“No!”


  The uncle’s hands trembled in fear as he heard a pained voice.

  He turned around in shock and saw Qiao Jiusheng’s pale face. She was hugging her head and screaming in pain.

  It left him dumbfounded.

  In the distance, Fang Yusheng’s heart skipped a beat when he heard Qiao Jiusheng’s voice. He immediately put down the meat in his chopsticks, got up, and ran toward her. The moment he saw her painful and ferocious expression, he knew that things were not looking good.

  “Ah Sheng!

  “Ah Sheng, don’t be afraid!”


  Fang Yusheng turned Qiao Jiusheng around to face him. When he lowered his head and saw her face full of tears, his heart sank. Lifting his head, he glanced at the pig head that was half slaughtered. He guessed what had happened, and his heart ached.

  “Ah Sheng, don’t be afraid. It’s all in the past.” Fang Yusheng hugged Qiao Jiusheng tightly. He could feel the person in his arms trembling, and his heart also trembled.

  Qiao Jiusheng’s consciousness had become blurry. She leaned into Fang Yusheng’s embrace, but her thoughts and consciousness drifted back to that day in Meng Hai…


  ***

  Seeing that the sky was about to turn dark, Qiao Jiusheng woke up the handsome boy who had a slight fever.

  In his teen years, Fang Yusheng was very tender. Even though he had a fever and his mouth was dry, he still looked handsome.

  Since he was blind, unable to see anything, he listened to Qiao Jiusheng’s words.

  Qiao Jiusheng saw him sit up and said, “It will get dark soon. I’m going home to eat. What do you want to eat tomorrow morning? I’ll bring that for you.”


  Fang Yusheng asked, “Is it getting dark again?”


  The sky was darkening, which meant she was going away again, leaving him alone.

  Qiao Jiusheng acknowledged him. Knowing that he was blind, she said, “The sun has already set. If I miss dinner, I will have to receive Dad’s scolding.”


  “Then, you can go back.” After a pause, Fang Yusheng said, “I can’t eat eggs or cake. I have a fever. Bring me some porridge.”


  “Sure.”


  Qiao Jiusheng stood up and walked out of the cave. After taking a few steps, she turned around.

  She saw the handsome boy sitting on the bloodstained clothes he had taken off and wearing the clothes she had bought. He was looking out of the cave as if he were listening to the sound of her departure. The sun had already set, but the afterglow passed through the forest, casting a faint red glow outside the cave.

  Inside the cave, it was cold and damp. The young man was sitting alone and felt lonely.

  Qiao Jiusheng pursed her lips and took out her phone from her pocket.

  This phone was a Christmas present she had received last year from her father.

  The cell phone was very expensive. Qiao Jiusheng was the only one in her class who used this phone, so she treasured it. She had used it for more than half a year, but the phone was not even one bit damaged. Qiao Jiusheng touched the phone and revealed a reluctant expression. She hesitated for a moment when Fang Yusheng asked her, “You’re still here?” He seemed to hear her breathing.

  “Yes.”


  Fang Yusheng suddenly gave her a charming smile.

  “What’s the matter? You can’t bear to part with me?” He looked so good when he smiled.

  In this time, children matured early. Qiao Jiusheng was already thirteen. Of course, she knew about dating and liking someone. She looked at Fang Yusheng’s smile and suddenly felt that she was in love.?

  After seeing Fang Yusheng’s smile, Qiao Jiusheng wished she could give him all her treasures.

  “Brother Yusheng,” Qiao Jiusheng sweetly called his name.

  At that time, she wasn’t too spoiled and was obedient.

  When Fang Yusheng heard the girl call him Brother Yusheng, his heart started beating faster.

  He laughed again.

  Qiao Jiusheng looked straight at his smile and returned to the cave.

  “Brother Yusheng, actually…” Qiao Jiusheng was embarrassed.

  “Huh?” Fang Yusheng was amused. “Third Girl, what are you trying to say?”


  Qiao Jiusheng squirmed and could not say a word. Her fair hand, which belonged to a young girl, tightly gripped the phone and nervously caressed it. Mustering up her courage, she said, “You’re quite good-looking and nice. I was sincere when I said that I wanted to marry you last time.”


  Qiao Jiusheng had been a beautiful person ever since she was young. She only made friends with other good-looking people.

  She had saved Fang Yusheng because of his looks.

