Sun Fang sat in his black Ferrari SUV, concealed from Li Chen's view as he watched the unexpected turn of events. He had received information about Li Chen's change in marital status, having severed ties with the Gu family. With the assistance of his network, Sun Fang had obtained Li Chen's new address.
For several days, his men had discreetly followed Li Chen's routine, learning that he went for a morning jog in the park and then returned home. Sun Fang had anticipated witnessing an attack, but he never expected the outcome he was about to witness.
As he observed the fight unfold, shock and a hint of excitement washed over him. He had thought that Li Chen would be an easy target, but the result was quite the opposite. Li Chen had displayed a level of martial prowess and control over the situation that Sun Fang hadn't foreseen. His initial fear had transformed into astonishment and intrigue, making him question his prior assumptions about the man.
Sun Fang, his mind consumed by new thoughts, turned his attention to one of his trusted subordinates occupying the front passenger seat. His voice was resolute and commanding as he issued an unusual directive, "I need his hair. I don't care how you do it, but I need it, and you have three days to make it happen."
The subordinate nodded, acknowledging the gravity of the task, and responded with a sharp, "Yes, sir. It will be done."
With that settled, Sun Fang leaned back in his seat and calmly instructed his driver, "Take me to my father's place."
The driver, accustomed to following his employer's orders without question, immediately started the car. Sun Fang closed his eyes, a triumphant smile slowly forming on his face.
The car quickly arrived at Sun Fang's father's residence. The villa was a modest size, but it exuded an aura of opulence and wealth. Its exterior was adorned with grandiose columns and a lavish facade, shouting to anyone who passed by that it belonged to someone prosperous.
However, as Sun Fang entered the villa, the opulence of the exterior contrasted sharply with the interior. The decor was somber, and the atmosphere carried a heavy air of depression and solitude. The interiors whispered a different story, one of melancholy and unresolved sorrow, hidden behind a façade of grandeur and material wealth.
Sun Fang was greeted at the villa's entrance by an old maid who had served the family for years. She offered a warm smile and greeted him, "Good morning, young Master Sun."
Returning the greeting, Sun Fang replied, "Morning, Auntie. Where is my father?"
The elderly maid let out a heavy sigh and, in her eyes, carried the weight of many burdens. She responded, "He's in the room."
Sun Fang immediately grasped the situation and walked forward with a mixture of concern and understanding. As he reached the door to the room where his father spent most of his time, he took a deep breath and knocked softly. There was no response from within, and he cautiously pushed the door open.
The room was a stark contrast to the rest of the villa's decor. It was adorned with a vintage charm, filled with old-fashioned dolls and toys, reminiscent of a playroom for a three-year-old child. The dolls, some of them aged and worn, were neatly arranged on shelves, and the room exuded a sense of nostalgia and melancholy, as if a piece of the past had been frozen in time. It was a poignant reminder of happier days long gone.
In the room, Sun Fang's father, Sun Weilong, was seated in a rocking chair, holding a worn-out picture of a happy three-year-old girl. He rocked back and forth gently, lost in a world of memories. Traces of tears glistened on his aged face, evidence of countless heartaches that time couldn't erase.
Sun Weilong, despite his handsome features, had the air of a man far older than his actual age, which was in his early sixties. The weight of his enduring sadness had caused his hair to turn prematurely white and etched deep wrinkles into his face. Decades of unspoken grief and melancholy had aged him well beyond his years, leaving him a living testament to the burden he carried in his heart.
Sun Fang took a deep breath, trying to ease the heavy atmosphere that clung to the room, and said, "Good morning, Dad. I came to have breakfast with you." Sun Weilong's gaze shifted to his son, and a faint smile graced his worn face. He responded, "Fang, when did you arrive?" Sun Fang replied, "Just now, Dad. Come, let's take a walk in the garden before we eat."
Sun Weilong carefully returned the old photo to its place, silently holding onto the precious memories it contained. He nodded and said, "Yes, let's go."
Sun Fang, knowing that his father cherished his solitude in that room, followed closely behind him as they made their way to the garden.
The room had remained a time capsule for 15 long years, preserving memories of a time that seemed distant and yet ever-present in Sun Weilong's heart. The tragedy that had befallen the family, the disappearance of Sun Weilong's beloved sister Sun Lixia, was a wound that refused to heal. It had been nearly 50 years since that fateful day, a day that continued to haunt him.
