CHAPTER 111: Shan Pan's Memories

"Mom, who is the person living next door?" When Shan Pan was five years old, her family moved to a new house. As they got out of the car, Shan Pan inadvertently caught a glimpse of a fleeting delicate profile.

Shan Pan's mother paused for a moment, turned her head to look at the neighboring house, but didn't see anyone. She nudged Shan Pan's father's arm and asked, "Who is the person living next door?"

"It's Commander Wan." Shan Pan's father glanced in the direction of the neighboring house. "They are from a military family, the Wan family."

"Ah," Shan Pan's mother pondered, "Is it just Commander Wan and her granddaughter left in the Wan family now?"

"Yes," Shan Pan's father looked regretful. "In this generation of the Wan family, the descendants are indeed few. Commander Wan's wife passed away early, her daughter also died in a war, and her daughter-in-law, without the company of an Alpha and due to disrupted pheromones, didn't live long either. Now, only Commander Wan and her granddaughter are left, relying on each other."

"Oh, what a pity." Shan Pan's mother shook her head. "I remember Commander Wan's daughter had exceptional military talent. If she were still alive, she would have been the best candidate for the next Commander. Such a shame..."

Five-year-old Shan Pan couldn't quite understand the lamentations of the adults. Blinking her large, grape-like eyes, she looked up at her parents and asked, "How old is her granddaughter?"

"I don't know." the mother pinched Shan Pan's cheek. "Since you're so curious. Why don't we visit Grandma Wan next door together later?"

"Can we?" Shan Pan's face, still full of childlike innocence, lit up with anticipation.

"Of course we can." Shan Pan's mother smiled and lifted Shan Pan up, giving her a kiss on her smiling face. "Mommy's little sweetheart."

After organizing their belongings, Shan Pan's parents held Shan Pan's hand and together they went to the Wan family next door.

"Ding-dong," the doorbell rang, and a young, tender voice sounded, "Who is it?"

"It's the new neighbors from next door." Shan Pan's mother replied.

Then the door opened, revealing a youthful face that still retained a childlike innocence but already had distinct and deep features.

Shan Pan's eyes lit up, immediately recognizing her as the young girl she saw when she got out of the car earlier.

Without hesitation, she let go of her parents' hands and grabbed Wan Baiyun's hand, calling out, "Sister!"

Wan Baiyun was taken aback, instinctively looking down at her and then raising her head to glance at the two adults in front of her, a hint of confusion on her mature face.

Shan Pan's mother didn't understand why her daughter was so enthusiastic about Wan Baiyun, but she smiled and introduced, "This is my daughter, Shan Pan."

"Hello, Uncle, Auntie. I'm Wan Baiyun. My grandmother is upstairs. Please wait a moment, let me go get her."

Wan Baiyun nodded, looking down at Shan Pan's hand. She gently used a finger from her other hand to tap Shan Pan's hand back, signaling for her to let go.

Shan Pan shook her head and looked at Wan Baiyun, blinking her eyes.

Wan Baiyun looked at the cute and well-behaved Shan Pan in front of her, let out a soft sigh, and held her hand to go upstairs and call her grandmother.

After Wan Shiying came downstairs and chatted with Shan Pan's parents, Shan Pan stuck to Wan Baiyun like a shadow, hugging her arm and asking, "Sister, can you show me around your house?"

Wan Baiyun had never encountered such a familiar child before, and her initial instinct was to refuse. However, when she looked into Shan Pan's big watery eyes, the words of refusal got stuck in her throat. She nodded and took Shan Pan to tour her own house.

Shan Pan held Wan Baiyun's hand and observed the beautiful sister in front of her, her eyes filled with curiosity and affection.

From then on, Shan Pan would come to play with Wan Baiyun every day.

As Shan Pan visited Wan Baiyun more and more frequently, she noticed that Wan Baiyun was always busy. She would leave early for school every day, and when she came back, Wan Baiyun's grandmother would invite a teacher in military uniform to their house. Whenever Wan Baiyun finally had some time to spare to play with Shan Pan, she would be sweaty and exhausted.

Even on weekends, Wan Baiyun didn't have much time to rest. The only time she could have some free time was when Shan Pan came to play with her, and her grandmother would allow her to come out for an hour.

Every time Wan Baiyun had time to play with Shan Pan, she would hold her hand and walk to a small garden near their house. She would take out a drawing board and brushes from an iron box and start painting.

Wan Baiyun had painted flowers, trees, the sky, and grass. Her paintings were full of life, with vibrant colors and soulful compositions.

Shan Pan loved watching Wan Baiyun paint, and she often requested her to create a portrait for her.

Every time Wan Baiyun heard the request, her expression became complicated, and she shook her head, refusing, "I don't have time to paint portraits."

Although Shan Pan felt disappointed, she didn't insist. She noticed that Wan Baiyun always dressed neatly, wearing long pants and long sleeves, which piqued her curiosity. "Sister, why do you always wear long sleeves? I don't think I've ever seen you in short sleeves."

Every time Shan Pan asked, Wan Baiyun would lower her head and look at her own hands. Her amber eyes carried a hint of indifference, and she would shake her head, saying, "I just don't like wearing short sleeves."

Shan Pan accepted her answer and continued to stay by Wan Baiyun's side, watching her paint.