  Afraid that Fang Yusheng would go back on his word, Qiao Jiusheng hurriedly said, “Actually, I’m pretty good-looking too. Really, I’m not lying to you. I’m our school’s little school belle!” When she mentioned that she was the school belle, Qiao Jiusheng’s tone was especially arrogant.

  Fang Yusheng patiently asked, “What are you trying to say?”


  “I-I like you!”?

  Qiao Jiusheng asked him in a low voice, “I’m going back to China in a few days. My vacation is almost over. I don’t know if I’ll be able to see you when I go back. Where are you from? When I grow up, I can study in the city you’re in. When I graduate, I’ll marry you!”


  The 13-year-old Qiao Jiusheng was bold enough to propose to a boy she had known for only half a month.

  Fang Yusheng found it quite novel.

  “You saved me, so I have to repay you with my body, right?” Fang Yusheng asked seriously.

  Qiao Jiusheng stuck out her tongue. “Not really. The main thing is that you look like my future husband.”


  Fang Yusheng was speechless.

  Reality proved that Qiao Jiusheng was indeed experienced when she grew up.

  When the teen Qiao Jiusheng saw that Fang Yusheng did not reply after a long time, she became uneasy. She had decided that if he did not agree, she would not lend him her phone. If he did, she would give him her phone.

  “Okay, I’ll marry you.”


  Fang Yusheng sounded serious.

  Qiao Jiusheng beamed with happiness. “You can’t go back on your words. Let me tell you: if a man goes back on his words, he will remain single for life!”


  “Yeah.”


  Qiao Jiusheng quickly passed the phone to him. “This is my phone. Come! You can’t see. I’ll give you voice access. In the future, only you and I can control this phone. Come, say something. Just say anything…”


  “I like you.” Fang Yusheng suddenly interrupted Qiao Jiusheng.

  Qiao Jiusheng was stunned for a moment, then quickly nodded. “Yes, that’s right.”


  After that, every time she switched on her phone, Fang Yusheng would tell her that he liked her.

  He had said these words alone for ten years.

  Qiao Jiusheng passed the phone to Fang Yusheng and asked, “Where do you live?”


  “Binjiang City.”


  “Oh, there are many people with the surname Fang in Binjiang City, right? But I know a family with the surname Fang. Do you know about the Fang Corporation?”


  “That’s run by my family.”


  Qiao Jiusheng’s eyes lit up. “A rich second-generation heir!” She bumped his shoulder. Fang Yusheng had a fever and was quite weak; she almost knocked him to the ground. Qiao Jiusheng hurriedly supported him and said, “The universities in the capital are all pretty good. But my results aren’t. If I want to go to Binjiang City to study, it will be troublesome.”


  Qiao Jiusheng said something that was especially popular online. “I’ll study in the best university and pick the best-looking boys. I’ll hire a tutor when I go back this time.”


  Fang Yusheng couldn’t help but educate her. “You’re still young. Study well and don’t go online too much.”?

  Qiao Jiusheng immediately changed her words. “Then I’ll study in the best university and fall in love with the best-looking boy.” Her words were gentle and did not match with her rough words from before.

  Fang Yusheng felt tired. “Forget it. As long as you’re happy.”


  The sky was getting darker. Although Qiao Jiusheng wanted to talk to Fang Yusheng, she had to rush back.

  “I really have to go.” Qiao Jiusheng stood up and walked a few steps before turning back to look at Fang Yusheng. She said to him, “Give me a love token. I’ve already given you my phone.”


  Fang Yusheng thought about it and nodded.

  He took off the watch on his wrist and stretched it out.

  Qiao Jiusheng took the watch from his hand and sized it up. She realized that the letter “A” was engraved on its back. “What is” A “?”


  “An, my English name.”


  The year Fang Yusheng was accepted by MIT, Lisa had given him an expensive watch with his name engraved on the back. For so many years, Fang Yusheng wore it wherever he went. To him, it was a relic Lisa had left behind.

  It was very precious.

  Qiao Jiusheng nodded and said, “I’ll accept this token of love. It looks quite expensive.” She kept the watch. When she saw that it had gotten dark and was time to leave, she said, “Wait for me. I’ll go to Binjiang City to look for you!”


  She then hopped up and down, wearing a long red dress, and ran through the forest to go back home.

  Fang Yusheng lowered his head and picked up the phone as he said. “I like you.”


  The cell phone was switched on.

  He said, “Open the album.”


