Sunshine Filled with Thoughts

Yanyan had always been aware of the heavy burden she carried. Fortunately, aside from her irresponsible parents, she also had her uncle, An Jingcheng, by her side. He had always stood beside her, teaching her how to manage the vast family business.

She had once asked her uncle, “Why isn’t your father in charge of the company? Back then, great-grandpa’s best choice should have been your father. Why did he insist on handing such a large enterprise to my dad in the end?”

That day, while reviewing the history of the family business, An Jingcheng sat comfortably in front of the floor-to-ceiling window with a cup of coffee, enjoying life. He looked incredibly relaxed, even squinting a bit, ready to doze off. He had momentarily forgotten about the ruckus caused by the two little troublemakers, Duoduo and Da Duoduo, and was savoring a brief moment of peace. But suddenly, one question shattered his tranquility.

He had heard Yanyan’s words clearly. He turned to look at the young man in a neatly tailored suit sitting at the desk, whose face still held a youthful innocence, though his thoughts were as profound as an adult’s.

A smile suddenly blossomed on his face, illuminated by the golden rays streaming through the window, as if he had captured a moment of philosophical brilliance.

“Because of some matters, but it’s been many years. Do you want to hear about it?”

“Um…” Yanyan got up and respectfully stood next to An Jingcheng. She had always looked up to her uncle, and every time he spoke, she stood by his side, all ears. It was a gesture of respect.

An Jingcheng found it amusing to see his little niece so formal, but he didn’t stop her; he smiled. Then he turned to gaze at the fading twilight over Beijing. A plethora of emotions swirled within him. A few years ago, he had stood here with his brother, overlooking this grand city. Over a decade ago, he had stood with his grandfather in the same spot. Now, he was here with his niece, peering out over the imperial capital, and he suddenly realized with a twinge of sadness that he had always played the supporting role.

With a silent chuckle, he began to recall a story that was almost forgotten by everyone.

“Maybe you haven’t heard that my father was my grandfather’s illegitimate son. At that time, the family could only acknowledge my father because An Jinmo’s father suddenly disappeared along with An Jinmo’s mother. To prevent the possibility of having no one to inherit his wealth in the future, they accepted my father’s existence. But Yanyan, you must always remember, there’s a distinction between legitimate sons and illegitimate sons. In ancient times, this was crucial for establishing an heir, and even now, it’s key for inheriting wealth and family businesses.

Originally, before An Jinmo’s father was found, my grandfather’s will was to leave all his assets to my father and me. But later, they found An Jinmo’s father. My father nearly went insane at that time. He thought of many ways, but in the end, he discovered that only one way could keep the wealth in our family: he believed he had to kill An Jinmo’s father. He thought it and then did it. In the end, An Jinmo’s parents were both dead. But he never knew it was my father who did it. Not until An Jinmo turned seventeen.

At that time, you might not know how formidable your father was. He was involved in fights, drinking, and forming gangs; he did everything a rebellious teenager could do. My grandfather was so furious that he ended up in the hospital, and at one point, he even considered changing the inheritance originally left to An Jinmo. Then, suddenly, everything changed. He transformed like a myth, altering everyone’s perception of him. He quickly became an exemplary student, surpassing my own two years of hard work in just one semester. We both went to the U.S. to pursue our master’s degrees together…”

As An Jingcheng spoke, his gaze suddenly softened, taking him back many years. They had studied together, partied together, and shopped in various luxury stores in the U.S., all to elevate their fashion sense.

Night began to fall. He spoke slowly, and Yanyan listened attentively from behind him. His thoughts suddenly drifted back to those many years ago, following his uncle’s words.

“Our relationship was very good. I always wanted an older brother, and An Jinmo truly was a great brother. After returning home, the inheritance issue began to escalate, and my father’s actions became increasingly aggressive. An Jinmo’s tenuous relationship with my grandfather became the opening my father needed to act. But An Jinmo quietly resolved everything. The fake accounts my father had set up, the schemes aimed at framing An Jinmo-all of them were unwittingly unraveled by him. I’m not sure when he suddenly discovered that his parents had been killed at my father’s instigation. His initially low-profile approach began to unfold in a bold manner, instantly turning my father’s assets into hollow numbers devoid of real meaning.

