Sunlight streamed into the room, and the person in bed suddenly opened her eyes. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was already a quarter past nine.
Zuri got out of bed, hurriedly dressed, and walked to the window, where she saw Nolan and Adam surrounded by a group of elderly men and women. Watching the two of them awkwardly fending off the seniors, a smile unknowingly crept onto her lips.
She opened the door and instinctively looked towards the sofa—empty.
"Zuri, come over and have breakfast."
Hearing the voice, Zuri looked towards the kitchen. Owen stood at the doorway, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, his handsome face adorned with a warm smile.
"I'm frying eggs. By the time you've washed up, breakfast will be ready."
Seeing her stand there without moving, Owen spoke again, "Hurry up."
He waved the spatula in his hand, urging her on.
Zuri walked into the bathroom, splashed water on her face to wake herself up. She gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her fingers lightly tracing her cheek. The terrifying scar from her past life was gone, but... She placed her hand over her heart, where the scar still ran deep.
Sitting at the table, she looked at the lavish breakfast spread before her as Owen placed a plate of fried eggs in front of her.
"Eat up! I spent all morning..." Owen began, but when he met her clear, bright eyes, he swallowed his words and quickly corrected himself, "...bought it all downstairs."
"This is too much," Zuri remarked.
Owen smiled, "It's fine. If you can't finish, there's always me. And if worse comes to worst, those two downstairs can help."
Zuri sipped the porridge. It was warm, at just the right temperature, clearly timed perfectly by the person across from her.
She bit into a bun, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.
These were from the bun shop she used to frequent—a place known for its fresh, juicy meat buns that were large and inexpensive.
She took another sip of soy milk, freshly ground, with a familiar taste.
All these breakfast items were exactly to her taste.
Zuri lowered her eyes slightly, her heart stirred just a little. She looked up at Owen, "Let them come up and eat with us."
"Don't worry about them; they're grown men. We'll eat our breakfast," Owen waved dismissively, showing no concern for his two brothers.
"Call them."
Seeing her insistence, Owen didn't argue further and dialed Nolan's number.
Downstairs, the two men were surrounded by a group of elderly folks, being scrutinized from head to toe.
"Oh my! Such a fine young man."
"How old are you, son? What do you do for a living? How many people in your family?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"I have a granddaughter—she's beautiful and a flight attendant. I think you two would be a perfect match. Let me give you her contact information. You youngsters should talk more."
"Don't dodge, young man! Auntie's talking to you. My niece is really great, just right for you."
...
Nolan and Adam tried to leave, but no matter where they went, a group of enthusiastic seniors followed, eager to matchmake.
After receiving Owen's call, the two quickly escaped. If they didn't leave now, they might never get away.
Upstairs, the four siblings sat around the simple dining table, eating breakfast.
Owen looked at his two older brothers and his sister.
How long had it been since they last sat down together like this for breakfast? This scene used to be common in their childhood, but after their sister was lost, everything at home changed.
Now, they could finally return to how things used to be.
Despite having been up all night, Nolan and Adam showed no signs of fatigue, still exuding their usual dignified demeanor.
After breakfast, Zuri invited the three of them to sit on the sofa, while she sat alone on the single chair opposite them. Her gaze swept over the three men.
She had met all three of them before, and she even had a good relationship with two of them.
She had never imagined that one day the people she admired from afar would turn out to be her family, and even more so, she never thought that one day they would all appear before her at the same time.
"Though we share the same blood, we grew up in completely different environments."
"You received the best education and learned the manners of nobility, while I grew up in the slums, where I had to lie, cheat, and steal to survive. I could beg on the streets or fight dogs for food."
"Your environment shaped your superior thinking and broad vision, while my environment didn't allow me to reach your level of thought and vision."
"Right now, perhaps out of guilt, you might tolerate my flaws and bad habits unconditionally. But I know, everyone's tolerance has a limit."
"One day, when you can no longer tolerate my shortcomings, my roughness, or my failure to fit into your high society, when that day comes, you will feel disdain and dissatisfaction."
