When she was fifteen, Tang Shi had jokingly told Bo Ye she would marry him one day. At twenty, her dream came true. But that was the year An Mi walked into their home, and Tang Shi finally understood that Bo Ye’s heart had always belonged to someone else. And she… she was nothing more than a front. An Mi was the one he cherished. So what was she? Nothing. On their wedding night, Bo Ye flew abroad to vacation with An Mi, leaving Tang Shi to sit alone in their room, waiting through the long night. It was only when the sun rose, flooding the room with light, that she finally understood: some people were never coming back. She had walked that lonely path for five years, only to learn what it truly meant to break yourself against a wall—an agonizing, bloody lesson. "Bo Ye, I could have waited for you forever, without a shred of dignity, without a care for the time lost. But this is how you treated me? Five years of unrequited love for a city of one, exchanged for five years in a prison cell. My life is shattered, broken beyond repair. How can you ever repay me? How?" Tang Shi woke from the nightmare, clutching her chest and gasping for breath. The past had ambushed her in her dreams again, a recurring horror she couldn't escape. The memory always resurfaced when she was at her most vulnerable, forcing her to relive the agony each and every time. “Mommy, did you have another nightmare?” Tang Wei, ever so perceptive, had already warmed a glass of milk for her by the time she was fully awake. He handed it to her. “Do you want me to read you a story?” He was so clever and considerate it bordered on heartbreaking, filling her with a mix of guilt and tenderness. Tang Shi gently stroked Tang Wei’s face. “Let Mommy read to you… What do you want to hear?” “I don’t want to hear a story, but I can tell you one if you want,” Tang Wei said. “Uncle told me a bunch.” ‘Uncle’ was Tang Shi’s older brother. When she had given birth in prison, it was her brother who had fought tooth and nail to get Tang Wei out of there. “It’s my fault I don’t have more time for you. Your uncle is much better.” Tang Shi finished the milk and set the glass on the nightstand. “Tomorrow is the weekend. How about we go to the amusement park with Uncle?” Tang Wei’s face was the spitting image of Bo Ye’s, just in miniature. But Bo Ye's eyes were cold, whereas Tang Wei's were different—they were extraordinarily beautiful, and almost too gentle. At such a young age, Tang Wei understood far too many adult truths, which was what made him so heart-wrenching. At the mention of the amusement park, Tang Wei’s face lit up. Tang Shi pulled him into her arms, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. The night was long, and dawn felt a lifetime away. ****** The next day, she dressed Tang Wei in a handsome outfit that made him look like a dapper little gentleman. Tang Shi couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. “There’s no girl in the world who wouldn’t like our Tang Wei!” “I think so too!” The little boy preened, touching his chin with comical self-admiration. “It’s all because my mommy is so pretty that I turned out so well.” “Such a sweet talker. Come on, let’s go find your uncle.” Tang Shi’s brother, Tang Yi, now ran his own independent design studio. He had just landed a major project and had been sleeping at the studio for the past few days. Tang Shi buckled Tang Wei into his car seat and pulled onto the elevated highway. After she was released from prison, Tang Yi had taken her in. The two of them had supported each other while trying to find any news of their parents. The Tang Shi of the past had been a prodigy, a dazzling talent. As a teenager, one of her design sketches had captivated one of the biggest blue-blood brands abroad, earning her an invitation to contribute to their spring haute couture collection. From then on, her star had only risen brighter. Meeting Bo Ye must have been the catastrophe of her life. She, who had been so proud, had been reduced to a pathetic, miserable joke for his sake. Five years in a cage was just a chance to start over. No one was going to break her spine. She had adopted a new professional name and opened a studio with her brother. Life was manageable now. They weren't wealthy, but she could support Tang Wei without any problem. Tang Shi was grateful she wasn't some useless heiress. She had brains and talent; she could start over anytime, anywhere. Bo Ye had destroyed five years of her life. He wouldn't get a second more. As she drove, Tang Shi turned on the car radio. Tang Wei was fiddling with the dial when a news report about Bo Ye came on— “According to inside sources, Bo family heir, Bo Ye, will be visiting Lancheng at the end of this month to collaborate with the Ye Group. Both companies went public five years ago and now boast immense capital and financial power…” Tang Wei switched the channel before the report could finish. Tang Shi paused. “Uh… you don’t like it?” “I don’t like him,” Tang Wei said without hesitation. “That Bo Ye… he’s my father, isn’t he?” *What do you do when your kid is too smart? Will hitting him make him dumber? Urgent, need answers online.* Tang Shi forced a laugh. “How did you…” “How did I know?” Tang Wei pointed to his own face. “Mommy, I’ve seen his face on TV news reports. Now look at my face.” It turned out the fact they were father and son was so obvious even a five-year-old could figure it out. Tang Shi glanced at Tang Wei. “To prevent Bo Ye from trying to trick you into going back with him one day, I’ve decided to take you abroad for some plastic surgery this Lunar New Year.” Tang Wei replied, “It’s useless. If the Bo family heir wants to claim me, he’ll definitely run a DNA test.” Damn it! How could her son be so smart? The pressure of being his mom was immense. Tang Shi continued her strained laughter. “Hahaha, you’re so clever.” After a moment, Tang Wei said quietly, “Mommy, you don’t have to worry. I won’t go with him.” Tang Shi nearly slammed on the brakes. Her hands trembled on the steering wheel as she turned to look at him. “Why would you suddenly say that?” Tang Wei looked at her with utter seriousness. “I only want to be with you, Mommy. I don’t want anyone else. Not even a father.” Tears welled up in Tang Shi’s eyes. “You little rascal, who taught you to say things like that?” Tang Wei immediately sold out his accomplice. “Uncle taught me to say it to make you happy. He said I might even get snacks out of it.” Tang Shi slammed her hand on the horn, making it blare. That damn brother of mine! Give me back my heartfelt moment! Twenty minutes later, the three of them met at the amusement park entrance. Tang Yi took Tang Wei’s hand to go buy tickets, leaving Tang Shi standing alone, a smile on her face as she watched the big and small figures walk away. Just then, a black Maybach glided past behind them. Bo Ye’s gaze froze. He suddenly ordered his driver, “Stop the car.” Caught off guard, the driver hit the brakes. “What is it, Mr. Bo?” When Bo Ye looked back again, the figure he had seen on the wide road was gone. Was he seeing things? Why did that silhouette, for just a fleeting moment, look so much like her? He closed his eyes, taking a deep, frustrated breath. “Keep driving,” Bo Ye said. “Yes, sir.” The driver started the car again. Bo Ye leaned back against the seat, his gaze splintering into countless fragments. It had been five years. Why could he still remember the shape of her back?