Angus Village was a remote mountain hamlet nestled in the Eastern Continent.Built into the mountainside and alongside a flowing stream, it came alive each spring.Delicate mountain blossoms burst forth, blanketing the entire landscape in a riot of color, transforming the village into a veritable wonderland.Not far from the village entrance, a gentle hill rose, its slopes naturally carpeted with tender green grass.This verdant expanse, adorned with wildflowers, cradled two youths who lay side-by-side, gazing up at the sky.One of the youths possessed a remarkably handsome countenance.His short golden hair was impeccably trimmed, lending him an air of effortless charm.Eyes like green agate, coupled with the gentle smile playing on his lips, drew others in, making them instinctively wish to approach him.The other youth, You’er, had long, lustrous silver hair, soft as moonlight.His features were so exquisitely delicate, so breathtakingly beautiful, that even the most skilled artisan could not hope to replicate them; he seemed a being not of this mortal world.Yet, despite possessing a face that would incite envy in most women, he was unequivocally male.This striking contrast couldn’t help but make one sense a profound malevolence in the creator’s design.What truly captivated, however, were the youth’s eyes.His left eye was a deep, enigmatic violet, while his right shimmered with the vibrant, alluring hue of a rose.Such heterochromatic eyes, a rarity seen perhaps once in ten thousand, were another singular gift from the creator.
“Hey, You’er,” the golden-haired, green-eyed youth began, “This morning, I proposed to Marlene, and she accepted.”
He gazed up at the sky, his face a complex canvas of slight apology and unease, yet overwhelmingly alight with irrepressible joy.The silver-haired, heterochromatic-eyed youth was indeed You’er, or more precisely, Gugu You’er; ‘You’er’ was merely a familiar abbreviation used by those close to him.The golden-haired, green-eyed youth was named Grager Angus, the son of Angus Village’s chief, Kora Angus.
“Oh,” You’er murmured, a slight pause preceding his words, “Congratulations, Grager. With this, I can finally leave Angus Village with a clear conscience.”
Having heard this, You’er momentarily froze, then a smile graced his lips as he offered his heartfelt blessings.
“Why, You’er?” Grager stammered, visibly shocked. “Didn’t you… didn’t you also have feelings for Marlene? And to leave… why would you say that?”
Grager seemed utterly taken aback, clearly having not anticipated such a calm reaction from You’er.The Marlene Grager spoke of, full name Marlene Crow, was You’er’s other childhood friend—a kind, beautiful, and brave girl from Angus Village.You’er vividly recalled how, as a child, he had been bullied by other village children for his overly feminine appearance.It was Marlene who had bravely stepped forward to protect and encourage him, growing up alongside him, just as Grager was doing now.
“Yes, I do like Marlene,” You’er confirmed. “She’s always protected me like an older sister, and precisely for that reason, I should offer you both my deepest blessings.”
“After all, Sister Marlene has secretly harbored feelings for you all this time, hasn’t she?”
You’er turned his head, looking back at Grager with a smile.
“You know,” he said, “I don’t belong here. Sooner or later, I’m destined to leave.”
After listening to You’er’s words, Grager remained silent for a long moment.By calculation, Marlene and Grager were the same age, two years older than his freshly turned fourteen, making them both sixteen.In the sparsely populated Angus Village, sixteen was considered the most suitable age for marriage.
‘Perhaps, this is for the best,’ You’er mused internally. ‘For Marlene, for Grager, and for me…’
A bitter smile played on You’er’s lips in his mind, for his true feelings were far from the nonchalance he currently displayed.
‘Still, this is probably for the best,’ he reiterated to himself. ‘Just as I said, I don’t belong here; there are things I must accomplish.’
You’er said nothing further, merely shaking his head as he silently gazed at the sky.You’er’s thoughts drifted, recalling countless memories, particularly that nascent, unspoken affection he had always harbored.When he finally opened his eyes again, he found Grager was no longer beside him, having departed at some unknown moment.
“Pull yourself together, Gugu You’er!”
“Your sister, Lilinai, is waiting for you!”
He patted both cheeks, bracing himself, then rose and slid down the grassy slope.With firm, steady strides, he hastened towards the village.Night was fast approaching, and he needed to return quickly to prepare dinner for his sister.At the thought of Lilinai’s sweet, adorable smile, all the worries in You’er’s heart seemed to vanish like smoke.
“Oh, You’er, is that you? Come here, come here! I just dug up some sweet potatoes today; pick a few to take home and share with your sister!”
