A young boy from the 1970s, separated from his family, fled famine and led his younger brother into

"Stone, don't cry, listen to your sister."

Lu Nianci's firm tone actually made Gu Wangbei, who was crying his heart out, gradually stop crying.

He lifted his tear-streaked and snot-covered face, looking pitifully at his sister with his red and swollen rabbit eyes.

Lu Nianci felt as if a thousand needles were pricking her heart at the same time.

But she forced a smile onto her face.

She knelt down and pressed her forehead against her brother's.

She looked into his eyes and said, each word distinct and clear, "Stone, we're only separated for now."

"It's not that we'll never see each other again."

"Temporarily separate?" Gu Wangbei sobbed, repeating the question as if he didn't quite understand.

"Yes." Lu Nianci nodded emphatically.

"You go back to Beijing with your grandparents first."

"Beijing is the capital of our country. It has the best schools and the best teachers."

"You should go there and study hard, and make progress every day."

"You need to learn many, many skills."

"When you grow up, you'll be able to become a great hero like your father, understand?"

She painted a bright future for her younger brother in a tone full of hope and encouragement.

Gu Wangbei blinked his long eyelashes, which were covered with teardrops.

He seemed to be moved by his sister's words.

But he still asked, uneasy, "Then... what about my sister?"

"When...when are you coming to see me?"

"I..." Lu Nianci looked at her younger brother's expectant eyes, and her heart ached again.

She really wanted to say, "I'll come see you tomorrow."

I'll come see you the day after tomorrow.

But she couldn't.

She cannot deceive him.

She took a deep breath and then, in an extremely solemn tone, made a promise to him.

A promise that will become the direction and motivation for all her future efforts...

"I promise you."

"My sister will study hard, she'll study like crazy!"

"My sister will get into the best university in Beijing as quickly as possible!"

"Then, I'll come to the capital to find you!"

"We'll never have to be apart again!"

"OK?"

She extended her little pinky.

"Let's pinky swear."

Looking into his sister's eyes, which were filled with determination and sincerity, and at her little pinky finger, Gu Wangbei's restless heart finally found a harbor to rest in.

He believed in his sister.

From the moment his sister fed him that first warm broth in that cold, dilapidated temple, he trusted her unconditionally.

He also extended his equally small pinky finger and hooked it tightly with his sister's pinky finger.

"Pinky promise, for a hundred years, no take-backs!"

Two innocent children's voices rang out clearly in the living room, which was filled with the sorrow of parting.

It was the most innocent vow, yet also the heaviest promise.

Everyone present looked at the two tiny fingers hooked together, at the two children whose faces were streaked with tears but whose eyes were filled with hope and determination, and their hearts were filled with an emotion that could not be described in words.

There was emotion, there was sadness, but above all, there was a deep-seated...respect.

Looking at the little girl in front of him who had resolved a family crisis with her wisdom and strength, Gu Wanjun's sharp old eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and affection.

He stepped forward, reached out his warm, large hands, and gently patted the heads of the two children.

"Good boy."

He solemnly promised Lu Nianci, "Grandpa also promises you."

"We will take good care of Wangbei in Beijing."

"We will always be waiting for you."

"We're waiting for you to fulfill the promise you made to your brother."

Then, he turned to Lu Zhenguo and Zhou Yayun and said, "Zhenguo, sister-in-law."

"I know you'll miss these two children."

"I can't bear to part with it either."

"However, all good things must come to an end."

"For the sake of the children's future, and to find out the truth about Chang Kong's murder, we must do this."

"But don't worry."

His authoritative voice rang out once more.

"I will never let you lose contact like this."

"I will arrange a military-grade encrypted telephone line specifically for you."

"From now on, you can call Wangbei anytime."

"Moreover, every winter and summer vacation, I send a private plane to pick up Nianci and take her to Beijing to reunite with us!"

This promise finally put Lu Zhenguo and Zhou Yayun's minds at ease.

It also brought a ray of warm sunshine into Lu Nianci's gloomy heart.

She looked up and gave Gu Wanjun a heartfelt smile of gratitude.

"Thank you, Grandpa."

……

The moment of parting finally arrived.

The next morning, the silver-white special plane landed at the Northern Military Region's airport again.

The entire Lu family came to see him off.

Zhou Yayun hugged Gu Wangbei and cried her heart out, repeatedly telling him to eat well, sleep well, and listen to his grandparents.

Lu Zhenguo stood silently to the side, his eyes red-rimmed.

For the first time ever, Lu Xingzhou didn't put on his icy expression. He looked at his "younger brother" who was about to leave, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Lu Nianci held Gu Wangbei's small hand and repeated their promise over and over again.

"Stone, be a good boy."

"We have to wait for my sister."

"Your sister will be coming to find you very soon."

"Um!"

Gu Wangbei nodded heavily.

Although tears were also on his little face, the fear and despair of the previous night were gone from his eyes; instead, there was only his boundless affection for his sister and his firm belief in the future.

"Alright, it's getting late."

Gu Wanjun glanced at the expensive Swiss watch on his wrist and said in a deep voice.

Lin Huilan took her grandson from Zhou Yayun's arms.

She bowed deeply to everyone in the Lu family.

"Zhenguo, younger brother and sister-in-law, Xingzhou, Nianci."

Thank you.

"We, the Gu family, will never forget this kindness."

After saying that, she hugged Gu Wangbei, resolutely turned around, and walked towards the huge private jet.

"elder sister!"

Gu Wangbei turned around in his grandmother's arms, and with all his might, waved and shouted loudly at Lu Nianci.

"Goodbye, sister!"

"Stone! Goodbye!"

Lu Nianci used all her strength to wave at the small figure that was getting further and further away.

Tears blurred her vision again.

She watched as the silver-white plane slowly taxied, accelerated, and then soared into the sky, finally disappearing into the azure horizon.

It was as if her heart had been taken away as well.

It feels empty.

"Don't be afraid."

Just then, a warm, large hand gently landed on her head.

She looked up and saw Lu Zhenguo's eyes, which were filled with love and heartache.

Nianci, you are not alone.

He knelt down and hugged her tightly.

"You still have your father and mother."

"And my older brother."

"We will always be your family."

"This will always be your home."

Lu Nianci buried her face deeply in her father's broad and warm embrace.

Her empty heart seemed to be filled in an instant.

Yes.

She is not alone.

She still has a home.