Chapter 55 - Peace returns.

In the following months, Liu Taio got married to Zhao Chynna. Peace returned to the families. Liu Taio, true to his assurance invested in the expansion of Mandarin Delight and extended his support as promised. They enjoyed a mother and son relationship and he found a younger sister in Ms. Brown.

Gao Shing, who was found guilty, was executed for his crimes. By the end of March Bao, was able to walk. For some time now, he had been requesting the family to speak to Ann and her family.

Li Enlai gathered all the family, on the day he got discharged, to finally break the news to him, and said, "Bao, we need to disclose something to you, that we had kept from you for your speedy recovery."

Bao looked at their depressed faces, and guessed, that it was not something to rejoice about.

Li Enlai sat beside him, took his hands in his, and said, "On the day you were attacked in Cervinia, Ann died, protecting you from the assailant."

Bao looked at him with tears, shook his head, and said, "This must be a joke. Isn't it? You must be saying this to get me married, to the daughter of some local businessperson. You are lying. I do not trust you. This can't be true."

Liqin sighed, shook his head, and replied, "No, he is not. She has been buried in Shanghai. We later found out, that she was the daughter of aunt's classmate and friend, 'Dr. Abigail Xiao'."

Li Enlai handed over a black Bible, that Dr. Wu Boqin, had handed over to him, after her burial, to be handed over to Bao in her remembrance.

The news broke Bao completely, who went into depression and kept himself to the solitude of his room.

The next day, they went to the cemetery and paid homage to Ann as a family.

It took months for Bao to recover from depression, and he completely busied himself with work. The smile, that once brought joy to the family now was lost forever. Bao spent most of his time confined in his room either working or reading the Bible, which was once Ann's.

Several attempts to get him married failed. Months and years passed away, and time slowly healed his wounds.

Two years down the lane Liqin was blessed with a girl whom he named, "Huifen."

The birth of Liqin's daughter, Huifen brought life back into Bao. As Liqin and Jia realized this, they let Bao take over her responsibility.

They moved back to Li's household to ensure, that Bao recovered through her. With every step, that she took, Bao took one step ahead towards life. Her smile brought back the smile on his face, that had been missing for the last two years.

The following year Chang Bohai, passed away in assurance, that his inheritance is safe in the hands of Liqin and Jia as years of pain had paved the way for joy through their lives.

Each passing day brought forth new chapters of joyful events as their lives opened up like each petal of a rose, that opened to bloom with fragrance, color, and delight.

Life goes on, and the story would continue, in the next book of the series of Amor Vincit Omnia (Love triumphs over all). Hope to meet you guys again.

With Love,

All the members of the Li, Liu, Chang, Wu, Huang, Brown, Wang, Zhao, and the Xiao household.