Through the glass door of the Four Seasons Hotel, Zhao Xiangwan saw Zhao Qingyun whispering with Zhao Chenyang. Her eyes dimmed, and she left with everyone, not stopping.

The more you long for your biological parents, the more disappointed you are when you meet them.

Zhao Xiangwan’s mind-reading ability made her heart strong and tough. After a quick glance, she let go of her past attachment and decided to walk her own path peacefully.

When I returned to school, it was almost time for the dormitory lights to go out. I quickened my pace and entered the dorm building. I saw my roommate Zhang Yalan standing at the window of the dormitory management office on the first floor, talking on the phone.

Zhang Yalan, from Xing City, was a lively city girl who loved to talk, laugh, and dress well. She gave the impression that her family was well-off and her life was smooth. But tonight, she had two streaks of tears on her cheeks and was sobbing into the microphone.

“Mom, don’t cry. You have to take care of yourself when I’m not home.”

“Yes, I’m a girl, but can I decide this? Does being a boy change anything?”

“If you don’t want to, then don’t. I’ve told you so many times, but you won’t listen!”

Zhao Xiangwan pretended not to hear and walked around Zhang Yalan to the stairs. But Zhang Yalan’s sobs made her pause.

[Incompetent! An incompetent mother, a father who beats people when drunk, Zhang Yalan, oh Zhang Yalan, what’s the point of you pretending to be carefree every day? What’s the point?! I can’t do anything, I can’t help at all! Even if I study at the Public Security University, can I call the police to arrest my dad? Can I help my mom stand up? No! Nothing!]

It turns out that the seemingly carefree Zhang Yalan had a suffocating family situation.

With one foot on the stairs and the other on the first-floor platform, Zhao Xiangwan turned her head and looked at Zhang Yalan on the phone.

Zhang Yalan had already hung up and met Zhao Xiangwan’s gaze blankly. She seemed to remember something, wiped away her tears quickly, and tried to force a smile.

Unfortunately, as soon as she opened her mouth, the tears started falling uncontrollably. Zhang Yalan lost control and walked towards Zhao Xiangwan while crying. She reached out and grabbed the sleeve of her woolen coat, calling out pitifully, “Zhao Xiangwan…”

Zhao Xiangwan patiently looked at her hand holding his sleeve and asked, “What do you need me to do?”

Zhao Xiangwan’s attitude was slightly cold, but after living in the same dormitory for almost half a year with upper and lower bunks, Zhang Yalan knew that she was cold on the outside but warm inside. As long as she was honest, it wouldn’t be hard to get along with her.

Zhang Yalan had finally found someone to talk to about her troubles: “Zhao Xiangwan, can you come home with me after the exam tomorrow? I need your help with my mom.”

Zhao Xiangwan walked up and led Zhang Yalan to the water room on the third floor. It was still half an hour before the lights in the dorm were turned off. The place was quiet and empty, with only one fluorescent light on.

Zhao Xiangwan asked, “How can I help?”

Zhang Yalan’s tears had stopped, but her voice was still nasally: “I want my mom to divorce, but she’s always refused. Can’t you read micro-expressions? I want to know what she’s thinking and help her.”

Zhao Xiangwan looked at her in surprise.

In the early 1990s, people saw divorce as a bad thing for reputation, so many people just “made do” in marriage. If a couple wanted to divorce, people in their workplace would advise them to endure it for the sake of the children. After divorce, children either lost their father or mother, which was seen as tragic. What kind of child would advise their parents to divorce?

Zhao Xiangwan shook her head. “This is your family’s matter, outsiders can’t get involved.”

Zhang Yalan, anxious, quickly explained.

“I’m an only child. My father works in a construction company and manages many workers. My mom used to be a salesperson at a state-owned store, but after the restructuring, she was laid off. She hasn’t worked since and only cooks and cleans at home.

Since high school, my dad became arrogant after making money. He drank every day and came home to yell at my mom for not giving birth to a son. He beat her until her head was bloody. When I tried to stop him, my mom blamed me for not being a boy.

After I went to university, my parents were left at home. My mom told me that my dad had another woman and was constantly asking for a divorce. But my mom refused, saying she couldn’t let people look down on me.”

Zhang Yalan’s eyes filled with sadness as she spoke. Tears started to well up again.

“We used to live a peaceful, happy life, just the three of us. But since my dad started making money and my mom got laid off, things have changed. Now, my mom feels despised because she didn’t give birth to a son. She lives every day feeling like a sinner. She even begged my dad, saying that as long as they don’t divorce, he can do whatever he wants. Even if he has a son with the other woman, she’ll have no complaints and will raise the child herself.”

Zhao Xiangwan felt a headache forming after hearing this.

When interviewing Wang Qiankun’s wife, Cao Caiyan, Cao Caiyan had blamed the mistress for her husband’s affair, claiming the family could be saved if the mistress was removed. Now Zhang Yalan’s mom was even more humble, willing to raise the mistress’s child just to avoid divorce.

What would make a woman lose her self-respect like this in marriage?

Zhao Xiangwan sighed. “If even you can’t persuade your mom, what else can I do?”

Zhang Yalan’s eyes filled with admiration and trust. “You’re different. You’re Zhao Xiangwan. You helped Teacher Zhou find the abducted baby, and helped Officer Xu solve the case of the headless female corpse. You were praised by the principal. You’re so capable, you’ll definitely figure out the real issue between my parents. I’m their daughter, and I can’t see things clearly. Please help me, please…”

Zhao Xiangwan hesitated.

