From now on, I will be your home.

The words "divorce" are like an exceedingly sharp blade.

It can cleanly sever many things: money, property, stocks, shares, vows of eternal fidelity, and the two people who once loved each other.

But there are some things that even it cannot cut apart.

When the sharp edge falls upon them, it only splatters a pool of blood. Push harder, and even if you cut through the skin, inside there are bones and blood that cannot be severed or clearly divided.

Hearing this news, Xia Muzhu showed no reaction, as if stunned dumb by this sudden announcement.

Xia Yueshan's reaction was much the same as Xia Muzhu's. This abrupt news completely exceeded what either of them could handle, leaving them both momentarily at a loss for what to do.

On the phone screen, Xia's Father saw the nearly numb shock on his son and daughter's faces. As a father, his heart ached for them, and he could only hurriedly try to soften the blow, saying:

"It's alright."

"Even though Mom and Dad are divorced, you will always be our children."

"Everything will be just like before."

"Your mother and I only separated after careful consideration."

"We've just become somewhat incompatible."

While Xia's Father was speaking, Xia Muzhu had begun to recover slightly from the extreme shock. She looked at the two now somewhat unfamiliar faces on the phone screen, her breathing quickening, her eyes rimming red.

She opened her mouth, as if wanting to demand an explanation, but ultimately didn't know what words could express her feelings, and closed her lips again.

Xia Yueshan stood behind the sofa. He looked at the two people on the phone, anger and resentment burning in his eyes, yet moisture welled up uncontrollably in their depths. Pitifully, the shelled pistachios he held in his hand were crushed with a cracking sound in his grip, the shells separating.

On the phone, Xia's Father and Xia's Mother wore expressions of guilt. They naturally knew how much hurt this news would bring their two children.

But the words were already spoken, the divorce was already finalized, and there was no longer any room to turn things back.

Ashamed, Xia's Father found it hard to continue. Xia's Mother could only take over, her voice gentle as she continued with the second important matter.

"There's one more thing... your father and I have both obtained foreign green cards..."

The moment Xia's Mother finished speaking, a handful of crushed pistachios smashed against the phone, against her face.

The phone was held in Xia Muzhu's hand, so this shotgun-like attack inevitably struck her palm and wrist as well.

In sudden pain, Xia Muzhu's hand loosened, and the phone fell onto the wooden floor of the living room with a dull thud.

After throwing the pistachios, Xia Yueshan didn't say a single word. He turned his back, his arm quickly wiping across his face, then wordlessly hurried back to his room, slamming the door shut with a force that could probably be heard from the floors above and below.

"Xiaoshan."

Xia Muzhu ignored the pain in her hand and the phone on the floor.

She quickly got up and walked towards Xia Yueshan's bedroom. She knew how devastating these two pieces of news were for this brother of hers, who had always wanted to be with their mom and dad. If not comforted and guided in time, this silly brother didn't know what kind of stubborn, negative thoughts he might get stuck in.

In the blink of an eye, only Lin Yu remained in the living room. Xia Muzhu's phone, dropped on the floor, was still connected. Xia's Father and Xia's Mother, unaware of what had happened, were still inside calling Xia Muzhu's name. Their voices mixed with the now-diminished sound of the Spring Festival Gala from the TV, creating an especially jarring noise.

Lin Yu frowned, finding it too noisy. He picked up the phone and hung up, then picked up the remote control from the table and turned off the TV as well.

At that very moment, a skit Lin Yu had been looking forward to was playing on TV. Judging from the lively laughter of the live audience, it seemed good, but Lin Yu was no longer in the mood to watch.

Worried that Xia Muzhu might not be able to handle it, Lin Yu walked softly to the door of Xia Yueshan's bedroom and peered inside through the slightly ajar gap.

Xia Yueshan lay face down on the bed, still wearing his slippers. He buried his head in the soft mattress, refusing to lift it, but his constantly trembling shoulders had long betrayed him.

Xia Muzhu sat by the head of the bed, reaching out to gently stroke the black hair on the back of Xia Yueshan's head, as if smoothing his fur.

Seeing Lin Yu standing at the door, she got up and came out, saying softly:

"You go to sleep first."

"I'll stay with Xiaoshan for a while. He can't accept this all at once."

Lin Yu nodded.

"Alright. Call me if you need any help."

Xia Muzhu gave a slight nod, and Lin Yu returned to his own room.

Lying on the soft bed, Lin Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep, and didn't even feel like scrolling through his phone.

Going through this event, Lin Yu couldn't help but think of his own parents.

He wondered what their lives were like now, without him.

He could only hope the senior and junior disciples at the martial arts school could help shoulder the responsibility of taking care of the two elders for him...

...

After an unknown amount of time, in a drowsy state, Lin Yu suddenly had an inexplicable sense. He opened his eyes and looked towards the door.

The next second, the door was pushed open. Xia Muzhu leaned half her body in, her voice as light as a goose feather, whispering:

"Lin Yu, are you asleep?"

"No."

Lin Yu responded promptly.

Learning that Lin Yu was awake, Xia Muzhu entered the room, closed the door, walked softly to the bedside, lifted the blanket, slipped in, and lay down in Lin Yu's arms.

"Is Xiaoshan alright now?"

Lin Yu gently held Xia Muzhu's back with one arm, asking quietly.

Xia Muzhu nodded, saying:

"Mhm, he's asleep now."

Hearing this, Lin Yu felt slightly relieved. He knew Xia Muzhu's heart must be aching too, so he held her, his palm gliding gently down her back over the smooth silk of her nightgown.

When his hand reached her waist, Lin Yu would lift it again, place it gently between her shoulder blades, and slide it down her back once more, repeating the motion, using the method his grandmother had once used to comfort him on Xia Muzhu, hoping she would feel a little better.

Xia Muzhu made no sound, but Lin Yu could feel the occasional tremor in her back.

Lin Yu continued quietly stroking her back. Gradually, he felt the damp, cool patch on his chest growing larger. Finally, Xia Muzhu spoke with a tearful voice, trembling as she said:

"Lin Yu, I don't have a home anymore."

Lin Yu didn't stop his motions. He spoke softly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze.

"It's alright."

"From now on, I will be your home."

His hand resting on Xia Muzhu's back through the thin layer of her nightgown, Lin Yu could clearly sense the change in her body.

Her slightly trembling body suddenly stilled. She slowly lifted her face from Lin Yu's chest.

Lin Yu looked down at her. In the dark room, only her tear-filled, azure-blue eyes shimmered with a faint light.

The next moment, her slender neck stretched forward, and she kissed Lin Yu's lips.

The next second, fireworks soared into the sky outside the window, the whole world celebrating the arrival of the New Year.

Inside the room, illuminated by the fireworks, the two held each other tightly in a kiss, celebrating having one another.

On the bedside table, Lin Yu's phone, placed face down, vibrated softly. Several text messages popped up on the screen simultaneously.

Qing Mo: Happy New Year.

Three Good Student: Happy New Year.

Su Yuyao: Happy New Year.

Tang KuaiKuai: Happy New Year.

...

...