The aunt nods, her expression hardening as she absorbs his words. The uncle continues, his voice growing colder, each syllable dripping with calculated intent. "We cannot let them discover the truth about their parents' inheritance. And even more, we need to make them so grateful that they never think or ask about the inheritance. But I suspect Fang Yuan already knows something. He's always been too clever. If he takes his share, the other two will follow, and we'll lose everything. He's a risk—a dangerous one. Your mission tonight is to ensure Gu Xianer eats with us at the dining table. She hasn't joined us for a meal in over ten years. You must not belittle or criticize her. Remember, she is our golden goose. We must pull her away from Fang Yuan's influence. They cannot be allowed to eat together anymore. Do you understand how critical this is?"
The aunt's lips curl into a sly smile, her eyes glinting with a mix of confidence and malice. "Don't worry. Who do you think I am? Do you doubt your wife's ability to handle such a simple task? Don't you have faith in me?"
The uncle's eyes narrow, his voice cutting like a blade. "It's not that I doubt you. It's that we cannot afford even the slightest mistake. One misstep, and everything we've worked for could crumble."
The aunt's smile falters for a moment, but she quickly regains her composure, her voice steady and assured. "I understand. I'll make sure Gu Xianer feels like the most cherished member of this family. And as for Fang Yuan…" Her voice trails off, her eyes glinting with malice. "We'll deal with him. One way or another."
The uncle nods, his expression grim, the weight of their schemes pressing down on him like a leaden cloak. "Good. Remember, this is not just about wealth or power. This is about control. We must ensure they remain dependent on us, grateful to us. Only then can we secure our future."
Gratitude is a lie that turns suffering into a gift. It traps us, making us accept crumbs and call it kindness. We mistake our chains for comfort, our obedience for strength. The system feeds on our silence, giving us false hope while stealing our power. We are both victims and enablers, too afraid to break free—because we were taught to love our chains.
At the same time, in Fang Yuan's room, the soft glow of moonlight spills through the window, bathing the siblings in its silvery light. Fang Yuan and Gu Xianer sit side by side, their eyes fixed on the night sky—a vast expanse dotted with stars, the moon hanging like a luminous pearl against the velvet darkness. The air is calm, peaceful, almost magical, as if the universe itself has paused to honor this quiet moment between them.
Fang Yuan breaks the silence with a gentle smile, his voice warm and inviting. "Xianer, do you want to hear a story about mortals touching the moon?"
Gu Xianer's face lights up instantly, her excitement bubbling over as she turns to him. Her eyes sparkle with childlike wonder, reflecting the moonlight like twin pools of liquid silver. "Can mortals really touch the moon? That means we can also touch the moon and stars! I want to know how. Please tell me!"
Fang Yuan chuckles softly, ruffling her hair affectionately. His touch is tender, a silent reassurance that he will always be there for her. "Don't worry, my little Xianer. One day, your brother will take you to the moon himself." His words carry a quiet confidence, a promise wrapped in tenderness. And then, he begins to weave the tale—how people from Earth, despite being mere mortals, used technology to reach the heavens. He speaks of rockets soaring into the sky, astronauts stepping onto the surface of the moon, leaving footprints that would last for centuries. His voice is steady, filled with wonder, painting vivid images of humanity's triumph over impossibility.
But just as Fang Yuan reaches the climax of the story, the door creaks open, interrupting the moment. Their aunt steps inside, her presence jarring against the serene atmosphere. Her lips are curled into a practiced smile, but her sharp eyes betray her true intentions. She addresses Gu Xianer first, her tone overly sweet, dripping with false warmth.
"Gu Xianer, my dear, you must be so tired after working so hard today. The meal is ready, and I've prepared something special just for you to celebrate becoming such a talented Gu Master."
Gu Xianer barely glances at her, her attention still lingering on Fang Yuan. Without hesitation, she replies, "Okay, I'll come after some time once the story is finished."
The aunt's smile falters for a split second before snapping back into place. She leans closer, her voice taking on an almost desperate edge. "But today's food is extra special, very yummy. You've never eaten anything like this in your entire life."
Her words seem to have no effect on Gu Xianer. In truth, even if hunger gnawed at her stomach or greed tugged at her heart, she would choose to starve alongside Fang Yuan rather than leave his side. To her, nothing compares to the bond they share—the warmth of his presence, the comfort of his stories.
Sensing the tension, Fang Yuan interjects, his voice gentle yet tinged with an undertone of sadness. A faint shadow lingers beneath his smile, betraying the storm brewing within him. "Gu Xianer, you did incredibly well today. You should go and eat until your heart is content."
It isn't jealousy that drives his words—it's something far deeper, far more painful. When he heard earlier that their aunt and uncle were preparing an extravagant feast to celebrate Gu Xianer and Fang Zheng's success as high-talent Gu Masters, a wave of indescribable pain crashed over him. The kind of pain that cannot be put into words—the agony of one's own failure. Despite his ironclad determination, the weight of his shortcomings presses down on him, heavy and suffocating. Because the brighter their celebration of success, the darker his failure becomes.
Gu Xianer shouts brightly, "Then I'll go and bring our food here! We can keep eating while you finish the story."
Before she can move, their aunt cuts in sharply, her tone firm. "You don't have to eat in this room anymore with Fang Yuan alone. You can join us at the table. There's plenty of food, and since you're now a Gu Master, you need to eat a lot to grow stronger."
Gu Xianer opens her mouth to protest, but Fang Yuan interrupts, his voice steady though it carries an unmistakable note of sorrow. "Let's go ahead and eat with them. It's enjoyable to share meals with family members at the same table."
Though he tries to mask it, the pain in his eyes betrays him. His unwavering determination burns brightly within him, but it only makes his expression appear all the more gloomy and pitiful. Each word he speaks feels like a dagger twisting in his chest, forcing him to push aside his own despair for the sake of his sister's happiness.
This is really painful. It is as if your own loving wife has died just now, but you have to go to celebrate another's wedding while showing that you are truly happy and blessing them. This pain is very suffocating and unbearable, but Fang Yuan walks with them with determination, as if his resolve can suppress all those feelings.
As Fang Yuan walks to the dining room with Gu Xianer, a phrase echoes in his heart:
"Your loved one's success warms your heart and fills you with pride and happiness, but the brilliant light of their achievement casts a deep, dark shadow, relentlessly reminding you of your own failures. The more you smile for them, the more that shadow grows, echoing in your chest and amplifying the quiet ache within your soul. It's as though every spark of joy you feel for them fans the flames of your own unspoken sorrow."