Zuri had passed by the amusement park countless times, only able to stand outside and watch as children her age, hand in hand with their parents, happily entered the park. Back then, she had often fantasized that one day, she too would enter the amusement park and try out every ride.
As she grew older, that childhood dream faded, buried deep within her heart, forgotten—until someone now brought it back to life.
Adam held her hand as they walked toward the carousel. The carousel was a subject she had once depicted in a painting that won a prize during her school years. They sat on the carousel, and as the colorful lights illuminated and the music began to play, the carousel slowly turned, round and round.
This is what it feels like to ride a carousel, Zuri thought to herself, realizing it truly could bring happiness.
Adam looked over at Zuri, seeing the tears mingled with joy in her eyes, and his heart ached. One ride after another, Adam accompanied her through every attraction in the park. Seeing the constant smile on her face brought him immense joy.
As night fell, the amusement park lit up with thousands of twinkling lights. At the center of the park, a table was set up, adorned with candles, fruit juices, and roses—everything arranged with great care and attention.
Adam pulled out a chair for Zuri and waited for her to sit before taking his own seat across from her. When the meal was served, it wasn't the usual dishes she liked, but a variety of specialties from different countries.
"I wasn't sure what you'd like, so I prepared a bit of everything," Adam explained, knowing how Zuri disliked wastefulness. He added, "Don't worry about finishing it all—whatever's left, the staff can eat, and the rest will be sent to those in need."
In that moment, Zuri felt surrounded by love, aware that Adam was thinking of her in every detail.
"Okay," she replied softly.
Some of the dishes were familiar from her past life, others completely new. Each time she tried a dish, Adam would tell a lively and engaging story behind it, transforming even the driest tales into something captivating.
As dinner drew to a close, a burst of brilliant fireworks suddenly lit up the sky, the colors vivid and mesmerizing.
Beautiful stars, beautiful fireworks!
As the display neared its end, the fireworks formed the name "Zuri" in the sky. The entire show lasted a full thirty minutes, giving the nearby residents an unexpected, top-tier fireworks extravaganza. The sight of the name "Zuri" emblazoned in the sky left countless onlookers in awe.
Women marveled at the lengths someone would go to for a person named "Zuri," recognizing the depth of such love. The men, on the other hand, admired the lavish display, acknowledging the resources required to orchestrate such an event.
"Did you like it?" Adam asked gently.
"Yes," Zuri replied, her eyes still lost in the fading colors of the fireworks.
Meanwhile, outside the amusement park, a petite young woman stood at the entrance, gazing up at the sky. When she saw the name "Zuri" in the fireworks, a pang of tightness and bitterness clenched her heart.
Noticing the young woman's change in mood, the elderly man beside her spoke softly, "Miss, don't worry. No one can threaten your place."
Feng Yun Yao gave a bitter smile. *Is that really true?*
Seeing how her brothers doted on Zuri, how they protected and cared for her, was something Yun Yao had always longed for but could never attain. She hadn't even returned to the Feng family yet, and already, this was the situation. What would it be like once she returned?
Yun Yao couldn't imagine it, nor did she want to.
Why is it that despite living with them for so many years, they never gave me a second look? Is it really just because I'm not a biological Feng?
*Is bloodline truly that important?*
"Let's go!" Yun Yao said, heading toward the amusement park entrance, only to be stopped by two security guards.
"Miss, the park is closed today," one of them said.
"I'm here to see someone," Yun Yao replied softly.
"If you're looking for an employee, you can call them directly," the guard suggested.
"No, I'm here to see the two guests inside. I'm their sister," Yun Yao explained.
The guard remained unmoved. "Miss, you'll need to contact them first. If they allow it, we can let you in."
Yun Yao had already tried calling, but there had been no answer.
She didn't leave, though, choosing instead to wait quietly at the entrance.
The elderly man beside her, concerned, said, "Miss, the night air is chilly. You're not strong; let's wait in the car."
Yun Yao shook her head. "No, I'll wait here. He should be out soon."
The elderly man sighed but stayed by her side.
After waiting for half an hour, Yun Yao finally saw Adam and Zuri approaching.
Before Adam could get close, Yun Yao excitedly called out, "Second Brother!"
Adam had been talking to Zuri about Owen's childhood mishaps, but when he heard the familiar voice, he looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The guards, realizing that Yun Yao was indeed related to the distinguished guests, no longer stopped her.
Yun Yao hurried forward to meet Adam. "Second Brother, I finally caught you! I heard you were back, so I made your favorite soup. It took me over three hours."
As she spoke, she handed him the food container, looking hopeful.
Adam took the container and passed it to his assistant.
"It's late. You should go home."
Yun Yao playfully stuck out her tongue, her voice coquettish, "No way! I rarely get to go out, and I don't want to go back so early. I know you're worried about my health, but I'm not as fragile as you think."
Watching their interaction, Zuri couldn't help but recall memories from her past life. This scene seemed all too familiar.
The bond of blood and upbringing—those ties are not easily broken.
While Zuri's thoughts wandered, she suddenly felt a warm, gentle hand holding hers. She looked up to meet Adam's deep, dark eyes.
"Uncle Wang, take Miss Yun Yao home. Grandma hasn't been feeling well lately—she should spend more time with her," Adam instructed the elderly man accompanying Yun Yao.
When Adam spoke, the old man dared not disobey.
Feng Yunyao was smart enough to recognize this as a final, unspoken dismissal. She pouted regretfully and said, "Second Brother, make sure you come pick me up and take me home."
With that, she seemed to remember there was another person present. She turned to Zuri with a gentle smile and said, "Sister Zuri, I wanted to chat with you, but it seems there's no chance now. I'll come find you another time when we can talk."
