Big brother remained silent for a long while before saying, "A Ying, you've changed. You never used to think about these things before." I had thought that big brother would simply walk away, or even verbally criticize me for being weak. However, I had never expected him to calmly look at me and say, "You've changed."

For a moment, I felt a bit at a loss, unsure how to respond to Big Brother's words. I hesitated for a moment before slowly speaking up, "Aying is still Aying, but this home is no longer the same as before. In order to continue surviving here and to not trouble Father, Aying has no choice but to do this."

My words successfully silenced my elder brother once again, and his expression was filled with astonishment. I knew that compared to my previous behavior, which had caused people to doubt me, this current demeanor of mine was truly questionable. Without elaborating further, I casually brushed my disheveled hair that was tousled by the wind and continued, "Elder brother, Aying has grown up. In just one month, it will be Aying's coming-of-age ceremony. After the ceremony, Aying will have to start preparing for marriage. Aying is no longer the little girl who used to be mischievous all day long. Elder brother doesn't need to worry about Aying anymore. Aying knows what should and shouldn't be done."

I heard my eldest brother let out a sigh, though his voice was very low. I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination or if he was doing it to make his words more believable. I looked into my eldest brother's eyes once again and saw a rare slight upturn of his lips. Then I heard him say, "A Ying, you're still as stubborn as before. Our family is not the same as it used to be, but I will always be your eldest brother. You can show your strength to others, but with me, you can just be yourself. No matter what happens, I will always have your back, A Ying."

After listening to what my older brother said, for some reason, a faint fear arose in my heart. I hurriedly lowered my head, not daring to meet my older brother's eyes again. Deep down, I had a rough understanding that my older brother was still my older brother, my own older brother. However, after wandering around the dilapidated tower, although I hadn't tarnished my chastity, I was no longer the pure and innocent girl in the eyes of ordinary people. Now, I really couldn't bear my older brother's kindness towards me. I knew that I was scared, afraid that my older brother would hate me if he found out about what happened to me at the tower. I was afraid that in the future, my older brother would also become someone else's older brother, just like our father.

I glanced nervously at my eldest brother and slowly stood up from the stone stool. In a somewhat calm tone, I said, "Eldest brother, Aying is feeling a bit tired. I'll go back first." Without waiting for my brother's reply, I called for Yinyin and briskly walked towards the direction of Yunying Garden. Perhaps I believed that leaving my brother behind would alleviate some of the fear in my heart. Unconsciously, I quickened my pace and soon left my brother and that little pavilion far behind.

I knew in my heart that it was Big Brother who brought me back from the desolate pavilion. He must have known something to some extent, but I couldn't help but deceive myself, thinking that he knew nothing. I still thought of myself as the ignorant Aying from the past and believed that everything in the desolate pavilion was just my illusion. Of course, except for Zhong Cui.

For me, Zhong Cui is like a snow lotus blooming under the muddy bottom. No matter how dirty or filthy the surroundings are, she can always stay true to herself. It's as if nothing affects her, as if nothing can touch her. In that memory I am unwilling to mention, Cui Cui is perhaps the only ray of light that can penetrate into my heart. I don't know why, but suddenly I urgently want to see Zhong Cui.