As time went on, Shan Pan cherished the days she spent with Wan Baiyun when she was younger. During that time, Wan Baiyun never spoke harshly to her, and though she didn't smile much, she was always gentle and took care of her.

When Shan Pan turned eight years old, she finally convinced Wan Baiyun to agree to paint a portrait for her as a birthday gift.

Shan Pan eagerly anticipated her birthday, looking forward to that special day every single day.

Finally, the day of her birthday arrived. The Shan family held a birthday party for her, inviting many people to attend. Shan Pan wore a beautiful princess dress and walked alongside her parents.

She looked around in the crowd, searching for Wan Baiyun's figure.

Finally, she spotted Wan Shiying entering through the door. Shan Pan quickly put on a smile, let go of her mother's hand, and excitedly ran towards her.

When she stopped in front of Wan Shiying, she eagerly looked behind her, but couldn't see Wan Baiyun's presence.

Disappointment filled Shan Pan's face.

Wan Shiying seemed to sense Shan Pan's anticipation. She smiled and reached out to pat Shan Pan's head, explaining, "Your Sister Yunyun's grades have been slipping, so she's busy studying at home and doesn't have time to come."

"But... but she promised me..." Shan Pan's small face turned into a pout. She was about to mention Wan Baiyun preparing a portrait for her when she remembered Wan Baiyun's earlier warning.

"Pan Pan, you mustn't tell my grandmother about me painting, or else I won't be able to give you the portrait."

Recalling the reminder, Shan Pan quickly changed her approach, "But she promised to come to my birthday party."

"Ah, there's nothing I can do." Wan Shiying sighed, 

"It's a mandatory mission, and she didn't complete it."

"Hmph, I don't want to play with Wan Baiyun anymore!" Shan Pan huffed, crossing her arms and turning away, walking back to her own parents.

Wan Shiying watched her adorable figure, sulking and walking away, and shook her head with a smile. But then, she remembered the disobedient person at home, and a coldness flashed in her eyes.

The day after the birthday party ended, Shan Pan went to Wan's house as usual to find Wan Baiyun.

When Wan Baiyun came out, she was still dressed in long sleeves and pants, but her complexion didn't look as good as before, with dark circles under her eyes.

"Sister, did you not sleep well last night?" Shan Pan looked at the intimidating aura surrounding Wan Baiyun and instantly became timid, completely different from her outburst in front of Wan Shiying yesterday.

Wan Baiyun saw Shan Pan and her jaw tightened slightly. Her tense expression softened slightly, and after a moment of silence, she said, "I'm sorry I didn't attend your birthday party yesterday."

"Well, what about my gift?" Hearing Wan Baiyun's apology, Shan Pan suddenly felt a bit wronged. "You didn't even say happy birthday, but there should at least be a birthday gift!"

A flicker of pain passed through Wan Baiyun's eyes, and she closed them and shook her head. "There isn't any. I'm not painting anymore, and I didn't make the portrait. Don't wait for it."

Shan Pan got angry upon hearing this. She clenched her small fists and punched Wan Baiyun in the stomach, tears streaming down her cheeks as she shouted, "Wah! Wan Baiyun, you're not true to your word! I don't want to be friends with you anymore!"

Wan Baiyun held her stomach in pain and watched Shan Pan's angry departure. Once the pain subsided, she wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, her eyes filled with remorse.

A few days later, Shan Pan saw a waving white flag from her own window. Recognizing who it was, she excitedly got up and ran out.

Wan Baiyun was now 13 years old, taller than before, standing under a tree in front of Shan's house. Leaves fell onto her shoulders, and though her figure was slender, her back was upright and resolute.

"I'm sorry." Wan Baiyun said as she saw Shan Pan approaching. She placed a beautiful flower crown on Shan Pan's head. "I made this myself as an apology."

Shan Pan smiled, her eyes forming crescents, as she took off the flower crown and held it carefully in her hands. "It's so pretty, so I forgive you."

"Thank you." Wan Baiyun raised her hand and ruffled Shan Pan's hair. "Thank you for forgiving me."

After the apology, Shan Pan continued to play with Wan Baiyun as before, and Wan Shiying allowed her to spend an hour with Shan Pan each week.

The small garden remained the same, but the small iron box was no longer there, and Shan Pan never saw Wan Baiyun pick up a paintbrush again.

The young girl's face carried a hint of melancholy and gloom that was not common for her age.

Shan Pan didn't understand why Wan Baiyun would occasionally gaze at the sky, lost in thought. All she knew was that Wan Baiyun didn't seem to be very happy.

"Sister, you really don't paint anymore?" Shan Pan and Wan Baiyun were lying on the grass in the garden when Shan Pan couldn't help but ask.

Wan Baiyun's expression slightly stiffened, and she shook her head, "Yeah, I don't paint anymore."

"Then, sister, what do you want to do in the future?" Shan Pan turned over and lay on her side, looking at Wan Baiyun's profile.

Instead of answering, Wan Baiyun asked her in return, "What do you want to do?"

Shan Pan's eyes brightened, "I want to become a doctor!"

Wan Baiyun was taken aback, "Do you like being a doctor? Or... is it something your parents want for you?"

"Yeah, yeah, I like it. My parents have never told me what to do." Shan Pan nodded without hesitation. "I love being a doctor. When I see my parents saving lives, wow, doctors are amazing. I want to be like them."

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