The next morning, a press conference was called at the office of Shanghai Xin-Xing Company. The decision to hold the press conference had been made the previous night when Shu-Yang called Mei-Shue and asked her to arrange it.
Shu-Yang wanted Jun-Yu to personally reveal all the evidence in front of the press, proving to Jun-Kai that he had not forgotten his responsibilities. At the same time, he hoped this would help repair their relationship. However, Jun-Yu had behaved very rudely toward Shu-Yang the previous day.
The preparations for the press conference were almost complete.
Shu-Yang had brought Jing-Hao with him to Xin-Xing Company's office. Jing-Hao was standing beside him.
Jing-Hao: "So, solving the Xin-Xing Company case first has a second reason."
Shu-Yang understood exactly what Jing-Hao meant, but pretended not to.
Jing-Hao: "You actually can't stand seeing Mr. Jun-Kai in trouble. It hurts you deeply whenever you see him suffering. But you never want him to know how much you care. Instead, you always pretend to be rude to him."
Jing-Hao's words shook Shu-Yang from within. But Shu-Yang completely ignored what he was saying and replied,
Shu-Yang: "Your assumption is wrong. Mr. Jun-Kai and Jun-Yu have had a disagreement. Since I'm Jun-Yu's friend and also the police officer in charge of this case, I came here myself."
As soon as Shu-Yang finished speaking, Jun-Kai appeared in front of them.
He had been standing nearby and had heard everything they had said from a distance.
Shu-Yang was surprised to see him. Without thinking, he said,
Shu-Yang: "Mr. Jun-Kai is here? I thought Director Zhi-Chiang of Xin-Xing Company would handle this conference."
Before Shu-Yang could say anything more, a woman's voice suddenly came from beside him.
Mei-Shue: "Yes. And you can see that there isn't even a trace of worry on Jun-Kai's face today. Instead, he's clearly happy to see you standing in front of him in good health."
Hearing the voice, Shu-Yang turned around and realized that it was none other than Mei-Shue.
He was even more surprised to see her.
Shu-Yang: "Auntie, you! I mean… you're here? You didn't go to Langyingting?"
Before Shu-Yang could finish, Mei-Shue turned toward him and said,
Mei-Shue: "Because Jun-Kai had the Langyingting Apartment built entirely according to Jun-Yu's preferences. We know that once Jun-Yu realizes his mistake, he'll eventually return to the place he loves."
Shu-Yang: "So what? You live in Luoyang City. Whenever you come to Shanghai for work at the company, you usually stay at Langyingting. So why is it different this time? And when did you come to Shanghai?"
Mei-Shue: "We actually never returned to Luoyang City. We've been staying in Shanghai ever since Writer Lin Yuxin filed a copyright claim against us. As for why I haven't gone to Langyingting… the real reason is simply because of the misunderstanding between father and son."
Shu-Yang finally realized that everyone was suffering because of the misunderstanding between Jun-Kai and Jun-Yu.
Shu-Yang: "Auntie, I wanted Jun-Yu to come here himself today. But he treated me badly too."
Mei-Shue: "Shu-Yang, tell him that neither Jun-Kai nor any of us will ever force him to do anything again. Also tell him that until he is able to forgive Jun-Kai, Jun-Kai himself will not go anywhere near Jun-Yu."
After saying this, Mei-Shue turned to leave. But Shu-Yang suddenly called after her.
Shu-Yang: "Auntie, what happened to the Shadow Secret Group?"
The moment Shu-Yang said those words, the image of Jun-Yu's mud-covered face that day flashed through his mind.
Mei-Shue remained silent for a few moments.
Shu-Yang: "Auntie, even if Jun-Yu doesn't know the truth, I know very well that he was secretly protected by twelve guards at all times—not six. Six were part of the Shadow Secret Group, while the other six were the guards who openly stayed around Jun-Yu. But ever since Jun-Yu's conflict with Uncle, I haven't seen any of them around him."
Shu-Yang had realized that the Shadow Secret Group was no longer protecting Jun-Yu on the day Jun-Yu suffered terribly while returning from the village.
Because whenever Jun-Yu was in an extremely difficult situation, the Shadow Secret Group would always find some way to help him.
Mei-Shue: "Your suspicion is correct. There's something admirable about you—you never let anything escape your notice.
"Jun-Yu believes that the bodyguards were assigned to him by Jun-Kai to keep an eye on him. But the Shadow Secret Group's actual duty was to protect Jun-Yu from any kind of danger at all times.
"However, Jun-Yu never wanted to live under Jun-Kai's constant watch. So Jun-Kai withdrew all the guards."
Shu-Yang stood there in shock after hearing everything.
Mei-Shue looked at him and gave him a faint smile.
Mei-Shue: "I trust you. I believe Jun-Yu and Shu-Yang are both my sons. My two boys will never disappoint us.
"And my Shu-Yang will always protect his younger brother."
Shu-Yang listened carefully to Mei-Shue's words. Then he gave her a faint smile and said,
Shu-Yang: "Yes, Auntie. I'll take care of Jun-Yu."
Mei-Shue left Shu-Yang and walked over to stand beside Jun-Kai.
Jun-Kai began revealing, one by one, the details of the conspiracy against them.
Meanwhile, Shu-Yang presented all the evidence before the press, proving that Writer Lin Yuxin was innocent. He also made a statement that strongly implied that Yi-Xing Company was behind the conspiracy.
After the press conference ended, Jun-Kai began looking for Shu-Yang.