The old master, although he appeared to be oblivious to everything, was resolved to pass the family legacy to An Jinmo after this incident. During this time, my father wanted me to sabotage An Jinmo’s claim to the inheritance. Even if he couldn’t obtain it himself, he hoped I could outdo An Jinmo to secure that wealth. But I didn’t, because at that moment, I was by An Jinmo’s side. He had given me all his trust, and I knew all his secrets. If I wanted, that wealth was within my reach. Later, I asked him, ‘Why do you trust me so much? I’m the son of your enemy.’ That day, while he was reviewing documents, An Jinmo looked incredibly handsome and charming while he worked. His response was the most captivating thing I had ever heard. He didn’t even look up, simply stating in a calm tone, ‘I trust you…’

Only those with immense self-confidence can so easily speak such words of trust to the closest person to their enemy. It was this very statement that made me wholeheartedly dedicate myself to him and work with unwavering loyalty, even continuing to work for his son afterward. I really have come a long way…”

Yanyan’s lips suddenly broke into a beautiful smile as he looked at his uncle and then gazed out at the brightly lit city of Beijing, significantly altering his perspective on his father.

“You’re truly remarkable!” Yanyan couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Hahaha…” An Jingcheng burst into laughter, his expression radiating joy and delight. He seemed carefree and very happy.

“Actually, An Jinmo is really skilled at understanding and controlling people’s hearts. Only someone like that can stand atop and dominate those of us who have been caught by our weaknesses.”

“Ah!” Yanyan suddenly didn’t quite understand the meaning behind his uncle’s words.

“You don’t understand this yet, but you’ll know when you grow up. Yanyan, do you know? The highest level of controlling a person is to have their soul follow your call and action. Your father possesses this ability, but he has become increasingly low-key. I fear that in this world, the only person who can make him lose all judgment is your mother…”

An Jingcheng stood up, taking a bottle of red wine from the cabinet along with two crystal glasses that An Jinmo cherished greatly.

He poured a glass and handed it to Yanyan, who was standing by and watching him. This boy, barely in his teens, had grown to possess an allure that rivaled even his father’s. Truly, each generation is stronger than the last! But no matter how handsome he looked, he was still a man; it would be better if he were a bit more rugged. If he had a daughter with such charm, that would be wonderful!

Unbeknownst to Yanyan, his respected uncle was silently judging him. As he watched An Jingcheng smile at him, a sense of foreboding suddenly filled his heart.

“Mom said I can’t drink until I’m eighteen…” Yanyan quickly declined.

“Oh come on! Stop pretending in front of me. You little rascal, you probably already drank more than I know, yet you bring up your mother. Do you think she can really keep you from drinking until you’re eighteen?” At that moment, An Jingcheng’s thoughts were clearly muddled from the wine; the man who usually exuded an elegant and composed demeanor was now showing none of that grace whatsoever.

Yanyan’s face flushed suddenly. To be honest, he had drunk before. Quite a bit, actually.

Now that his uncle had pointed it out so clearly, it was hard not to feel embarrassed. No matter how mature he tried to act in front of others, in the presence of family, he was still just a kid. It was always like that.

After thinking it over, Yanyan decided it was pointless to deny it any longer. He lifted his glass and began to drink.

The uncle and nephew ended up drinking a lot that evening. As they both started to feel tipsy, An Jingcheng suddenly said, “Not long ago, I saw you walking with a little girl. Have you taken a liking to her? If so, you’d better move fast. If you miss out, it might cost you a lot…”

By the time An Jingcheng said this, he was quite out of it, and the charming man had already fallen asleep on the sofa. However, Yanyan’s mind instantly became clear upon hearing those words. Even though he was only sixteen, he knew in that fleeting moment when he saw that girl that she was the one he wanted to spend his life with.

Although he was still young, Yanyan had already learned how to use his own power to get what he wanted. When he first saw her, he had just exited the Seafang International building, where his grandfather had briefed him on the cooperation plan for the next quarter. Feeling a bit fatigued, Yanyan, at his young age, had already begun managing high-level matters. He didn’t know if it was because his father was overly trusting or if he enjoyed taking risks, but he, still a minor, was making decisions on million-yuan¹ business orders. Fortunately, every one of his ventures had been successful.

After leaving the building, feeling a bit lightheaded, he declined the driver’s offer to take him home. His special status made it risky for him to walk alone on the streets, so he decided to take a casual stroll in a nearby park. Just as he sat down, a sharp cry interrupted him. A small girl, only about thirteen or fourteen years old, rushed over to him, sweat glistening on her face under the sunlight. Her beautiful eyes were filled with anxiety as she nervously urged, “Don’t sit down! Please don’t sit down!”

Yanyan, with his obsidian-black eyes, watched the girl, unsure of how to respond. His body was still hovering just above the bench, frozen in a silly pose that made him, despite his otherwise remarkable appearance, look foolish.

Su Nong was quite pleased with how this handsome boy was reacting to her. She spoke cautiously, “I saw a beautiful leaf over there. I want to use it for my collection! Please don’t sit down! Just stand up while I pick up that small leaf, and then you can sit back down, okay?!”

