My father passed away when I was eight years old.
It was raining heavily on the day of the funeral.
I huddled in a corner of the funeral hall, clutching my father's old coat, tears streaming down my face.
I heard the adults say…
My father died saving someone.
A very important man.
But I was too young then to understand what "important" meant. I only knew that from that day… I no longer had a father.
Until…
A man walked in.
He wore a black shirt, tall and with a cold expression, but his eyes were very deep.
Everyone around respectfully addressed him:
"Mr. Shen."
That man… was Shen Huai'an.
He stood before my father's portrait for a long time.
Then… he bent down in front of me.
"What is your name?"
His voice was low.
I let out a small sob.
"…Mao Anzhi."
He looked at me for a long time. His eyes… seemed to be contemplating something very heavy.
Finally, he said one sentence.
"Follow me."
I didn't understand.
But from that day…
I left my old house.
I became Shen Huai An's adopted daughter.
He was twenty-nine years old then.
And I… was eight.
His house was huge.
So huge that I got lost several times in the first week.
He wasn't the gentle type.
Shen Huai An was always busy.
His work seemed to never end.
But…
He never let me lack anything.
Clothes, books, the best school.
He remembered my birthday every year.
Even if it was just a gift brought by his assistant… I was still very happy.
Because…
At least he still remembered.
There was one birthday.
I was fourteen years old.
He rarely came home early, but that day he unexpectedly appeared in the living room.
I ran down the stairs.
"Huai An!"
He frowned slightly.
"Don't run."
I stuck out my tongue and smiled.
He handed me a small box.
Inside was a very exquisite necklace.
I was so happy I hugged him tightly.
"Later… I still want to be with you."
He paused for a second.
But very quickly he gently pushed me away.
"Don't talk nonsense."
At that time I didn't understand.
I just thought he was shy.
Time flew by.
My feelings… changed with each passing year.
From admiration.
To dependence.
And gradually…
I realized something terrifying.
I loved Shen Huai An.
I loved the very man who had raised me.
When I was twenty years old.
I finally couldn't bear it anymore.
It was raining that night.
He had just come home after a day at work.
I stood outside his office for a long time.
Finally, I knocked.
"Come in."
He was looking at documents.
The yellow light shone on his familiar, cold face.
I clenched my fists.
"Hoai An…"
He didn't look up.
"Speak."
My heart was pounding.
"…I like you."
The space immediately fell silent.
The pen in his hand stopped.
A long time passed.
He finally looked up at me.
His eyes were terrifyingly cold.
"An Chi."
"Do you know what you're saying?"
I nodded.
"I know."
I took a deep breath.
"I love you."
That was the moment that changed everything.
After that day…
Shen Hoai An started to become distant from me.
He no longer asked if I had eaten.
He no longer remembered my birthday.
For days on end… he didn't come home.
I knew.
He was avoiding me.
Not long after.
I heard some news.
Shen Huai An had a fiancée.
Her name was Lin Si Ruo.
A prestigious young lady.
Beautiful.
Gentle.
At least… that's what everyone thought.
The first day I met her.
She smiled very gently.
"You're An Chi, aren't you?"
"Huai An often mentions you."
I nodded politely.
But when Shen Huai An left to answer the phone…
Her smile vanished.
Her eyes coldly stared at me.
"Do you know your place?"
I froze.
"Just an adopted child."
"Don't dream of things that don't belong to you."
Her voice was very soft.
But every word was as sharp as a knife.
Then…
Such things happened more than once.
Once, she deliberately broke a glass of water.
A shard of glass cut her hand.
When Shen Huai'an returned…
She immediately burst into tears.
"I'm sorry… I wasn't careful…"
He immediately grabbed her hand.
"You're hurt."
I stood beside them.
Wanting to explain.
But he didn't even look at me once.
Another time.
She pulled my hand back.
Whispering in my ear.
"Do you think Huai'an will choose you?"
"Don't forget…"
"Your father died because of him."
"You'd better be grateful and leave."
Each time…
I remained silent.
Because I knew.
No matter what I said…
Shen Huai'an wouldn't believe me.
Until one day.
I accidentally overheard their conversation.
"Do you really want to get married?"
Lin Si Ruo's voice was very cheerful.
Shen Huai'an was silent for a few seconds.
Then he spoke.
"…Yes."
Just one word.
But enough to shatter my heart.
That night.
I sat in my room for a long time.
Looking at all the things he had given me.
The necklace.
The book.
The teddy bear from when I was twelve.
I smiled.
Then I cried.
Finally…
I sold everything.
For money.
The next day.
I placed the envelope on his desk.
Inside was all the money.
And a letter.
"Brother Huai'an."
"Thank you for raising me."
"The things you gave me… I've sold them all."
"The money is here."
"I won't bother you anymore."
"I wish you… happiness."
"— An Chi."
When Shen Huai'an read the letter…
I had already disappeared from his life.
But he didn't know.
The night I left.
I stood in front of the gate...It was a very long time.
Looking at the house where he grew up.
Then he softly said,
"…I won't be with you anymore."
Three years later.
One early autumn afternoon.
Shen Huai An walked out of the company.
Amidst the bustling crowd…
He suddenly saw a familiar figure.
A girl standing by the roadside.
Long hair.
A gentle smile.
It was Mo An Chi.
But…
Beside her.
Was another man.
He draped his coat over her shoulders.
His eyes were gentle.
And she…
She smiled.
A smile that Shen Huai An hadn't seen in three years.
His heart ached.
He stood there for a long time.
Finally, he understood something.
It turned out…
The person he always wanted to push away…
was actually the person he loved most deeply.
But…
It was too late.