"I’m not scolding you." Qiu Tong's tone softened as she reached out and ruffled Su Ming's hair like she used to when they were kids. "I just... don't want you to get hurt."

This gesture, this tone, made Su Ming's nose tingle with emotion.

He suddenly recalled how, when he was a child, his cousin-in-law would visit their hometown, always bringing him candies and patting his head, saying, "Ming Ming, you've grown taller." Back then, she was beautiful, gentle, like someone who had stepped out of a painting.

But now...