In 2009, Tongcheng, the ancestral home of the Huo family.

Deep into the night, the mansion was silent. Mu Qian carefully pulled open the door of her room and quietly tiptoed down to the kitchen.

At dinner time, Huo Bainian and his wife, Cheng Manhu, had another argument. The whole Huo family was at a loss, not to mention Mu Qian, a young orphan girl being fostered here. She could only hide in her room, without even having her dinner. However, at this time of the night, she was desperately hungry, being at the peak of her growth spurt, Mu Qian couldn't bear the hunger anymore.

When she opened the refrigerator, all Mu Qian found were two slices of white toast, which was better than nothing at all.

Suddenly, headlight beams flashed outside the window as someone brought a car home.

Mu Qian skillfully hid behind the kitchen door, munching her toast while listening for any sound.

The doors of the living room were pushed open, with familiar footsteps coming in.

Mu Qian listened to the sounds and counted the footsteps. When she got to thirty, she poked her head out of the kitchen.

The moonlight was vivid, bright and cold, spilling into the room like a layer of frost.

A man walked across the frost, as upright and slender as a cypress tree. The frost fell on his broad shoulders and blended in seamlessly, leaving no trace at all.

Mu Qian watched for a moment, then retracted her head, continuing to eat her toast with satisfaction.

She hadn't seen him for almost a week, and Mu Qian thought that they wouldn't cross paths again today, but to her surprise, he came back.

She hid the joy in her heart, silently finished the last bite of bread, and knocked her hands together. Hearing no more movement outside, she then opened the door and walked out.

But as soon as she emerged from the kitchen and looked up, Mu Qian stiffened.

In the middle of the winding staircase, Huo Jinxing, having shrugged off his suit jacket, was leaning on the railing, smoking a cigarette. His posture was casual and relaxed, a far cry from his usual meticulous and stern demeanor. The room was bathed in gentle light, falling on his crisp, white shirt, casting a soft halo that blurred his figure, making it look like a captivating illusion.

Mu Qian stood at the kitchen door, like a startled deer.

Huo Jinxi turned his face toward her.

The dim moonlight outlined his delicate and three-dimensional facial lines. His clear and refined eyebrows, however, were hidden in the darkness.

It seemed like he was looking at her, or perhaps… waiting for her.

Mu Qian was momentarily at a loss, her glossy, fragile arms unconsciously moving behind her. She anxiously squeezed her own hand before finally ascending the stairs.

Reaching Huo Jinxi, she looked up to finally see his eyebrows and eyes clearly.

He was indeed observing her. His eyes held a thin layer of interest and his lips hinted at a smile which wasn't quite obvious.

"Haven't you had enough to eat tonight?" He asked.

“Mhm."

Huo Jinxi looked at her thin, slender shoulders.

"And how about now?"

“I ate two slices of toast, I'm full." Mu Qian responded truthfully.

Huo Jinxi continued to smoke, the flickering ember at his fingertips reflecting a faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

"You're easy to keep.” He commented.

Mu Qian, unsure whether this line was a compliment or a slight, looked up at him.

Huo Jinxi simply looked at her, his eyes dark and deep, no longer speaking.

A sense of unease gradually crept over Mu Qian, causing her to avert her gaze and turn to ascend the stairs. However, to her surprise, her foot missed a step and she found herself overbalanced, pitching forward!

With keen sight and agility, Huo Jinxi quickly discarded his cigarette, stretching out his right hand to catch her.

The soft touch in the palm of his hand was unexpected.

Mu Qian froze. Huo Jinxi, too, momentarily forgot to move.

As if all the blood in her body surged upwards and rushed to her head, it took a while before Mu Qian could regain her composure. She had a flood of thoughts in her mind. Even though her brain and heart were in extreme chaos, her body miraculously settled down.

She did not dodge, did not avoid, she simply turned her head and looked into Huo Jinxi's gaze.

Mu Qian, a deer-eyed girl, had clear and bright eyes. Under the moonlight, there seemed to be a shimmer reflected in them.

That glimmer, it seemed, was born specifically for him.

Huo Jinxi gazed intently.

That year, she was 17, he was 25.

For the first time, Huo Jinxi realized that the little girl who had come to the Huo family when she was 10, had grown up.

A year passed.

In May 2010, when Mu Qian turned 18, she was about to face the university entrance examination.

The normal wind blew through the trees, causing the pale curtains to flutter. Mu Qian, leaning on her desk, was watching the rotating hands of her watch.

On the fifteenth day of the lunar calendar, a customary Hawk family feast day, all the Hawks should be present.

Mu Qian was looking forward to it, but she didn't dare to hope too much.

Over the past year, Hawk Jinxi seemed to be busier and busier, often not returning home for two to three weeks.

Mu Qian had retained the habit of having a late-night meal from a year ago, but she rarely saw him in the middle of the night anymore. The last time she saw him was over a month ago.

As the minute hand made three rounds, a black car drove into the Hawks' residence's gate.

Mu Qian stood up at once, watching the car approaching from far and near, stopping courtyard.

A minute later, Hawk Jinxi got out of the car.

Mu Qian turned to exit her room, walked to the stairway. She stopped, looked down at herself, took a deep breath, then walked down.

When she appeared at the top of the staircase, Hawk Jinxi was just pushing the door open.

There were many people in the living room. Lady Hawk, Cheng Manshu, and the two aunts were chatting on the couch. Two uncles and three uncles were tasting red wine together. A few younger siblings were playing a newly released motion game in front of the TV... Amid the chaos, Hawk Jinxi spotted Mu Qian standing on the staircase right away.

On the first day of her eighteenth birthday, Mu Qian tried on a red dress for the first time.

The weather in May was still slightly chilly. The sleeveless dress ended just above her knees, and the neckline was somewhat low, but it perfectly outlined the curves of a grown woman. The rich and passionate color made her skin seem snowy white, and her eyes shone even more brightly.

From a young age, Mu Qian was extremely pretty. After entering puberty, her facial features became even more distinct and her face glowed beautifully. Fortunately, her doe eyes were clean and clear, devoid of any enchanting aura.

Such beauty deserves the most vibrant colors. So when she wore red, she looked stunning.

Mu Qian knew full well that her dress would upset many people in the room, but she was rebellious for once.

On the first day of being an adult, she wanted to be her best self, all for the sake of one man's joy.

Huo Jinxi looked at her, his gaze deep and calm.

Facing his gaze, Mu Qian stepped lightly down the stairs, her heart throbbing.

However, Huo Jinxi still stood at the door. As she descended the last step, Huo Jinxi withdrew his gaze, looking out the door and extending his hand.

The next moment, he walked in, holding the hand of a girl.

"This is my girlfriend, Ye Jingwei." Huo Jinxi announced to everyone in the living room.

Everyone suddenly turned their attention towards the door, looking at the girl who was being held by Huo Jinxi.

No one noticed Mu Qian anymore.

She was originally the most dazzling presence in the room, but at that moment, she lost all her color.