In the dimly lit study of their sprawling mansion, Zhong Jue Ye and Suqing Mo sat side by side, their expressions etched with sorrow as they remembered their beloved son, Dabao. Though it had been five long years since his tragic death, the pain of his loss still lingered like an unrelenting shadow over their hearts.
Suqing Mo: *sighs* "It's hard to believe it's been five years already... Sometimes it feels like just yesterday that Dabao was here with us."
Zhong Jue Ye nodded solemnly, his gaze fixed on a framed photograph of their son that sat on the desk before them.
Zhong Jue Ye: "Yes... it's been difficult, to say the least. But we have to stay strong, Suqing. For ourselves, and for the others."
Suqing Mo reached out to gently squeeze her husband's hand, a silent gesture of solidarity in their shared grief.
Suqing Mo: "I know, dear. It's just... some days are harder than others."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps, and they quickly composed themselves, their masks of stoicism firmly in place as their housekeeper entered the room.
Housekeeper: "Mr. and Mrs. Zhong, dinner is ready."
Zhong Jue Ye and Suqing Mo exchanged a brief glance before rising to their feet, their grief momentarily pushed aside as they prepared to face the outside world once more.
Zhong Jue Ye: "Thank you. We'll be there shortly."
As the family gathered around the dinner table, the atmosphere was tinged with a somber sense of loss. Zhong Jue Ye and Suqing Mo sat quietly, their expressions drawn with the weight of their grief, their eyes occasionally flickering to the empty chair that once belonged to their beloved son, Dabao.
Vantean and Jinhua, Zhong Jue Ye's parents, exchanged a knowing glance as they observed the pain etched in the faces of their son and daughter-in-law. With a silent understanding, they knew that words alone could not ease the burden of their grief, but they were determined to offer whatever comfort they could.
Vantean: "My dear children, we know that the pain of losing Dabao still weighs heavily on your hearts. But please know that we are here for you, always."
Jinhua nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with compassion as she reached out to gently squeeze Suqing Mo's hand.
Jinhua: "You don't have to bear this burden alone, my dear. We are family, and we will face this together."
Suqing Mo's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she looked up at her mother-in-law, touched by her words of comfort.
Suqing Mo: "Thank you, Mother... Father... It means more to us than you know."
Zhong Jue Ye nodded in silent gratitude, his heart heavy with emotion as he felt the warmth of his parents' love surrounding him like a protective embrace.
Zhong Jue Ye: "Yes... thank you. Your support means everything to us."
As the family gathered around the dinner table, the arrival of Xubao brought a momentary sense of warmth and joy amidst the lingering sadness. Xubao took her seat beside her parents, her presence a welcome distraction from the weight of their grief.
Vantean's eyes sparkled with pride as he turned to his granddaughter, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Vantean: "Xubao, my dear, how is your planning for Opera University admission coming along?"
Xubao's face lit up with enthusiasm as she eagerly shared her progress with her grandfather and the rest of the family.
Xubao: "It's going well, Grandfather! I've been studying hard and preparing for the entrance exams. And guess what? Leng is also giving the exam!"
A murmur of excitement rippled through the room at the mention of Leng, their family friend's son, joining Xubao in her pursuit of higher education.
Jinhua: "That's wonderful news, Xubao! It's so exciting to see both you and Leng taking this important step towards your futures."
Xubao nodded enthusiastically, her eyes shining with determination as she thought about the opportunities that lay ahead.
Xubao: "Thank you, Grandma. I'm really looking forward to it. And I know Leng will do great too."
Zhong Jue Ye and Suqing Mo exchanged a proud glance, their hearts swelling with love for their daughter as they listened to her speak with such confidence and determination.
Zhong Jue Ye: "We're proud of you, Xubao. Keep up the good work, and remember that we're here to support you every step of the way."
Xubao smiled gratefully at her parents, feeling a surge of gratitude for their unwavering support.
Xubao: "Thank you, Mom, Dad. I couldn't do it without you."
As the family continued their meal, Xubao's mention of the masked Vigilante known as Raven sparked a lively discussion among the gathered relatives. Excitement and curiosity filled the air as they exchanged stories and rumors they had heard about this mysterious figure who had recently appeared in Shanghai.
Xubao: "Have you all heard about Raven? They say he's been making quite a name for himself lately."
Vantean's eyes gleamed with interest as he leaned forward, eager to hear more about this enigmatic figure.
Vantean: "Yes, I've heard the rumors. They say he's more than human, possessing abilities beyond anything we've seen before."
Jinhua nodded in agreement, her expression thoughtful as she considered the implications of Raven's existence.
Jinhua: "It's fascinating, isn't it? To think that there might be someone out there who is truly extraordinary."
Zhong Jue Ye raised an eyebrow, his skepticism evident as he pondered the stories he had heard about Raven.
Zhong Jue Ye: "I'm not so sure about all this. It sounds like just another tall tale to me."
But Suqing Mo shook her head, a hint of excitement in her voice as she spoke.
Suqing Mo: "I don't know, dear. There have been reports of Raven appearing in various parts of Shanghai, helping those in need and standing up to injustice. There might be more to this story than meets the eye."
As they continued to discuss the rumors surrounding Raven, each family member shared their own theories and speculations about the masked Vigilante's true identity and motives. And amidst the spirited conversation, a sense of intrigue and anticipation hung in the air, as they wondered what role Raven would play in the future of Shanghai, and what secrets lay hidden behind the mask of this mysterious hero.