How to Raise a Gloomy Childhood Friend

Lu You is sweet and pretty, so everyone likes her.

When she was three, there was a terrible rainstorm.

While playing at home, she saw a girl kneeling outside the villa across the street, soaked through, her profile pale and cold.

She put on her rain boots, took her flowery umbrella, and went over to her. Taking the girl's chilly hand, she said, "Get up first. The ground is cold."

After that, she brought the girl home, dried her hair, lent her one of her own nice-smelling outfits, and even wanted to cuddle her to sleep.

When her mothers came home, they laughed and cried at the same time, and told her she couldn't do that.

Lu You clung tightly to her new friend's hand, eyes brimming with tears and reluctance.

Her new friend raised a hand and wiped away her tears. "Don't cry."

With red eyes, Lu You said, "When I'm a little older, I'll take care of you."

Her new friend gazed at her with a solemn look. "Okay."

After that, Lu You had one more person who loved her.

*

They grew up and went to school together, knowing everything about each other. Lu You always shared her strawberry milk and little mandarins with her childhood sweetheart.

Only later did Lu You learn that her childhood sweetheart, Fen Zhixu, was the heir to the wealthy Fen family.

"So does that mean I don't have to take care of you anymore?" Lu You asked, blinking.

"Don't even think about backing out." Fen Zhixu didn't even look up. "Lift your foot."

Lu You obediently put her foot on Fen Zhixu's leg so Pei Ning could put on her sock.

*

After the heir to the Fen Group took over, wealthy families proposed marriage alliances one after another, but none received a response.

At the time, Fen Zhixu had Lu You pinned against a wall, kissing her.

"I've let you take care of me for so long. Are you still planning to shirk your responsibility?"

She kissed her childhood sweetheart's lips, red from all the kisses. "Marry me, Youyou."

Before you read:

★ One-on-one romance, both leads have only ever been with each other

★ A short story, under 250,000 words

★ Note from 2025.11.03

Theme: Say your love out loud!