7:00 in the morning.
Jiarui wakes up from the soft bed of a new luxurious room. He hears the gentle rustling of the white curtains swaying with the breeze. He stands near the window, facing the first golden rays of the morning sunlight filtering in.
There is a depth in his eyes—a desire to start fresh—but he still cannot forget an old face.
He looks outside the window—the vast garden is painted light orange by the sun's rays.
Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, there's a sound at the door, and someone knocks.
Jiarui opens the door.
He sees that his Grandpa Zhenhai (a man of elegance and authority) has brought toys for him—luxury cars and toy guns in a big box. Along with them, many designer and fashionable clothes.
Jiarui cannot understand anything.
Grandpa Zhenhai (in a deep, affectionate voice): "May I come in?"
Jiarui nods innocently and softly says, "Yes."
Grandpa Zhenhai places the box down and spreads all the clothes beautifully on the bed.
Jiarui (eyes sparkling): "All this is for me, Uncle?"
Grandpa Zhenhai gives him a loving smile. He sits down and gently strokes his forehead.
Grandpa Zhenhai: "Yes, child. Call me Grandpa, not Uncle. Understand? You are my beloved grandson. You look just like me, so handsome!"
He stands up and takes out two toy color guns from the box. He gives one to Jiarui and keeps one for himself.
Grandpa Zhenhai (playfully): "Shall we have a match between Grandpa and Grandson?"
Jiarui (with excitement in his eyes): "Okay! Let's do it!"
They both put on helmets and shoulder pads. In the middle of that luxurious room, they start shooting color pellets at each other.
There was real happiness between them. Jiarui starts laughing loudly, as if he has finally found someone who cares about him.
Both get tired and sit on the bed, panting softly.
Knock! Knock!
Suddenly, a light knock at the door.
It's a little girl—Aanya. She is wearing a pink frock and has a neatly tied ponytail. She bows respectfully and says in her sweet voice:
Aanya: "Great Master and Young Master, breakfast is ready. Please come downstairs."
Jiarui keeps staring at her. Seeing her innocent smile, he doesn't know why, but something stirs inside him—a depth and a desire to say something.
Grandpa Zhenhai: "Okay, we will come in a bit.little aanya
Aanya (smiling): "Yes, Great Master."
She bows again politely and walks away.
Grandpa Zhenhai notices how Jiarui looks at Aanya.
Grandpa Zhenhai (teasing): "She's cute, right?"
Jiarui doesn't answer.
Grandpa Zhenhai: "Well, do you like her? If you say, I'll talk to her family for you?"
Jiarui (quickly refusing, embarrassed): "No, no! Nothing like that! I… Grandpa, I'm very hungry!"
Grandpa Zhenhai laughs loudly: "Let's go then!"
They both go downstairs.
As they walk down the stairs, everyone sitting at the luxurious dining table becomes shocked.
Because Grandpa Zhenhai and Jiarui are wearing matching high-end outfits and both look majestic together.
Yan Yuxuan (Jiarui's stepmother) burns with jealousy inside. Grandpa Zhenhai had never shown such open affection to her son Kieran Yan but now he was showing it to Jiarui.
She forces a fake smile and says:
Yan Yuxuan (sarcastically): "Grandpa and grandson look so alike. No need for a DNA test."
Grandpa Zhenhai (ignoring the taunt, happily): "Yes, yes! My grandson and I look exactly alike, don't we!"
Zhenyu (Jiarui's father), dressed in a corporate-power formal outfit, says only:
Zhenyu (cold, emotionless voice):
"Please don't show this much love to my son. I don't want my son to become weak and ruin his life. Especially because of some… low class…"
He looks at Aanya (who appears to be a staff girl). Aanya gets scared and hides behind her mother immediately.
Zhenyu picks up his briefcase and says:
"I'm leaving office. All the documents are ready. When my elder son Jiarui turns 18, the entire property will be his, including Yan Empire."
He leaves.
But this hits Yan Yuxuan like a sword. She keeps her expression calm, but inside, staring at Jiarui, she silently thinks:
[Yan Yuxuan's thoughts]:
This boy came just two days ago and took away my son's share of the property! First his mother, and now her son… why didn't he die too!
Grandpa Zhenhai (excitedly): "Eat quickly. After breakfast, I'll show you the whole city and Yan Empire. Okay?"
Jiarui (smiling sweetly): "Okay, Grandpa!"
But his eyes still drift toward Aanya, who is looking at him with fear in her eyes.
Time passed…
The love between Grandpa and grandson grew deeper. Jiarui's heart became full of warmth and affection for his Grandpa.
His father, Zhenyu, did love him, but never expressed it.
He always told Jiarui to become "stone-hearted."