But he couldn't find him anywhere.
Although Jun-Kai wanted to meet Shu-Yang, Shu-Yang had already left as soon as he finished his work, taking the opportunity to leave before Jun-Kai could find him.
★★ Six Days Later ★★
Today is the 24th—the annual Cherry Festival at Shanghai University.
Because the university grounds are surrounded by numerous cherry blossom trees, the campus remains beautifully decorated with a charming atmosphere throughout the year. But today, the festival grounds have been decorated even more beautifully and neatly for the occasion.
Shin-Yue was hosting the event as the presenter. One by one, the students performed in the various competitions.
Shi-Han and Xiao-Tong were both participating in the competition.
Shi-Han was ready for her performance, but she kept looking through the crowd, searching for someone.
Seeing how restless Shi-Han was, Xiao-Tong asked,
Xiao-Tong: "What's wrong, Shi-Han? Why are you so restless?"
Shi-Han: "You really don't understand? You saw it yourself—Jun-Yu hasn't come to the Cherry Festival. You know why I gave up the gaming stream to participate in this event."
From Shi-Han and Xiao-Tong's conversation, it was clear that Jun-Yu had not come to the festival today.
Xiao-Tong: "Don't worry. He'll come."
Shi-Han: "When will he come? There are only two more contestants before our performance. If Jun-Yu doesn't come, my entire plan will be ruined."
Shi-Han called Jun-Yu several times, but he didn't answer his phone.
A little while later, it was finally time for Shi-Han and Xiao-Tong to perform.
All the lights around the venue suddenly went out.
The enormous auditorium was instantly plunged into darkness.
A few seconds later, a single white spotlight illuminated the center of the stage.
Standing alone beneath the light was Shi-Han.
In front of her stood a huge white canvas. Beside it was an easel, several containers filled with different colors, and a paintbrush.
Whispers immediately spread among the audience.
"Is this a painting competition?"
"Or is it some kind of play?"
Standing backstage, Xiao-Tong took a deep breath.
A laptop was in front of her, her finger resting on the play button.
Xiao-Tong whispered,
Xiao-Tong: "Shi-Han... start."
With that, Xiao-Tong clicked the button.
Shi-Han slowly picked up the microphone.
She closed her eyes for a few moments and took a deep breath.
Then, in a calm voice, she said,
Shi-Han: "Today's performance isn't for any competition. It's for a stubborn, hot-tempered, but sweet and kind-hearted zombie."
She paused for a moment.
Shi-Han: "I call him Zombie…"
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
The auditorium fell completely silent.
Shi-Han: "I don't know whether you're here right now or sitting somewhere, busy chasing your dreams. Maybe someday you'll see this video. If you do... then just listen to this…"
Her voice slowly began to tremble.
"I'm truly sorry…"
The moment she finished speaking, all the lights on the stage went out.
In the next moment, projection mapping began across the enormous canvas.
At first, the entire canvas turned black.
Then countless cracks began to appear across it, as if a sheet of glass were shattering.
The audience held their breath and stared.
Suddenly, pink cherry blossoms began blooming from within those cracks.
One... two... then hundreds...
In an instant, the entire canvas was filled with cherry blossoms.
At that exact moment, Shi-Han dipped her brush into the paint and made the first stroke across the canvas.
Incredibly, with every stroke of her brush, the digital animation began bringing the entire painting to life.
Slowly, the silhouette of a boy on a bicycle appeared beneath a cherry blossom tree.
But standing in front of the boy, close to his chest, was a girl.
Neither of their faces was clearly visible.
Their faces had deliberately been left incomplete.
With the final stroke of the brush, the entire scene suddenly shattered and transformed into thousands of cherry blossoms that scattered into the air.
Digital cherry petals began floating throughout the entire auditorium.
Finally, a single word slowly appeared at the bottom of the canvas—
"Zombie…"
And directly beneath it—
"I'm Sorry."
Shi-Han said nothing more.
She simply looked at the canvas one last time, then lowered her head and stood silently.
The entire auditorium remained silent for several seconds.
Because everyone understood that this was not an ordinary performance.
It was an apology expressed through the language of art, from one person to another.
After returning from the university, Shi-Han searched the entire Langyingting Apartment for Jun-Yu.
But she couldn't find him anywhere.
Shi-Han went up to the fourth floor to check on Jun-Yu, but the door was locked.
She couldn't find Shu-Yang there either.
Shi-Han began talking to herself,
"Brother Shu-Yang isn't here either, and Jun-Yu is nowhere to be found. Maybe Brother Shu-Yang has gone back to his own home. I've been so busy preparing for my performance these past few days that I didn't really check on Jun-Yu. But didn't Brother Shu-Yang or Senior come to see Jun-Yu either?"
Thinking about it, Shi-Han called Wan-Qing.
However, after waiting for a while, she realized that Wan-Qing's phone was switched off.
She then called Shu-Yang.
When he answered, Shu-Yang said,
Shu-Yang: "I don't know. I left Langyingting six days ago. I think he needs to realize his own mistake now. That's why he needs some time."
After saying that, Shu-Yang ended the call.
Shi-Han realized that no one had come to see Jun-Yu during the past few days—or perhaps Jun-Yu hadn't met with anyone himself.
However, from Shu-Yang's words, Shi-Han could tell that Shu-Yang was angry with Jun-Yu.
Shi-Han continued talking to herself,
"Tomorrow is the Science Exhibition! Jun-Yu will definitely go to the university tomorrow. I'll meet him there."
—