At night, the sky was covered with dark clouds, the wind was howling and the fine raindrops were like countless sharp blades cutting through the dark sky, shrouding the whole city in a wet mist. There were only a few cars on the street, and the neon lights flickered faintly in the rain.

Adora's father was driving his car, and the car was full of laughter. Adora and his mother were excitedly discussing the upcoming family trip, and they were all looking forward to it. This sudden heavy rain did not seem to dampen their spirits. The rain hit the car window, blurring the view, and Adora's father had to slow down and hold on to the steering wheel.

At a bend, the road ahead was flooded with water. Adora's dad was nervous and slammed on the brakes. However, the road was slippery and the car still lost control and crashed into the guardrail. The violent collision broke the silence of the night.

"Ah!" The family of three screamed, thrown back into their seats by the force of the impact. A roar filled their ears and their hearts quickened. Adora could vaguely make out blurry shadows around them, but then there was silence.

At that critical moment, someone in a passing car heard the sound of the collision and quickly called the emergency number. A few minutes later, the sirens of the ambulance cut through the noise of the rainy night, and the paramedics quickly carried Adora and her family from the car.

Hospital

The sky was gradually clearing, the rain outside the window had stopped and the sun was shining through the clouds, casting a golden light. Adora's long lashes moved and her eyes opened. What she saw was a white ward, and the smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. The anaesthetic wore off and the pain surged like a flood. She panicked, and the memory that came to her in an instant flashed like lightning - my parents! She turned her head with all her strength, but all she saw was emptiness, no trace of her parents. The biting cold made her shiver.

The nurse beside her noticed that she was awake and asked worriedly: "You're awake, are you still uncomfortable?

The girl tried to sit up, but was overcome by dizziness and fell weakly back onto the bed. Her voice was wrapped in the deep hoarseness she only had after waking up, and she was even more nervous and worried: "Where are my parents?"

"Don't worry, rest first. You are injured and need time to recover." The nurse said quietly and then adjusted the position of the bed for her.

"Your parents passed away in a car accident."

This sentence was like a bolt from the blue that hit Adora's heart. Her face was full of disbelief, her mind was blank and he couldn't believe it. After a while she came to her senses and cried, her heart seemed to be torn apart and tears kept falling, as if telling of her longing for her parents.

"Your body is still recovering, don't be too sad." The nurse comforted Adora until he calmed down a little and called the doctor. When the doctor came to examine her, he found nothing wrong and told her to get some rest. After the doctor and nurse left, tears silently streamed down her sad face. This scene was witnessed by Raymond who was passing by the ward after visiting a friend.

"Hey, Patrick." Raymond locked eyes with Adora and touched the arm of the person next to him: "Look who that is?"

The man looked nonchalant: "Who?" He was wearing a black shirt, the hem of which was tucked neatly into his suit trousers. He was tall and straight, and his eyes, hidden under the lenses, were unfathomable, giving people the feeling that he was cold and noble. Raymond replied meaningfully: "Adora, the precious daughter of the S family, it seems that the news is true."

"What news?"

"Her family had a car accident, didn't you know? Adora's parents died and she was all that was left. The S family have such a big business and Adora is the only heir. There will be many wonderful shows to watch in the future.”

Patrick suddenly fell silent, not knowing what he was thinking. As the two were about to leave the hospital, the phone rang in the silent room.

"Ring, ring, ring--" Patrick raised his eyebrows slightly, picked up the phone and spoke in a low voice.

"Dad, what's going on?"

The other end of the phone seemed very worried and a hurried voice came: "You go and marry the S family's daughter right now."

Patrick didn't seem to expect to hear this sentence. He turned his head and thought about it, and immediately guessed his father's intention. He was silent for a moment and then said: "Why?"

"You come back immediately!" Patrick's father's tone was harsh, and he hung up the phone immediately after speaking. Patrick remained silent. He bent his right leg slightly, and his slightly raised side face was full of absent-mindedness.