Su Nong looked sincere, but in the heart of this thirteen-year-old girl, she had not yet formed any deep thoughts about relationships. Seeing a good-looking boy was enough to make her look a bit longer; it wasn’t love at first sight or anything remotely romantic. In her innocent world, her only priorities were collecting the prettiest leaves in the world or lying on a lounge chair soaking up the sun.

Yanyan complied and stood up, watching this girl, who seemed entirely focused on herself, bend down to pick up the little maple leaf that had somehow ended up under him. He couldn’t help but feel puzzled.

It was summer, not the season for fallen leaves. That leaf, brimming with fate’s involvement, seemed to act as an invisible red thread, tying these two people, who had no prior connection, together.

After Su Nong picked up the leaf, she turned to him and said thank you before skipping away. Not far off, a woman dressed warmly and softly watched her daughter approach, smiling.

Yanyan watched the scene unfold before him, and he felt a string within him suddenly resonating.

He instructed the bodyguard following him to find out everything about that girl. He learned that she had a very warm name, sharing the same surname as his grandmother: Su Nong.

She had abruptly entered his life, making it impossible for his heart to remain calm.

Perhaps it was a legacy from his grandfather, inheriting the trait of unwavering loyalty in love. Whether it was An Jinmo or An Yan, once they fell for someone, they would never let go or be drawn to other women.

To be loved by such people was both a burden and a blessing.

Su Nong’s life began to change. Coming from a modestly comfortable background, her father rapidly rose from a small department manager to the general manager of a subsidiary in just two months. When her living situation transformed from a nice apartment to a sunlit villa complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, frilly purple curtains, and a spacious princess bed, she found herself feeling out of place.

She might have been a lively little sparrow, but suddenly, her nest had turned from a humble abode into a gilded one. She couldn’t shake off the feeling of discomfort, even though all of this was what she had always dreamed of. Yet, the ease and illusion of it all instinctively repulsed her.

An Yan was anxiously counting down the moments until they would meet. Finally, the day arrived. He invited Su Nong and her family under the guise of a company gathering. With Su Nong being their only daughter, the family was excited. On that day, An Yan felt exceptionally nervous, but fortunately, his parents were still in Brisbane and had no intention of returning soon, leaving him alone to pace around his room dressed in an exquisitely tailored suit.

The banquet finally began, and their fates began to collide that very night.

Like his father, An Yan was always the center of attention, no matter the occasion. So, when he descended the staircase covered in ivory carpet, the previously chaotic living room fell eerily silent.

He looked like a prince straight out of a fairy tale, captivating everyone in the room, from the thirty- and forty-something women to the thirteen- and fourteen-year-old girls, all of whom admired him from the depths of their hearts.

Of course, Su Nong was also taken with him. This impeccably handsome young man was undoubtedly a prince charming in the eyes of many girls.

Su Nong had always had a bit of self-awareness. While she could indulge in fantasies, she was very clear about the difference between dreams and reality. After fawning over An Yan for a brief moment, she stopped watching him. She noticed that the food here was plentiful and almost everything was to her liking. From the moment she entered, she hadn’t paused for even a minute.

While everyone’s eyes were on An Yan, Su Nong took this opportunity to hide in a corner and eat to her heart’s content.

This was her first time attending such a formal and upscale event. Although she wore an appropriate outfit, it lacked a sense of style, which made her look particularly… particularly plain amid all the glamour. Tonight, she had chosen a floral dress with a fitted waist, and as she indulged in the feast, she completely overlooked a small issue: with each bite, her stomach was continuously expanding.

During his investigation, An Yan had learned about Su Nong’s favorite foods, so the banquet had been arranged accordingly.

Seeing her enjoy herself so much brought him a sense of satisfaction.

Su Nong ate for a long time. When she felt she had eaten enough, she looked for a quiet corner to take a break and play with her phone.

But the moment she sat down, she heard the sound of fabric tearing.

Instantly, she felt crushed.

Did this mean she would embarrass her father at her first formal event? The thought made her feel a wave of indignation. However, she quickly reminded herself that she needed to come up with a plan to hide the fact that her dress had torn. Standing up now would surely be embarrassing. So, as long as no one invited her to dance, she would refuse.

An Yan, who was sipping champagne at the staircase, had watched the entire scene unfold. Suddenly, he turned and went upstairs. He retrieved a women’s shawl. Since falling for Su Nong, he had made it a habit to buy her clothes every time he visited a clothing store. Though he didn’t know her exact size, he had a clear picture in his mind.

He chose a camel-colored Prada shawl, a stylish piece that was part of this year’s limited edition. At first glance, he knew it would complement Su Nong perfectly.

Carrying the shawl down the stairs, he was careful not to draw attention to himself. He approached Su Nong and sat down beside her, his smile warm and friendly.

