Last night.
The flames in the fireplace crackled as Lin Yu'an was immersed in the joy of getting his driver's license and the warmth of a family reunion.
Yet, suddenly, the encrypted satellite phone rang at an inopportune moment, and the caller ID showed it was Max.
"Lin?"
The voice on the other end was no longer its usual relaxed and teasing self, but was instead filled with an inescapable fatigue and anxiety, like a string pulled to its breaking point.
Lin Yu'an's heart sank suddenly; he could perceive the storm behind that voice. "Max? What's happened?"
Max's voice was a bit hoarse, "It's December, its condition... is very bad, I might need your help..."
She began to recount the events of the past month, a difficult journey filled with hope, frustration, struggle, and despair.
Since Lin Yu'an's last visit, December's condition had worsened dramatically.
