The Year 1989.
Kowloon, Hong Kong.
On a chilly Tuesday morning, the neighborhood was bustling as usual, with people going about their daily business. The streets were alive with the clamor of trade and the hum of morning routines. The rain had recently stopped, leaving the ground soaked, and puddles dotted the area, making navigation tricky. The noise in the air was unlike what one would expect at 7:00 AM, but this was a lively district, brimming with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures, each with their own way of life.
In a narrow alley, a cluster of houses stood, most of them old wooden structures with roofs patched with rusted sheets. Inside these homes, one could often see the sunlight or moonlight streaming through cracks in the ceilings.
One such house, the seventh in the row, required visitors to step over a pile of bags blocking the entrance. Beyond that was a narrow passage leading to eight rooms, each with a wooden door that seemed to be the only valuable feature of the property. Everything else was worn down and in dire need of repair.
The eight rooms were home to eight households. Some were families, others single individuals, and a few rooms housed women who had fled their villages to settle here. Life in the house mirrored the chaos of the neighborhood-everyone was just trying to survive, doing whatever it took to put food on the table. In such an environment, there was little concern for manners or morality.
In the fourth room lived a middle-aged woman in her early forties. Her appearance belied her age, worn down by years of hardship. Her name was Pei, though the neighbors and locals simply called her "Twins Mother." This wasn't because she had twins but because she had only two children, separated by an age gap of fifteen years. Her eldest daughter, Liu, was fifteen, while her youngest child, Yibo, was still a toddler.
Pei was originally from China but had lived in Somalia, a country known for its conflicts and civil wars. During one such war, she fled with her father and brother to Hong Kong. It was a harrowing journey, and her brother didn't survive the trip. She and her father made it to Kowloon, where they were abandoned and left to fend for themselves. Pei had no choice but to resort to begging alongside others who had arrived under similar circumstances.
It was during her days of begging that she met her husband, Wang Zheng. At the time, her father had already passed away, killed in an attack by thieves. With no family left, Pei had been taken in by a group of elderly women from her village who tried to teach her how to make a living through less honorable means. Being young, pale-skinned, and visibly poor, she had become a frequent target for harassment by men.
Wang Zheng, however, approached her with an offer of marriage. Desperate to escape her dire circumstances, she agreed without hesitation. At the time, Zheng sold dumplings at a local bus station. He told her he was originally from Zibo and that his parents had passed away. He had been living with an uncle who treated him poorly, which had driven him to leave for Sha Tin and eventually Kowloon.
Their wedding was modest, officiated by a monk. Zheng's only gift to her was a small dowry of seven thousand yuan and a cramped room, where he also bought a new mattress. With the dowry, they purchased basic household items and began their life together.
Two years later, Pei gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Liu, whom Zheng named after his late mother.
Liu was a beautiful young girl who stood out among her neighbors. Despite Pei's fair complexion and traditionally Chinese features, she lacked the striking beauty that her daughter Liu possessed.
From a young age, Liu was loved by everyone around her. Her presence even brought blessings to her family. Thanks to her, an Indian neighbor helped Zheng secure a job driving trucks, which was a significant step up from his previous work. This new job allowed Zheng to focus on Liu's education, a priority he held dearly. Zheng was passionate about education, a privilege he had missed, and he was determined to ensure his children had the opportunities he never did.
Zheng worked tirelessly, even sacrificing basic necessities, to afford Liu's expensive schooling. The cost of her education meant that their quality of life remained modest, as nearly all of his earnings went toward her tuition.
The influence of her schooling and peers further shaped Liu's character. Combined with the values Pei instilled in her, Liu grew up disciplined, insightful, and careful to avoid wrongdoing. Her impeccable character only enhanced her natural beauty, making her universally admired. It was nearly impossible to meet her, even briefly, without being charmed-whether one was male or female.
When Liu turned fifteen, Pei gave birth to a baby boy named Yibo, named after her late father. Unlike Liu, Yibo was exceptionally fair-skinned, with striking, mesmerizing eyes that seemed to shine and draw attention wherever he went.
Yibo's birth earned Pei the nickname "Twins Mother," as she was now known for her two children. However, tragedy struck when Yibo was just over a year old. Zheng was killed in an accident at the bus station where he worked-a truck lost control and ran over several people, including him.
Zheng's death plunged the family into hardship. Liu's education had to stop at her final year of high school, and the family's focus shifted entirely to survival. They had no inheritance or savings, forcing them to work tirelessly to make ends meet and maintain a roof over their heads.
Determined to support her family, Liu found a job at a local kindergarten, while Pei worked as a cleaner in a nearby food shop. Liu's dedication and excellence at work impressed her employer, who allowed Yibo to attend the kindergarten at a discounted fee.