  A voice rang out. “Hello, Master. There are no photos in the photo album.”


  He continued, “Turn on the music.”


  The voice responded, “Catalog, one song! Song title: Eternal Moment.”


  Fang Yusheng said, “Play it.”


  In the quiet cave, the sound of a piano and violin could be heard. Fang Yusheng could tell that this song had been sung by the three girls a few days ago, and he couldn’t help but smile. He leaned on his discarded clothes and closed his eyes. Only then did he remember that he had forgotten to ask for her name.

  If he knew her name, he could go to her city after he returned to China.

  After reaching home, Qiao Jiusheng took a shower and changed into her pajamas. She carefully put the watch into the pocket of her pajama pants before going downstairs to eat.

  Surprisingly, Qiao Jingren had not seen her for the entire day. Now that she was here, he immediately pulled a serious face and called out to her, “Third Girl, come here.”


  Qiao Jiusheng calmly walked over to him.

  “Dad” She was about to jump onto Qiao Jingren when he quickly reached out to hug her. Qiao Jiusheng hugged Qiao Jingren’s neck with both hands and knelt on his hands. Fortunately, her father was tall and strong and could carry her.

  “How old are you? This is outrageous. You can’t be so clingy in the future.” That was what he said, but shockingly, he held her very firmly.

  “I know! I know.” Qiao Jiusheng frantically nodded.

  Qiao Jingren asked again. “What have you been up to these days? I haven’t seen much of you.”


  They were in a foreign country, so Qiao Jingren had told Qiao Jiusheng that she was not allowed to interact with strangers. Hence, she lied and said, “I went to the beach to play with Ah Lu and the rest.” Ah Lu was the daughter of the villa’s butler.

  Qiao Jingren was relieved to hear this.

  “Don’t run around. This country hasn’t been too safe recently. Be careful not to get into trouble.” Qiao Jingren’s tone was quite serious. Qiao Jiusheng stuck out her tongue. Her father continued, “We’ll return to China tomorrow. Your mother is going back to the embassy to work.”


  Qiao Jiusheng was shocked.?

  “Doesn’t Mom still have three days of vacation? Why is she suddenly going to work?”


  Qiao Jingren did not explain in detail, and Qiao Jiusheng did not see the worry in his eyes.

  Shi Piaopiao only returned after dinner.

  Qiao Jiusheng thought that Shi Piaopiao had gone out to play, but when she saw that her mother had come in her work suit, she asked, “Mom, what did you do today?”


  Shi Piaopiao was exquisite, but when she opened her mouth, she spoke with an authentic northeastern accent. “Nothing much. Let’s eat. You’re just a brat. Why are you asking so many questions?” After saying that, Shi Piaopiao looked at Qiao Jingren with worry in her eyes.

  During dinner, Shi Piaopiao gave Qiao Jiusheng a pig’s tail.

  “Third Dog, eat the pig’s tail. This meat is delicious.” Shi Piaopiao loved to eat pig’s tail herself and felt that everyone in the world loved it.

  Qiao Jiusheng silently stretched out the bowl and took the pig’s tail. She could not help but retort softly, “Third Dog doesn’t sound nice…”


  Shi Piaopiao gave her a side glance and gave her a choice. “You can choose either Third Dog or Third Idiot.”


  Qiao Jiusheng wanted to die.

  “Third Girl, don’t listen to your mother.” Qiao Jingren was surprisingly dissatisfied with his wife’s habit of giving the children cheap names. However, the old man at home found it interesting and called Qiao Jiusheng the same way Shi Piaopiao did every day. Qiao Jingren and the other children were helpless.

  Qiao Jiusheng kept her head lowered as she ate. Thinking that she would go back tomorrow, she could not bear to leave Fang Yusheng.

  She had yet to tell him her name.

  As they were in a foreign country and Qiao Jiusheng’s mother’s identity was not ordinary, Qiao Jingren had repeatedly warned Qiao Jiusheng to not tell anyone her real identity and name. Bad people might threaten them with her. A few days ago, when Fang Yusheng had asked for her name, Qiao Jiusheng had told him her nickname; she had yet to tell him her real name.

  However, she was going back the next day, so it shouldn’t be a problem to tell him now.

  Just as Qiao Jiusheng was thinking about it, a soldier suddenly staggered in from outside the door. He was bleeding. The moment he entered the room, he shouted at the three people in the dining room, “Something has happened. They are attacking us. They are attacking us.