he got out of the car, pulling a lighter from his pocket and lighting a cigarette with one hand.Smoke obscured his stern features, and his cold gaze swept past Fu Yan's eyes.Fu Yan did not look at him...Fu Yan stopped a taxi to go back. On the way, she opened her live stream to watch Ji Lin's game.

The men's heavy sword competition was underway, and even a taxi driver stopped to watch. The live radio commentary crackled with excitement. Fu Yan silenced her phone, watching the screen while simultaneously listening to the commentators.

After a while, her vision blurred. She raised her hand to wipe away the tears and continued to watch silently. Her gaze kept blurring, so she repeatedly wiped it away.

When the driver saw them win the championship that season, he excitedly exclaimed, "Not bad for a young fella!"

He is my friend.

Fu Yan's heart was filled with unspoken feelings, her voice trembled with a hint of crying, yet she couldn't hide the pride within.

The driver glanced at the rearview mirror, his mouth twitching. At such a young age, how could this little girl be so full of hot air

"Are you watching the World Cup" The red light ahead stopped him.

"He really is my friend," she choked out, her eyes brimming with tears. They streamed down her face uncontrollably.

The driver, hearing something amiss, turned his head back with one hand on the steering wheel. The girl was in tears.

He panicked instantly, hurriedly saying: "Hey, don't cry! I believe him, right He's your friend, and your friends are really amazing!"

Fu Yan covered her face, as if all her strength had been drained. Her upper body couldn't bear the weight and collapsed onto her knees, tears streaming madly from between her fingers.

The driver had his doubts, but he didn't dare to speak.

If Wan Yi is a psychopath, he's going to be trouble. Better get him to his destination as soon as possible by driving him there.

In the quiet car, there was only the sound of the radio reporter interviewing Ji Lin after the game, and the muffled, suppressed sobs.

He was to be engaged to Shen Wei, all of her emotions were suppressed and held back, resentment, grievance, all compressed into a ball that she pressed down deep in her heart. But the moment she understood that she was a stand-in, her entire world crumbled.

All that had happened before, the warmth she thought she felt, were all illusions.

It turns out it never belonged to her.

It's because of that woman, Li Qin.

......

Back at the neighborhood, Fu Yan went to the post office to pick up a package. It was a birthday gift sent by Huo Yuan to her, and it was a large cardboard box.

She carried a brimming talent upstairs.

> I can't quite remember when it started, but Huo Yuan would buy her a gift every year. It didn't matter if it was her birthday or a holiday.

He didn't miss any of his treatments during those two years he was sick.

Gifts sent across the ocean are always extra thoughtful.

This time I don't know what it is.

Fu Yan sat cross-legged on the carpet, using a utility knife to cut open a cardboard box. Inside were a dazzling array of trinkets and toys.

A box full to the brim.

Her whole heart was suddenly filled, a smile appeared in Fu Yan's eyes. Huo Yuan shi, how did he know she hadn't prepared a gift this year

Since she came of age, she has visited the orphanage every year on her birthday to give gifts to the children and play games with them.

Because the founder of that nursing home was Huo Mingzheng.

It was a coincidence that the welfare home project started on her birthday.

She also wanted to help, even if it was a small amount, but being able to do something meaningful with him made her feel closer to him.

Even a little bit.

Day after day, she always thought she could stand closer to him.

After a harsh blow from reality, she understood that the distance between her and Huo Mingzheng wasn't because she hadn't stood close enough, but because he had never given her a chance.

Even so, she wouldn't distance herself from those children because of Huo Mingzheng.

Every year, she would start preparing gifts a month and a half in advance. However, things had been too hectic lately. If it weren't for Xia sending her a gift this morning and Huo Yuan calling, she would have truly forgotten about her birthday.

As she tidied up the trinkets in the box, she accidentally discovered a beautifully packaged box among the many toys.int of color.When Huo Yuan moved the porridge in front of her, his fingers brushed against her fingertips and gently clasped them. "Are you cold"Fu Yan shook her head, "You don't need to worry about m...