Onto Them

Later that same day, Shao Lin went to visit her mother. The nurse had updated her on her mother's condition and said she seemed to be doing better than most days.

Shao Lin arrived, carrying purple hyacinths for the vase in her room. She felt relieved when she soaked in her mother's appearance. Her sunken cheeks were now full. Her harsh features had softened, and she was standing in front of a window with a white shawl wrapped around her shoulders, looking out at the setting sun.

Shao Lin stalked toward her and made a full stop at her side. Her mother's mouth quirked into a ghost of a smile as she said, "Your father loved sunsets," she recounted. "I used to watch it with him all the time when we were young and had more time."

Shao Lin smiled at her nostalgic recollection. Her mother took a deep breath. "Your father used to be a harsh man. He wasn't kind. He did what he had to do when it came to the life he was born in. That was until he had me, and then you…" she paused. "But he wanted to change. He did everything to resist certain dangers, and before I knew it, he was a completely different man—a loving man. But he couldn't escape the part of his past that kept him on a leash, so he had to do what was necessary to keep me and you safe."

It was rare to witness her speak of him so freely, let alone the details of his past. Shao Lin contemplated it and wondered what she was implying.

"Mother…what did he do that was necessary to keep us safe?"

She wanted the answer. What did he do? Why was the Long family involved?

Her mother stiffened. She turned to face her, eyes wide, looking appalled as if Shao Lin shouldn't have asked that question. But then her mother shook her head, her features softening. "All you need to know is that he cared about you—about us. And we'd do anything to protect you, and that's by staying away."

"Away from what?" Shao Lin questioned. She felt like she might implode. What is there to be afraid of if she didn't know what to fear and stay away from?

"You must know, Shao Lin. I know you must know something about him you shouldn't. You've always been curious about your father's past. I need you to stay away from that. He's gone. There's no need to look into something that would only hurt you. It isn't pleasant. It's not meant for sweet girls like you."

"You keep saying that. But how can I be protected from something I don't know what to fear? I will spend the rest of my life watching my back, not knowing what I'm looking out for."

"It won't be forever," her mother countered. "Live normally—marry someone, someone that'd protect you. Perhaps you can see Zhong Bai again? He'd always been a nice boy. It'd—"

"Mother, stop," Shao Lin interrupted impatiently. "I'll stop looking into father's past. Please don't get any ideas. I'll do what I can to protect myself."

Her mother only nodded. Shao Lin finally made her decision. She was done. Whatever it was she wanted to find out did not seem good or safe, and it only confirmed what Zhong Bai told her. Her father was part of the Dragon Syndicate. His life had been over since it began. He was part of a world that he was never able to escape from, no matter how hard he tried. And her parents wanted her nowhere near that world.

She understood. Perhaps she was too sweet, too innocent, and too oblivious that they didn't want that part of their life to taint her.

Shao Lin kissed her mother's cheek. "Thank you. I'll come back to see you again soon."

Her mother smiled slightly. "You're such a good person, Lin," she said, brushing a hand over her daughter's face. "My flower girl."

At that, Shao Lin left, feeling hopeless.

She then stripped down to take a bath once she arrived home, scrubbing, soaking, and thinking until the water turned cold.

When she finished in the bathroom, she went to her seating area to do some light reading. Shao Lin could not concentrate as her mind was in a million different places, and her brain focused more on the ticking of the grandfather clock than the book she read.

It was quiet. It was lonely living in a house meant for a large family that her parents left her. She had people who worked for her, but they'd be gone by the evening, returning to their own families.

She kept herself consumed with work and the investigation in the last three months that she didn't have the time to sit down. And now that she gave up on the investigation, it felt strange not doing anything more productive. She'd have to learn how to get used to it.

She received a phone call that disrupted her thoughts. She answered.

"Lin. I'm right outside your home."

"I'll be right at the front," she replied.

Shao Lin went to her door and opened it for Zhong Bai. She let him in as he had a habit of showing up announced. But everything he did was urgent.

"Detective…there's something I need to tell you," she said right as he entered.

"Hold that thought," he countered. "This is very important."

Shao Lin looked at his expression, and it seemed like it was something he couldn't wait to say.

Shao Lin invited him to the kitchen so she could make some tea.

"What's so important you have to tell me?"

His eyes flickered to her bare shoulders as she wore her nightgown. Shao Lin's face warmed. Zhong Bai then looked at her and said, "I investigated the Long family."

"And?" Shao Lin responded.

He took out his cellphone, immediately showing her an image of a woman in a bikini sunbathing. She had long jet-black hair and wore shades that covered most of her face, but she had an intricately detailed tattoo of a dragon inked over her sternum, from her clothed breasts to her bare navel. Shao Lin did not know what this woman looked like, but she could tell she was stunningly beautiful, and it looked like she was alone in a secluded area.

"This is Miss Long Xiatian," he told her.