As the saying goes, it’s easier to demolish a temple than to break a marriage. Zhang Yalan’s parents had deep grudges. Whether repairing their marriage or getting a divorce, there were too many complications. Although Zhao Xiangwan was mature for her age, she was still only 18. It wasn’t right for her to get involved in her classmate’s family issues.

Seeing Zhao Xiangwan hesitate, Zhang Yalan lowered her hands dejectedly and said softly, “I’m sorry, I’ve made things difficult for you.”

After saying that, Zhang Yalan stopped pleading, walked out of the water room, passed down the long corridor, opened the dormitory door, and entered.

The fluorescent lights in the corridor were old, with blackened tubes. In the dim light, Zhang Yalan’s shoulders were slumped, her back bent, and her steps slow, showing how worried she was.

Something stirred in Zhao Xiangwan’s heart.

The face of her junior high teacher, Mei Xinhui, flashed in her mind.

Zhao Xiangwan had scored 100 points on her primary school graduation exam. Knowing her adoptive mother, Qian Shufen, wouldn’t allow her to continue studying, she took her transcript to Huangtian Township Middle School and sought help from Mei Xinhui, the head of the first-grade group.

Meeting Mei Xinhui, Zhao Xiangwan felt uneasy. Even though her ability to read minds let her sense the teacher’s sympathy, she wasn’t yet a registered student. Mei Xinhui had no obligation to help her.

She could have refused. Zhao Xiangwan was just a rural girl, and convincing parents who favored sons over daughters to support a girl’s education was difficult. Yet, Mei Xinhui listened patiently and took immediate action. She contacted the primary school principal, the Zhaojiagou Village Committee director, and the Women’s Federation director. Together, they visited Zhao Xiangwan’s home, persuaded her adoptive parents, and even promised to cover her tuition. That was how Zhao Xiangwan was able to continue her studies.

Without Mei Xinhui’s help, Zhao Xiangwan would have dropped out at twelve, worked on a farm, then labored in the city before returning to the village to marry and have children. She never would have entered Public Security University, combined her mind-reading ability with criminal investigation techniques, or become a valuable assistant to Xu Songling, captain of the Criminal Investigation Brigade in Xing City.

Was Zhang Yalan’s request for help today as desperate as hers had been?

Zhao Xiangwan vividly remembered Mei Xinhui’s reassuring words: “Zhao Xiangwan, don’t be afraid. There are still many good people in this world.”

Mei Xinhui, Xu Songling, Zhou Qiaoxiu, Zhu Feipeng… Yes, there were still many good people in this world.

With that thought, Zhao Xiangwan strode into the dormitory, walked to Zhang Yalan’s bed, and whispered through the drawn curtain, “Zhang Yalan, I’ll go home with you tomorrow.”

Swish—

The beige bed curtain was suddenly pulled open. Zhang Yalan, surprised and delighted, looked at her with emotion-filled eyes. “Really?”

Zhao Xiangwan nodded. “Yeah!”

Zhang Yalan, wearing a sweater, jumped down from the upper bunk and cheered, “Zhao Xiangwan, you’re the best!”

On the weekend, Zhao Xiangwan and Zhang Yalan headed home together.

Zhang Yalan’s home was in a residential area in the west of the city, about an hour’s bus ride away. As they walked, Zhang Yalan introduced her home.

“This is the housing my father was assigned when he worked at the Municipal Engineering Bureau. We moved in when I was six. It has two bedrooms and a living room. Though the kitchen and bathroom are small, it’s comfortable for our family of three.”

Zhao Xiangwan asked, “He used to work in the Engineering Bureau? Where does he work now?”

“Xu’s Construction Company. It’s the biggest private construction firm in Xing City. The boss, Mr. Xu, was once a leader in the Engineering Bureau but later started his own business. His company grew, and now they handle half of Xing City’s construction projects. My father was his foreman and has been with him ever since.”

Xu’s Construction Group? That name sounded familiar. Wasn’t it the backer of Zhao Chenyang and the future in-laws of Zhao Qingyun? Then again, Xing City wasn’t that big—some connections were bound to overlap.

Zhao Xiangwan shifted her attention to the unfamiliar neighborhood.

The community had a simple row-and-column layout but was beautifully landscaped. Tall camphor and magnolia trees lined the roads, and the flower beds were filled with wintersweet’s fragrance. Even in winter, it felt vibrant.

Seeing Zhao Xiangwan’s gaze on the wintersweet, Zhang Yalan smiled. “You like wintersweet? Me too! It smells wonderful.”

Zhao Xiangwan nodded. “We don’t have wintersweet in the countryside.”

She had first seen wintersweet in high school, where many were planted in front of the school building. She still remembered being captivated by their scent.

Distracted, Zhang Yalan started reminiscing about childhood trips to the park to admire flowers. Before they knew it, they arrived at Unit 2, Building 11.

Her excitement faded into unease.

“I live on the first floor. Mom should be cooking now. I called ahead, so she knows I’m bringing a classmate.”

Zhao Xiangwan noticed Zhang Yalan’s discomfort and knew she wanted to escape from this stifling home. Smiling reassuringly, she said, “Alright, let’s try your mom’s cooking.”

They entered the house. Zhao Xiangwan slipped on the cotton slippers Zhang Yalan handed her and took in the home’s décor.

The old house had light blue floral tiles, sky-blue window frames, and green-and-yellow curtains. The flower-patterned glass reflected the sunset’s glow, giving the home a warm charm. Though the furnishings were dated, everything was spotless. The wooden sofa had patchwork cotton cushions, and the red telephone on the square table in the corner was covered with crocheted white gauze.