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At that moment, Shen Baili couldn't quite put her feelings into words.

She was proud of herself.

"Mom, didn't I do great?"

Shen Baili threw her arms around Shen Wan, and her tears came even faster.

Shen Wan said, "You did wonderfully."

"Sweetheart, you worked so hard."

Her mother soothed her gently, sensing everything her daughter was feeling.

Shen Wan wanted to cry too. Her chest felt tight.

"You've always done wonderfully, Suìsuì."

"I've been proud of you since the day you were born."

Shen Wan had only one wish for Shen Baili: that she be healthy and happy.

Her daughter had always been wonderful—resilient and brave, kind and forgiving, with principles of her own...

She had countless strengths. Shen Wan had never believed in raising a child through hardship or criticism.

She praised her when praise was due and corrected her when correction was needed. She didn't think praise would make her daughter conceited, or that correction would crush her confidence.

Suìsuì had grown steadily and strong, like a seed breaking through the soil and becoming a towering tree.

Holding Shen Baili close, Shen Wan gently wiped away her tears.

Shen Baili hadn't cried in a long time. Her mother's gentle touch seemed to flip a switch, and she burst into sobs.

"Waaaaah..."

She sounded like a kettle coming to a boil.

"Whose kettle is whistling?" Shen Wan teased.

Shen Baili clung tightly to her, pressing her face against her mother's neck. Her tears soaked Shen Wan's clothes. "Yours," she mumbled.

Shen Wan stroked her head. "My kettle can whistle for as long as it wants."

"Suìsuì can cry for as long as she wants."

Suìsuì had been under so much pressure. Shen Wan knew that.

Suìsuì worked hard to become someone her mother could rely on. Shen Wan