Yibo walks into visiting room and sits down, trying to not look at others. everything around screams sadness, loneliness, anger, pity and regret. everyone at his side lost someone precious, guilty or innocent they're locked behind bars. they all go to sleep with worry, with fear something worse is going to happen. they all count seconds until meeting day comes, so they can just say few words, just breath same air... he awakes from thoughts when door opens and nods slightly greeting younger one. Teo sits down and lowers head, unable to meet his eyes. Yibo keeps tapping fingers until silence becomes unbearable and talks out at the end

"thank you"

"what?" Teo shivers on his words and looks up "after everything what I have done, how can you say thanks?"

"because I have to be right with myself. you still risked your life to stop Meilin and save us. how is your wound?"

"it's nothing serious, just scratch. main problem is in my head, I can't forget that moment"

"I think no one can"

"the sound of Meilin screaming, view of acid destroying her face, the way her whole body shaking from unbearable pain...I did it everything...with my own hands. the fact I somehow enjoyed watching it, the fact that I felt satisfaction watching her suffer. I keep seeing nightmares and hearing her voice"

"you know that she deserved it, she deserved everything worst"

"like me...anyway it should be me who dirty his hands, everything ended fairly I think"

"lawyer said that you gave detailed testimony about your and Meilin's crimes. she'll get deserved punishment. thanks for taking our side at the end"

"I just did what my heart told me at that moment...I still hate Zhan but never you. since I guess this is our last meeting I need to say something..." Teo stops and smiles at memories "you don't remember, but we first met at university"

"at university?"

"you saved me from bullies then, you're only one who offered me hand and I hold into it. you're only one who didn't look at me with disgust, who smiled and comforted me. now I'm not sure was it love or addiction but I couldn't stop thinking about you. every day I was waiting for you, but you're coming to university very rarely. that day finally I found courage in myself and decided to talk to you but...that was the moment when Zhan appeared in your life"

"you were there?"

"yes and I could notice that weird look in your eyes, I knew that you was going to remember him but never me. still I chased after you, became your friend but he came back...I lost again"

"Teo..."

"I let hate and anger win over me, I wronged you many times Yibo. finally it's time to pay for my sins"

"I'll do what you asked before Teo"

"will you...will you really?" Teo sobs out and brings his palms together "thank you so much, thank you so much Yibo"

"I'm not doing it, because I forgave you Teo, I'll never be able to"

"I know Yibo, that is why I won't dare to ask for it"

"I already moved your family at my grandpa's house. old man is very bored and those little cuties will brighten his life. he is willing to give them education and help to grow into decent women. maybe with wrong ways, but you did much for them Teo. they both adore you"

"although we aren't blood related, they're still everything for me"

"I know, I'm sure they won't forget you" Yibo smiles and gets up, rubbing his hands together "let's say goodbyes now, guess we gonna meet at court but I'm saying farewell to my only friend, the one who I tried but still couldn't hate"

"I hope there is only happiness in your way from now on Yibo, you suffered enough already"

"someone is willing to meet you, I'll let you talk" Yibo leaves and Teo doesn't remove his eyes from door until young, pretty boy comes in. Later one carefully places crutches next to chair and sits down. Teo hides shaking hands and tries to smile, while tears nonstop drops on his cheeks

"Why are you here silly boy? What if it hurts more?"

"My leg is getting better, doctor said that I have chance to keep racing. what about you? you already lost weight, I'm worrying. are they treating you badly?" Daniel's blue eyes shows strong sadness and Teo feels his heart tearing apart. He wants to crash wall down between them, he dies to squeeze his full cheeks, to cover his soft lips with kisses. Teo realizes what he really lost and it makes him sob pitifully "Teo...Teo I'm sorry, what did I say wrong?"

"You're too adorable, that is why" Teo wipes tears away and smiles "thanks god you still can chase your dreams"

"Later when you're already out, we can..."

"Please don't" Teo shakes head and Daniel stops "there won't be later for us Daniel, this is end and you know it too"

"But are you even asking me? What if I want to wait? What if..."

"I pity you for myself" Teo looks at him with such a adoration and racer swallows his tears "you helped me to win over my demons, but I can never be worth for angel like you. Maybe somewhere deeply I had good side and you fell in love with it, but we aren't meant to be Daniel. You deserve someone pure, who can make your life colorful. I'm stained forever and this won't change even after leaving jail"

"what am I supposed to do with my feelings? I love you Teo and I can't help it. I'm..." Daniel breaths in deeply and moves hands forward, willing to hold into him "I can't even touch you, I hate this place, I hate absolutely everything. I was so proud of you but...selfishness is awaking in me now. I don't care...I just want to have you next to me"

"you'll forget, you'll keep living without me. it's going to be hard, but you can. It lasted too short, but moments spent with you was happiest of my life. I'll keep and cherish each second in my heart forever" Teo gets up and fear fills Daniel's eyes. he quickly leans forward and places palms on the glass, begging with shaking voice

