"Ah."
Qiao's father sighed heavily, his hand thumping the armrest of the chair.
The room fell into a silence as still as death, pierced only by Qiao's mother's sobs.
"Mr. Zhou, didn't you have an appointment this afternoon?"
Qiao En suddenly spoke up.
All three pairs of eyes in the room simultaneously turned toward Zhou Jin'an.
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhou Jin'an's deep-set eyes, but quickly, he understood.
"It's almost time, let's go."
He glanced at his watch, naturally wrapped his arm around Qiao En's shoulders, and the two of them started walking out.
Qiao's mother, crying, insisted on seeing them off, unstoppable.
She followed them to the car and then hesitantly began to speak.
"Director Zhou, I have an impudent request. I hope you will help my son, for Enya's sake."
Qiao En's heart suddenly sank; she had not expected her mother to make such a request.
"Let's talk about it once I understand the situation better."