Su Qingyu lingered at the tomb, murmuring to herself for what felt like an eternity before finally pulling herself away. There was no time to wallow in sorrow; the photograph she had was her only lead, and she had to follow it. Most of the women her father knew were from his company. Just as she was about to start her investigation there, her phone rang. It was Wu Ren, one of the children from the mountains her father had once sponsored. His voice was edged with anxiety. “Miss Su? I just got back to the country and heard about Mr. Su’s illness. How is he?” “Thank you for your concern. My father is still being treated at the hospital.” “God, how could something like this happen to a man as good as him? If he hadn't sponsored us, bringing us out of those mountains all those years ago, none of us would have the lives we do today.” An idea suddenly struck Su Qingyu. Her father, Su Qiping, had begun sponsoring children from impoverished mountain regions years ago. If Li Lanrui had been trafficked into the deep mountains, could that have been how she met him? “Brother Wu, do you know the other students my father sponsored?” “I was the one who kept in touch with them for Mr. Su. I know most of them, though I lost contact after I went abroad these past few years. Miss Su, if there's anything you need—money, manpower, anything—I’d go through hell and high water for you.” Clinging to this lifeline, Su Qingyu immediately said, “I have a photograph here. Could you take a look and see if you recognize her as someone my father sponsored?” “Of course, Miss Su.” Half an hour after she sent the picture, Wu Ren sent her a file. The girl in the photo was bright-eyed with a radiant smile, bearing a striking resemblance to the girl on the tombstone—especially her eyes, which were the spitting image of Li Tingchen’s. Her name was Zhao Fang. She had come from a barren mountain village, and Su Qiping had started sponsoring her twelve years ago. She had excelled in her studies, earning early admission offers from top universities both at home and abroad during high school. She chose to stay in the country for her education. *This could be her,* Su Qingyu thought, and quickly arranged to meet with Wu Ren. At a cafe. Wu Ren arrived right on time. Su Qingyu had met him once, ten years ago, when he was still a shy young man. Now, he was the CEO of a publicly traded company, dressed in a sharp suit, the very picture of a corporate elite. Even with the Su family’s bankruptcy, he addressed her with the same respect. “Miss Su, I hope I haven’t kept you waiting.” “I just arrived myself. Brother Wu, I’ll get straight to the point. Are you still in contact with Zhao Fang?” “I used to be, but I’ve lost touch with most of my friends here since moving abroad. It must have been two years since we last spoke.” “Do you know what’s happened to her recently?” “I’ve only been back for a few days myself. I only heard about your family’s troubles from a friend. To be honest, I wasn't that close to Zhao Fang; I mostly just helped Mr. Su coordinate with her and the others.” Wu Ren took a sip of his coffee. “But since you asked, I contacted her and some old friends before I came. Unfortunately, the news I got is that she’s passed away. It’s a real shame. She was such a brilliant student. She would have had a great future ahead of her.” “How did she die?” “The exact cause of death is unclear. I heard her body was pulled from the sea.” Su Qingyu’s brow furrowed. Several things didn’t add up. Li Lanrui was nearly six when she was abducted; she should have had memories of her life before. If her father was sponsoring her, why didn’t she ask for help? And after coming to this city, why didn’t she return to the Li family? And another thing: what did her death have to do with her father? “Was my father good to her?” Su Qingyu asked, probing. “Zhao Fang had a tragic life. Both her parents died when she was very young, and she made her way to this city on her own. Mr. Su always looked out for her. I heard she was bullied by her roommates because she was quiet and withdrawn, so Mr. Su even rented a small apartment for her, just to make sure she could study in peace.” Wu Ren set down his coffee cup. “Miss Su, why the sudden interest in Zhao Fang?” “I just want to find out how she died. She doesn't deserve to be a forgotten soul.” Su Qingyu’s original plan had been to get the ten million from her divorce with Li Tingchen, settle her affairs, and then leave this world. Now, a new purpose had taken root: to clear her father’s name and avenge her family. If Li Tingchen wouldn’t talk, she would find the truth herself. She had to. Wu Ren thought for a moment, then pulled a business card from his wallet. “Miss Su, this is a friend of mine. He’s a very well-known private investigator. If there’s something you need to know, he can help you.” “Thank you, Brother Wu.” “Don’t mention it, Miss Su. I knew Zhao Fang, after all. I’d like to see her rest in peace. I’ll be in the country for a while, so please feel free to contact me if you need anything. I have a meeting to get to, so I won’t keep you.” “Take care.” Su Qingyu contacted the private investigator, sending him all the information she had, a renewed sense of determination surging through her. When she returned to the hospital, her father’s attending physician, Dr. Fang, called her into his office. A sense of dread washed over her. Her heart hammered in her chest as she asked, “Dr. Fang, how is my father’s condition? When will he wake up?” “Miss Su, you need to prepare yourself. While the surgery was a success, his earlier head injury from the car accident has led to complications. He’s showing no signs of waking up. It’s possible… he may never wake up.” Su Qingyu’s world collapsed. The disposable cup in her hand trembled violently. Seeing her expression, Dr. Fang’s voice softened with a sigh of resignation. “Don’t lose all hope, Miss Su. I’m only saying it’s a possibility. If your father can wake up by the end of this month, then he should be fine.” Su Qingyu looked up, her eyes a dull, lifeless grey. Her voice was a choked whisper. “If he doesn’t wake up… he’ll be in a vegetative state, won’t he?” “That’s correct. Which is why I hope you can prepare yourself, mentally and financially, for what’s to come.” Dr. Fang knew it was hard for her to make ends meet, and that pouring money into the care of a comatose patient was a heavy burden. Su Qingyu pushed herself up, her hands flat on the desk, her voice unwavering. “No matter what happens, I will never give up on my father. I believe in miracles.” She stumbled out of the office in a daze. She never imagined things could get this much worse. If her father never woke up, the truth would be buried with him forever. And she absolutely could not die so easily. She rushed to the oncology department. Lin Yan had just finished with a patient when Su Qingyu burst in. “Senior, you have to help me.” Lin Yan saw the raw panic on her face. She was clutching at the corner of his white coat, like a drowning person clinging to the last piece of driftwood in a vast ocean. She pleaded, each word a desperate prayer, “Senior… chemotherapy, surgery, whatever it takes. I want more time…” Only by living could she uncover the truth. Only by living could she stay by her father’s side, for as long as possible. Lin Yan didn’t know what had happened to ignite this sudden will to live in her, but as a doctor, he was overjoyed. “Alright,” he said, his voice firm and reassuring. “I’ll schedule your first round of chemotherapy immediately.”