Chu Xin was out of place in this small county.

Her outstanding qualities completely isolated her. She had no friends because no one wanted to be a foil to a delicate flower.

More and more girls hated her and said bad things about her. Boys liked her, but they also bullied her and said bad things about her.

Because Chu Xin was the daughter of a vixen.

Because Chu Xin's father was a corrupt official.

Because …

Ma Tianyu thought about what he heard from others and pursed his lips. It wasn't like that. She wasn't …

He once argued with others with a red face, but he was outnumbered and rumors spread.

Chu Xin lowered her eyes and looked at the candy in her hand. She said softly, "But they're telling the truth."

She tilted her head and smiled, but there was a glimmer in her eyes. "My name used to be Tang Tang, Tang from the Tang Dynasty, and Tang from the candy. Later on, my mother changed my name. She said that if you don't forget your original intentions, you will always be successful. She didn't want me to make mistakes like them.

She peeled off the candy wrapper and popped the candy into her mouth. The sweet taste made her feel even sweeter.

"Oh." Ma Tianyu licked his dry lips. He didn't know what to say to comfort her, even if she didn't need it.

"My mother isn't the kind of person they say she is. She's just too silly."

He raised his right hand and covered her eyes. "Don't smile if you don't want to."

"But I'm the prettiest when I smile." She grabbed his hand and put it down, revealing a shallow dimple. It was very beautiful.

She leaned closer. Her skin was so delicate that he couldn't see her pores. He could even smell a faint strawberry scent. He didn't know if she had eaten strawberry candy or applied strawberry cream.

He was a little absent-minded, but he didn't notice that she was pinching his face. She gently tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Brother Tianyu looks the best when he smiles too."

He brushed away her naughty hand. "Stop fooling around." Then he turned his face away unnaturally, but he couldn't hide the redness of his ears. The warm and soft touch made his ears feel like they were on fire.

It was rainy in autumn, and the pitter-patter was continuous.

Ma Tianyu held the umbrella and wrapped his jacket tightly around himself. He coughed a few times with one hand on his lips. His tall and thin body looked even thinner in the simple clothes.

There was still an afternoon before she had to return to school, but he would always wait for her here shortly after lunch.

He had to admit that he was being considerate because he knew how kind that child was. He wanted to spend more time with her, so he would always come over a little earlier.

He felt that he was very shameful.

He took out a red hairband from his pocket. There were two small cherries on it. He searched for a long time before he found this one that looked exactly the same.

But how was he going to give it to her?

He was a little hesitant.

As she was thinking about this, she saw Chu Xin running over.

"Why are you running?" As he said this, he also ran over to pick her up.

Chu Xin was carrying her backpack and a bag in her hand. She smiled sweetly at him. "Brother Tianyu." Her voice was light and a little sweet. He took the bag, and his hand holding the umbrella couldn't help but tilt in her direction. "Have you brought everything?"

"I've brought it. Let's go."

"Okay."

She reached out her hand and touched his cold fingers. She pouted and took out a carton of warm milk from her pocket. She stuck the straw into it and brought it to his mouth. She smiled slyly and innocently.

Ma Tianyu sighed slightly. Both of his hands were occupied, so he could only lower his head slightly. He sucked on the straw and finished it in a few gulps. His body was warm.

Although the umbrella was very big, half of it was tilted towards her. Soon, half of his body was already wet.

Chu Xin looked at him. She put her arm over him and hugged him tightly.

"This way, we won't get wet." She looked up with a faint smile in her eyes.

He held the handle of the umbrella with his thin knuckles, and he couldn't help but use some strength.

"Brother Tianyu, I've grown taller again. I'm already up to your shoulder." She hugged his right arm tightly. Her round almond-shaped eyes widened and looked like a cat's eyes.

"Mm." He discreetly looked at the heels on her feet.

Sensing his gaze, her smile fell. She pouted. Ma Tianyu used a lot of strength to stop himself from touching her head.

Ever since she had appeared, the smile on his face had never disappeared.

Because it was raining, they couldn't ride the bike. The two of them got on the bus at the nearest bus stop.

There was a musty smell in the bus. The smell of smoke and sweat was unpleasant, but the tip of his nose was full of the girl's unique and sweet fragrance. Two bags were placed on his lap, and his clothes were bulging. He gathered his thoughts. "Have you finished your homework?"

"I'm done."

She moved and leaned on his shoulder. "Brother Tianyu, I'm a little sleepy. I want to sleep for a while." She didn't know why, but she felt sleepy when she sat in the bus. If she didn't sleep, she would get carsick.

"Are you still carsick?"

He reached out his hand and finally stroked her soft and smooth hair. Perhaps it was because she felt very comfortable being stroked, so she rubbed against him again. "Just a little."

She didn't even raise her head as she reached out her slender fingers to show a small distance.

In order to let her sleep more comfortably, he reached out his arm and wrapped it around her. It was still raining outside, and the bus was a little noisy, but his heart was filled with the person in his arms. Her snow-white face had a faint blush, and her breathing was very soft. She was so obedient that it made his heart melt.