With this support, Liu and Pei worked every day to provide food, pay rent, and meet their basic needs. Liu, inspired by Zheng's commitment to her education, became equally devoted to Yibo's learning. She adored her little brother deeply, so much so that Pei would sometimes complain that Liu was teaching Yibo more at home than he was learning at school.
Meanwhile, trouble loomed in their neighborhood. Ping, a notorious gangster and gambler, was infamous throughout Kowloon for his criminal activities. He and his gang operated near the kindergarten where Liu worked, and he noticed her during her daily comings and goings. Captivated by her beauty, Ping became obsessed with her.
Ping and his gang began to harass Liu, threatening her in various ways until Ping eventually confessed his interest in her. Liu, however, wanted nothing to do with him. Even young Yibo recognized Ping and his men as dangerous individuals.
One day, Ping attempted to confront Liu directly, blocking her path and grabbing her arm. Despite being just a child, Yibo rushed to his sister's defense, running at Ping and hitting him with his tiny fists.
Ping's men burst into laughter as he grabbed Yibo by the neck with one hand, lifting him off the ground. Liu begged and pleaded through her tears, but Ping didn't let go until Yibo was on the verge of passing out.
That night, Yibo coughed incessantly, alarming Pei and Liu. They desperately tried to find a solution, realizing that Ping's behavior was escalating far beyond what they had anticipated. They had initially hoped he would lose interest or simply leave town, as he often did with his gang.
Pei suggested they take an alternate route or even move away entirely, but Liu refused. She didn't want to jeopardize her job. Instead, she decided to confront Ping and plead with him directly, explaining she didn't love him and couldn't marry him. Little did she know this would be the biggest mistake of her life.
That night, after Liu thought she had resolved the issue with Ping, he and his gang broke into their home. They destroyed everything, overturning furniture and scattering their belongings. The sound of Liu and Pei's cries for help echoed through the neighborhood, but no one dared to intervene, terrified of Ping's wrath.
The nightmare didn't end there. Ping ordered his men to restrain Pei and Yibo, holding them down as he dragged Liu into the room. There, in front of her helpless family, he assaulted her. When he was done, he coldly sat down, giving his men the order to do the same. Liu's screams turned into silent gasps, her voice gone from the agony. Pei's cries never stopped, even as she was beaten by the men restraining her.
The entire neighborhood heard the commotion, but fear kept everyone paralyzed. Only when Liu stopped moving entirely did Ping call his men off. He stood over her lifeless form, spat on her face, and left. Before walking out, he made an announcement to the neighborhood: "Anyone who dares help them won't live to see another day."
Pei, overwhelmed with grief, carried Liu on her back to the hospital, with Yibo trailing silently behind, still in shock.
At the hospital, Liu was taken in immediately due to her critical condition. However, once the nurses realized they couldn't pay, they began treating them with disdain. When Liu finally opened her eyes weakly, they approached Pei.
"Ma'am, you need to pay for the bed she's lying on, the doctor's consultation fee, and the surgical procedures she requires. There are also medication costs, and we'll need two pints of blood for her."
Pei, desperate and panicked, asked for a full list, promising to find the money. Taking Yibo by the hand, she left the hospital. Despite pleading with their neighbors for help, no one dared to offer assistance due to Ping's warning. An elderly woman managed to slip her a small amount in secret.
With her hope fading, Pei decided to beg on the streets. Standing near a luxurious car, she pleaded with the driver.
"Please, sir, help us. My daughter is dying in the hospital. We have no one else to turn to..."
Her voice cracked, filled with despair. Yibo clung to her side, wide-eyed and silent.
They went from car to car, enduring rejection after rejection. At one point, a speeding vehicle nearly hit Yibo, but Pei pulled him back just in time. They spent the entire day begging on the roadside, praying for mercy. By nightfall, they had barely gathered half of what they needed. Exhausted and starving, they returned to the hospital, their spirits crushed.
As they entered, Pei overheard a nurse speaking casually.
"Just move the body off the bed. We need the space for other patients."
Her heart stopped as she rushed to Liu's bed. She found it covered entirely with a sheet, a still figure lying beneath it. Trembling, Pei pulled the sheet back to reveal Liu, her eyes closed and her body limp.
"Welcome back, Madam. You've returned?"
Two nurses approached them with solemn expressions.
"We're deeply sorry, but earlier this evening, she passed away. We called the doctor to confirm it, and unfortunately, it was as we feared. May she rest in peace."
Pei's mind went blank. After hearing the words confirming Liu's death, the only thing she felt was a thunderous noise in her ears before the weight of her grief crushed her, and she collapsed to the floor.
Despite his young age, Yibo could remember the exact moment it happened-the moment his mother's heart stopped. Chaos erupted as everyone scrambled to revive Pei, shaking her and calling her name, but she remained unresponsive. Yibo stood frozen, his wide eyes darting between the frantic faces, trying to comprehend the harsh reality that he had lost not only his sister but now his mother too. Even at his tender age, he knew his world had crumbled into pieces.
:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*:-*
Present Day.
At the Hospital - 9:00 a.m.
"They said the front of the car was completely destroyed," Wu Jing's voice echoed as she stood by the window in Room 12 of the hospital's upper floor. It was a well-furnished private room equipped with all necessary medical facilities.
Wu Jing let go of the blinds, letting them fall back into place, before turning to look at Yibo lying unconscious on the hospital bed. His forehead was wrapped in bandages, and the wires from the monitors around him beeped softly.
From her phone, Xu Liang sighed audibly before speaking.
"That sounds terrible. I'll let you go now; my break is over."
He was attending a lawyers' conference in Chongqing, one of those long events where he would pack his bags and leave without much regard for her or their children. Even now, it was she who called him to inform him about Yibo's accident, as he wouldn't have known otherwise. And as she had expected, he showed little concern, brushing it off before returning to his work.
"Take care," she said flatly, cutting the call. She then dialed her housekeeper to check on her children and inquire about the food delivery.
"Madam, they've all gone to school already. I'm just finishing up the congee, and we'll be there in about an hour."
"Alright. See you soon."
After ending the call, Wu Jing approached Yibo's bed, standing silently as she stared at his injured form.
Last night, after the accident occurred, Peng was the first person called, being the last one Yibo had spoken to. Peng wasted no time rushing to the scene. He quickly contacted his father, Shi Lei, who was nearby. Together, they transported Yibo to the hospital with urgency, even enlisting the help of local authorities to clear their path.
By the time Wu Jing arrived at the hospital, the doctors had already stabilized Yibo and admitted him to a private room. She had been on her way back from visiting her friend Bing, who had recently encouraged her to make a greater effort to win Yibo's heart.
"Out of all the men you've interacted with, none compare to him, Wu Jing. This is your chance, and you must seize it. Stop being so prideful and admit your feelings. Once you do that, everything else will fall into place. If not, you'll only make things harder for yourself."
Wu Jing recalled Bing advice vividly, along with the plan she had suggested. Even before reaching home, she had decided to call Yibo and test her luck. By some twist of fate, Peng answered instead, informing her of the accident. She rushed to the hospital immediately and stayed by Yibo's side throughout the night.
Standing by the bed, she turned to retrieve her bag from the nearby table. She pulled out two packets of powdered medicine wrapped in a white cloth that Bing had brought from a Sherman.
"One should be mixed into his congee or tea, and the other should be applied directly by holding his hand. If both are successful, everything else will fall into place, Wu Jing. You just need to try your best."
At first, Wu Jing had doubted the plan's feasibility. Yibo had long stopped eating anything she prepared, and the thought of him allowing her to hold his hand seemed laughable. But now, with this accident, fate seemed to have aligned in her favor. What had initially felt like a disaster now seemed like an opportunity, a chance for her to finally win his heart.
There was a knock at the door just as Wu Jing hastily tried to shove the packets back into her bag. Before she could fully conceal them, the door opened, and Shi Lei entered, flanked by his usual two bodyguards, one of whom was Joshua. He had changed into an elegant outfit, the kind that exuded power and authority, while his signature cologne from Scentmania filled the room, radiating his commanding presence.
Wu Jing stood and exchanged greetings with him, though his polite smile didn't reassure her in the slightest. After brief pleasantries, Shi Lei inquired about Yibo's condition. She informed him that the doctor had checked in earlier that morning and confirmed that everything was stable. In fact, Yibo could regain consciousness at any moment. With nothing more to add, Wu Jing excused herself, slipping on her shoes and leaving. Men like Shi Lei were not in her sphere of comfort, and she had no desire to remain in his company any longer than necessary.
Shortly after her departure, Shi Lei's phone rang. He instructed Joshua and the other guard to wait outside while he took the call in private. Once they left, he glanced at Yibo, ensuring he was still unconscious before answering the phone.
What Wu Jing didn't realize was that she wasn't the only one hoping to achieve her goals through this unexpected turn of events. She wasn't the only one who saw this accident as an opportunity for something greater.
The words Shi Lei spoke during his phone call, though meant to be confidential, were clear enough to penetrate Yibo's subconscious. They echoed in his mind, revealing truths he had been chasing for months, even years-truths tied directly to Shi Lei. These were the answers Yibo had sought relentlessly, the same answers that had justified Shi Lei's presence in his life and the chain of events that had unraveled since.
But why was it that, at the very moment some doors slammed shut, others were abruptly be opening?
---
Questions to Ponder:
What exactly did Shi Lei say on that call, and how does it tie into Yibo's search for answers?
Is Wu Jing truly prepared for the consequences of her plans?
Could this accident signify the end of Shi Lei's reign, or is it just the beginning of another chapter?
Where was Zhan during Yibo's accident, and what role does he play in this unfolding drama?
How will Zhan's family react to the turmoil surrounding them?
Zhanxianyibo💚❤️💛