**June 11, 2010 - Hong Kong**
Xiaochen had just stepped out of the shower and was preparing to leave when her phone began to ring.
"Hey! Xiaochen, you didn't even let me know when you got back home! I woke up late and tried to reach you all night, but I couldn't get through! You didn't respond to my texts either! I'm really worried about you!" Jia Ling exclaimed, her voice filled with frustration.
"You were looking for me all night? That's odd! My phone didn't ring at all, and it still has battery. I must have been too focused on listening to someone else to notice. I'm sorry," Xiaochen replied apologetically.
"Xiaochen! How are you? Everyone is waiting for you," Fangfang chimed in.
"I'm fine, Mommy," Xiaochen reassured her.
"We're almost ready. It's time for your daddy's release from prison. We don't want him to think no one is coming to pick him up," Fangfang reminded her.
"I know, I'm on my way!" Xiaochen responded, hurrying down the stairs.
**In the Car**
"What were you up to last night? You look exhausted!" Fangfang asked, noticing the dark circles under Xiaochen's eyes.
"Oh, I went to a pub with Qin Wan, Jia Ling, and Qing Xing," Xiaochen explained.
**At Stanley Prison**
"1097, Li Xiaoguang, today marks your release. Be a good person moving forward; the officer doesn't want to see you back here," the guard stated sternly.
"Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!" Xiaoguang replied enthusiastically.
Two police officers observed Xiaoguang's release.
"Hey, is that the renowned doctor from two decades ago, Li Xiaoguang? I heard he was connected to Chen Yanzu's death," Officer A remarked.
"Wow, you're in your twenties and you know about this?" Officer B responded, surprised.
"Of course! Chen Yanzu was my father's idol! He was incredible, able to perform both Cantonese and Peking opera. My dad saw him perform 'The Legend of White Snake' when he was just 13. Even then, he had a beautiful voice. My father thought he would pursue a career in entertainment, but when he moved to Hong Kong, he attracted all the women. I heard his fiancée is Li Xiaoqin, from the Li family," Officer A added.
**February 13, 1970 - Beijing**
Twelve-year-old Chen Yanzu was in his second year of living in Beijing.
He continued performing in "The Legend of White Snake," singing a duet with Liu Mingcui as "Bai Suzhen" and "Xiao Qing." Yuan Hai watched from the audience.
*-Xiaoqing: Sister, we're here! It's so fascinating! Look at all the couples visiting the lake! -Ming Cui said in a powerful Peking Opera voice.
*-Bai Suzhen: Yes. While we practiced in Emei, it was freezing in the cave, surrounded by white clouds. We wandered the fir paths and admired the alder flowers. Now that we're in the south of the Yangtze River, we can enjoy the warm mountains and gentle waters. Look, Qingmei, there's the famous Broken Bridge! -Yanzu spoke in a strong Peking Opera voice.
*Excerpt from the lyrics of the Peking Opera "The Legend of White Snake."
As Yuan Hai observed Yanzu's performance, he contemplated the changes occurring in Yanzu's body.
Yuan Hai thought to himself: "Chen Yanzu's body is slowly transforming. Eventually, this naive boy will realize what's happening. I just don't know how to express my feelings to him."
At that moment, during the performance, Yanzu suddenly stopped due to a sharp pain in his stomach.
Ming Cui rushed to Yanzu's side.
"Are you okay? You seemed unwell backstage earlier," Ming Cui asked, concern etched on her face.
"My stomach... it hurts so much," Yanzu replied, struggling to articulate his discomfort.
Seeing this, Yuan Hai sprinted onto the stage, swiftly assisting Yanzu to the restroom.
A few students, intrigued, crept over and pushed the door open slightly.
**In the Lounge**
"Azu, are you feeling alright?!" Yuan Hai asked, anxiety evident in his voice.
"I've been having stomach pains for the past few days, especially in the lower abdomen. It comes and goes," Yanzu explained, but Yuan Hai noticed someone lingering outside the door, prompting him to move closer.
"What are you doing here? Get back to practice immediately!" Yuan Hai commanded.
He locked the lounge door, and Yanzu watched.
"Come on, you can talk to Teacher Lin now; it's just us," Yuan Hai assured him.
"Lin... Teacher Lin, I think something's wrong with my lower body. But... I don't know how to tell Uncle," Yanzu confessed, fear creeping into his voice.
"Aside from Mr. Chan, I'm the closest person to you, Yanzu. You can trust Teacher Lin; I won't tell anyone," Yuan Hai encouraged.
"I... I've been bleeding from my lower body for several days this past month, and it's extremely painful. I have no friends in Beijing, and I don't know who to turn to," Yanzu admitted, tears streaming down his cheeks.
"Stay quiet. We'll figure this out next time..." Yuan Hai began, but then he noticed the bloodstains on Yanzu's pants.
"Lin... Teacher Lin, it's bleeding again!" Yanzu cried out in distress.
"Azu, calm down. Teacher Lin will help you. Just stay here quietly," Yuan Hai reassured him.
He dashed to his office for tissue and clean underwear, hurrying back to the lounge.
**-End of Chapter-**