[Older woman + powerful man lowering his head + devoted to each other]
[Love comes from nowhere, yet runs deeper with every step]
The Zhou and Xiao families had been close for generations, but their fates could not have been more different.
Three years ago, the Zhou family of Zhongbei stood at the height of its power. Today, its prosperity has only grown, and it still stands firm.
That same year, the Xiao family of Zhongbei collapsed. Xiao Guangwei's father took his own life in despair, and her mother went mad overnight.
When she returned to Zhongbei, her ex-husband pestered her endlessly: “Your big brother is willing to take you in? What did you trade for that? Hmm?”
Zhou Guanshui, the man in charge of the Zhou family, stood above everyone else. In stillness, he was like an ancient scroll slowly unfurling; in motion, like flowing water reflecting the light. No matter how fiercely the winds and waves raged, he remained steady and unshaken.
Everyone thought she was desperate, making a risky move to drag him down with her.
Only Zhou Guanshui knew that, rather than never getting close to her, he would rather be despised. Let her take everything from him and let him bear it all. Even if it meant falling into hell forever, he would do so willingly.
After a devastating blow, Xiao Guangwei was dazed and disoriented.
Zhou Guanshui rushed to her in the middle of the night and gently wiped the tear from the corner of her eye with his fingertip, as carefully as if she were a priceless treasure.
“Don't be afraid. I'm here,” he said.
The wind rose. The locust trees lining the road swayed, their leaves surging like a sea in motion.
Zhou Guanshui reached out and held Xiao Guangwei close, his palm settling heavily against her.
“You can depend on me as much as you want. It has nothing to do with anyone else, only us. If you can do it without worry or hesitation, I'll be happy.”