“Oh no, Aunt Mais, I couldn’t possibly! I haven’t done anything to earn them…”
“Nonsense, child! What are you saying? You always help your aunt with the fields and such; how can you say you haven’t earned it?”
“Well… alright then. Thank you, Aunt Mais.”
“Ah, little You’er! Come over here for a moment. Here, take this fish home with you. It’s just what’s left over from today’s sales, and it’s too much trouble to clean it late at night.”
“Consider it a small token of Grandpa Lamb’s gratitude for always helping me at the shop.”
“Grandpa Lamb, I’m truly grateful! Lilinai will be so happy to have this for dinner, I’m sure.”
The people of Angus Village were unfailingly kind; there were many warm and friendly individuals like Aunt Mais and Grandpa Lamb.As You’er made his way, he received numerous gifts from various acquaintances.Helping the villagers with farm work and odd jobs was You’er’s usual occupation, a means to sustain himself and his sister.He had never anticipated that his efforts would be met with such profound and affectionate care from the villagers.Passing through the village’s only two small markets, You’er arrived before a simple, unassuming courtyard.Within it stood a small wooden house, the home where he and Lilinai had lived for six years.To You’er’s surprise, wisps of cooking smoke curled from the rooftop.He knew instantly that Lilinai was inside, stoking the fire and preparing a meal.
“That girl…”
You’er tossed the vegetables and meat into the basket by the door, then quickly pushed open the wooden door and stepped inside.His gaze immediately fell upon a small, adorable girl, delicate as an elf.She possessed a tender, childlike face, perhaps eight or nine years old, with a tiny, exquisite nose, slender lips, skin so pale it seemed devoid of color, and silver hair remarkably similar to You’er’s own.Her eyes, too, were heterochromatic: one crimson, the other deep violet.This was Lilinai, You’er’s most cherished and beloved younger sister.Her full name was Lilinai’er, with ‘Lilinai’ being You’er’s affectionate diminutive.Lilinai stood on a stool, having climbed onto the kang stove platform.One small hand gripped the pot handle with effort, while the other gently stirred the contents of the pot with a spoon.Inside, a two-person portion of wild vegetable porridge emanated a fresh, subtle aroma.
“Ah! Big brother, you’re back?”
Hearing the sound of the door opening, Lilinai eagerly turned her head.Upon confirming it was You’er, her small face lit up with even greater joy, and she nearly clapped her hands in delight.However, her legs suddenly gave way, and she began to topple from the stool.
“Lilinai!”
You’er’s expression tightened sharply, and he lunged forward with the utmost speed.Fortunately, the wooden house was small, and the distance short, allowing him to catch Lilinai’s unbalanced body just in the nick of time.
“Whew…” You’er exhaled a long breath. “I’ve told you so many times not to do dangerous things like this, especially when you know your body isn’t strong!”
With a sigh of relief, You’er gently tapped Lilinai’s small nose, a hint of reproof in his gesture.He then carefully placed her on the bed and tucked her in with the blanket.The doctor had warned that Lilinai’s body was extremely frail, almost to the point of being unable to walk independently.Yet, despite this, she would always bravely rise from her bed in the evenings, before his return, and climb onto a stool to support her weak frame, simply to prepare a bowl of rice porridge for him.It was a task he could easily accomplish himself.
“Because Lilinai wants to do something for big brother too, even if it’s just a tiny, insignificant thing.”
Lilinai lifted her pale, milky-white face, her slightly dimmed heterochromatic eyes fixed on You’er, and offered him an endearing smile.Wanting to do something for him—that had always been her unwavering reply.He should have grown tired of hearing it, yet each time, it made the slightest trace of reproof in his heart vanish into thin air.Lilinai, with her radiant smile and sweet voice, had always been the warmest sunshine in You’er’s heart.
“Alright, leave the rest to big brother now. Just lie down and be a good girl, okay?”With a doting touch to Lilinai’s forehead, You’er set about preparing dinner.Thanks to the generous gifts from the kind villagers, the siblings enjoyed a hearty dinner, a luxury they hadn’t experienced in a long time.Feeling full and content, they nestled gently together, engaging in casual conversation as they always did.
“Lilinai, how was dinner?”
“Mm-hmm, it was absolutely delicious! Lilinai is very satisfied.”
“Once Lilinai gets better, I’ll cook a grand dinner like this for big brother with my own hands every single day!”
“Haha, when Lilinai gets married someday, she’ll definitely make a wonderful bride.”