“I noticed your dress tore. I got you a shawl. Would you like it?”

As An Yan spoke, he politely handed her the shawl. This way, he ensured Su Nong wouldn’t feel uncomfortable. He understood what actions could upset her, so he made sure that both his words and gestures were within her comfort zone.

Su Nong’s emotions were beyond simply being touched. It felt like a timely blessing!

“Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!”

An Yan smiled softly and kindly.

“No need to thank me. If you want to change into a different dress, I have one upstairs. My mom often buys clothes for my cousin, who’s the same age as you, and she hasn’t worn them yet. You could use one of those.”

“Well…” Su Nong truly wanted to change, but wouldn’t it be rude to take the host’s belongings?

“I’m really sorry if I haven’t hosted you well… But if you don’t want to change…”

An Yan spoke hesitantly on purpose to give Su Nong time to consider whether she should go upstairs and change.

“Well, that would be a bit of an imposition!” Hearing the guilt in An Yan’s tone made Su Nong feel like her character was lacking. How could she not appreciate the host’s good intentions? It was truly inconsiderate of her!

After hearing her reply, An Yan felt satisfied.

He led Su Nong upstairs, of course, not through the main staircase but via the rear side staircase, so no one noticed. With so many people gathered for dinner, everyone would be too absorbed in their conversations to pay close attention. As for Su Nong’s parents, her mother was caught up chatting with a group of wealthy ladies, all curious about how a junior employee could rise to manager so quickly. Meanwhile, Su Nong’s father was networking with several managers, creating opportunities and connections for his future career.

Once they were upstairs, An Yan took Su Nong to the fitting room, a place that had existed since he first met her, filled with clothes bought for her. Yet she had no idea about any of this.

“Which one should I wear?” Su Nong gazed at the many outfits, none of which she could name by brand, sighing to herself. They all looked incredible, but it was hard to choose. What if she picked something very expensive? She had heard that those little dresses could only be worn once. Wearing one a second time would be disrespectful to the event and the host.

“Since I haven’t hosted you well today, let me gift you a dress!”

After An Yan spoke, he walked over to the wardrobe and opened the exquisite door. Inside hung a single dress-a black off-the-shoulder little slip dress, meticulously crafted. The straps, adorned with real diamonds, sparkled brilliantly under the fitting room lights. The moment Su Nong saw the dress, she could tell it must be incredibly valuable.

Without giving it a second thought, she refused.

“I can’t accept this dress! Why are you giving me clothes?” Su Nong’s eyes were full of innocence and confusion as she spoke, leaving An Yan unsure of how to respond to her question.

“Just try it on. If you want to return it, you can. If not, that’s fine. How does that sound?” This response made Su Nong feel more comfortable with the idea.

After a moment of hesitation, she finally said, “Alright, I’ll go change…”

She turned and walked into the fitting room. Time passed quickly, and when Su Nong emerged, she wore a pair of flat sandals that clashed with the very sexy black mini dress. Fortunately, An Yan had also bought several pairs of shoes. He opened the shoe cabinet and found a pair of creamy white high heels.

“Put these on. If you want to return them, you can; if not, consider them a gift!”

No girl could resist the allure of beauty. As Su Nong looked in the mirror, she felt as if she had transformed into a princess and struggled to adapt.

She was truly stunning. Even at just thirteen, her chest showed subtle signs of development. Though her figure was somewhat slender, her delicate collarbones were accentuated beautifully. Her long, even legs made her look simply exquisite.

An Yan couldn’t help but walk over to the jewelry box and picked out a delicate diamond necklace, fastening it around Su Nong’s neck. He then gently let down her long, dark hair, styling it into a loose bun and adding a beautiful camellia flower. Watching Su Nong shine in the mirror, his eyes momentarily lost focus. In his sight, there was nothing else-only this luminous girl.

When Su Nong descended the stairs again, she captivated everyone at the banquet; her parents even struggled to recognize their own daughter.

She was breathtakingly beautiful.

As she walked down the stairs, Su Nong playfully looped her arm through An Yan’s, ready to take part in the evening’s first dance.

As they glided around the dance floor, An Yan’s eyes stayed locked on Su Nong’s, the deep affection in them clear for anyone to see. A girl as perceptive as Su Nong surely understood. However, she couldn’t fathom why such a remarkable young man would like her.

Of course, later on, she asked him this question.

“Because I love the light in your eyes…”

By that time, they had become a couple and were even planning their wedding. Seven whole years had passed since their first meeting.

Su Nong gazed at her own reflection in the mirror, her eyes just like anyone else’s. Why did they shine? Did she possess some hidden superpower?

She chuckled softly and then turned to embrace the man standing behind her.

Footnote: