“Ring?”
Zhou Chiyu could hardly believe everything before his eyes.
Was this ring meant for him?
His heart pounded wildly in his chest. He raised his distinctively knuckled fingertip and gently passed it through the holographic projection screen. When he touched the ring, countless white roses bloomed around him.
It was as if he saw Gu Yuan’s blurry figure across from him.
“Mommy, Daddy! Look how pretty my little pony is?”
A familiar yet strange voice sounded in his ear. He whipped his head around and discovered a chubby, fair-skinned little kid riding a Toy Pony and singing behind him.
This was…
Zhou Chiyu’s eyes gradually grew wet.
This little kid was him at three years old.
“Our Little Fish Baby’s little pony is the cutest.”
Zhou Chiyu’s body stiffened noticeably. He slowly walked toward the source of the voice. When he saw those two familiar people, a trembling sob finally escaped his throat: “Dad, Mom…”
The young couple held Little Chiyu in their arms, their eyes brimming with overflowing happiness: “Our Little Fish is three years old now. Have you grown taller?”
Little Chiyu’s chubby little face tilted up slightly as he contentedly kicked up his tiny feet: “Yeah! I’ve grown taller!”
“Let Daddy give you a hug.”
“Oh dear, Little Fish has turned into a big kid.”
Little Chiyu was lifted high above his father’s head, his laughter crisp: “Starting today, I can protect Mommy and Daddy!”
The heartwarming family scene moved everyone to tears.
Gu Lao’s Wristband trembled slightly, and a pained smile appeared on his face.
Technology had advanced so much—it was wonderful. His Little Fish could see his parents again.
A massive Particle Screen was installed beneath the dome, and virtual moonlight cascaded down from it, enveloping the holographic family of three.
He Zhao stared unblinkingly at everything before him, unable to describe the shock in his heart.
The childish voice gradually faded, and the figures of Little Chiyu and his family of three slowly merged into the dim blue light and shadows.
“Don’t go!”
Zhou Chiyu hurriedly wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and chased forward a few steps. The little glutinous rice dumpling that had just vanished reappeared before him.
“Dad, Mom!” He parted his lips and smiled silently.
It was wonderful—his family was still there. But this time, someone he had longed for day and night appeared before him as well.
“My wish for my fourth birthday is to eat lots and lots of snacks!” Little Chiyu sat in Grandpa Zhou’s lap and blew out the candles. “Grandpa, you have to make it come true for me.”
“Don’t worry. With Grandpa here, Little Fish’s wishes will definitely come true!”
Four-year-old Zhou Chiyu was carefree, his little head filled every day with thoughts of what delicious food he would eat the next day.
Little Chiyu’s parents flanked him on either side, and the gifts on the gilded long table piled up like a small mountain.
“Our Little Fish is getting cuter and cuter.” Zhou Lao kissed him. “Little Fish is the cutest little boy in the world.”
“Grandpa.”
Zhou Chiyu’s voice was slightly hoarse as he passed through the virtual dining table and came before Zhou Lao.
He didn’t expect to truly interact with his deceased family, but being closer to them was still good.
To his surprise, Zhou Lao seemed to hear his voice and lifted his clear, kind eyes.
Their gazes met, and Zhou Chiyu’s eyes widened in shock, his breathing quickening unconsciously.
Zhou Lao looked at him indulgently: “Our Little Fish is eighteen now—why are you still crying?”
In that instant, Zhou Chiyu stumbled forward two steps, as if passing through an invisible barrier, and gently grasped Zhou Lao’s withered hand: “Grandpa, you can see me?”
Zhou Lao’s eyes filled with the gentle light from his memories, as if bidding him a final farewell: “Of course I can see you.”
“Eighteen-year-old Little Fish has to be happy every day.”
The light and shadows flickered. Dense lines of code appeared on the Ring on Zhou Chiyu’s hand. He wiped away his tears and was drawn by the voice behind him.
“Today is Little Fish Baby’s fifth birthday. From now on, we’re family. You not only have Grandpa—you also have Brother.”
Zhou Chiyu watched his five-year-old self, tears streaming down his face.
By now, he had come to the Gu Family.
“Little Fish, what’s your wish for your sixth birthday?” Six-year-old Little Gu Yuan gently hugged the Little Dumpling who was a size bigger than him, his eyes sparkling like he was looking at a treasure: “It’s not to eat lots of delicious food, is it?”
A flash of surprise crossed Zhou Chiyu’s face.
So, six-year-old Gu Yuan had looked at him like this?
“My wish is for Brother to be healthy!”
Little Gu Yuan was stunned, a flicker of astonishment passing through his eyes.
The moment Zhou Chiyu blew out the candles, he saw him hug tightly: “Mm.”
“Today is Little Fish’s seventh birthday…”
“Eight-year-old Little Fish has to be even braver.”
“My wish for my ninth birthday is…”
New scenes continually appeared around him—Zhou Chiyu’s birthday celebrations every year unfolded before his eyes.
There was Zhou Chiyu with cream on his nose, Zhou Chiyu dressed as Spider-Man, Zhou Chiyu dressed as the Little Prince. Every birthday was filled with laughter and joy.
The other guests could also see everything happening before them. While marveling at the technology, they were equally moved by the thoughtfulness of this gift.
Old Master He sighed with deep empathy: “Your Little Yuan and Little Fish have such a great bond.”
Gu Lao’s hair had turned much whiter over the years, and his hand gripped his cane tightly: “Yes, unfortunately, Little Yuan’s flight was delayed today, so he couldn’t come to the scene in person.”
He Zhao listened to the elders’ conversation, a trace of loneliness surging in his eyes as he lowered them gently.
The bond between Gu Yuan and Zhou Chiyu—he probably could never insert himself into it.
“I hope my Little Fish has a happy eighteenth birthday.”
Gu Yuan’s voice came from above the dome. Zhou Chiyu immediately looked up: “Brother?”
“Bro!”
He tilted his head back and anxiously called Gu Yuan’s name, but after waiting a long time, he still didn’t see Gu Yuan’s figure.
In the center of the illusion, Zhou Chiyu’s parents and grandpa suddenly appeared. The three of them placed their birthday gifts gently on the table and beckoned to him softly.
“Daddy, Mommy, Grandpa…”
Zhou Chiyu’s throat bobbed as if he were a aggrieved child. He ran up to the three of them.
Although he cherished many photos, they still couldn’t compare to the vivid people before him.
His parents looked exactly as he remembered—his mom was stunningly beautiful when she smiled, the most beautiful person in the world.
“I haven’t dreamed of you in a long time.”
Zhou Chiyu’s voice was muffled: “I don’t know why.”
When he was little, he dreamed of his family almost every night, but as he grew older, those dreams became rarer and more precious.
“Little Fish.” Zhou Chiyu’s father opened his arms. “We’ve always loved you—we never stopped.”
