really?”
“Of course it’s true.”
Gu Yebai did not hesitate.
“As long as you need me, I’ll always be here.”
The moment those words left his lips, his mind became unusually calm.
Yes.
It was time for him to leave Linchuan County behind.
It was time to step out of those stagnant memories.
No matter the time, people should always move forward.
“Let’s walk toward a better tomorrow together…”
“Mm…”
Gao Hongyi nodded.
However, she didn’t let go.
Instead, as if realizing something, her grip on him tightened little by little.
It wasn’t forceful, yet it was impossible to refuse.
“If we’re together… we’ll definitely be happier…”
Their bodies were pressed tightly against each other, separated by only a thin layer of fabric.
Their heartbeats were so clear they didn’t even need to try to feel them.
Just a little closer, and one day, that final barrier would cease to exist.
Gao Hongyi really wanted to stand on her tiptoes and capture Gu Yebai’s lips.
But this was a cemetery.
A first kiss should be saved for a more monumental place.
She restrained herself.
“Uncle Bai.”
“I’m sad, but right now, I also feel very happy.”
Gao Hongyi tilted her head up slightly, her eyes a bit hazy.
It was as if she were standing on the border between reality and a dream, refusing to come back.
“Uncle Bai’s heart is beating faster, too. It’s because of me, isn’t it? I’m so happy.”
Even Uncle Bai would eventually be shaken by her presence.
That was a fact, not conceit.
Finally, Gao Hongyi lit a stick of incense before the tombstone and knelt solemnly.
‘I’m sorry for using you a little bit.’
‘But I will definitely make him happy.’
‘So, please forgive me.’
She murmured the prayer silently in her heart.
It was noon by the time they left the cemetery.
The sunlight was bright and gentle, as if trying to banish all shadows.
“Are you going to say goodbye to your friend before we go, Uncle Bai?”
“Mm…” Gu Yebai nodded.
It was necessary.
In an environment like Linchuan Fifth Middle School, Ai Lian was truly pitiful.
That was his simplest and most honest thought right now.
“It’s that female friend, right?”
“Yes.”
“Is she prettier, or am I?”
Gao Hongyi asked in a deliberately exaggerated tone.
“There’s no comparison.”
“Does that mean she’s much prettier than me?”
“No,” Gu Yebai answered bluntly.
“I mean you’re much, much prettier than her. In the eyes of most people, she’s actually considered ugly. I just hope you don’t hold too much hostility toward her. She’s really pitiful.”
“Is your feeling for her just sympathy?”
“I suppose so.”
Gu Yebai paused.
“In this world, poverty itself is a kind of ugliness. And that kind of ugliness is often something a child cannot change.”
“I see.”
Gao Hongyi laughed softly.
“Uncle Bai, you’re such a gentle person.”
“I want to give her some encouragement before we leave.”
The moment she learned he only sympathized with the girl because of her appearance and circumstances, the lingering unease in Gao Hongyi’s heart vanished.
She knew how excellent Uncle Bai was.
That was why she had worried whether there were other girls or other feelings in the past sixteen years of his life.
Even if there were, even if he had been in love before, she told herself she wouldn’t mind.
But deep down, there would still be a sense of loss.
Now, it seemed that worry was unnecessary.
It wasn’t romantic; it was just a condescending mercy.
And yet, she had actually been jealous of that.
Gao Hongyi suddenly found it a little funny.
“Let’s go, Uncle Bai.”
With that thought, the corners of her lips curled up into a flower-like smile.
The two of them got into a taxi for the return trip.
“Speaking of which…” Gu Yebai frowned.
“Why are you still calling me Uncle Bai?”
“Should I not?”
Gao Hongyi tilted her head, looking confused.
“I mean, look, it’s not just that our ages are similar. We were born on the same day of the same month of the same year.”
Gu Yebai scratched his head, feeling a bit sheepish.
“Back then, I was acting mature online and said I was twenty-four. I didn’t mind you calling me Uncle Bai then. But now, what do you think you should call me?”
“Do you not like that title, Uncle Bai?”
Gao Hongyi blinked.
“Then… Little Brother Bai? Do you like that one? Or maybe — does Uncle Bai prefer older woman romances? Or maybe being trained by a queen? Little Slave?”
“Uh…”
He’d pass on that.
Even though Gao Hongyi definitely gave off an older sister vibe when they stood together, Gu Yebai had his dignity.
Fine.
Being treated like an uncle was better than being treated like a little brother.
“Forget it. Just keep calling me Uncle Bai.”
“Hehe.”
Gao Hongyi’s smile was meaningful.
“I think so, too. After all, Uncle Bai’s inner world is more like a world-weary old man. It’s just that reality gave Uncle Bai such a contrasting baby face.”
She suddenly let go of his hand and leaned in closer.
Using two hands, she gently pinched his cheeks.
“Ah, so soft. How cute. I really want to take a bite.”
“Don’t. I’m afraid of pain,” Gu Yebai subconsciously leaned back.
“So please don’t bite me.”
“Then Uncle Bai better watch out.”
Gao Hongyi narrowed her eyes.
“Don’t sleep too soundly. Otherwise… I’ll sneak a bite while you’re asleep.”
She giggled.
“Now that I’ve finally caught Uncle Bai, you have to work harder on writing your novels. There will be punishments if you don’t work hard.”
“Punishments?”
Gu Yebai was stunned.
Gao Hongyi’s expression didn’t look like she was talking about anything truly scary.
It looked more like a reward.