The following morning, daylight broke.
Fan Ruyi slowly fluttered her eyes open and shifted her body, instantly feeling a dull ache and overwhelming numbness throughout her limbs.
“What is the meaning of this?” Realizing her hands and feet were securely bound, Fan Ruyi flared up with immediate indignation. “What on earth are you doing, Yu Xingliang!”
Busy chopping logs and stripping bark from a tree trunk, Yu Xingliang turned his head and watched as Fan Ruyi woke up, his expression instantly darkening.
Seeing Yu Xingliang drop the log in frustration and stalk toward her with a menacing air, he looked uncannily like a butcher in a slaughterhouse, though somewhat leaner than the typical executioner of meat.
Panic setting in, Fan Ruyi immediately shouted a warning. “Stay right there! Do not come any closer!”
Naturally, Yu Xingliang was in no mood to heed warnings, bounding over to deliver a sharp rap directly against her forehead.
Rubbing her stinging eyes, Fan Ruyi whined, “Why did you hit me for!”
“You ungrateful girl, do you suffer from manic depression or something? Trying to burn yourself to death!” Recalling the terrifying ordeal of the previous night, Yu Xingliang still felt a chilling draft creeping down his spine.
Tears of utter self-pity welled up in Fan Ruyi’s eyes as she sobbed, “I just could not accept it. I finally found a father and felt like life was finally looking up, only to have him framed by malicious people. If it were not for making me happy, my father would never have chosen to organize that film screening on that exact day! I… I am simply a harbinger of bad luck.”
Hearing the phrase “harbinger of bad luck,” Yu Xingliang felt a sharp pang in his chest. He crouched down, gently pressed Fan Ruyi’s head against his shoulder, and spoke with a choked voice.
“You silly child, what nonsense are you spewing? No one in their right mind calls themselves a harbinger of bad luck.”
Weeping profusely, Fan Ruyi shook her head. “I am bad luck indeed. If not for me, mother would never have succumbed to depression, everything is my fault. I am nothing but a curse!”
“You are nothing of the sort!” Hearing those words broke Yu Xingliang’s heart completely. Making a resolute promise, he vowed, “Ruyi, you need not worry, I will find a way to restore your father’s innocence.”
A sudden glimmer of light sparked in Fan Ruyi’s eyes as she lifted her head slightly, asking with hopeful caution, “Is that true, Dr. Yu?”
Curving the corners of his mouth into a gentle smile, Yu Xingliang answered softly, “Of course it is true, when have I ever lied to you? Therefore, you must take good care of your health, for when your father reunites with you, he will surely grieve if he sees you have grown thin.”
Sniffling, Fan Ruyi nodded. “Alright, I promise you, Dr. Yu.”
Reaching out to stroke Fan Ruyi’s hair, Yu Xingliang comforted, “Good girl.”
Carrying two freshly grilled fish, Mu Heng walked over. Seeing Fan Ruyi awake and leaning intimately against Yu Xingliang’s shoulder, he unceremoniously thrust the fish forward with a sullen expression, nearly poking Fan Ruyi in the face.
“Mu Heng!” Pulling away from Fan Ruyi, Yu Xingliang stood up to greet him. “You are back.”
Glancing down at Fan Ruyi’s tear-stained face resembling a painted cat, and then turning to look at Yu Xingliang’s reddened eyes, Mu Heng addressed the open air in a flat tone. “If someone cannot control their emotions, they should at least avoid burdening others.”
“What on earth are you blabbering about?” Amused by Mu Heng’s sulky demeanor, Yu Xingliang found it rather endearing. “You used not to display your emotions so openly, you are actually rather cute like this.”
Possessing a naturally perceptive mind, Fan Ruyi understood immediately that Mu Heng was taking an indirect jab at her.
“Dr. Yu, why on earth do you associate with this bad person?” Pointing accusingly at Mu Heng, Fan Ruyi fumed, “He teamed up with the Chu family to frame my father!”
With complete composure, Mu Heng admitted, “I did.”
“You!” Fan Ruyi seethed. “You have the nerve to admit it.”