“Lilinai doesn’t want to marry anyone else!” Lilinai protested earnestly. “Lilinai only wants to be with big brother forever, to be big brother’s bride!”
Her earnest protest drew a bitter smile from You’er.As undeniable blood relatives, marriage between him and Lilinai was, of course, an impossibility.As if recalling something, a flicker of sadness crossed You’er’s eyes.
“Big brother, what’s wrong? Is something bothering you?”
If there was one person in the world who understood You’er best, it wasn’t his childhood friends and closest companions, Grager and Marlene, but the Lilinai before him.Even a mere glance, a subtle stiffening of his movements, was enough for her to discern You’er’s mood.
“Nothing,” You’er replied abruptly. “I just feel a bit like leaving this place.”
The words were barely out of his mouth when he noticed Lilinai’s body stiffen.She clutched his sleeve tightly, her large, tear-filled eyes fixed upon him.
“Big brother, are you finally going to leave Lilinai?”
“Huh?”
You’er realized then that his words had been ambiguous.He immediately took Lilinai’s small hand in his, correcting himself, “My silly girl, of course I’m taking you with me!”
“Mm-hmm! Big brother is the best to Lilinai!”
Having received his assurance, Lilinai broke into a sweet smile, like a child whose deepest wish had been granted.
“Lilinai,” You’er murmured, stroking her soft silver hair, his voice incredibly gentle. “Once Father returns, and once you’ve recovered, we’ll leave this place together. How does that sound?”
Lilinai, however, heard the fervent hope in his words.
“Big brother,” she coughed, “are you still clinging to that fantasy, fantasizing that ‘that person’ will return? Cough, cough… He abandoned big brother and Lilinai here six years ago, without a single word! Cough, cough… Can’t you see the reality, big brother? That person isn’t coming back! Cough, cough…”
Lilinai knew what her big brother was hoping for, and it was precisely that knowledge that ignited her fury.Her anger, of course, wasn’t directed at You’er, but at the father she dismissively referred to as ‘that person.’Whenever the topic of ‘that person’ arose, she found herself unable to control her emotions.Perhaps due to her intense agitation, an unnatural flush spread across her small face, and she coughed incessantly as she spoke.With every cough from Lilinai, You’er felt his own heart tremble in response.He quickly patted her back to help her regulate her breathing.Due to a congenital physical defect, Lilinai’s mind was exceptionally sensitive.She had never told her big brother that she possessed perceptive abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people.Whenever she recalled her big brother suffering grievances outside, hiding in a corner of the courtyard, secretly weeping and calling out ‘Father,’ ‘Father,’ Lilinai felt a sharp, cutting pain in her chest.That person had abandoned her and her big brother, leaving her helpless brother to secretly shed tears in a corner.For him, she felt only hatred, not a single drop of extraneous emotion.
“Alright, Lilinai, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have brought up Father.”
You’er lowered his forehead, gently touching it to Lilinai’s.Whenever Lilinai was upset or angry, this gesture would quickly calm her.Phrases like, “Father didn’t want to leave us,” or “Father must have had his own difficulties,” offered Lilinai no comfort whatsoever; You’er had thoroughly tested them in the past.Six years ago, Father had brought him and Lilinai here, then quickly departed without explanation, never returning even once.At that time, Lilinai was only two or three, not yet old enough to form lasting memories.It could be said that she had no memory of anyone named ‘Father’; for her, the word ‘Father’ was not a warm haven, but a vessel of resentment.In her memory, she couldn’t even recall Father’s face or appearance.However, You’er, who had spent eight years by Father’s side, knew precisely what kind of person Father was.A man like Father would never abandon him and Lilinai without good reason.You’er had always firmly believed that Father would return one day, stand before him, and say with a smile, ‘I’m home.’This was You’er’s greatest dream, a dream as simple as that.Lilinai’s constitution was exceedingly frail; she spent almost two-thirds of her day sleeping, as weariness constantly assailed her spirit.Having just calmed down, Lilinai drifted into a deep sleep.Her soft breathing and peaceful sleeping face were incredibly endearing.You’er gently kissed her small cheek.
“Goodnight, my sweet Lilinai.”
When he lifted his head again, a trace of resolute determination had settled on You’er’s face.Since Father could not return, then he would actively go and find him.Just then, a knock sounded at the small wooden house door.This puzzled You’er; who would be knocking at his door so late at night?With a curious expression, You’er pulled open the wooden door, revealing a beautiful girl with flaxen hair.