It was a stormy evening, rain pouring relentlessly as thunder roared across the sky. The streets were slick, and visibility was near zero. Then, tragedy struck. A car, struggling against the treacherous road, lost control. It skidded, crashed, and rolled violently until it was nothing but wreckage. It all happened in an instant—too fast for anyone to react.
Inside that car were Mr. and Mrs. Ying, beloved parents of five children. In a single heartbeat, they were gone.
The funeral was heavy with sorrow. The air was thick with grief, the mourners whispering in hushed voices. Among them stood five children, their faces pale and hollow with loss. The eldest, Ying Zihan, only 13, held his little sister, Ying Yuexia, tightly. She was sobbing uncontrollably, her small body trembling. Her four older brothers surrounded her, their expressions a mix of sadness and determination.
The wails of the mourners filled the air, but for the five children, it only heightened their fear and uncertainty. How would they survive without their parents? Who would protect them now?
Their gazes fell on Yuexia, the youngest and most cherished by their late parents.
"We will protect you, Yue," Zihan murmured, his voice firm despite the tremor in it. "I promise."
Ying Haoran, ten years old, clenched his fists. "No one will ever harm you. We'll always be here."
Ying Zixuan, at eight, wiped his tears and nodded. "Always."
Even Ying Yuchen, just six, looked up at his brothers and repeated softly, "Always."
Yuexia, still too young to fully understand the weight of the moment, could only cling to Zihan's shirt, seeking the warmth and comfort she had lost. The pain of their parents' absence was unbearable, yet what made it worse was the hypocrisy around them. Many of the mourners shed crocodile tears, not for their loss, but for what they could gain. Greedy relatives and opportunists eyed the family's fortune, waiting like vultures to pounce.
How shameless could they be!
But Ying Zihan, despite being just 13, was no fool. He saw through the deceit, recognized the masked faces of those who sought to steal from them. His youthful, tear-streaked face hardened with resolve.
"I swear, I will protect my parents' legacy and my siblings." His eyes, red from crying, turned cold. A steely determination replaced his grief, and at that moment, no one dared approach him or his siblings. Though still a child, he had the presence of an adult—a leader.
Thirteen Years Later
At a prestigious high school, the air buzzed with excitement. Students gathered in small groups, eyes glued to their phones, whispering in admiration.
"He's so cool! I wish I could be his Mrs."
"Dream on. He's like a star—visible but untouchable."
"How can someone be so handsome and powerful? Just one glance at him makes my day."
A stunning young woman entered the classroom, books in hand. Her presence was captivating, as if a fairy had descended from the heavens. The boys held their breath, their hearts skipping a beat, yet none dared to approach her. There was something about her—a quiet strength, an aura of untouchable elegance.
The gossiping girls noticed her and immediately pulled her into their conversation.
"Ying Yuexia, don't you think he's amazing? We're all obsessed! You two would make such a perfect pair. We don't stand a chance, but maybe you do."
The man they were fawning over was none other than her eldest brother, Ying Zihan.
Now 26, Wei had built an empire from their parents' business. A self-made tycoon, he was known for his sharp mind, cold demeanor, and ruthless efficiency. Feared by rivals, respected by allies—he was a legend in the business world. And the famous bachelor man.
Yuexia remained silent, sipping her water, pretending not to hear.
"I heard he has a sister and three younger brothers, all incredibly successful," her friend Lin Si gushed. "Imagine how well they must treat their little sister. I would die of happiness if I had four loving brothers like that!"
Yuexia had worked hard to keep her identity a secret. She wanted to complete high school without unnecessary attention. But somehow, despite her efforts, the truth had slipped out but the main protagonist was still unknown. The sister of the Ying family was a hot topic that everyone admired and envied.
With a sigh, she turned to her desk, flipping open her book for self-study. But just as she was about to start, a hand slammed onto her desk, knocking her book to the floor.
Yuexia looked up, her gaze meeting that of the school's "second belle," the only girl considered anywhere near her level.
The air around them tensed.