The S family is a wealthy family that enjoys a high reputation throughout the city. They control a lot of wealth and power, and they are one of the four big families in City A. The Y family, of which Patrick is a member, is also one of the four big families. Although Patrick is young, he is already one of the leaders of the company.

"Let's go, Patrick, go home and face your storm." Raymond put his hand on Patrick's shoulder and said teasingly.

Raymond put a hand in his pocket and looked at the hospital behind him: "I'd better stay with you. If your father hits you later, I can help you."

The man raised his eyebrows slightly: "You have more experience of being beaten."

A car pulled up to a building. It was a luxurious retro building with exquisite architectural details. The facade is decorated with beautiful carvings and magnificent columns, reflecting the classical style. Elegant curtains are hung by the large arched windows to create a warm atmosphere. The entrance was a beautifully designed double door, surrounded by lush gardens and neatly trimmed hedges, giving the whole building a luxurious feel.

Patrick thought it had been a long time since he'd been back here. He had stayed here as a child. Then, they got out of the car together.

The maid opened the door: "Mr Patrick, you are back, the master is waiting for you."

"Well, where is Dad?"

"In this room, it's better if you go up alone." The maid pointed to the closed door on the second floor.

Patrick looked at Raymond: "Then wait for me downstairs." Raymond said worriedly: "Call me if you need anything." Then he sat down on the sofa in Patrick's house as if it were his own.

Patrick walked up the stairs. The wide steps were paved with fine wood and shone brightly. The handrails were carved with intricate patterns and were meticulous. Each step of the stairs was carefully polished with smooth edges. The stairs were decorated with gorgeous wall lamps on both sides, and the dazzling light pierced the eyes, making people feel uncomfortable. It seemed to have no temperature at all, making the surrounding space look stiff and indifferent. Such light often makes people feel afraid, as if it was oppressing their sight and making it difficult to look directly. As soon as he opened the door, a book suddenly flew towards him. He turned his head slightly, and his forehead was slightly red and a little scratched. The person who threw the book to him was his father--Rick.

"You are finally willing to come back."

Patrick bent down to pick up the book and patted the book: "What did you ask me to come back for?"

"I told you on the phone, let you marry the one from the S family."

"But I don't understand why you do this?" Patrick looked into his father's eyes. Even though he had the answer in his heart, he wanted to hear different reasons.

His father seemed to have a plan, just as Patrick thought: "The parents of the S family have passed away, so the inheritance must be her, and the group is also her. Marrying her will definitely be good for our family."

Suddenly, the door was opened, and then a beautiful woman pushed the door in. She had long dark brown hair, which was often tied up in an elegant way, revealing her delicate face. She wore her favorite black and dark purple gorgeous clothes, matched with exquisite jewelry, exuding a strong confidence and authority: "Dear, don't embarrass Patrick anymore, why not let James go, I think he will be happy to share your worries."

James in the woman's mouth is her biological son and Patrick is the child of his father and his ex-wife. Patrick's mother died of illness a few years ago, and a year later, his father married his current wife.

"No need, I'll go." Patrick interrupted the woman directly, his tone was firm, and his eyes were full of unquestionable determination.

The woman frowned slightly, as if she didn't believe her ears, and tried to fight again: "Didn't you refuse just now?"

"No, I promise you." His voice was calm and clear, with a hint of impatience. He looked at his father again, already with a contemptuous smile, and felt a little helpless, as if this scene had been repeated countless times, even though he already knew the script.

Rick walked over to the desk and looked at Patrick with a victorious air, wondering why he was agreeing so easily. After a while, "That's good, stay for dinner." His tone softened and the invitation to dinner seemed to be just a casual mention.

"Dear, didn't we agree to have dinner with our son tonight?" There was a hint of unease in her voice and a forced smile on her face, trying to maintain the harmony of the family.

"It's all right, ask the servant to cook another one."

"But..." When the woman tried to salvage this bad situation, Patrick interrupted her again.

It turned out that he refused: "No, I will have dinner with Raymond."

"Then you should let her marry you as soon as possible, no matter what method you use." Patrick's father's tone was full of urgency and concern, as if he couldn't wait for them to get married now, so he kept pushing him.