Stepping quickly between them to avert a worsening crisis, Yu Xingliang shielded Mu Heng and persuaded, “Ruyi, calm down. Listen to me, it was Mu Heng who charged into that burning building and carried you out to safety!”
Refusing to show any gratitude, Fan Ruyi scoffed, “Even if he saved me, his motives were certainly impure!”
Mu Heng nodded in agreement. “Indeed, my only concern at the time was sparing Lele from grief and tears, I had zero intention of risking my life for a runny-nosed brat like you.”
“You! You called me a runny-nosed brat!” Enraged, Fan Ruyi shrieked, “You ungrateful brat calling me a runny-nosed brat!”
Mu Heng narrowed his eyes. “Utterly lacking in manners.”
As Yu Xingliang busily mediated between the two, their constant bickering resembled a pair of territorial animals squaring off, neither willing to yield an inch.
Yet this bickering household dynamic strangely mirrored a quarrelsome, joyful family.
Although Mu Heng refused to spare Fan Ruyi any verbal concessions, he never allowed her to go hungry.
And while Fan Ruyi loudly protested her dislike of Mu Heng, she consumed a generous share of the meals he prepared.
Amidst their endless bickering, the trio managed to construct a sturdy wooden shelter capable of withstanding wind and rain.
Mu Heng had once again taken to wearing his hair loose, letting the strands fall naturally to shadow his face.
Seeing this, Yu Xingliang no longer attempted to urge him to tie it back as he once did.
During the days spent here, Yu Xingliang experienced moments where he preferred concealing his true appearance as well, finding himself beginning to understand the sense of helpless resignation buried deep within Mu Heng’s heart.
One afternoon, Fan Ruyi announced her intention to venture out and pick wild roses to bake pastries, challenging Mu Heng to a contest to see whose baked goods tasted better.
Recognizing this as Fan Ruyi’s way of expressing gratitude and trying to make amends after consuming Mu Heng’s cooking for so long, Yu Xingliang granted her permission to go. Once she departed, Yu Xingliang lingered behind.
Pondering repeatedly, Yu Xingliang stepped up behind Mu Heng, watching the focused back of the man crafting a wooden table, and felt a sudden wave of warmth wash over him.
This felt precisely like a devoted family man crafting a cradle for an infant, filling the surroundings with profound tenderness.
“Mu Heng.”
Hearing Yu Xingliang call his name, Mu Heng immediately halted his work and turned around to face him.
Pressing his lips together in hesitation, Yu Xingliang shook his head and demurred, “It is nothing, finish building your table first.”
With that, he busied himself with trivial chores to slip away.
Watching Yu Xingliang’s retreating form, Mu Heng decisively set aside the piece of timber in his hands.
“Lele.”
Startled, Yu Xingliang did not expect Mu Heng to give chase.
“Mu Heng…”
“You have something on your mind.” Fixing his gaze steadily into Yu Xingliang’s eyes, Mu Heng stated with absolute certainty, “And it concerns me.”
Sighing softly, Yu Xingliang met Mu Heng’s gaze and answered honestly, “Yes.”
Shifting his eyes away, Mu Heng lowered his gaze. “It concerns Fan Ruyi.”
“It concerns Fan Shenggang, and all those who have been wrongfully framed.”
Turning his back to Yu Xingliang, Mu Heng asked quietly, “What do you intend to do?”
“I am going to clear Fan Shenggang’s name.”
Hearing this, Mu Heng remained silent for a brief moment before stating, “You will need evidence.”
Yu Xingliang froze, not because evidence was currently unattainable, but because he had anticipated Mu Heng attempting to dissuade him, rather than accepting his intention with such tranquil readiness.
“I will find the evidence.”
“It will not be easily found. Framing Fan Shenggang was a matter of grave consequence, those responsible would have left no traces behind for you to uncover.” Mu Heng murmured softly, “Even if you manage to unearth physical proof, without a living witness to testify on your behalf, Fan Shenggang’s case can never be overturned.”
“Does that mean my father is beyond saving?”
Startled, Yu Xingliang gasped, “Ruyi!”
Impelled by a sudden whim to retrieve the small iron trowel Mu Heng had fashioned for her a couple of days prior, Fan Ruyi had returned early. Catching sight of Mu Heng pursuing Yu Xingliang toward the shoreline, curiosity drove her to follow.
