Chapter 3: Reunion at the Hospital

A moment ago, Lin Fan might still have doubted whether this girl was truly his childhood friend, but now he was certain—she was Sophie. The girl clung to Lin Fan, her longing for him mingled with the grief of her father’s death, and in this instant, the vulnerability of a young girl still in school was laid bare. No one knew how long she cried, perhaps until exhaustion overtook her, and she fell asleep in Lin Fan’s arms, softly sobbing.

Though Lin Fan had left when Sophie was only ten, she had never stopped thinking of him in all these years. Every so often, she would visit Lin Fan’s elder sister, Lin Yan, to inquire about his whereabouts. So, the moment Sophie laid eyes on Lin Fan, she felt certain he was her childhood friend. There was no reason—just a feeling, the same one Lin Fan experienced when he first saw Sophie.

After covering Sophie with a blanket, Lin Fan lit a cigarette and stood by the window once more. Memories from years ago resurfaced in his mind. “Why do you always give me the best treats?” ten-year-old Sophie had asked, her large eyes gazing up at Lin Fan as she clutched an armful of snacks.

“Because I’m your big brother. I’ll always take care of you, for as long as I live,” fifteen-year-old Lin Fan had replied, gently holding Sophie’s small hand, his head bobbing with earnestness. So when Lin Fan uttered these words just now, Sophie had recognized him at once—for he was the only one who had ever spoken to her this way.

In his heart, Lin Fan had always regarded Sophie as his own little sister. After years apart, he only felt that he owed her too much. Had he not arrived in time to save her, her life might have been ruined. The thought made Lin Fan clench his fist and resolve to protect Sophie from now on, and to uncover the murderer who had killed his foster father as soon as possible.

Suddenly, shouts erupted outside—“Someone’s dead! Someone’s dead!”—followed by the sound of rushing footsteps. Damn it, Lin Fan cursed, sitting up at once. He didn’t need to look to know chaos had broken out. He glanced at Sophie, still asleep, and quickly slipped into the bathroom.

...

“Brother, you know you can’t carry a tune, but you’re still singing in there. It’s awful!” Sophie’s voice rang out, startling Lin Fan as he sang softly while showering. He thought he’d been quiet enough, but this girl still heard him. Then again, she had always delighted in poking fun at him—how could she pass up such a good opportunity?

“Hurry up and get ready; we’re almost at the port,” Lin Fan said, drying his hair as he emerged from the bathroom to find Sophie already dressed.

Sophie studied him carefully. The boyishness of his youth had vanished, replaced by a mature, resolute air. The faint scar on his forehead lent him a unique charm—something she couldn’t quite describe, only that he was different now.

Noticing Sophie’s gaze, Lin Fan felt a mischievous urge to tease her. He grinned and said, “Hey, after all these years, don’t tell me you’ve developed a crush on me?”

Sophie flushed but retorted, unwilling to back down, “As if! You’re not even handsome—who would have a crush on you? After all these years, you’re still as narcissistic as ever.” She pouted and walked off to wash up, not sparing Lin Fan another glance.

Lin Fan shook his head with a smile, saying nothing. As long as this girl no longer wallowed in her father’s death, that was all that mattered. After packing their things, the two of them grabbed a quick bite and left the port with their bags.

“Brother, when I woke up just now, I thought you’d gone off quietly again,” Sophie said, clinging to Lin Fan’s arm as though afraid he might disappear.

“Silly girl, I won’t. This time, I’ve come back to live a peaceful life,” Lin Fan replied, patting her head with a smile. He was just about to ask how she’d been all these years when he saw the bodies of the men he’d killed last night being carried out.

The crowd buzzed with speculation, discussing all manner of things. Sophie noticed as well. As memories of last night and her father’s recent death flooded back, her smile faded, replaced by deep sorrow.

Lin Fan noticed the change at once, but said nothing. He simply put his arm around her and led her out of the port. He knew Sophie was clever enough to guess he was the one who killed those men, and he was pondering how to explain, when she suddenly asked, “Brother, you killed those men, didn’t you? Where have you been all these years?” Sophie’s tone was sober, a stark contrast to her earlier demeanor.

For a moment, Lin Fan didn’t know what to say. He could only nod slightly and quickly changed the subject: “Didn’t you say you were studying abroad? Why did you come back so suddenly?”

“The doctors said my mom’s cancer has reached its final stage, and she doesn’t have much time left. But before I could even get home, my dad was murdered,” Sophie said, tears streaming down her face as she leaned silently against Lin Fan’s shoulder. Lin Fan sighed, at a loss for words, and could do nothing but hail a cab.

“Let’s go see my godmother first and find out what really happened to my godfather,” Lin Fan said grimly in the car. He had a sense that this trip back to China would be anything but smooth. Sophie said nothing, only nodded and continued to lean on his shoulder, staring straight ahead.

Lin Fan’s emotions churned as they drove. It had been four years since he last returned, after that fateful mission. Watching the city’s high-rises soar skyward and the endless traffic flow, he saw a world where life only got better for people. But his own parents would never live to see it.

When they reached the central hospital of T City, Lin Fan took a deep breath and handed the driver a hundred-yuan bill, telling him to keep the change. He took Sophie by the hand and hurried inside.

He had intended to ask Sophie’s parents about the murder of his own parents years ago, but now his foster father had been killed and his godmother was gravely ill. They had watched over Lin Fan since childhood. No matter who committed this crime, Lin Fan would have his revenge. But for now, his priority was to save his godmother’s life; with his godfather’s sudden death, who knew what the hospital might do?

After asking a nurse for directions, Lin Fan and Sophie made their way straight to the intensive care ward. As they entered the room and saw a middle-aged woman, pale and almost bald, receiving an IV drip, Lin Fan’s eyes reddened instantly. She was none other than his godmother, Song Yashi, a distinguished university professor.

“Mom, Mom, I’m sorry I came too late…” Sophie sobbed, rushing to the bedside.