Patrick didn't answer, closed the door and left the room, walking straight to the door, wanting to leave this farce as soon as possible. The mood on the way down was completely different from the one on the way up. Going upstairs, he might have had some expectations, but after going upstairs, his mood was as calm as dead water.

As soon as Raymond saw Patrick coming down the stairs, he walk quickly to him: "Oh, your forehead is scratched. Does your dad really want you to marry the one from the S family?" There was a hint of surprise and doubt in his tone, and his eyes were fixed on Patrick's face.

"Yeah." He nodded gently, his voice was low, and he seemed unwilling to talk more.

"Then you agreed?" Raymond continued to ask, frowning slightly, and he had another doubt.

His voice was still short, his eyes flickered, as if hiding some secret: "Yeah."

"Why?I can't figure it out.For her family's property? You don't need it, right?" There was confusion in his voice, trying to guess his mind, the Patrick he was familiar with was not like this.

"No." He responded softly, still a short response, but faster and more firmly than before, and then his eyes gradually moved away. At that moment, the air was filled with a tense atmosphere, and the silence between the two seemed to tell of unspeakable complex emotions.

Patrick remembered a banquet in the past. The sun shone through the leaves, casting mottled shadows, and the air was filled with the breath of summer. At that time, he was just after his mother passed away, and he often wanted to escape from his father's control. On this day, he hid in the dense forest near his home, trying to escape his family's "hunt" for him.

Patrick curled up in the bushes, secretly proud of himself, thinking that he hid well. After a long time, he didn't hear the calls of his family, and he felt a little uneasy and confused. He wondered if they didn't notice that he was missing. Just as he was hesitating whether to come out, a crisp voice broke the silence.

"Why are you here?"

Patrick looked up and saw a cute little girl. She had long black hair, eyes as bright as stars, and a bright smile on her face. She walked straight towards him, and the sun cast golden spots through the treetops and shone on her body. Her figure looked particularly soft in the light, as if an angel had descended. She was wearing a simple white dress, and the hem of the dress swayed gently with her steps.

"Who are you? How did you find me?" Patrick was a little surprised. He was happy that someone had found him, but his expression pretended to be cold.

Adora sat next to him and said nonchalantly: "I am Adora, I came with my father. Who are you? Why are you hiding?" She then took out a lunch box from her backpack, and after opening it, the fragrance came to her nose. : "Are you hungry? Come, let's eat something together."

Patrick looked at her, and a warm feeling surged in his heart. He never thought that when he was hiding from his family, he would be found by a little girl and given food. He took the lunch box, felt the warmth and care, and suddenly felt that he was no longer alone.

"Thank you, Adora. My name is Patrick."

The sunset slowly sank to the west, and the sky was dyed a gorgeous orange-red, as if a burning flame spread across the sky. The light fell on the earth, covering everything with a warm golden veil, and the shadows of the trees stretched and swayed in the afterglow. Only the whispers of the two of them and the occasional chirping of insects were left in the dense forest. The two chatted about each other's interesting stories and shared each other's dreams. Patrick felt a sense of relief that he had never felt before.

Back to reality---

"So why?" Raymond's voice was confused, and his slightly frowned brows seemed to be thinking about a complex puzzle.

Patrick's eyes flashed with a hint of depth, as if he was recalling those past fragments, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, but with a little sadness: "Because of a story."

"I really don't understand you." He sighed, with helplessness in his tone, "So what are you going to do now?"

“I should ask her opinion." Patrick's voice was sincere and firm, and his eyes became clear. At this moment, he left the choice to Adora, and his concern and respect for her in his heart became more obvious.

The next day at the hospital

When Adora was staring out the window, her thoughts drifting, a woman wearing a simple white top, with long straight legs and an anxious look walked into the ward quickly.

"Adora, how are you feeling?" She asked with concern, her eyes full of worry. It turned out that this was Adora's friend Alison.

