Farewell, Quentin Lin

Quentin Lin's nose tingled with emotion. He knew that after he left this time, except for helping Lucy Lou remove the lingering toxins in her body in the future, the Lin Family would probably have no further connection with the Marquis Valor Estate—and he himself would no longer come here to play.

But seeing the hopeful look in Lucy Lou's eyes, Quentin Lin still nodded. "If I get the chance, I'll come visit again."

Hearing Quentin Lin's words, Lucy Lou instantly brightened. Her big head swayed happily from side to side. "Okay, okay! Next time you come, we'll play together again!"

"Alright!" Quentin Lin put on a cheerful face.

Lucy Lou carefully wrapped up the big bundle again and gently touched Quentin Lin's cheek. "If only I had a little brother like you. Sigh, I'm really jealous of Su Li—she gets to be your big sister..."

She also envied Su Li for being able to marry Alexander Hayes.

But this was something Lucy Lou could never say to anyone. She could only keep it quietly in her heart.

Quentin Lin heard her, but said nothing—he just comfortingly held Lucy Lou's hand.

The bond between siblings isn't something you can just have. If Mrs. Wang hadn't married the Medical Sage Lin, Quentin Lin wouldn't have had the chance to call Princess Consort Qin his sister, either.

The two held hands in silence for a moment. Then Quentin Lin looked up. "Lucy Lou, I have to go now."

"Um... let me walk you out," Lucy Lou said, slinging her big bundle over one shoulder and reaching for Quentin Lin's baggage with the other.

Her body was already small and frail, and with two big bundles in hand, she looked like she might topple over at any moment.

Quentin Lin quickly moved to take one of the bundles, but Lucy Lou stopped him: "Quentin, you're only five, still just a child. Let me help you carry it! I want to be your big sister, even if it's just for a little while—it would make me so happy."

Quentin Lin felt a wave of sadness and withdrew his hand, no longer insisting on carrying the bundle.

Seeing his silent acceptance, Lucy Lou was overjoyed and, wobbling with excitement, carried both big bundles out.

Quentin Lin quickly caught up, afraid Lucy Lou might trip. Lily Si-Yu glanced back, her voice soft but teasing, "Careful, Lucy. You always rush ahead, but one day you'll end up with a scraped knee!" Quentin Lin’s lips twitched, but he didn’t say a word—his worry for Lucy Lou obvious in his every step.

They walked quietly, side by side, all the way to the side gate of the Marquis Valor Estate. The Lin Family’s carriage was waiting there. Quentin Lin paused, looking at Lucy Lou, his eyes gentle but a little sad. "Lucy, are you really leaving today?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lucy Lou was exhausted from carrying the bundles, her face slick with sweat as she loaded them onto the carriage.

"Quentin, come play whenever you have time," Lucy Lou squatted down and looked at the little boy before her.

Quentin Lin sniffled and nodded, unusually well-behaved.

"Quentin, why are you so late? Hurry and get in the carriage," Simon Yu called from inside.

A flash of panic and reluctance flickered in Lucy Lou's eyes. She gently patted Quentin Lin's chubby cheek. "Go on, Quentin."

Quentin Lin looked up at Lucy Lou, his eyes bright and a little damp. Suddenly, he threw his short arms around her neck for a quick hug and softly said, "Sister Lucy, goodbye."

Then, with a twist, he nimbly climbed into the carriage, curled up in a corner, and sat facing the wall, motionless.

The carriage slowly rolled away from the Marquis Valor Estate. Lucy Lou stood at the gate, watching it go, like a lonely statue in the vast emptiness. She stood there for a long, long time, unmoving, until the carriage disappeared from sight.

Inside the carriage, Lily Si-Yu looked curiously at Quentin Lin, who was still sitting in the corner, facing the wall as if in deep reflection. She poked him a few times and asked, "Quentin, what's wrong with you today? We're moving to a new home—it's a happy occasion! You should be excited, so why do you look so down?"

"Go away, I'm fine. Just thinking about life," Quentin Lin mumbled, twisting his body. A few sparkling tears silently slid down, blooming into little wet flowers on his collar...