"don't leave please, just more few minutes, few seconds please. I'm not ready to say goodbye, just only once can't I hug you? why won't they let me to take your warmth and scent with me? I'm already missing you, please, please don't leave"

"thanks for loving me Daniel" Teo wants to say more, but pain is too strong he feels like suffocating. unable to watch Daniel's tears he turns back and covers ears until loud sob sounds stops. left alone Teo falls down and let's all emotions out, the future is too blurry, too empty, too scary. only light, his only light is gone too forever "I'm sorry for breaking your little heart, for making your first love this painful Daniel. I'm sorry for even being born, what was suppose of my life anyway?" Teo looks up at the small window and faintly smiles to the tiny vision of blue sky "some say our souls fly to the sky after death...wonder...does it feel good?"

*****

Cheng walks into ward after knocking on the door and greets Lusi, who is sitting on the bed combing her hair. Girl jumps down and runs to him, holding his arms

"finally you're here, did something happen?"

"Zhan...he got into some accident and is staying at hospital too. I had to take care of him, no more like play psychologist?"

"talking about that. do you know? I started psychological therapy and it works very well. there are other girls who suffer same problems as me. we talk much, we share our pain and comfort each-other"

"I'm so happy for you" Cheng sweetly smiles and pets her head "you look way much better, so pretty"

"right? it feels like I got all lost energy back. I'm too excited"

"doctor said it won't take long before your discharge from hospital, you did great job with your recover Lusi"

"no, it's all thanks to you"

"my pleasure" Cheng whispers and girl guesses he gets lost in some thoughts. there is strong sadness written on his face and Lusi lowers head, nervously entwining her fingers "why won't we go for a work? there is a beautiful park next to hospital"

"sure, would love to" Cheng waits until Lusi gets dressed and they leave together, hesitating to start talking. girl stops at the rose and gently touches it's withered leaves, as her eyes saddens "I looked like them, all dried and ruined. if not you, I was going to fall to my death. I made too many unforgivable mistakes, I was weak, I couldn't fight against my mother and my own ego. the most importantly..." Lusi stops and moves closer to Cheng, cupping his face "I was too selfish towards you"

"that isn't true"

"I used your feeling of guilt, your pain and will of redemption. I didn't even ask what happened in your past, I just took your care for granted"

"seeing your healthy is best gift for me Lusi, it was all worth for me"

"but you aren't happy, I'm not the one you need. I can't turn blind eye to this fact anymore. at this very moment, I'm sure you're thinking about him, you met Haikuan right?"

"it was just coincidence, he was there to see Zhan too"

"I didn't ask for explanation, I don't have right to. just go to him, just be happy Cheng, I'll letting you go"

"Lusi stop please, what are you going to do all alone? I'll stay will you, I'll marry..."

"don't, I can't ruin your whole life. I met one very cute girl at hospital and we decided to live together, so I won't be alone"

"live together?"

"yes, I won't go back to that monster, so called my mom. I want to have life goals, dreams, to fight for something worth. I saved some money while modelling and it gonna help at the beginning. I always depended on her, but it's time for everything to change"

"Are you coming back to modelling again?"

"no, that industry isn't for someone like me. do you remember? I dreamed to be ballerina before"

"mn, you danced too beautifully. your moves was light like butterfly"

"I'm already too old for becoming ballerina, but can teach dance to others right? I love being with kids, they like me too"

"I'm too proud of you Lusi, you've changed too much" Cheng pulls her into hug and sighs from relief "I could save you at least"

"I'll never forget, what you did for me" Lusi removes his arms and Cheng's heart breaks noticing her tears "let's call our engagement off, let's go with separate ways"

"are you sure about it?"

"I'm but...can I take something from you? just for once can I?" Lusi's stare moves to Cheng's lips and her fingers slides behind journalist's nape. later one slightly nods and closes eyes when Lusi's lips touches his. kiss is too soft, too filled with love and tears. after few seconds Cheng is pushed back and girl turns away without saying more. Cheng looks after her until Lusi disappears and stays in the daze for a while. there is a pain and relief in his heart at the same time, but can he really come back where he belongs? is he still wanted?

*****

"So what are you doing here? do you feel better now?" Cheng runs out from television building and cups Zhan's shoulders "good, your face doesn't look like crap anymore"

"such a nice friend you're"

"don't sulk like baby" Cheng laughs and drags him along "are your ribs healed?"

"think so"

"come in, everyone missed you"

"I doubt it, they all hate me"

"hmm, this is somehow true but you're the one who was creating the mood. it's boring without your perverted jokes"

"actually I want to talk to director. about my future...I'm not sure what am I supposed to do. I feel too lost brother"

"it's going to be ok, I'm always here for you. Xiao Zhan always have enough strength and brain to solve problems"

"take care of yourself first, what about your relationship with Haikuan?"

"there is nothing new, I can't bring myself to call him"

"what the hell are you waiting for? are you going to let that bitch take him away?"

