But in Wee's room, a different kind of mourning was taking place.
Wee clung to Lamai's arm like a child robbed of her candy, sobbing uncontrollably.
Lamai, however, had already given up on her.
No matter how much effort she put in, Wee simply could not take a proper photo.
Letting out a long sigh, Lamai placed her hand gently on Wee's head.
"Haaahhh… Weee, enough of this drama already…"
But the moment those words fell, Wee only wailed louder, her cries echoing through the room.
The sound drew Yen upstairs. In her hand, she carried something sweet to eat, and on her lips was a mischievous smile.
She knew her daughter well. She knew these tears were nothing more than theatrics.....because deep inside, Wee was strong.
And Lamai… Lamai was the only person before whom Wee allowed herself such dramatics. To the rest of the world, Wee remained untouchable.
Yen also knew of Wee's dream...to become a photographer. And for that, she was glad. That was why she wanted her daughter to study photography somewhere proper.
At the same time, Lamai's eyes lit up with determination. Without a word, she pulled out her phone and began searching for institutes nearby.
She found one.
Wee's face instantly brightened with hope....
only for that spark to die just as quickly when she saw the tuition fee.
Her lips trembled. In the next instant, she was once again clutching Lamai's arm, sobbing harder than before.
Yen only watched, her smile warm, gently coaxing Wee to calm down.
---
Some time later, Yen left the room.
Lamai stayed behind, still scrolling through her phone, searching.
And then...she froze.
Her eyes widened as she stumbled upon an article. With each line she read, her spirit soared, and by the end of it, her heart was trembling with joy.
Without delay, she rushed to Wee, who sat at her desk banging her head in frustration. She shoved the screen in front of her, eyes shining.
Wee blinked, read the words… and for the first time that night, her face lit up with happiness.
The article was none other than about The Gentle Heart Institute.
It stated that the institute offered free education.....in every field imaginable. And among the listed courses, there it was: Film Industry Core.
This meant photography could be learned there… without paying a single coin.
---
Later, Wee shared this discovery with Yen.
Though Yen agreed at once, her heart still clenched with worry. The Gentle Heart Institute was nearly 600 kilometers away. How could she let her daughter go so far?
But when she saw the joy blooming on Wee and Lamai's faces, she had no choice but to yield.
---
Meanwhile, far away.....
Kai and Teanguan had already finished their work.
The man's body lay buried in the barren ground of the old carbon factory....among countless others that had been silenced there before.
Without looking back, the two departed, their steps steady, their eyes fixed upon their true destination.