"You are as innocent as I was back then. I wouldn't have been here if an angelic person like my mum did not offer me a helping hand when I had no one. I am doing the same with you. A little of kindness is all we need to make the world a better place," Yang Zi thought, staring at the both of them. She is only who she is because a kind-hearted lady adopted the homeless Jin Xiaoqi back then and gave her a new identity.

"You don't have to thank me. Everything I did for you and Auntie comes from my heart. Even though I have to spend my last penny, I will make sure you complete your degree in law. I promise you this," Yang Zi said vehemently. Jingxian studied law but because of her family's wealth she has never taken her studies seriously, but now that her family's wealth has vanished overnight, she didn't have a choice but to agree when Yang Zi offered to pay for her tuition. She vowed to study hard and make her benefactor proud.

​​

"You are such a darling Zi Er. I have come to love you as a daughter. I wish my son was alive then you would have made an ideal daughter-in-law," Mrs Zhou said patting her hair.

"Mum..." Jingxian exclaimed, seeing that her mum had brought up the past they all wanted to forget. Just then the United States passengers were asked to board the plane immediately.

"Sister Zi Er, take good care of yourself and family while I am away. Await my glorious return," Jingxian said, embracing Yang Zi.

"Take care of yourself and Auntie Ok? Don't be a brat when you get there," Yang Zi joked, pulling out of her embrace.

"I won't. Sister Zi Er, for all you have done for mum and I. I will spend my entire life repaying you for it. It's a vow I won't break in a million years to come," Jingxian said seriously.

"I will be eagerly waiting for your return. I am sure that everyone will forget everything that happened when you and Auntie come back," Yang Zi said before she moved to embrace Mrs Zhou.

"I pray you are right," Jingxian said. She and her mother waved at Yang Zi before they rolled their luggage away.

"I wish life will treat you less harsh when you return," Yang Zi said before she made her way out of the huge airport. When she got to the parking space, she entered her car and drove off.

...

The following days were nothing special for Yang Zi. Since she never celebrated her birthday in eight years, this week was just like every other week to her.

On his desk, Yuan Quan gazed at Yang Zi through the glass wall with a worried look on his face.

"What is wrong with Miss Yang? This has been going on for a week now. She might collapse at this rate if she doesn't take a break," Yuan Quan said, staring at Yang Zi through the glass window. For over a week now, she has been behaving like a possessed person. She has been working to the core despite how many times he and Yifeng had tried to talk her out of this newfound madness. Even Yifeng let her do whatever she felt like doing since she doesn't spare him a glance.

Inside the office, Yang Zi who was sweating profusely did not even stop to wipe the sweat off her face. She continued to work like a camel, without a minute of rest. Yifeng left because of this attitude of hers. She doesn't reply, even though he speaks to her. He was more like a passing breeze to her. He had to leave after trying to make her speak countless times.

.....

In a VIP restaurant room, Yifeng sat directly facing Shui Shui. He tried to set up an appointment with Shiyi first, but Shiyi never responded to his messages or missed calls. He had to force himself to contact Shui Shui after so much contemplation. The reason he desperately wanted to meet them was that he was certain that they had answers to why his beloved Yang Zi was behaving like a zombie.

"You said what you had to say is urgent, so why haven't you started talking?" Shui Shui asked, staring at his blank expression. Although her expression never shows it, what Yifeng did not know is that Shui Shui was slowly starting to warm up to him. No week passed without them meeting up either in the club, bar and restaurant for their weekly get together. Shui Shui has got to witness just how good Yifeng treated her best friend.

Despite how she and Shiyi treats him, just for Yang Zi's sake he has tried frequently to befriend them but they have always been the one who shuts the door to their hearts.

"Yes, I do. It's about Yang Zi," Yifeng replied carefreely. Since the day Yang Zi talked to him after their first meeting in the club, he has let go of all his grudges for Shui Shui.

"Zi Er? What is wrong with her? I hope she is fine?" Shui Shui asked, alarmed when he mentioned Yang Zi. She was afraid that something bad had happened to her.

"Physically she is fine, but I am not sure she is ok both emotionally and psychologically," Yifeng said with a pain-filled expression. Since he noticed this drastic change in Yang Zi, he has looked for whom to ask for help. He has a very close relationship with Mrs Yang but he did not want to bother her, that is why he didn't contact her for help. He has placed all his hopes of getting answers from Shiyi and Shui Shui, but Shiyi disappointed him so he had to contact Shui Shui. After so many fruitless tries, she had finally answered his call. The time he called her she was busy, so she had scheduled their meeting an hour later.

"Oh.....," Shui Shui exclaimed unbothered.

"From your reply, it shows you know what is wrong with her. Can you enlighten me about her condition?" Yifeng asked meekly. He stared at her reluctant expression.

"Miss Qing, I know you don't like me for your best friend. I know I mistreated her when she started working for me, but that is not the case right now. I love Yang Zi very much and I will do everything within my capability to make sure she is alright all the time. I can only come up with ways to help her if I know what is wrong, so I wish you won't deny me the right to care for her," Yifeng said, staring at Shui Shui. She wasn't gazing at him, so he couldn't read her expression.

"I know just how much you love her and the length you will go for her sake so I am sure you want to see her in perfect condition just like I do. We can only achieve this if we work together so let's help each other out Ok?" Yifeng coaxed. After knowing that she has an idea about what is wrong with his beloved Yang Zi, he was determined to get the answers he wanted from her at all costs. He kept on trying to persuade her, and after several attempts, Shui Shui finally spoke up.

"Her sister was shot dead on her birthday," Shui Shui remarked after so many minutes of silence. She turned and stared at Yifeng to see his reaction. Yifeng was dumbfounded. For a minute he couldn't get a grip of himself.

"By saying her sister died, are you saying that Mrs Yang had another daughter apart from the both of them?" Yifeng asked curiously, staring at her with rapt attention.

"I thought you knew that she was adopted so why are you playing dumb?" Shui Shui asked coldly.

"So you mean her biological sister was shot dead on her birthday? What a tragedy!" Yifeng said disheartened. Since that day in the forest, he had a hunch that what traumatised Yang Zi might have been a terrible one, but he has never expected the answer he got.

"Yes, her biological sister got shot in her presence about an hour after she celebrated Yang Zi's birthday with her. Yang Zi was also shot too..,"

"Yang Zi was shot?" Yifeng exclaimed, bewildered that Yang Zi had such a terrific past. He couldn't believe that life treated such a beautiful lady like her so cruelly.

"How old was she?" Yifeng asked inquisitively.

"Since it was her birthday, that means it was on the same day she clocked fifteen," Shui Shui said, trying so hard not to tear up. She always cried whenever she recalled what her little Jin Xiaoqi went through all alone. After knowing about her best friend's achievements, ladies are always envious not knowing what she had to go through to be in the position she is right now.

"You can't be serious," Yifeng remarked. "How can this be? Yang Zi was fifteen when she watched her sister die, likewise me. So we have a similar experience. I can't help but conclude that we are destined for each other," Yifeng assumed.