"When that day arrives, what will I do?"
"We are not from the same world. Forcing myself into your world will only bring pain to us all. Instead of that, why not not start at all?"
"Things are fine the way they are now. I live my life, and you live yours. As long as we know that the other is doing well, isn't that better?"
"Distance creates beauty, doesn't it?"
Zuri smiled at the three of them.
The three men remained silent.
Entering a world that doesn't belong to you, a world where you don't fit, in the end, only leads to scars and pain.
Once was enough for such an experience.
Owen opened his mouth to say something, but Nolan spoke first, "Alright."
Seeing his agreement, Zuri smiled in relief.
"But you must promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Come back to the capital with me and meet someone. Once you've met her, you can decide whether to stay or leave."
Zuri thought for a moment and then nodded in agreement, "Okay."
That afternoon, the four of them boarded a private jet and flew directly to the capital.
At the same time, upon hearing the news, Azura was both happy and worried, thinking that Zuri was preparing to acknowledge her family.
Azura stood on the second floor, hearing movement downstairs, and eagerly ran out, only to see her uncle leading a group of people inside. She hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
By evening, after everyone had left, Azura cautiously peeked into the study.
"What is it? Speak!" Leo was processing documents, not even looking up.
"Uncle, um... Zuri has found her family." Azura spoke slowly.
Leo abruptly lifted his head, "When? Where is she now?"
"She should have arrived in the capital by now. You'll never guess who her real family is," Azura said smugly.
"Stop beating around the bush. Spit it out."
Seeing her uncle's serious expression, Azura didn't dare provoke him further and obediently replied, "Her brother is Nolan."
"What?!"
Leo shot up from his seat.
Azura was startled by her uncle's reaction.
She knew this would shock him, but she hadn't expected such an intense response.
"How did you find out?"
"If I told you I've known for three days, would you kill me?" Azura shrank back, summoning her courage to speak.
Leo stepped forward and fiercely pinched her cheek.
His grip was strong, forceful, with no intention of holding back.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch... Uncle, I promise to tell you first next time," Azura pleaded desperately.
Leo released his grip, looking at his oblivious niece, his hand itching to teach her a lesson.
Zuri is from the Feng family! She's actually a member of the Feng family!
Leo shot Azura a cold glance, causing her to shiver and quickly scamper away.
Leo walked over to his desk, pressed a series of numbers, and said, "Fang Xiang, postpone tomorrow's schedule. Also, arrange a flight to the capital tonight."
Meanwhile, at the capital's airport, a private jet had just landed, and two luxury cars were already waiting nearby. Four people disembarked from the plane and immediately boarded the cars, which slowly left the tarmac.
Zuri looked at the towering buildings outside the window. This was her first time in the capital in both lifetimes, and everything felt unfamiliar.
Owen, sitting next to her, noticed her focus on the scenery and silently swallowed his words.
After about an hour, the cars gradually drove into a private estate. The guards at the entrance saw the two vehicles and let them pass without hesitation.
As soon as the cars stopped, the door opened, and Zuri stepped out, standing at the entrance, looking at the historic old house before her.
The three brothers walked up to her.
"This is our home. You lived here until you were one year old," Nolan said.
One year old—there were no memories of that time.
Zuri looked at the unfamiliar surroundings in silence.
The four entered the house, where Aunt Zhang was already waiting at the door. When she saw Zuri, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
"This must be the young miss!" Aunt Zhang exclaimed happily, stepping forward to greet her.
Feng An descended from the second floor, walking into the living room, his gaze landing on Zuri. When he saw her face, his expression froze for a moment.
She looks so much like her!
As he studied Zuri, she was also scrutinizing him.
The man before her had striking features. The three brothers bore some resemblance to him, his demeanor authoritative, with an aura of power.
Nolan said to Zuri, "This is our father, Feng An."
Zuri gave him a slight nod.