“I heard everything.” Tears brimming in her eyes once more, ready to spill over at any second, Fan Ruyi cried out, “My father stands no chance of ever clearing his name, is that it!”
Lacking an appropriate response, Yu Xingliang could only urge in a flustered tone, “Ruyi, calm down first.”
“No.” Mu Heng interjected abruptly. “Unless the person who orchestrated the framing steps forward to confess.”
Tears streaming down her face, Fan Ruyi sobbed, “He framed my father to begin with, why on earth would he ever confess voluntarily?”
A sudden realization struck Yu Xingliang. He turned his gaze toward Mu Heng, who happened to be looking back at him.
Mu Heng declared, “I know the person responsible, and he will confess.”
“Truly?” Wiping away her tears, Fan Ruyi pressed Mu Heng, “Do not lie to me.”
Offering a faint smile toward Yu Xingliang, Mu Heng answered Fan Ruyi directly, “Provided there is someone he cherishes deeply enough to compel him to do so, he will undoubtedly confess.”
Dark storm clouds gathered thickly across the sky, signaling an impending downpour.
Clutching her small iron trowel tightly, a tearful Fan Ruyi retreated to her quarters, resolving to harvest the roses at dawn.
Mu Heng warmed a bowl of fish broth for Yu Xingliang and meticulously gathered all the dry firewood scattered outside, storing it securely indoors.
Once finished and the door securely latched, Yu Xingliang stepped forward to hand a bowl of warm broth to Mu Heng.
Accepting it without hesitation, Mu Heng emptied the bowl in a single draft.
Teasing gently, Yu Xingliang remarked, “You drink fish broth as though it were poison.”
With total sincerity, Mu Heng replied, “Since you handed it to me, I would drink every last drop without leaving a single trace.”
Shifting his eyes away nervously, Yu Xingliang broached the subject: “Mu Heng, you do realize that overturning a verdict requires critical physical and human evidence.”
Studying Yu Xingliang intently, as though anticipating what would follow, Mu Heng stated, “Whoever executed the framing will most likely face execution by firing squad.”
Stunned for a moment, Yu Xingliang asked, “Does voluntary surrender carry the death penalty as well?”
Mu Heng nodded. “Therefore, the choice rests entirely in your hands this time. Lele, do you truly wish to save Fan Shenggang?”
Pausing for a beat, Yu Xingliang gently tapped Mu Heng’s arm. “It is getting late, get some rest, Mu Heng.”
With that, he turned on his heel and walked away as though fleeing.
Standing frozen in place as distant rumbles of thunder rolled across the sky, Mu Heng watched as a heavy rainstorm broke out right on cue.
The torrential downpour muffled the howling wind, the pattering drops, the weeping, and the sound of a breaking heart.
The next day, the rain cleared into brilliant sunshine.
Awakening early, Fan Ruyi announced her departure to gather roses.
Tossing a light outer jacket over her shoulders with tender indulgence, Yu Xingliang cautioned, “It is unsafe for a young girl to go alone.”
He instructed Mu Heng to accompany her, a request Mu Heng accepted without hesitation.
After Mu Heng and Fan Ruyi walked a short distance away, Yu Xingliang set off in the opposite direction.
What Yu Xingliang failed to realize, however, was that the moment he turned his back, Mu Heng glanced over his shoulder.
Arriving swiftly at the detention facility holding Fan Shenggang, Yu Xingliang was informed by the guard that once the appeal period expired, the prisoner would be transferred to a distant maximum-security prison.
Fan Shenggang expressed profound surprise upon seeing Yu Xingliang, yet upon hearing that Fan Ruyi was safe and well, a long-absent smile broke across his face.
“I will secure your release.” Yu Xingliang promised with absolute conviction. “The person who framed you will make a full confession tomorrow.”
Overwhelmed with gratitude, Fan Shenggang thanked him repeatedly.
“Who goes there? What are you doing behind the wall!” A guard’s sharp shout pierced the air, making Yu Xingliang’s heart leap into his throat.
Turning around abruptly, he locked eyes with Mu Heng’s desolate gaze.