Most of the time, Yun Que'er took care of herself, often buttoning her clothes wrong or oversleeping and forgetting to eat.
On ordinary days, with nothing much to do, she would go to the door behind the orphanage building and sit on the steps, staring blankly at the sky.
The orphanage was like a cage to Yun Que'er. The sky was just a square patch. She was like a little bird yearning for freedom, eager to fly out and see the world, but she had no idea what it would be like outside or if she could survive under that vast sky.
So, although she had this thought, she never dared to act on it.
Because she often daydreamed, she always lost track of time. She would miss classes and stay up when it was time to sleep. The aunts in the orphanage always had to come out to look for her. Every time they found her, she would surely be scolded, which contributed to her rebellious nature from a young age.
Her current boldness and willingness to talk to anyone were also related to that period.
Now, when she thought about it, she always felt sorry for those who had taken care of her.
They had only wanted the best for her and were afraid that something might happen to her, but she just didn't understand back then.
The only person who could make Yun Que'er happy at that time was a little brother who lived on the floor below her.
The little brother was the same age as her but a few months older. Because he was introverted and didn't talk much, the other children in the orphanage ignored him and even bullied him.
One day, they met at the back door. One sat on the left side of the steps and the other on the right. They didn't talk to each other but just stared at the sky.
This went on for three years. Then one day, Yun Que'er started to talk to the little brother.
However, the little brother still looked indifferent, as if he hadn't heard her.
Often, Yun Que'er would chatter away while he just stared blankly at the sky.
Sometimes, when he got annoyed by her, he would say a few words, usually telling her to shut up or stay away.
But even these few words made Yun Que'er quite happy.
Actually, whether the little brother talked or not didn't matter much. The important thing was that Yun Que'er felt at ease just sitting with him, even if they didn't say a word.
They were like two lonely boats in the ocean. By chance, they met on a stormy night and then drifted forward side by side.
But when they were thirteen, the little brother was taken away by a couple. It was said that a wealthy couple had taken a fancy to him.
They had no children of their own. They originally wanted to adopt a younger child, but after hearing from the orphanage staff that the little brother was very smart and might become a talent if properly cultivated, they took him away.
It was said that when he left, Yun Que'er was having a meal. As soon as she heard from the aunt who took care of her, she immediately threw down her chopsticks and chased after him.
But all she saw was the rear of a luxurious Mercedes.
Yun Que'er chased for a long, long way. It was the first time she had ever walked out of the orphanage gate. And on this occasion, she lost the most important companion in her life and never saw him again.
At that moment, Yun Que'er understood that perhaps no one could accompany her for the whole journey. The only one who could always be with her was herself.
That day, the aunt didn't scold her for once. She held Yun Que'er's hand and led her back, talking to her all the way.
"Child, there's no feast that never ends. One day, you'll also leave the orphanage. I know you've always wanted to see the outside world. Well, it won't be long. Your life will surely be better than it is now. And no matter what happens, never give up on yourself, even if everyone leaves you."
The aunt turned her head and gave Yun Que'er a deep look, then coughed twice and turned away.
Two months later, the aunt passed away.
It was said that she had lung cancer and was already in the advanced stage. In the last days of her life, knowing that her illness was incurable, she chose to stay in the orphanage.
One morning, she didn't come out of her dormitory. When her colleague went in, they found that her body was already cold.
Yun Que'er left the orphanage for the second time to attend the aunt's funeral.
She squatted in front of the aunt's tombstone, poking at a stone beside her foot. Only then did she realize how important a thing she had lost and why the aunt had said those words to her that day.
Yun Que'er shed tears in her dream. She wiped her face and looked at the cold liquid in her palm, then suddenly started running.
She really wanted to see those people again. She had never cherished them before, but now she understood. She didn't ask for anything else, just to see them one more time in her dream.
But suddenly, a thick fog rolled into the orphanage. The white mist almost blocked all of Yun Que'er's vision. She could only run aimlessly in the fog.
Until she saw a short figure in the distance. It was the little brother!
Tears welled up in Yun Que'er's eyes. Without hesitation, she rushed forward.
But just as she was about to touch the little brother's hand, she suddenly found that there seemed to be a transparent film between them.
He was so close, yet she couldn't grasp his hand no matter how hard she tried.
"Do you still remember me?" Yun Que'er asked, her voice trembling. "It's me, the girl who always chattered in your ear. You used to be so annoyed by me. Do you still recognize me?"
The little brother didn't say a word. Yun Que'er's tears kept falling...
"Please look at me. Look at me, okay... I've already lost so much..."
Finally, the little brother slowly turned his head. He looked at Yun Que'er with tears in his smiling eyes.
After a long while, he slowly reached out his hand to Yun Que'er.
"I've always been waiting for you up ahead. As long as you come, I'll be here."
Tears streamed down Yun Que'er's face. Just as she was about to grab his hand, the fog suddenly dissipated. Where could she still see the little brother's figure?
She turned her head and found that the orphanage had somehow returned to normal. Children were playing merrily in the yard, and the uncles and aunts were wearing smiles that Yun Que'er had never really noticed before.
They were so kind and gentle, treating these children who had been abandoned by their parents since birth as their own flesh and blood.
Yun Que'er walked through the yard, shedding tears all the way and looking at each person carefully.
Gradually, the scene in front of her was like a peeling oil painting, slowly losing its color and peeling off in front of Yun Que'er's eyes.
"Don't go... Please don't go. Don't all leave me..."
Yun Que'er sobbed out loud. "Don't go. Wait for me, everyone!"
Yun Que'er sniffed and suddenly opened her eyes.
She looked at the strange yet familiar ceiling in front of her and took a deep breath.
It was just a dream. Why did it hurt so much?