When Adora saw her friend coming, tears could not help but burst out of her eyes. The two hugged each other tightly, confiding their inner pain and anxiety.

"Don't be sad, everything will be fine." Alison gently patted Adora's back, her voice gentle and firm, as if conveying endless comfort.

After crying for a while, Alison took out  tissue, gently wiped Adora's tears, and said with a smile: "She is really like a little cat, with tears in her eyes."

Adora smiled slightly, feeling a little warm in her heart: "Why are you here? Aren't you still abroad?"

Alison replied: "How can I not come when you are like this?"

She then swept her eyes over the bouquet on the table and said in surprise: "You are really popular, so many people sent you flowers."

The table was full of various flowers, and each flower had a contact number left. It seemed that each family wanted to build a good relationship with her. Alison picked up a bouquet of flowers at random. She looked at the greeting card inside and read mischievously: "Patrick, the one from the Y family, you are so charming, let him send you flowers."

Adora was stunned and thought to herself: Is he here too? Why don't I know.

"Don't just stare at the flowers. The weather is so good. Why don't you accompany me to the park for a walk? I'm so bored." Adora seemed shy and wanted to change the subject

"Okay, let's go." Alison nodded in agreement, took her hand, and led her out of the ward.

The sun shone through the glass windows of the hospital into the corridor, as if bringing a touch of warmth to the heavy air. The two walked side by side. Although Adora was still in a heavy mood, she felt a little comforted by her friend's company.

Walking out of the hospital, the outside world was full of vitality. The flowers in the park were blooming, and the birds were singing happily on the branches. It seemed that everything was reminding Adora that life was still going on.

"You really should go out more often and breathe some fresh air." Alison said with a smile, her eyes full of concern.

Adora paused and was quiet for a moment, suddenly thinking of his parents, with sadness in her eyes.

Alison held Adora's hand tightly and whispered, "Take your time to adapt."

They found a bench to sit down on, and saw a person under the tree not far away- it was Patrick. The man standing under the tree was a landscape in itself. The breeze blew up, blowing open his collar, revealing a small piece of collarbone, with a faint fragrance on his body.

Patrick? Why is he here? Adora thought so in her mind, and her eyes accidentally met Patrick. He looked away uncomfortably, but always felt that Patrick was looking at her.

She couldn't help but look up again. So, she met Patrick's eyes again. He was still staring at her quietly, his eyes were focused and he had walked slowly towards her.

10 seconds

20 seconds

30 seconds

Patrick paused his step slightly and asked with concern: "Adora, how are you recovering?"

Adora smiled slightly, feeling a little nervous, and her heartbeat slightly accelerated: "Much better, thank you, Patrick."

Patrick slightly curled his lips, his eyes gentle: "Recovery takes time. Take good care of yourself."

Adora asked : "Did you send the flowers?"

Patrick nodded: "Yes, when I visited you in the morning, you were still sleeping, so I put them next to you."

"Thank you for your kindness."

"Can I treat you to a meal?"

The sudden words made Adora look up at the person in front of her in confusion. There were fragments of the sunset in his eyes, so he seemed a little unreal and soft, and his posture was calm and patient.

Adora moved her lips without making any sound. She took a deep breath, suppressed the confusion in her heart, and spoke, still with an unbelievable tone:

"......Treat me to a meal?"

The person opposite looked at him and answered without hesitation : "Yes. After you are discharged from the hospital. Is it okay?"

Adora was very surprised, a little confused but did not ask the question: "Okay."

"See you then." Patrick looked at Alison and nodded as a greeting, then walked back to Raymond, leaving Adora and Alison frozen. Alison still kept her mouth slightly open, with a surprised expression.

Raymond looked at Patrick with a smile on his face."So it's for Adora. I wonder why you came to the hospital again."

Even though he was seen through, Patrick remained calm and asked without changing his expression: "So?" But then in a pitiful tone:"I know……you envy me. "

Another side

Alison shook her slightly: "You are actually with Patrick?!"

Adora's voice was intermittent because of her shaking: "...How is it possible...really not"

"Then why did he invite you to dinner?"