"she is Bao's mom, she always stands before me"

"so what? I'm sure that you can be better parent for him. Cheng...just look at me" Zhan makes Cheng turn towards him and leans closer, looking into his eyes "listen very well. you deserve all love and happiness, you deserve absolutely everything best. you keep looking down on yourself and I'll punch your face. I'll make it become even uglier"

"I was surprised about such a nice words and here you come again" Cheng laughs and messes his hair "why I still adore you?"

"same question here" Zhan giggles and greets everyone inside. there is fear and awkwardness written on his face, but sighs from relief when employees return smile to him. Zhan feels welcomed and it makes his heart go soft. he knocks on the director's door after having short conversation with others and gets in, stopping at the door. director signs him to sit down and takes place in front of him

"I didn't expect seeing you here, after everything what happened between us. I heard about that accident, glad you're ok"

"right, too many bad things happened. actually I'm trying to become better person uncle, I lost too much because of my selfishness and arrogance. I thought that people around were the one to blame but no, it was always me. I just should be nice towards them"

"why do you sound this sad? what is wrong Zhan"

"I was forgiven many times from others, when I didn't deserve it. Maybe I was never honest enough while saying sorry, because I kept doing the same. I have no right to be angry to you, I understand that you're protecting your family. There is always priorities in our life"

"I was very wrong, I deserve to be punished too"

"You're always helping and protecting us, even your harsh words were to save me from Meilin. I know, I was the reason of your headache too many times but you didn't abandon me"

"Are you willing to come back? You dreamed to be anchor right?"

"But I was too lazy to move my ass for reaching my dream"

"And now?"

"Someone very precious said that I need to grow up and he was totally right. I need to start from the beginning, I need to reach top slowly, step by step"

"With hard work"

"Right, actually everything happened like you said before. I got too many harsh lessons from life, still didn't learn much"

"Don't go too hard on yourself"

"hope someday I can feel proud of myself, hope someday I'll become worth for him"

"what about you make reportage about Meilin?"

"what?"

"who knows this case better than you?"

"I can't do it without Yibo's permission, I'm going to leave everything in the past today...but after meeting someone"

"as you wish" director smiles and Zhan gets up, offering hand for shake

"thank you so much, I'll start working from next Monday"

"see you later Zhan" journalist leaves cabinet and waves hand to Cheng "can you take me somewhere?"

***

woman is forcefully dragged in meeting room and Zhan eyes her with evil grin. although one should pity her, Zhan can't find this kind of feeling in his heart. woman's face is still half bandaged, rest skin is dark red and peeled. her neck and arms visibly damaged and old beauty totally gone. Meilin tries to turn back but Zhan's voice stops her

"so this is how I was supposed to look? how it feels to take your own medicine? how it feels to be defeated by us?"

"shut up, it won't end here. I'll..."

"we have all necessary evidences and Teo's testimony. you're going to rot here, to be bullied and mocked because of your disgusting appearance. I felt always sorry for women who went through acid attacks, who lost their outer beauty but still shine because of their pure souls. you're totally different, you deserve it all. now your body looks same as your filthy soul"

"you'll never be happy, Yibo is going to keep hating you forever. I won, at the end you still separate I'm sure" woman laughs loudly and claps her hands, while Zhan sighs and suddenly moves mirror in front of her face.

"look at yourself, tell me do you like it? do you like it?"

"no...this isn't me, this can't be me, move it away, move it away" Meilin freezes for a second and then starts screaming, ripping bandages away from her face, guards grab woman's hysterically shaking body and Zhan turns back, avoiding bloody mess he created. screaming sounds keeps ringing in his head even after leaving jail and falls on the stairs, feeling his legs weakening

"Zhan what happened? are you ok?" Cheng knees in front of him and Zhan gives up, letting hold tears down. he tightly hugs friend's neck and starts sobbing pitifully

"I thought everything was going to be ok after taking revenge but I'm not happy at all. she deserved it, but I'm still feeling disgusted by my own evil act. nothing changed, there is still sadness, there is still pain. Meilin got punishment but dad won't come back, maybe Bo Di is going to leave me forever too. "

"don't say that Zhan, he loves you, he'll surely come back"

"I'll die without him, it hurts like hell Cheng" Zhan breaks hug and hides face between his palms "I brought it to myself, only thing I can do now is waiting...please come back soon my love, gege is waiting for you"

So this chapter was more like saying goodbye to some characters? Actually I cried for Teo, because he was very important for me 😭 at the beginning he was supposed to be just evil murderer, but slowly he became one of the main characters and with complicated personality. during whole story I wondered about his end and sadly it couldn't be happy 😓 we all knew that there was no chance for him and Daniel to stay together but it still hurts.

I think death would be too easy for Meilin, so she is gonna suffer whole life.

Lusi made her first right choice and it gonna lead her to happiness I believe 😊 anyway author is getting emotional here 😅