In a corner of the Duke's Mansion on the Galaxy Continent stood a dilapidated little house, serving as the meager shelter for Xu Jiangyu and his mother, Du Yue'e.
Xu Jiangyu's small frame was curled up in a corner of the room, his stomach growling with hunger. He looked at his mother, Du Yue'e, his eyes full of yearning.
"Mom, I'm so hungry," Xu Jiangyu said in a faint voice.
Du Yue'e looked at her son with a heart full of ache, gently stroking his head. "Yu'er, bear with it a little longer. Mom will definitely find something for you to eat."
Du Yue'e stood up, smoothed her tattered clothes, gritted her teeth, and stepped out of the rundown shack. She searched everywhere in the Duke's Mansion for something to fill her stomach, but met with obstacles at every turn. Whenever the servants saw her, they either mocked or drove her away.
Du Yue'e's heart was filled with bitterness, but the thought of her son still starving steeled her courage once more. Finally, she discovered a discarded sesame flatbread in a corner of the kitchen. Treating it like a precious treasure, she quickly picked up the flatbread and carefully tucked it inside her bosom.
Du Yue'e hurried back to the little shack and handed the flatbread to Xu Jiangyu. "Yu'er, look, Mom found something to eat."
Xu Jiangyu's eyes lit up. He eagerly took the flatbread and took a bite. But the flatbread was dry and hard, and even carried a sour odor. He frowned, but seeing the expectant look in his mother's eyes, he forced it down.
"Is it good, Yu'er?" Du Yue'e asked anxiously.
Xu Jiangyu broke into a smile. "It's good, Mom."
Tears welled up in Du Yue'e's eyes, and she pulled Xu Jiangyu into a tight embrace. "Yu'er, Mom will definitely make sure you live a good life."
Xu Jiangyu snuggled in his mother's arms, silently vowing that when he grew up, he would ensure his mother suffered no more, and that they would leave this cold Duke's Mansion behind. Du Yue'e gently stroked Xu Jiangyu's head, her eyes filled with deep affection and expectation.
"Yu'er, you must remember, if you meet a girl you cherish in the future, you must treat her with all your heart. She will be the one to accompany you through life; you must learn to cherish her and protect her. Don't be like your mother, who has suffered so much. You must give her a warm home and let her feel your love and care."
Xu Jiangyu looked at his mother and nodded earnestly. "Mom, I'll remember. I will definitely find a good girl, love her well, and also give you a good life."
Du Yue'e smiled with relief and hugged Xu Jiangyu tightly, as if seeing a bright future before her. She released Xu Jiangyu and looked gently into his eyes.
"Yu'er, Mom hopes that your future girlfriend will be a kind-hearted girl. Kind people have light in their hearts, which can give you strength when you are in trouble and guide you when you are lost."
Xu Jiangyu nodded thoughtfully. "Mom, I understand. I hope to meet someone as kind as you."
Du Yue'e smiled. "Silly child, Mom just wants you to be happy. If one day you truly meet that person, you must bravely pursue your own happiness. Don't fear difficulties, and don't give up easily."
"Mm, I will, Mom," Xu Jiangyu said resolutely.
Du Yue'e sighed. "Yu'er, you must know that love is not a simple matter. It requires mutual understanding, mutual tolerance, and weathering storms together. Only then can your relationship endure."
Xu Jiangyu listened intently to his mother's words. "Mom, I understand. I will treat the future her well and face everything in life together with her."
Du Yue'e looked at Xu Jiangyu with satisfaction. "Good, my Yu'er is all grown up. Mom believes you will surely find your own happiness." Du Yue'e raised the corners of her mouth slightly, a trace of longing in her eyes.
"Yu'er, when you meet that person, you must care for her deeply. Girls all need to be loved and cherished. You must remember her preferences, give her surprises, and let her feel your devotion."
Xu Jiangyu answered obediently, "Mom, I will. I'll care for her just like you care for me."
Du Yue'e gently patted Xu Jiangyu's shoulder. "And another thing, Yu'er, when two people are together, arguments and conflicts are inevitable. But you must learn to be forgiving and accommodating. Don't hurt each other out of a momentary impulse."
Xu Jiangyu frowned and asked with some confusion, "Mom, what if she's the one who's wrong?"
Du Yue'e patiently explained, "Even if she is wrong, you shouldn't press your advantage ruthlessly. You can wait until both of you have calmed down, and then communicate properly to resolve the issue. After all, relationships require cultivation."
"I understand, Mom," Xu Jiangyu said, suddenly enlightened.
Du Yue'e looked at Xu Jiangyu, her eyes filled with relief. "Yu'er, Mom hopes you can find someone who truly loves you, someone who can walk hand in hand with you through life. No matter what difficulties lie ahead, the two of you can support each other and never forsake one another."
Xu Jiangyu said firmly, "Mom, don't worry. I will definitely find such a person and make you proud." Du Yue'e smiled and nodded, tears sparkling in her eyes.
"Yu'er, Mom believes in you. When you find that person, you must bring her back for Mom to see. Mom wants to know what kind of girl could capture my Yu'er's heart."
Xu Jiangyu grasped Du Yue'e's hand. "Mom, I certainly will. By then, you will definitely like her."
Du Yue'e sighed softly. "Yu'er, Mom only wants you to be happy. In this world, nothing is more important than your happiness."
"Mom, you've sacrificed so much for me. When I grow up, I will definitely repay you well." Xu Jiangyu's voice choked with emotion.
Du Yue'e looked at Xu Jiangyu tenderly. "Silly child, Mom doesn't need your repayment. As long as you can be well, Mom is completely content."
Pausing for a moment, Du Yue'e spoke again, "Yu'er, no matter what happens in the future, you must face it bravely. Don't fear difficulties, and don't give up easily. Mom will always be by your side, supporting you and encouraging you."
Xu Jiangyu nodded heavily. "Mom, I know. I will bravely face everything and won't let you down."
In that rundown little shack, mother and son clung tightly to each other, their hearts filled with hope and longing for the future.
Xu Jiangyu tightly embraced his mother Du Yue'e's gradually chilling body, tears streaming down uncontrollably. His heart was filled with grief and despair; the person who had once given him warmth and hope had left him just like that.
"Mom, how could you leave just like this? You haven't even met my girlfriend, haven't even seen me happy," Xu Jiangyu choked out.
Recalling what his mother had said to him before about his future girlfriend made the pain in his heart even more unbearable. He hated himself for lacking the ability to give his mother a better life, and hated himself for failing to find someone to walk hand in hand with through life while his mother was still alive.
In that dilapidated little house in the Duke's Mansion, Xu Jiangyu kept vigil alone over his mother's remains, unable to calm down for a long time. He knew that from now on, he could only rely on himself. He had to become stronger, fulfill his mother's dying wish, and find his own happiness.
Xu Jiangyu slowly stood up, a resolute gleam shining in his eyes. He silently vowed to let his mother rest in peace in heaven, and to ensure his own life would no longer be filled with regrets.
He cast one last look at the little shack that had once been filled with memories, then resolutely stepped out of the Duke's Mansion. He knew the road ahead was still long, but he had no way back—he could only forge bravely ahead.