When Wei Yang was a child, his parents were always busy with work, leaving him alone at home. Once, he sneaked out to play and caught the attention of some kids who wanted his candy. That's when Ji Tingzhou stepped in, chased the bullies away, and then—
beat him up and took all his candy.
But Wei Yang didn't hold a grudge. Instead, he thought this older brother was pretty cool. He would carry candy around and follow Ji Tingzhou everywhere, even grinning through the beatings.
Over time, Ji Tingzhou stopped chasing him away and noticed that Wei Yang was strong and incredibly tough. So, he started bringing him along to fights.
Later, they met Shen Rushan, and the three of them spent every day together. With two strong older brothers around, Wei Yang didn't have to think about anything; he just followed orders. The brothers told him to beat someone up, and he did.
Eventually, Wei Yang became a bodyguard, and his aging parents no longer had to work hard. Every month, he sent them a large sum of money.
Wei Yang always felt he was a happy person.
But that happiness disappeared last month when his father passed away from cancer, and just a few days ago, his mother suddenly died from a stroke.
He no longer had a home.
Struggling to return, Wei Yang's fear and confusion needed reassurance, so he instinctively turned to Ji Tingzhou.
Ji Tingzhou, who was usually sensitive to smells due to his severe cleanliness, didn't seem to notice Wei Yang's odor. He patted his shoulder.
Unable to hold it in any longer, the burly man curled up at Ji Tingzhou's feet like a child, tugging at his sleeve and crying until his snot was flowing.
"Waaah, Brother, I have no home anymore, waaah! My dad's gone, my mom's gone, and no one's going to take care of me anymore, waaah!"
All the suppressed grievances suddenly burst out, and he even called Ji Tingzhou "Brother," a title he hadn't used since Ji Tingzhou became the head of the Ji Family.
Ji Tingzhou didn't comfort him or stop him. He just quietly listened as Wei Yang cried it out.
After Wei Yang calmed down, Ji Tingzhou methodically arranged the funeral arrangements for the elderly couple.
Wei Yang listened quietly, familiar with the process. When his father passed away, he was in a chaotic state, and it was Ji Tingzhou who handled everything.
For Wei Yang, Ji Tingzhou was not just his employer but also the older brother he had followed since childhood. The name Ji Tingzhou itself brought him a sense of security.
"Okay... I understand..."
Having regained his composure, Wei Yang left, embarrassed about his earlier display of snot-filled tears.
But that night, unable to sleep after losing his last blood relative, he instinctively walked to the spot in the Ji Family estate known for its beautiful night sky views and sat down as he used to.
Thinking of his mother's comforting scent and his father's rough, clumsy hands, Wei Yang couldn't help but sob quietly.
Unaware that the room he was leaning against had been given to Ji Nian, he startled her.
Ji Nian initially thought it was a ghost or something, so she turned on the outdoor eaves light. When the light came on, Wei Yang suddenly jumped up.
"Who's there!?"
Ji Nian then 'click' turned off the light.
She opened the balcony door and walked out from her room.
“Wei Yang, did you have a nightmare?”
Wearing a Superman pajama set, Wei Yang's freshly dried hair was sticking up, and his face was streaked with tears, looking a bit silly.
Wei Yang was caught off guard by Ji Nian's presence, especially in his vulnerable state. He quickly wiped his face with his sleeve.
"Ji... Nian, why are you here? Did the head of the Ji Family let you sleep in this room?"
Wei Yang felt embarrassed. If he had known Ji Nian was staying here, he wouldn't have come, especially since she saw him in such a pitiful state.
Ji Nian nodded, ran back inside, and then 'pat pat' ran back out, sitting down and patting the spot where Wei Yang had been sitting, signaling him to sit back down.
Wei Yang hesitated but eventually sat down.
He wasn't in the mood to entertain a child and planned to make an excuse and leave after a few words.
Just as he was thinking, a crisp 'psst' sound came from beside him. Turning his head, he saw the little girl expertly pop open two cans with one hand, swiftly handing one to him, and then clinking their cans together before taking a big gulp.
Then she sighed.
"Ah, life is tough these days."
Wei Yang: "......"
Why did that feel like the vibe of a weathered middle-aged man?
Wait, kids shouldn't be drinking alcohol. He quickly looked down at the can in his hand—
'Hu Da Yu Fizz Drink'
Below it read: Let your worries escape like a fart from your mouth~
Seeing that it was alcohol-free, Wei Yang relaxed and took a big gulp. The dense, powerful bubbles exploded in his mouth, and he let out a burp.
"It's pretty good..."
Ji Nian nodded: "Right?"
"The bubbles are dense, it's low-calorie, sugar-free, healthy, and delicious. Suitable for old people, kids, and pregnant women. Even the princess next door is drooling."
System: ? Suspected Hu Da Yu hidden ad
This little incident made Wei Yang lose his desire to leave. He sat with Ji Nian, drinking the fizzy drink.
Looking at Ji Nian's face, so similar to Ji Tingzhou's, Wei Yang suddenly felt the urge to confide.
"Brother, I'm feeling a bit lost."
"What's the point of living..."
In moments of pain, people can't help but ponder the meaning of life. Even Wei Yang, who had never considered such things before, found himself asking.
He didn't expect a response, just blurted it out unconsciously.
Realizing he was being downbeat in front of a five-year-old, Wei Yang felt a bit embarrassed and was about to get up and leave—
But then Ji Nian spoke.
"Living is just to keep poop warm."
She said it matter-of-factly, turning to meet Wei Yang's surprised gaze.
Living is just to keep poop warm.
What a crude yet oddly profound statement.
Yes, living is just living. People give it all these fancy meanings, but what else can you do? Die?
If his parents were watching from the afterlife, they'd probably give him a good spanking.
Nian Jie, your words are like taking a ten-year dump.
Wei Yang wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes. The pain of losing his loved ones was like a chronic illness, needing time to heal. Although he still felt hurt, he could pull himself together.
He clinked cans with Ji Nian and finished his fizzy drink in one go.
Seeing that he wasn't crying anymore and seemed a bit more spirited, Ji Nian quietly curved her lips.
The fizzy drink was her thank-you for the candy Wei Yang had secretly given her before.
With the crying stopped, Ji Nian brushed her teeth again and quickly fell asleep in her bed.
Leaving the system frantic, scratching its digital behind.
Helping Wei Yang get over the pain of losing his parents—wasn't that supposed to be the heroine's plot?!
It's okay, it's okay, it's okay!
Shen Qingtang, who also lost her parents, noticed Wei Yang's emotional state and stayed by his side, helping him gradually recover.
Ji Nian just opened her mouth; she can't compare to that.
It reassured itself.