After Feng Yunyao left, Adam spoke in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, as if recounting a common story: "We adopted her not to replace you. She lost her parents in that accident. The family searched for a long time but couldn't find her parents, so we decided to adopt her.
"When she got older, we initially planned to send her to another family, but Grandmother took pity on her and noticed she wasn't in good health, so she stayed with us.
"The position of the fourth miss in the Feng family is yours and always will be. No one can take that from you."
His last words struck Zuri like a blow to the heart.
From the beginning, Adam had neither asked nor hinted for her to return home or to even visit. This made Zuri feel a complex mix of emotions.
Adam walked her to the dormitory building. Seeing her inner turmoil, he lightly tapped her nose and said, "Don't overthink it."
"Okay."
Adam didn't move, staying where he was and watching her go upstairs. Only when he saw her enter the dorm did he finally turn and leave.
When Zuri returned, Shen Menglai's tone was full of jealousy as she teased, "Oh, our campus queen is back. I thought you were going to stay out all night."
Zuri ignored her, washed up, and went straight to bed.
In the days that followed, whenever Zuri had free time, Adam would always appear. It was as if he had a monitoring device on her.
This made Azura green with envy.
"Ugh, I want a brother like that too."
Azura didn't have any brothers, only a younger half-brother.
"Could you lend me one? Just one. I don't need a lot," Azura said, looking at her longingly.
"Sure! Which one do you want?" Zuri asked with a playful smile.
"I want... I want... Oh, it's so hard to choose! I want them all."
"Aren't you the one who's always been crazy about Owen?" Zuri asked, puzzled by her sudden change of heart.
"I do love him, but I also love Big Brother and Second Brother," Azura replied, her expression full of infatuation.
Zuri could only smile helplessly at her.
On the table, Zuri's phone vibrated slightly. She picked it up, and an unfamiliar number was displayed on the screen.
"Who is this?"
"It's me." Feng Yunyao's voice came through the phone.
"What do you want?" Zuri frowned, surprised but also finding it somewhat expected that Feng Yunyao would contact her.
"I'm outside your school right now. I'd like to meet with you if you're available," Feng Yunyao said, seemingly afraid that Zuri might refuse. "Don't worry, I won't take up too much of your time."
"Alright. Let's meet at the West Gate in ten minutes."
After hanging up, Azura asked, "Who was that?"
"Feng Yunyao."
"What does she want with you?" Azura frowned.
"I'm not sure. I'll find out when I meet her," Zuri replied, putting down her chopsticks and closing the lunchbox.
Azura, feeling uneasy, said, "I'll go with you."
"There's no need. If you come, she might not say what she wants to say."
Azura nodded in understanding. "I get it, I get it. Go on then! Just call me if anything happens. I haven't met Feng Yunyao much, and I don't know her well, but you should be careful."
Given how Saira acted after entering the Lin family, with her constant scheming and undermining, it wouldn't be surprising if Feng Yunyao behaved the same way.
After all, anyone who's lived in luxury for over ten years would be reluctant to give up their fine clothes, jewelry, and status. No one would let go easily.
Zuri nodded.
Ten minutes later, in a cozy dessert shop outside the West Gate, Zuri and Feng Yunyao sat facing each other. The waiter brought over freshly made coffee and desserts.
"Here are your orders. Please enjoy!"
After the waiter left, Feng Yunyao finally spoke. "I'm really sorry to disturb you like this today."
Zuri waved her hand, signaling her to stop. "No need for pleasantries. Just get to the point. What do you want?"
Zuri raised her wrist to glance at her watch. "I only have fifteen minutes."
As she made this gesture, Feng Yunyao noticed the watch on Zuri's wrist. If she wasn't mistaken, it was a custom-made Patek Philippe, a unique piece in the world, made especially for her eldest brother.
She had once liked that watch very much, but her brother never considered giving it to her. Yet now, it was on Zuri's wrist.
"Your watch is beautiful," Feng Yunyao said with a bitter smile.
Zuri noticed the shift in her expression and looked down at the watch on her wrist. "Thank you."
"Actually, the reason I wanted to meet you today was to invite you to come home with me. Father, Mother, and all the brothers really hope you'll come back," Feng Yunyao said, her voice filled with earnestness.
Zuri raised an eyebrow and asked with a faint smile, "It's simple enough for me to go back—just leave the Feng family. Would you still want me to return then?"
Feng Yunyao was taken aback, but quickly replied, "If my leaving would truly bring you back, I would do it. Father and Mother have raised me for so many years, and I'm already content. It's time for me to repay them."
Zuri suddenly laughed.
So, leaving the Feng family would be how she repaid her parents for raising her.
How interesting!
Feng Yunyao was confused by her sudden laughter and anxiously asked, "Did I say something wrong?"
"You didn't say anything wrong. I just remembered a very amusing story. Do you want to know what it is?" Zuri asked, her eyes gleaming with meaning.
"What story?" Feng Yunyao asked, her eyes wide with innocent curiosity.
"Once, there was a hunter who raised a hunting dog. He took it into the mountains to hunt, but the dog lost its owner and accidentally encountered a hermit. Seeing the dog's pitiful state, the hermit took pity and decided to take it in. The hermit treated the dog well, and soon the dog forgot about its original owner. One day, the hunter stumbled upon the hermit's home, and the dog barked at its former owner but didn't attack. Do you know why?"
"Because that was its former owner," Feng Yunyao answered softly.
"Yes, but also no," Zuri replied with a meaningful smile. "Because it was repaying its debt."
Feng Yunyao: ...
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