Feng An approached, his stern lips curving into a gentle smile. "Zuri, welcome home."
"You've got the wrong person. I'm just here to meet someone. After that, I'll be leaving," Zuri said calmly.
Feng An was taken aback and turned to the three brothers, his eyes questioning them.
Owen shrugged, looking helpless.
Adam pretended not to hear.
Nolan asked, "Zuri, would you like to rest first?"
"No need."
"Alright then."
Nolan led Zuri upstairs but ordered the others to wait downstairs.
Feng An followed them to the deepest part of the second floor. When they reached the end of the corridor, they both stopped.
"She's inside."
Nolan opened the door, allowing Zuri to enter alone. Feng An wanted to follow, but Nolan blocked his way.
As Zuri stepped into the room, the door slowly closed behind her.
"Lullaby, my little darling, sleep tight; in your dreams, Mommy will be by your side..." A soft, melodious voice sang, its gentle tone like a flowing stream, tenderly brushing over the heart, captivating and soothing.
Zuri followed the gentle voice, her gaze sweeping over the large room filled with various wooden dolls and toys. In the center was a pink princess bed, beside which a woman gently patted a doll nestled in the covers. The woman's expression was tender, her movements delicate, as if handling a precious treasure with utmost care.
The woman kissed the doll affectionately, whispering softly, "My sweet Ying'er, Mommy's good little baby."
Zuri's heart trembled as she looked at the woman.
This is her mother!
Fu Junran seemed to feel the intense gaze from behind and turned around. Her empty, lifeless eyes met Zuri's bright, clear ones.
In an instant, the angelic, pink little baby from Fu Junran's memory merged with the girl before her.
"Ying'er."
A spark of life suddenly lit up Fu Junran's vacant eyes.
She rushed forward, pulling Zuri into a tight embrace. "Ying'er, you're Mommy's Ying'er. You really came back. My little Ying'er has really come back."
Zuri could clearly feel the dampness on the back of her neck.
"I'm sorry, my baby. It's all Mommy's fault. I didn't take good care of you." Her voice remained gentle but was choked with sobs.
Zuri stood stiffly, letting her mother hold her.
Fu Junran repeatedly apologized, blaming herself over and over.
For over ten years, she had constantly blamed herself for her failure, punishing herself endlessly, unable to find peace.
For over ten years, she had been tormented by her own guilt.
Her arms around Zuri were strong, holding on tightly, as if afraid to lose her again.
Zuri could feel the intense emotions emanating from her mother—guilt, regret, fear, joy—all intertwined.
These complex and powerful emotions disturbed Zuri's calm heart.
Her mind was blank, and she didn't know how to react to the situation. She could only stand there awkwardly, allowing herself to be held, even though it was hard to breathe.
Outside the room, Feng An and Nolan anxiously waited. Feng An's stern face showed signs of worry and unease, his eyes fixed on the door.
Nolan stood quietly by his side, saying nothing.
Feng An frowned, "Why is it so quiet in there? Is something wrong?"
Nolan glanced coldly at his father, his voice cool, "No."
To outsiders, his father was a wise and decisive figure, but when it came to matters involving his mother, he always lost his composure.
"It's been so long without a sound. Something's not right."
As he spoke, Feng An moved to open the door, but Nolan caught his hand.
"Wait a little longer."
Whether Zuri could be moved, whether she could soften her heart, depended on whether their mother could break through the walls around it.
He would not allow anyone to interfere, not even his own father.
Inside the room, Fu Junran's emotions gradually calmed. Seeing that Zuri remained silent, she grew anxious and worried, cautiously asking, "Ying'er, are you sleepy? Do you want Mommy to hold you while you sleep?"
Zuri was about to say 'No,' but when she met her mother's cautious, fearful eyes, she softened.
"Okay."
Zuri obediently lay down on the bed.
Fu Junran happily tucked her in, gently patting her like a baby, singing a soft lullaby, "Lullaby, my little darling, sleep tight; in your dreams, Mommy will be by your side..."
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