Jian grew up in a picture-perfect life that most people could only dream of.
His family was not just good—they were the kind of good that made others believe in happy endings. His parents were high school sweethearts who turned into successful business partners, running a well-known bookstore chain.
They were present, loving, and supportive, yet never overbearing. They attended every parent-teacher conference and every school event. Jian's mother, in particular, had this way of making every meal feel like a family gathering.
She'd laugh about the smallest things, recounting anecdotes from her day with a smile so warm it could melt the coldest heart. His father was the type who'd slip in a new book or a new game under Jian's pillow every time he had a bad day as if he knew when Jian needed an escape from the world without even asking.
