A new purpose

Hua's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of suspicion and anger. Ming felt a shiver run down his spine. He had always known there was more to Shen's death, and now with Hua's mother gone, it was all becoming clearer.

"They didn't just destroy Shen…they destroyed my mother too." Hua's voice was shaking, but there was a sharp edge of determination beneath her pain.

Zihan wiped her own tears, trying to keep calm for her friend. "Hua, if there's something going on…we need to uncover it. We need to find out who's behind all of this."

Ming nodded. "We'll get to the bottom of this. I won't let them hurt you anymore." He cupped her face gently, looking into her eyes with fierce protectiveness.

But Hua's mind was racing, her thoughts jumbled between the memories of her mother, her sister, and the enemies that had torn her life apart. She didn't know how to fight this anymore. She had tried — tried to be strong through Shen's death, tried to hold her mother together, but now it felt like everything was slipping away.

Ming could see her resolve wavering, so he leaned in closer, speaking softly. "I know you feel powerless, Hua, but you aren't alone in this. We're going to find the people responsible for Shen's death…and for your mother's. We'll make sure they pay."

Zihan nodded in agreement. "We'll be by your side, every step of the way."

Hua's lips quivered, and for a brief moment, she let herself lean into Ming's comforting embrace. But as much as she wanted to fall apart, something inside her refused to give up. The fire that Shen had always carried within her now burned in Hua's chest. She had to see this through, not just for herself, but for her family.

"I want justice," Hua whispered, her voice steadier now, though her heart still ached. "I don't care what it takes."

Ming squeezed her hand. "We'll make sure they pay, Hua. I promise."

The three sat in silence for a few minutes longer, the weight of everything pressing down on them. But as the sun began to set outside the window, a new sense of purpose began to grow within Hua. She would get to the truth, no matter how dark it was. She would fight for her sister, for her mother, and for herself.

And whoever was behind it all — Xueyao, Mr. Zhang Wei, Mr. Smith — would soon discover that they had underestimated her.

---

That night, as Hua lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, she could hear her mother's voice echoing in her head. Her last words of advice before everything fell apart: *"If you love him, fight for it. Don't let anyone take what's yours."*

But this time, Hua wasn't just fighting for love. She was fighting for justice. And she wouldn't stop until the people responsible for her family's downfall were brought to their knees.