Green plums cannot become lovers.

In the third row, on the left, Anwa Tendo sat quietly. Next to her was Anwa Subaru, and next to Subaru was Akane Kousaka. All three of them were looking towards the stage, waiting for him to appear.

He took a deep breath.

Eriri walked over and stood next to him.

"Are you nervous?" she asked softly.

"I'm not nervous."

Eriri followed his gaze and saw the old man wearing sunglasses.

"Wow... Anwa Tendo is here."

"Ah."

“You…” She paused, wanting to ask something, but didn’t say it.

An and Asuka did not explain.

He simply said, "Let's go, it's time to go on stage."

-

The curtain is drawn back.

The lights came on.

The performance begins.

An and Asuka stood on the stage, fully immersing themselves in their roles.

He acted very well.

The lines, the movements, the expressions, the eyes—every detail was just right. That stage presence, that captivating allure that held the audience spellbound, seemed innate.

Anhe Tiantong, sitting in the audience, had tears in his eyes.

It's not because his acting skills are perfect.

Rather, it was because she saw too many familiar things in him.

The angle at which he turned around was just like his father when he was young.

The rhythm of her speech was just like her own.

This child is, after all, a descendant of the Anhe family.

Even if he doesn't want to admit it.

Even if they can only be "strangers".

But no one can change this fact.

The play on stage continues.

Romeo and Juliet's balcony scene.

"Do you love me?" Eriri asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“I love you,” An and Asuka replied, their eyes tender.

Anhe Tiantong, sitting in the audience, quietly raised his hand to wipe the corner of his eye.

-

The performance ended with thunderous applause.

An, Asuka, and Eriri held hands and took their final bows with the other actors.

An and Tiantong stood up and clapped enthusiastically.

Her eyes were still red, but her face was full of smiles.

After the event, An and Asuka changed back into their own clothes and walked out of the stadium.

Anwa Tendo and Anwa Subaru were still waiting outside.

"You acted very well." Anhe Tiantong looked at him with loving eyes. "Really very well."

"Thank you," Anwa Asuka said.

He paused, then added:

"...come to see my performance."

Anhe Tiantong paused for a moment, then smiled.

That smile held a mixture of relief, satisfaction, and a touch of heartache.

You're welcome. I'll keep an eye on you.

An and Subaru nodded vigorously beside him: "Asuka is so cool! I'm going to brag about it to my classmates when I get back!"

Akane Akasaka patted An and Asuka on the shoulder: "Alright, you two chat, I'm going to go take a look around."

She tactfully walked away.

Anwa Tendo looked at Anwa Asuka, remained silent for a moment, and then said softly:

"Asuka-kun, how have you been lately?"

"Fortunately."

Are you busy with the band?

"A bit busy, but it's okay."

"How's your health? Have you been eating properly?"

An and Asuka looked at her.

In her eyes was the most ordinary kind of concern—the kind of concern a grandmother has for her grandson.

He paused for a moment.

"……Have."

Anhe Tiantong nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

She knew she couldn't ask too many questions.

If you ask, he might find it annoying.

This was the only way she could approach him, little by little, cautiously.

"I'll be going now," she said softly. "Staying too long will only cause you trouble."

An and Asuka remained silent.

Anwa Tendo turned around, with Anwa Subaru following beside him.

After taking a few steps, she suddenly turned back.

"Asuka-kun".

"Ok?"

You can come to me anytime.

After she finished speaking, she smiled, turned around, and left.

An and Asuka stood there, watching her figure disappear into the crowd.

Eriri walked over at some point and stood next to him.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly.

An and Asuka shook their heads.

"fine."

He just stood there quietly, looking in that direction.

After a long while, he let out a soft breath.

"Let's go. They must be getting impatient."

-

In the evening, An and Feiniao returned home.

My phone vibrated; it was a message from Anhe Tiantong.

It's very short, just a few words.

Anhe Tiantong: I'm very happy today, thank you.

He stared at the words and remained silent for a long time.

Then, he replied:

Anwa Asuka: I'm happy too. Take care on your journey.

After sending the message, he put his phone aside and lay down on the bed.

Outside the window, the sun is setting in the west.

He thought of many things, mostly from his childhood and about his parents. But despite his reflections, he couldn't recall any particularly fond memories.

This was his childhood.

He didn't know when he would actually call out "Grandma".

But at least for now—

He knew someone was watching him.

Some people are proud of him.

This is enough.

Volume 1: Chapter 234 A New Journey

Today, An and Tiantong realized once again just how talented that boy truly was.

His musical talent goes without saying, and she had witnessed his growth ever since she met him.

From obscurity to becoming a renowned musician with immense influence—all this took only a few short years. She witnessed every single moment, from the days and nights spent honing her skills in the recording studio to the moments she shone on stage, through the messages she received from Akane Akasaka.

In the gaming world, he once again entered a new circle with just one game. Although she didn't know much about games, she often heard Zhu Yin marvel at his extraordinary abilities.

The praise from professionals, such as "a miracle in the indie game scene" and "a genius producer," carries more weight than any media evaluation.

She had thought that music and gaming were the boy's limits. After all, human energy is limited, and to excel in both fields is a height that is difficult for ordinary people to reach.

But after seeing his first stage performance today, her perception was once again refreshed.

Whether it was the lines, the expressions, or the movements, the young man's performance was impeccable. It wasn't simply "memorizing lines," but a performance that truly understood and immersed himself in the character. Romeo's deep affection, passion, and impulsiveness came alive and real under his portrayal, surpassing many of his peers among young stars in the entertainment industry.

This isn't an evaluation based on personal preference, but rather a reflection of the boy's actual behavior.

She felt truly gratified.

If he had been properly nurtured from a young age, his achievements would certainly have been even greater. With his talent, if someone had carefully guided him, paved the way for him, and supported him from behind—he would likely be standing on an even more dazzling stage today.

Unfortunately, there are no "what ifs".

It seems that fate was jealous of his talent, which is why he had such a miserable childhood.

It's hard to imagine how that boy managed to get through those days without his parents. He ate alone, slept alone, and faced all the difficulties and loneliness alone. No one helped him check his homework, no one listened to his troubles, and no one stayed by his bedside when he was sick.

How did he get through it?

Thinking of this, Anhe Tiantong felt another pang of heartache.

She gazed at the green bamboo in the Japanese-style courtyard, swaying gently in the evening breeze, resilient and upright. The bamboo seemed to be a reflection of that boy, growing straight upwards no matter how much wind and rain he endured.

"Grandma, what are you thinking about?"

A girl's voice rang out from the side.

Anwa Subaru walked over at some point and sat down next to Anwa Tendo, looking at her curiously.

"I was thinking about what happened this afternoon," Anhe Tiantong said without hiding anything.

"Oh? Are you thinking about birds?" An and Subaru's eyes immediately lit up, their tone filled with obvious excitement.

“Yes.” Anhe Tiantong nodded, his gaze softening. “I was thinking about that child; he’s really amazing.”