**December 11, 2010 – Hong Kong**
*Outside Stanley Prison*
Xiaoguang spotted a girl who bore an uncanny resemblance to Xiaoqin, standing beside Fangfang.
He rushed over to embrace Xiaochen tightly.
"Xiaoqin! I've missed you so much!" Xiaoguang exclaimed with excitement.
"Mommy, it's been 20 years since daddy saw me. Is he out of his mind?!" Xiaochen responded in disbelief.
"You are... my daughter?!" Xiaoguang replied, equally astonished.
At that moment, Fangfang took his hand.
"Oh! I'll explain everything when we get home. I can't discuss it here," Fangfang answered, her voice raised.
*In the car*
"Fangfang, have you heard any updates about Chen Yanzu in recent years? I want to find him! Discovering his whereabouts might lead me to my sister," Xiaoguang inquired.
"Calm down! I'll share the details when we're back home," Fangfang assured him.
*Return to Li's villa*
"Daughter, please head back to your room. Your daddy and I need to go out," Fangfang instructed.
"I understand. I'll return to the dormitory to practice piano with Jialing. Could you drop me off near the university?" Xiaochen replied.
"Sure, just make sure to wash your hands quickly. I'll wait for you downstairs," Fangfang said.
As Xiaochen went to her room to pack, the tension escalated in the living room.
"Fangfang, when did this daughter come into the picture?! I demand an explanation!" Xiaoguang exclaimed angrily.
"Keep your voice down. This is something Xiaochen must not know. She is the daughter of Xiaoqin and Chen Yanzu. I'm atoning for my past mistakes by using the frozen eggs and sperm the hospital preserved before his death. I carried and gave birth to their daughter, Xiaochen," Fangfang explained in a hushed tone.
"So... where are they now?" Xiaoguang asked anxiously.
"They both passed away twenty years ago. He died six months into his imprisonment," Fangfang replied softly.
---
**January 27, 1971 – Beijing**
"You can stay at my villa temporarily or come by whenever you like. My brother has returned to Hong Kong for his studies, and he admires you greatly," Xiaoqin said.
"It would make me happy to speak Cantonese with you," Yan Zu responded.
"Ah!? Haha! So you speak Cantonese fluently?" Xiaoqin asked, smiling.
"Absolutely! I'm from Dongguan," Yan Zu replied.
"From Dongguan!? I couldn't tell! You sing Peking Opera just like a true Beijinger. Do you know how to sing Cantonese opera as well?" Xiaoqin exclaimed in surprise.
"I know a few songs," Yan Zu replied.
"How about we sing together someday?" Xiaoqin suggested.
"Sure, but it's not appropriate for a man and a woman to share a room," Yan Zu countered.
"I don't mind. Just being in the same room as my idol makes me so happy!" Xiaoqin declared.
"How old are you?" Yan Zu asked.
"I'm 13, but my birthday is in March. What about you?" Xiaoqin replied.
"I'm 15," Yan Zu said.
"When's your birthday?" Xiaoqin asked.
"No need to mention it. I haven't celebrated since I turned 10," Yan Zu responded.
"From now on, we'll celebrate our birthdays together!" Xiaoqin said joyfully.
Suddenly, Yan Zu embraced Xiaoqin and wept. Xiaoqin gently patted his shoulder to console him.
"It's alright; just let it all out," Xiaoqin reassured him.
After about 15 minutes, Yan Zu finally released her.
"Are you alright? If you'd like to talk, just call me Xiaoqin," she offered.
"I'm fine; it's just some unpleasantness at school," Yan Zu replied.
"If you sing so beautifully, surely the other students must be envious," Xiaoqin remarked.
"It's not about that; they mock me for not fitting into their definitions of gender," Yan Zu said sadly.
"But your voice is unique, Chen Yanzu. I don't find it funny to be ridiculed," Xiaoqin replied.
"Xiaoqin, could you do me a favor? Since you have guest rooms, might I rent one? I don't want to stay in the campus dormitory any longer," Yan Zu asked.
"Absolutely! But the rent will be free. I won't charge you a dime," Xiaoqin responded.
*End of chapter.*