"Bang—"
A deafening crash shattered the silence at the edge of the mountains.
At a sharp curve, an out-of-control sedan was violently struck by a heavy truck. The vehicle spun and slammed into the safety barrier, metal screeching harshly and endlessly. As the airbags exploded, white smoke surged outward.
The couple in the driver's and passenger's seats were already unconscious. Blood covered their foreheads and cheeks, their breathing fading amid the chaos.
In the back seat, an elderly man clutched a little girl tightly in his arms.
He used his own body to absorb the full impact, his back held rigid.
Blood soaked through the back of his Zhongshan suit, yet he deliberately shifted his body so that not a single drop stained the girl's face.
A vivid red gash cut across the girl's cheek. Her eyes were filled with panic as she trembled and called out,
"Grandpa… Grandpa…"
The old man seemed to hear her.
With great effort, he opened his eyes and moved his head slightly backward. His voice was so faint it nearly dissolved into the air.
"Be good… Grandpa is fine."
Urgent, chaotic footsteps echoed from afar.
"Crackle—crackle—"
Radio transmissions, static, and voices overlapped.
"The two in the front… no vital signs."
"There's someone in the back! The child is still breathing!"
The girl's vision began to lose focus. The sounds around her seemed separated by a layer of water. The last thing she saw was the vast stain of blood spreading across the snow-white back of her grandfather's Zhongshan suit.
The world suddenly went dark.
"Beep—beep—beep—"
The rhythmic, monotonous sound of a heart monitor echoed.
The sharp scent of disinfectant filled the air, making Jiang Yuxiao frown slightly.
She struggled to lift her eyelids and saw an elderly man standing beside the hospital bed, his expression agitated yet restrained.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Before he could answer, medical staff surrounded her, quickly checking her vital signs.
Once everything was confirmed stable, the ward fell quiet again.
Only then did the old man step closer. He gently took her hand, his palm warm and steady.
"I was your grandfather's friend," he said. "You may… call me Uncle Yu."
The Yu Family Old Residence
The midsummer sunlight was bright and gentle. White curtains swayed softly in the breeze. A beam of light fell upon the little girl's pale face as she cautiously observed the unfamiliar yet tranquil house.
The old man sat beside her, carrying a faint scent of sandalwood. He lowered his head and carefully peeled an orange, removing every strand of white pith before placing the segments into her hand.
"Eat some orange."
Jiang Yuxiao did not take it immediately, only lowered her gaze to the orange segment resting in her palm.
"Grandpa, I'm back!"
A young, clear voice rang out from the courtyard.
A little boy with a schoolbag ran into the house, almost bouncing with excitement.
"Ah Mu is back," Yu Fengchen said with a smile, reaching out to wipe a smear of chocolate from his grandson's mouth.
"Stealing sweets again?"
"Hehe." Yu Junmu scratched his head, but his gaze froze in the next moment.
He saw the little girl sitting beside his grandfather—quiet and frail, like a porcelain doll that had wandered into the courtyard by mistake.
Yu Fengchen followed his gaze and smiled as he introduced her.
"Come, Ah Mu, let me introduce you. This is Jiang Yuxiao."
"Yuxiao, this is Yu Junmu."
Jiang Yuxiao did not speak.
Yu Fengchen could only pat his grandson's head.
"Ah Mu, from now on, Yuxiao will play with you, all right?"
Yu Junmu's eyes lit up instantly.
"That's great!"
He took out a half-eaten chocolate bar from his schoolbag and carefully offered it to her.
"Big sister, you can have this."
"Ah Mu, you're home."
A gentle female voice came from the kitchen.
Su Tingyu walked out carrying freshly baked egg tarts, their fragrance instantly filling the room.
"Grandma!"
Yu Junmu rushed over, his eyes shining. "It smells so good!"
Just as he reached out, he suddenly remembered something and turned back.
"Is big sister not eating?"
Su Tingyu had already walked up to Jiang Yuxiao and bent down gently.
"Yuxiao, come. Let's eat together."
Jiang Yuxiao hesitated for a moment, then nodded.
"From now on, you can call me Aunt Su, all right?"
"Aunt Su."
The words were extremely soft, yet Su Tingyu's eyes instantly reddened.
Jiang Yuxiao sat at the table and took a small bite of the egg tart.
The creamy sweetness spread through her mouth. A long-lost glimmer appeared in her eyes, only to fade as she lowered her lashes and silent tears slipped down.
"What's wrong?"
Su Tingyu and Yu Fengchen rose almost at the same time.
"Big sister, don't cry."
Yu Junmu panicked and pushed his half egg tart toward her.
"I'll share mine with you, okay?"
Yu Fengchen froze for a moment, then smiled even more deeply.
This child—this was the first time he had ever been willing to share his food.
"I… I have no family anymore…"
Jiang Yuxiao finally broke down, curling into Su Tingyu's arms.
"You do," Su Tingyu said softly.
"From now on, this will be your home."
Late at night, the little girl fell asleep in a warm embrace.
Yu Fengchen placed the documents he had prepared long ago on the table, his voice low and firm.
"A-Yu, let Yuxiao stay with us from now on."
The next morning.
Jiang Yuxiao jolted awake in an unfamiliar bed.
The room was spacious and bright. The bed was large, and rows of soft stuffed toys were placed by the window. Everything was so gentle it felt unreal.
Knock, knock—
"I'm coming in."
The door opened, and Yu Junmu carefully walked in carrying a steaming bowl of seafood porridge.
"Good morning, big sister."
He placed the bowl on the desk and looked at her seriously.
"Aunt Ling made this. It's really good. Eat it while it's hot."
Jiang Yuxiao softly said "Thank you" and slowly walked over.
Yu Junmu propped his chin on his hands, watching her.
"Is it good?"
She nodded lightly.
He suddenly thought of something and tilted his head.
"Yuxiao… no, Aunt Yuxiao. How old are you?"
She paused.
"What did you call me?"
"Auntie," he said matter-of-factly.
"Grandpa said that's what I should call you."
She said nothing more, only lifted the empty bowl.
"I'm done."
In the corridor, sunlight was gentle.
Yu Junmu raised his hand awkwardly, blocking the direct glare for her.
Jiang Yuxiao turned her head and saw that young yet earnest face. The corner of her lips finally curved into a faint smile.
"Watch where you're going."
She reached out and gently pulled him back.
In that instant, Yu Junmu felt his heartbeat fall out of rhythm.
He did not yet understand what it meant.
He only knew that from this moment on, the person called "Auntie" would leave a mark on his life that could never be erased.