After Emma's footsteps faded down the hallway, silence flooded the private dining room.
Haoyu sat between his mother and Hong Yi, swinging his little legs nervously.
His wide innocent eyes turned up toward Xiamen.
"Mom… is it true?" he asked softly.
"Uncle Hong Yi gave you a bracelet before?"
Xiamen stiffened.
Hong Yi's gaze immediately locked onto her, sharp, waiting.
She forced a calm smile and brushed Haoyu's cheek gently.
"That was a long time ago," she whispered.
"I don't remember much. It's not an important story."
The moment she said it—
something inside Hong Yi snapped.
His jaw tightened.
His fingers curled into a fist on the table.
Not important?
To him, that moment was carved into his memory like a scar.
He had watched her smile turn into confusion and pain because of her father.
How could she say she forgot?
A low breath escaped him, full of frustration he couldn't swallow.
Mr. Lin felt the pressure in the air—
like the temperature dropped ten degrees.
He glanced at Hong Yi's clenched hand.
At Xiamen's tense shoulders.
At Haoyu, confused and trying to understand the grown-ups' silence.
He nearly choked on his own panic.
Then—
he forced the most awkward, cheerful voice anyone had ever heard:
"Oh! Haoyu!" he said suddenly, almost shouting.
"Do you know there's a… a… fair wheel for children nearby?"
Haoyu blinked.
"You mean Ferris wheel?"
"Yes! Yes! That!" Mr. Lin nodded desperately.
"It's very famous! Lights everywhere! Children love it!"
Haoyu's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really?! Mom, can I go? Please?"
Xiamen's expression softened, guilt flickering across her face as she looked at her son's excitement.
She opened her mouth—
But Hong Yi rose from his seat before she could answer.
"I'll take you," he said quietly.
Both of you."
Xiamen looked up sharply.
"You don't have to—"
"I want to," he interrupted, his voice deeper, more honest than before.
He looked at Haoyu—
and something warm broke through the ice in his chest.
The child's smile…
so pure, so bright…
A smile Hong Yi had seen once long ago—
on a girl he had tried to protect.
Haoyu tugged Xiamen's sleeve.
"Mom… I want to see the Ferris wheel."
Her heart melted.
"…Alright," she whispered. But when I say okay
Hong Yi's shoulders relaxed—only a little.
Mr. Lin exhaled so hard he nearly fainted.
The storm in the room eased, but the truth remained between them—
unspoken, heavy, and waiting for the right moment to explode.
Tonight, under the city lights,
the past and future of three people would collide again—
Gently, painfully, inevitably.
Xiamen agreed to go, but there was still a fear in her heart. She knew that Mr. Lin was suspicious of her, and Hong Yi might become suspicious as well.
That's why she said, we will go together son, okay, but now let's go home, my cute boy. haoyu gets up happily and kisses his mother on the cheek ok mom let's go....