"Why are you so quiet? Is something wrong?" "No… I just don't understand where to start. "Li Ting's eyes lingered on him, soft yet curious.
"What is it? Tell me openly," Zhao said, leaning slightly closer.
"Do you remember once you asked me why I study so much abroad, and I said I would tell you later? Today… I want to tell you why I live abroad with my father.
"Li Ting's brows furrowed slightly, and she nodded. She had always sensed that there was more behind his life than he let on.
Today, perhaps, she would finally know. "This happened about eight years ago," Zhao began, his voice low and measured, "when I was ten years old. My father was a lawyer.
Our life… it was good. Very good. We had everything we could ever need. My mother, my father, and Monica… we all lived together happily. Monica was only eight years old at the time. We went to school together, played together, laughed, and shared everything. "A shadow flickered over his face. "But then, one day… someone poisoned our happy life. "Li Ting leaned forward instinctively, sensing the gravity in his tone. She listened carefully, hanging on every word.
"My father had a very close friend. They had been inseparable since childhood, sharing secrets, dreams, and countless memories. But one day, that friend came to my father about a case… one that would change everything." Zhao's voice grew quieter, but the emotion behind it became sharper.
"The friend wanted my father to help him take someone's land illegally. My father refused immediately. He couldn't betray his principles, and he couldn't let someone else lose what was rightfully theirs "Li Ting's eyes widened. She could feel the tension just in his word. "When my father refused, the friend turned against him," Zhao continued, his voice trembling slightly. "He began blackmailing my father. He even threatened our family. But my father… he never told my mother. He was ashamed, worried about how she would feel… worried about how she might judge him. That someone he had trusted since childhood could betray him so cruelly…
"Because of all this… my father became troubled. He was constantly lost in his thoughts. He began ignoring things at home, snapping over small matters, and even arguing with my mother over trivial issues. Our once-happy home became filled with tension and uncertainty."
"Then, one day," Zhao said, his voice catching slightly, "that same friend came to my father's office again. He claimed that everything had been settled, that he was going to buy the land from its rightful owner legally… and he asked my father to come with him. "My father refused at first," Zhao said, "saying he had work to do. But the man insisted, he practically forced him to come along.
They reached the land and called the owner. My father stood quietly, trying to reason with him, watching as the situation spiraled ."Zhao's voice hardened. "The friend demanded the land. The owner refused firmly. And then… in a moment of rage, my father's friend pulled out a gun and pointed it at the man's head. My father tried to stop him. He begged him to calm down. But the man… he wouldn't listen. Even with a gun threatening his life, the owner refused to surrender his property. "Li Ting's breath caught in her throat. She felt the cold grip of fear.
"The friend fired." Zhao's voice was almost a whisper. "The man fell to the ground. Dead. My father… he couldn't even process what had just happened before the friend placed the gun in his hands and ran away, leaving him alone at the scene.
"Silence filled. Li Ting felt her chest tighten as she tried to imagine it. "They called the police," Zhao continued. "And my father… he panicked. He ran to save himself, to avoid being arrested for a crime he didn't commit. He rushed home and began packing quickly. My mother asked him what happened. My father told her everything—the framing, the threats, the murder. But she didn't believe him.
To her, it seemed like he was exaggerating, like it was impossible that someone he trusted could do such a thing. She should have stood by him… but she didn't.
"Li Ting's hands trembled slightly as she listened."Momo was still just a child at that time," Zhao said, "so my father decided to take me with him. Your mother… she didn't stop him from taking me, though later she said she had tried. Perhaps fate had already decided things differently for us."
"The police…" he said, swallowing hard, "they arrived at our house looking for him, but by then, my mother and Momo had already left. Even now, they are still searching for him. They have looked as far as Singapore. And that… that's why my father called me there.
"Li Ting's voice was barely audible. "Did you ever try to catch the real killer?
"Zhao pulled a small photo from his wallet and showed it to her. "Who knows where that coward is hiding now?" he said bitterly. "His name… Dong Yu. If I ever find him, I will make him pay for every bit of pain he caused my father. Just once… if I find him, I'll take revenge for everything.
"A voice echoed through the airport. "All passengers, please board the plane. The flight will depart shortly. "Zhao stood up. "Alright… I should go now. Take care of yourself." "You take care too," Li Ting said softly, "and keep me informed." "Okay… bye," Zhao replied, turning to leave.
"Zhao!" Li Ting called out, and when he turned back, she looked at him with eyes glimmering with unshed tears. "When will you come back?" she asked. Her voice trembled, filled with quiet pain. "Very soon," he said gently, holding her gaze. "Just… take care of yourself. "He reached out his hand. She shook it. "At least smile a little," he said softly. "You can't say goodbye like that. "A faint, trembling smile appeared on her lips. They let go of each other's hands.
Zhao began walking toward the boarding gate. After a few steps, he looked back. Li Ting was still standing there, watching him, smiling bravely despite her sadness. He didn't want to leave her either. But he had no choice. He walked into the plane, the engines roaring to life.
As the aircraft lifted off the ground, he pressed his forehead against the cold window, staring at the city below. He would protect those he loved, and he would seek justice for the man who had suffered because of someone else's greed.