The richest man's parents were kidnapped, and his adorable son captivated the entire family.

Years later, in the spring, the cherry blossoms at "Starry Home" bloomed as scheduled, and the pink and white petals fell like snow.

Xingxing stood under the tree, her slender fingers gently tracing the two delicate height marks on the trunk.

That was a promise he made with Mengmeng when they were ten years old.

Xingxing seemed to have thought of something, a barely perceptible smile flashed in her eyes, and the image of that little girl unconsciously appeared in her mind.

So much time has passed, and the time for us to reunite has finally come.

Although Xingxing didn't say it outwardly, she couldn't help but feel a little expectant inside.

"Stars!" A familiar voice came from behind.

Xingxing turned around and saw the girl in front of her, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously turned up.

Mengmeng ran over wearing a light blue dress, her ponytail bouncing in the sunlight, carrying a large bunch of sunflowers in her arms.

Star gazed at Mengmeng in front of her, lost in thought, as if she had returned to a few years ago when the two of them were still relying on each other for survival.

Xingxing will never forget that during her most difficult days, it was the appearance of this bright and cheerful little girl that broke through all her pain.

If Mengmeng hadn't been there for me back then, I really don't know if I would have been able to get through that painful time.

Then I wouldn't be who I am today.

"Congratulations on winning the award!" Mengmeng stopped panting in front of Xingxing, her eyes shining as if they were filled with starlight.

Mengmeng handed the bouquet to the person in front of her, then couldn't help but smile and speak, her face full of pride.

"I saw the news at school! Gold Medal at the International Exhibition of Special Artists!"

Xingxing accepted the bouquet with elegant and composed movements, a stark contrast to the timid little boy she once was.

"Thank you for coming to my victory celebration." His voice was clear and gentle, with only occasional pauses revealing traces of the past.

Mengmeng was no different from before, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over the person in front of her. She tilted her head slightly, smiling with a hint of teasing, and said, "Your new suit is very handsome, great artist."

"You too, a top student in the psychology department." Xingxing smiled and pointed to the student badge on Mengmeng's chest. "How's your internship going?"

Mengmeng shrugged slightly, her face still showing a calm and composed demeanor, as if no matter how difficult things were, she could always get through them eventually, so none of them were really difficult.

"You know how tough my department is, so it's still in the initial stages. But I think as long as I'm willing to work hard, there shouldn't be any major problems."

Mengmeng was still talking to herself, with a smile on her face.

"That's what I think too. I've always had a lot of faith in you," Xingxing said without hesitation.

The two exchanged a smile and walked in tacit agreement toward their favorite cherry blossom bench.

Over the years, although Xingxing moved to the city with her parents and Mengmeng went to university, they still return to the place that changed their lives every week.

"Do you remember the first time we looked at the moon here?" Mengmeng took the lemon tea Xingxing handed her, her fingertips inadvertently touching the crescent-shaped birthmark on the inside of his wrist.

Star gazed tenderly at the sunlight filtering through the treetops: "You gave me a piece of candy and said the moon would protect us. At first, I thought you were a bad person, so I was wary of you. But I never imagined you would become the most important person to change my life."

"You weren't very talkative back then." Mengmeng smiled and leaned back on the bench, her gaze unconsciously sweeping over the person in front of her before she sighed with a touch of melancholy.

"Now they can even give presentations at international conferences."

"Because someone taught me that there's more than one way to express oneself through voice."

Xingxing took out a yellowed piece of paper from her sketchbook; it was a doodle they had made together when they were twelve.

A crooked rainbow bridge connects two stick figures.

Upon seeing the graffiti in front of her, Mengmeng, despite having tried to tell herself beforehand not to be moved to tears by past events, couldn't help but feel a lump in her throat. Her eyes welled up with tears.

Who would have thought that the autistic little boy from back then would become a highly acclaimed artist?

The little girl who only knew how to protect him with reckless courage is now learning how to use her professional knowledge to help others.

“We’ve all grown up, but what’s most precious to me is that you’ve always been here all these years. No matter what happens, you’ll always be with me, right?”

"Of course, no matter what happens, I will always be with you. Believe me, I will always stand by your side, so you can do whatever you want without any worries."

Upon hearing what the other person said, Xingxing nodded in agreement without hesitation.

"Oh, right, I have a gift for you." Xingxing suddenly stood up, took out a carefully crafted painting tube from behind the tree, and then spoke with a hint of apology.

"Open it when you get home."

Just as Mengmeng was about to protest, Lin Minmin's voice came from the direction of the main building, a cheerful reminder: "Kids, the banquet is about to begin!"

The lobby of "Starry Home" has been completely renovated.

The walls are covered with paintings by Xingxing over the years, from his early childish doodles to his recent exquisite works.

The one in the very center is the award-winning painting, "Guardian of the Moonlight".

Under the cherry blossom tree at night, a little girl reaches out to touch the moonlight, the light and shadow creating a dreamlike effect.

Many people were present, and everyone's attention was unconsciously drawn to the painting.

“This painting was inspired by Mengmeng,” Xingxing explained to the guests, her voice brimming with undisguised pride. “She was the first light in my life.”

Xie Yumin stood in the crowd, quietly wiping away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Although she had prepared herself mentally, she still couldn't help but want to cry when she heard these words.

She remembered the little boy who huddled in a corner and hurt himself when she first saw the stars ten years ago.

Now he stands tall like a bamboo shoot, his eyes no longer filled with fear, only with a gentle and resolute expression that has come from maturity.

Only they themselves truly know how many hardships they endured along the way.

Especially for someone like Xingxing, who was so seriously ill back then, having to undergo treatment while also completing her studies must have been even more difficult.

"Mom, don't cry." Mengmeng appeared beside her at some point, took her arm, and smiled ingratiatingly, even rubbing her head against her cheek affectionately.

"We should be happy today."

"I'm happy." Xie Yumin stroked her daughter's cheek. "You two have both grown up."

"But when will you grow up, you little girl? How old are you? Still snuggling in your mother's arms."

As Xie Yumin finished speaking, she reached out and touched Mengmeng's cheek again.