Chapter Three: The People We Forget

“Then here's the plain version.” He moved closer. “Lin Wanzhao, I think I'm falling in love with you.” She did not step away. Their foreheads touched, and the bell gave a soft chime behind them. Mianmian held out the tour manual. Hidden in its lining was a death certificate from fifteen years ago. The dead child was not Xu Yuechuan, but Zhou Ce's daughter, Zhou Mian, age seven. Place of death: Saint Grace Children's Hospital. A scorched photograph was attached to the back. It showed Yuechuan, Wanzhao as a child, and another little girl. The girl held a brand-new blue bear head—and her face was identical to Wanzhao's. Xinghe looked up at Mianmian. The blue bear slowly wrote: THAT NIGHT, ONLY ONE COULD SURVIVE.