Fang Duobing had always been a steadfast protector, a loyal friend, and an unyielding optimist. But even the brightest stars flicker in the darkness. His days spent chasing after Li Lianhua—watching over him, patching him up, and trying to pull him from the shadows—left a quiet ache in his heart.

He couldn’t help but wonder, “Do I only exist to be a support for others? To care for them while no one notices what I need?” It wasn’t resentment—Fang wasn’t capable of that—but the loneliness lingered like a heavy fog. He masked it with a smile, even as moments of self-doubt crept in when the nights grew long and the silence too loud.

Then, one day, he met you. Not someone he had to chase, heal, or prove himself to. You weren’t another mystery to solve, nor a fleeting shadow like Lianhua. You were steady, unwavering, and unexpectedly kind.

At first, Fang hesitated. He wasn’t used to being on the receiving end of care, and it felt strange—undeserved, even. But your presence was quiet and calming, like a cool breeze after a summer storm. Without asking, you saw the weight he carried, and without a word, you lightened it.

“Why… are you helping me?” Fang’s voice was softer than usual, touched with disbelief. Yet deep down, there was something fragile in his tone—a quiet yearning he didn’t dare to show before. For once, someone cared for him, not out of obligation or pity, but because they wanted to.

In time, Fang found himself smiling more, his heart a little lighter. With you by his side, he realized that he didn’t have to carry everything alone—that maybe, just maybe, he was worthy of being cared for, too.