Chapter 64

The eight-year-old boy left on his own and returned to China. He spent six years living alone, drifting through life like a walking corpse.

Until the age of fourteen, when he began sponsoring a young girl. That girl brought life back into his deadened heart. For the first time, he felt that perhaps there was still something called hope in his life.

Not long after, the boy discovered that his mother had not died at all. She had been locked away by his father in a remote mental institution, her mind completely shattered. Holding his broken, delirious mother in his arms, the boy swore to take revenge—to reclaim everything that rightfully belonged to her.

From that day on, he began planning his revenge.

Everything was nearly ready, but just before he could carry it out, someone discovered his plan and told his father. Things became far more difficult. His father had found his only weakness—the girl he had been supporting.

The boy knew exactly what kind of man his father was. If he could abandon his own flesh and blood, how could he possibly care about a girl unrelated to him?

Fearing what his father might do—and knowing his plan was not yet mature—the boy had no choice but to pretend obedience, even allowing the girl to suffer. But he never once gave up on her.

Now, he had succeeded.

But the girl was heartbroken. She no longer forgave him.

The boy knew what he had lost—but he couldn’t simply ignore the suffering his mother had endured.

“Zhenxi,” he said softly, “tell me… what should that boy do?”

I fell silent for a long time.

To be honest, I had always known Lin Xiao carried his own burdens—but I never imagined a past like this. Along with my shock came a quiet ache in my heart. At last, I understood why he had become the person he was.

But Lin Xiao… I can understand your endurance and your helplessness. Yet I can no longer stand by your side.

You chose your path, and I have chosen mine.

Even knowing your reasons, I don’t want to go back to that life again.

So, under his expectant gaze, I slowly spoke.

“I think… since the boy has already succeeded, he should let go of his hatred and live the rest of his life peacefully with his mother.

“As for the girl—not returning to him may not just be because of misunderstanding or hurt. Maybe her feelings have already changed. Maybe she’s simply grown tired of that kind of life.

“I think the boy should respect her decision. Letting go of her… is also letting go of himself.”

“Zhenxi… is there really no room left for us?” Lin Xiao asked, though his voice already carried despair.

I looked outside. The sky was growing dim.

“Lin Xiao, you should go back soon. It’s getting dark. It won’t be safe for the helicopter to fly much later.”

He looked at me, his eyes glistening.

“Zhenxi… you’re still the same Zhenxi. I knew it. You’re still the girl I met twelve years ago.

“Even though you’ve been by my side all these years, I know… I never truly had you. Your soul is too free—you would never stay for anyone. That’s why I was afraid. That’s why I was anxious… always afraid of losing you.

“Now that I’ve truly lost you, I realize all the defenses I built over the years were meaningless. I fell deeply in love with you the very first time I saw you—on that bright morning. And in this lifetime… I will never be able to let you go.

“So, Zhenxi… I won’t give up on you. Because without you, I don’t even have the confidence to keep living on my own.”

Lin Xiao left.

But I didn’t understand what he meant… what he intended to do.

Life returned to peace again. No one came for a long time.

Until one afternoon—the helicopter appeared once more, descending onto the playground.

But this time, the person who stepped out wasn’t Lin Xiao.

It was Andy.

“Why is it you?” I asked, puzzled.

“Why can’t it be me?” Andy grinned. “Can’t I use my brother’s helicopter? Though honestly… Jin Fei and I both hiked five hours to get here before. He just flies in.”

“Then you should come by helicopter from now on too. And next time, bring more basic medicine for the children. The ones Jin Fei brought last time are already used up.”

“No problem!” Andy smiled.

The children were taking their afternoon nap. Andy and I sat in the playground, basking in the warm sunlight. After a while, he spoke first.

“My brother… came here, didn’t he?”

“Mm.” I answered simply.

“Since you still have feelings for him… why didn’t you go back with him?” Andy asked.

I smiled faintly but didn’t answer.

“Are you still angry at him?” he probed.

I shook my head, still silent.

Andy suddenly let out a soft sigh, then said something that was hard to understand.

“Zhenxi… don’t blame my brother. People feel fear… because they have someone they want to protect.”

I looked up at him, confused.

What he said next made even less sense—

“A year ago, my brother’s situation became so difficult because someone revealed his plans to our father.

“That person… was me.

“I had known about my brother for a long time. That’s also when I learned about you. Even though he knew how dangerous it was for me to find out, he still spared me—for the sake of family.

“But back then, I kept competing with him in secret. Everything he had, I wanted to take for myself… including you, Zhenxi.

“So, in order to have you—and our father’s wealth—I betrayed him.”