Sun Weilong was just 8 years old when Sun Lixia, his 3-year-old sister, had vanished. He blamed himself for what had happened, as he was the one who had sneaked out with her that day. He had searched the park, crying and desperate, until he himself had to be admitted to the hospital. Their mother, however, had never held him responsible, yet the guilt weighed heavily on his young heart.
The room where Sun Lixia had spent her early years remained unchanged, just as it had been in the old family mansion. Sun Weilong had been forced into a marriage chosen by his father, but it was a joyless existence. However, over time, he found solace and even happiness in his marriage. His wife had been a source of comfort, and he had grown to love her deeply, though the guilt over his sister's disappearance lingered on, a constant reminder of the tragedy that had forever altered their lives.
The years passed, and life took a toll on Sun Weilong. The darkness that loomed over the family had never truly dissipated. It all unraveled when his wife, a pillar of support in his life, unexpectedly fell ill and passed away, leaving behind their youngest child, Sun Fang, who was just 6 years old at the time.
Sun Weilong was shattered by this loss. With no one to share the burden of his grief, he was consumed by despair. He became determined to find his long-lost sister, Sun Lixia. He left no stone unturned, connected every possible lead, but his efforts bore no fruit. The pain of losing his wife and the unresolved mystery of his sister's disappearance became overwhelming.
A year later, tragedy struck once more. Sun Weilong's mother, Grandma Sun, succumbed to a sudden heart attack. The shock of her passing reverberated through the family, and everyone was left bewildered. In the wake of Grandma Sun's death, Grandpa Sun, in his grief and confusion, believed that it was the preserved room dedicated to Sun Lixia that had somehow caused his wife's untimely demise.
Sun Weilong pleaded with his father, Grandpa Sun, to allow him to keep Sun Lixia's room untouched. He wanted everything to remain exactly as it was, holding onto the hope that his beloved sister might one day return. He was determined to ensure that Sun Lixia knew she was never forgotten, even if the passage of time had created an illusion of abandonment.
The room dedicated to Sun Lixia became a point of contention between Sun Weilong and his father. Their disagreements grew increasingly heated until Sun Weilong decided to take matters into his own hands. He purchased the small villa where he currently lived to ensure that he had full control over Sun Lixia's belongings and the room that held her memory.
Sun Weilong undertook the painstaking task of restoring the room to its former state. He painted its walls with loving care, placing her cherished belongings exactly where they had been all those years ago. Sun Weilong took it upon himself to maintain the room's pristine condition, cleaning it every day. Even the elderly housekeeper who assisted in the household knew better than to enter that sacred space. Sun Weilong was afraid that any intrusion might disturb the room and its precious contents. Sun Fang was well aware of this sentiment and would always stand by the room's doorway when he visited, honoring the solemnity of the space.
As Sun Fang and Sun Weilong walked through the peaceful garden, their footsteps the only sound to break the silence, the heavy weight on Sun Weilong's heart seemed to lift. He felt the soothing effects of the fresh air and the tranquility of the garden, which had always held a special place in his heart. Sun Fang observed his father's countenance slowly returning to normal. The redness caused by tears began to fade, and the haunted look in Sun Weilong's eyes was replaced by a sense of calm.
They took a seat on a weathered bench, surrounded by the lush greenery of the garden. Sun Weilong broke the silence, his voice quiet and contemplative, "How is your brother?" Sun Fang replied, "He's doing well." Sun Weilong let out a relieved sigh, "I'm glad to hear that."
A brief pause hung in the air, and Sun Weilong's voice was tinged with regret as he continued, "I'm sorry I haven't been there for both of you." Sun Fang, who had matured beyond his years, reassured his father, "It's okay, Dad. We're adults now. I'm 21, and Sun Gang is 25. We can manage."
Sun Weilong hummed in response, grateful for his son's understanding. Soon, the housekeeper called them inside for breakfast, and they enjoyed their meal together in comfortable silence.
Before parting ways, Sun Fang hugged his father, their embrace conveying love and understanding that words often couldn't. He said, "I'll see you again in three days, Dad." Sun Weilong, while still pained by the past, managed a reassuring smile. "You don't have to worry about me. You have to live your life."
Sun Fang smiled back and replied, "I'll try, Dad." He said his goodbyes and walked to the car, where he climbed inside. With a deep sigh, he opened his left palm, revealing the few strands of hair from his father. As he gazed at the strands, he whispered softly, "I hope you can also find closure, Dad." Closing his eyes, he leaned back as the car started moving at a steady pace. His driver was familiar with this routine – every three days, Sun Fang visited his father, and each time he left the villa with a solemn mood, carrying the weight of family history with him.