The Comfort of Friends

Hua sat on the couch in her apartment, her eyes red and puffy from crying. The weight of her sister Shen's death had never left her, but the recent realization that it may not have been an accident crushed her. She could barely breathe under the pressure of grief and betrayal.

Ming, Zihan, and Xu Kai sat around her, their faces filled with concern. Zihan held Hua's hand tightly, her thumb brushing gently over her knuckles, trying to offer some comfort. Xu Kai sat beside Zihan, his arm around her shoulders, supporting both girls. Ming sat opposite Hua, watching her intently, his heart aching to see her in such pain.

"Hua," Zihan began softly, her voice filled with emotion. "We're all here for you. I know you feel lost right now, but we'll get through this together. Whoever did this to Shen... they'll pay for it. I swear."

Hua looked up at her best friend, her eyes brimming with tears. She wanted to believe that justice would be served, but everything felt so uncertain. "I don't even know where to start, Zihan," she whispered. "It feels like everything is falling apart. I didn't just lose Shen—I've lost a piece of myself."

Ming leaned forward, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "You're not alone in this, Hua. We're going to find out the truth. No matter how deep it's buried, we'll uncover it."

Hua's eyes flickered toward Ming, and she felt a surge of warmth in her chest. His presence had been a constant source of strength, even when she didn't want to admit it. His determination to help her find justice for Shen touched her deeply.

Xu Kai, who had been quiet for a while, spoke up, his voice calm but firm. "This isn't just about finding who's responsible, Hua. It's about making sure they can't hurt anyone else. We'll stand by you, no matter how hard it gets."

Zihan squeezed Hua's hand tighter. "You're the strongest person I know, Hua. We're going to find answers, but for now, you need to take care of yourself. Don't let this destroy you. Shen wouldn't want that."

Hua looked around at her friends, their faces full of love and support. For the first time in days, she felt a small sense of hope. She wasn't alone in this fight. With Ming, Zihan, and Xu Kai by her side, she knew she could face whatever was coming.

"I just… miss her so much," Hua whispered, tears streaming down her face.

Ming stood up and crossed the room, kneeling down in front of Hua. He took her hands in his, his gaze steady and unwavering. "We all miss her. But we'll honor her by finding the truth. Shen deserves that."

Hua nodded slowly, her heart still heavy with grief, but a spark of determination lit inside her. She would find out who was behind Shen's death, and with her friends' help, she would make sure they paid for what they had done.