[Zhenyu's belief]:
Those who love become weak. Only those with stone hearts are strong.
Seeing this deep love between Grandpa and grandson, Yan Yuxuan's hatred for Jiarui grew stronger.
And now all the property was under Jiarui's name.
One day…
When Grandpa Zhenhai wasn't home, Jiarui gets extremely hungry.
He goes to the kitchen.
While trying to take a chocolate from the fridge, he accidentally touches a wine bottle which falls and shatters.
CLANG! SHATTER!
Lu Feng (a household maid) rushes in.
She starts cleaning the broken glass.
Lu Feng (worried): "Child, are you hurt?"
She quickly continues cleaning. Then Yan Yuxuan enters.
Seeing her expensive wine shattered on the ground, her face turns red with anger. She walks to the frightened Jiarui.
Yan Yuxuan (furious): "Do you have no brain?! You broke my precious wine!"
Without thinking, she slaps Jiarui hard.
Lu Feng (panicked): "Ma'am, it was my mistake. He did nothing!"
Yan Yuxuan (snapping at Lu Feng): "Shut up! I know it's his fault!"
Jiarui begins crying.
Jiarui (with tears, softly): "I'm sorry, Aunty… It happened by mistake. Please forgive me…"
But nothing changes her heart.
She drags him away.
Lu Feng wants to stop her, but she is afraid she might lose her job.
---
🌑 The Door of Darkness
Yuxuan drags Jiarui to an old room where there is absolutely no light.
The room smells damp and suffocating.
She shoves him inside.
Yan Yuxuan (pointing a finger, harsh voice): "You will stay here for one hour! Understand?!"
Poor Jiarui tries to open the door.
He hits the door with his little hands.
Jiarui (crying loudly): "I'm sorry, Aunty! Please! I won't do it again! Please!"
He loses hope and sits on the floor, remembering his Grandpa.
Then suddenly, the horrible accident flashes in his mind.
He hears his mother and sister screaming.
His breathing becomes heavy, a cold wave passes through his body.
Darkness and fear completely surround him.
Suddenly, with a soft click, the door opens.
It is none other than the little Aanya.
She had used her foot to push the door open.
A thin beam of light enters the darkness.
Jiarui and her eyes meet.
Aanya, his saviour, pulls him out of that darkness.
Aanya (softly, worried): "Young Master, are you okay?"
Jiarui has tears in his eyes, but he nods slowly.
Suddenly, someone's footsteps are heard.
Aanya quickly grabs his hand and tries to run.
She takes him to a small room—her secret room.
It's hidden behind the garden shed, and from inside, it's bright and clean.
Both stop there, breathing heavily.
Aanya smiles lightly.
Jiarui stares at her cheerful smile.
There was something about this girl—her smile made him forget his pain.
Suddenly, Jiarui's stomach growls.
Growl!
Aanya bursts into laughter.
Jiarui laughs with her.
Aanya (smiling): "Young Master, you're hungry!"
Jiarui (embarrassed): "Yes…"
Aanya takes out a snack packet from her basket.
Aanya: "Here, Young Master."
Jiarui takes it and quickly tears it open to eat.
Aanya (with concern, in a motherly tone):
"Young Master, eat slowly! My Mama says, 'Eating fast is bad for our health'."
Jiarui (mouth full): "Don't call me Young Master. Call me by my name."
Aanya (innocently): "But I don't know your name."
Jiarui (softly): "My name is Zhāo Jiāruì."
Aanya repeats it lovingly:
"Zhāi Jīrāi!"
Jiarui starts laughing loudly.
After his Grandpa, she was the first one who could make him laugh.
He gently taps her head.
Jiarui (laughing): "You're really silly! You can't even say my name properly!"
Aanya (angry, hands on hips):
"Don't laugh at me, Young Master!
I know my family's names!
My brother's name is Lù Jiàn,
my Mama's name is Lù Fāng,
my Papa's name is Lù Wèi,
and my name is Aanya Lù!
And I can dance too!
I will become a dancer when I grow up!
Understand, Young Master?"
Jiarui (playfully): "Okay! Then show me your dance!"
Aanya (putting a condition): "If I dance, will you be my friend?"
Jiarui (instantly): "Yes!"
Aanya takes off her shoes and starts dancing.
It is a Chinese traditional dance, simple yet filled with joy.
While dancing, her hair ribbon falls. She doesn't notice it.
Jiarui picks up the ribbon.
Aanya finishes and bows politely, holding her pink frock.
Aanya: "How was my dance?"
Jiarui ties the ribbon back in her hair and extends his hand.
Jiarui: "Will you be my friend?"
Aanya smiles: "Yes!"
She became his first friend.
Jiarui holds her hand and asks:
"Will you dance with me?"
Aanya: "Yes!"