Flash back Ends

Yan Shu attended the banquet along with her parents. People wondered who was the beautiful girl hanging around the powerful Renji and Sara. When asked about it, they introduced her as San Yan Shu, their adoptive daughter.

Yan Shu smiled at their response, which itself spread through the room like wildfire.

More than once, people approached Renji in the hopes of introducing their sons to Yan Shu. Renji ignored them, rather choosing to talk with his family or his company's directors, who were also present.

During one such occurrence, he received a call from his son. He excused himself and headed towards the balcony to pick up the call. When he finally hung up and turned to go back, he noticed a young man leaning against the balcony's railing, seemingly deep in thought.

The young man had a steadily burning cigarette between his fingers. Finally, the cigarette burned far up enough that it reached his fingers, burning them, and bringing the young man out from his reverie. He recoiled from the sudden pain and threw the cigarette away, only then realizing that he wasn't alone. "Good evening, Mr. Renji," he said, composing himself.

"You seem troubled by something young man."

"It's nothing, just remembering the past."Renji nodded along.

"It's not healthy to hold things in. Maybe you'd like to talk about it.."

At first, the young man said nothing as he pondered if he should say anything. But finally, he decided to confide on Renji. "I swore to my father that I'd protect my sister, but I failed. All that I managed to do was to help her escape, and now, I have no idea of where she is. I just wish to see if she is okay, even if just a glance."

'Just a glance,' Renji thought, noticing the similarity with Yan Shu. 'Like brother like sister,' he thought before continuing the conversation. "Maybe that could be for the better. As a father myself, I learned long ago that sometimes the best way to help those we love is to let them fly on their own. And if they truly need help, then be there for them. That's why instead of lamenting, you should be making sure that you'll be capable of helping her when the time comes."

The young man stared at Renji for a couple of moments before nodding.

"Good," Renji said with a smile. "What's your name by the way?"

"Lu Xingyan, sir."

"Well, Lu Xingyan, come with me. I'll introduce you to my family." Renji took him to where his wife and daughter were sitting. "This is my wife Sara, and my daughter San Yan Shu."

Lu Xingyan gave a slight bow of the head. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, though his eyes remained focused on the young girl. If not for the red hair, and the beauty mark near her eye, then she would look a lot like his sister. But how could that be?

Meanwhile, Yan Shu did her best to not display her happiness. After so long, she finally got to meet her brother again. They even exchanged a couple of words.

When they were about to leave, Renji left Lu Xingyan a business card. "If you have any problems, then don't hesitate to call me."

Lu Xingyan felt delighted at that and similarly handed a business card to Renji. "Thank you, sir, and if you're ever at Country X, then please call me. It'll be my pleasure to have you and your family for dinner."

Renji agreed and they soon parted ways.

 Yan Shu thanked Renji and Sara for allowing her to meet her brother once again. "I love you both," she said, leaving the husband and wife elated.

Afterward, the trio headed to a hotel for the night and caught a plane back home the next day.

Arriving back home, Kai brought her news that someone was looking for her. "Her name is Tan Song Yun, and she also seems to be from Country X."

"Wait, really? She's my friend, Yunyun. I'll call her right away."

Yan Shu and Song Yun were childhood friends. They drifted away after Song Yun left to study in Country F. She probably finished her studies by now.

Yan Shu called Song Yun and told her almost everything, only making sure to not mentioning Kai's family.

Apparently, Song Yun had similarly been approved to Fengshan University As such, they decided to live together. Her friend wished to live at one of the dormitories, but Yan Shu insisted to rent an apartment instead, so Song Yun agreed.

After ending the call, Yan Shu called everyone to the living room where she informed them of her decision. They naturally weren't pleased, but she managed to convince them.

They cared a lot for her well-being, and being near them wasn't always the safest place to be, which is why they chose to hide in the poorer part of town.

Having gotten their approval, Yan Shu enrolled at Fengshan University using her real name, Lu Yan Shu. At college, she tried to keep as low a profile as possible, but even then the spotlight followed her.