Record

Hesta longed to talk to someone about this, but she could not.

Whenever she tried to speak to someone, she always detected a hint of ill-timed slyness in their eyes. Hesta realized she needed a listener entirely unconnected to her, someone who was not curious about her at all, yet could quietly stay with her and help her untangle everything bit by bit.

But such a person did not exist. Though no one had ever explained the rules of the Habitable Zone to Hesta, she had keenly sensed that what she was going through would only invite others' blessings or ridicule. Here, it seemed no one believed that precisely because the happiness brought by loving someone was so intense, it could so easily stir up fear in the depths of one's heart. She needed an occasion solemn and serious enough before she could safely set down the bitterness in her heart.

"Sis, you're up."

Ding Yuqing suddenly called out behind Hesta, pulling her from her thoughts. She turned and saw Ding Xueyang coming downstairs one step at a time.

"Miaomiao will be back this morning," Ding Xueyang said with a smile. "We need to prepare her lunch."

The three of them sat together.

"Where did that extra thing beside the record player come from?" Ding Xueyang suddenly asked.

"The extra thing..." Ding Yuqing looked up. "Isn't that the birthday present Miaomiao prepared for her friend?"

"I'm not talking about that package. I mean that big envelope wrapped in kraft paper."

"No idea..."

Ding Yuqing got up to take a look and found a record inside, but there was no information written on it.

"Want to play it?" Ding Yuqing asked.

"Go ahead."

Just then, Ding Jiali came out of his room again, once more dressed with great ceremony.

Ding Yuqing