If only it could stay like this forever. He wouldn't get tired of sitting here and looking at her all day. Even if he didn't say a word, he wouldn't feel uncomfortable.

"Chu Xin, wake up."

He patted her gently. At this time, she was still not very awake. She kept burrowing her head into his arms, and her soft hair made his heart itch.

But the driver had already started to rush them. He held her hand, and Chu Xin closed her eyes and followed him in a daze.

The rain had stopped, and there were more people on the road. It wasn't until they reached the school gate that he reluctantly let go of Chu Xin's hand.

For so many years, she had been calling him Brother Tianyu. In fact, she was only half a year younger than him, but he had always doted on her as much as possible.

In the past, he doted on his younger sister. Later on, he had his own thoughts. He was terrified, but he tried his best to hide it.

Sometimes, he felt that they were very similar, but they were two completely different kinds of people.

He looked at her smile, as if he had never been sad or troubled.

Chu Xin's mother passed away a year ago. When she went to visit Chu Xin's father, she was hit by a large truck on the road.

At this point, the old-fashioned and tacky love between Li Ran and Tang Junshan came to an end.

Grandma aged a lot in an instant. If it weren't for the fact that Chu Xin was still young and underage, she was afraid that she would have passed away. However, her body was gradually not as good as before.

She leaned on the table, and the white sweater made her look delicate and soft. Her hair flowed down naturally like a cloud.

She held a pen and did some calculations. Her hair slid down, and she scratched it impatiently. She woke up in a hurry in the morning and forgot to tie her hair.

Ma Tianyu put down the pen in his hand and gently patted her. In the next second, the seemingly boneless girl's sitting posture became upright and elegant, and there was no fault to be found.

He took out a hair tie from his pocket and handed it to her. Chu Xin didn't ask where he got it. She took it and quickly tied it into a bun. The two little cherries on it shook.

His eyes flashed, and there were fragments of light.

Chu Xin sensed his gaze. While the teacher was writing on the blackboard, she turned her head and made a face at him, sticking out her little tongue.

Why was she acting like a child?

He couldn't help but laugh, but his heart was still sour and painful.

However, there were some people that he could only like no matter how much he liked them.

He locked one lock after another with love.

That was his sweetest secret.

Ma Tianyu dropped out of school. The elderly would have all kinds of problems. He was tortured by illness and had a large amount of debt on his head. In order to make a living, Ma Tianyu, who was not even 16 years old, took on the burden of supporting his family and drifted to Beijing to work.

He didn't inform anyone and left quietly.

He had always been a shy and quiet person.

Chu Xin openly skipped class in front of the whole class. The old courtyard wall was a little slippery, and she couldn't climb up no matter how hard she tried. She was so angry that she wanted to cry. In the end, she dragged her injury and rushed before he left.

She clearly had a lot of things to say, but she couldn't open her mouth.

She understood. She understood him better than anyone else. She knew how good he was and how hard he worked.

So, you can't be willful anymore, Chu Xin.

She wiped her eyes. They were still a little red, but they were much better.

Ma Tianyu patted her head like before and said something from time to time. His eldest sister sent him here. Seeing this scene, she quietly left.

"Brother Tianyu, take care of yourself. Don't get sick. I will miss you." Chu Xin hugged him gently.

The young girl's slender, soft, and fragrant body was pressed against him. Ma Tianyu felt extremely unnatural. After struggling for a long time, he hugged her tightly and very gently, imperceptibly, he planted a kiss on her head.

Life in Beijing was really hard. Ma Tianyu gritted his teeth and persevered.

Occasionally, he would miss home. More often than not, he would wonder if she was doing well.

No one expected Chu Xin to skip two grades in a row. She was in the limelight. She didn't care about what others thought of her. She couldn't live in the mouths of others forever.

The form teacher was very helpless, but she strongly insisted. In the end, the principal also came. He didn't say anything and just took out a few papers for her to do.

The results were naturally to everyone's satisfaction.

She had always been very smart. Now, she studied even harder. Her grades quickly caught up and left them far behind.

However, she became a loner again.

On the day of the cicadas, the weather was as hot as ever. No matter the result, at least at this moment, they didn't hold back.

Chu Xin watched from afar as her grandmother carefully avoided the people around her and walked towards her. She wiped her eyes and ran over. "Grandma, didn't I ask you to wait for me at home?"

Her grandmother supported her and smiled. "I'm fine at home. You …" She seemed to have thought of something and swallowed her words.

Chu Xin glanced at the bustling crowd and went to the side. Although she was petite, her grandmother was even more petite. She lowered her head slightly and said something in her grandmother's ear. The old woman patted her hand happily and said a few words.

Chu Xin called a taxi back. On the way back, she passed by a familiar old house. She leaned against the car window. Brother Tianyu, how are you?

She hadn't heard from him for a year.

When she received the admission letter, her grandmother patted her head and left with a smile.

Chu Xin went through the funeral with the help of others. The whole room was much emptier.

She felt cold. If only Brother Tianyu could hug her.

She was finally homeless.

After packing her things, she went to see her mother again.

Tang Junshan and Li Ran were buried together. In the photo, the two of them looked as if they had just met for the first time.