《Beneath the surface - ZhanYi version》

《Chapter 2 《Part 1》》

"At the best you're the untamed hero: at worst, you offend people wherever you go . . ."

***

"Do you think she'd found solace in the fact that her killer got sentenced to life in one of the worst prisons in the country?" I glanced over the rim of my glass, trying to decipher my father's gaze that he had faced his laptop screen.

"It might not wipe away what happened and bring her back to life, but justice got served to her and her family." My father mumbled, not even bothering to look up as he opened a few drawers, ruffling through them.

I sighed, placing my glass down with a loud bang as the little prince grinned at me from the chair opposite me while my father's head shot up from behind his desk, his glasses now askew, a frown taking over his features.

"Yibo, what do you need?" I crossed my arms, staring at my father, who raised an eyebrow.

"You barely listened to me talking, Dad!" From the corner of my eye, I saw the little prince staring at me with a big grin, giving me a thumbs-up.

"Little prince, don't encourage my son's behaviour and Yibo. You've been talking in circles for the past two hours about the case of Li Ziyang; is there anything you want me to do?"

I pouted, shaking my head, "Her parents have already gone back overseas, but Li Chunhua has stayed behind, wanting to be closer to her sister's remains, in a way. She seems to cope in her way; there's nothing we can do right now, Yibo. The gunman has been caught and sentenced; what more do you want to do?"

I opened my mouth to protest but closed it again, knowing my father was right.

"It just feels unfulfilling in a way, I think, is what Bo di means. We might have fulfilled their last wish, but a part of their footsteps remain engraved in stone," the little prince spoke up, his finger intertwined as he looked over my shoulder at my father.

"It's like we take a part of them with us after they fulfilled their last wish," the little prince finished.

I watched him take off his glasses, placing them on his table before looking at both of us.

"Yibo, what did you do with my good, obedient son who'd never dare disobey me? Let alone talk back?" I huffed, rolling my eyes at my father while the little prince chuckled softly, a smile taking over his features.

"It seems like you're my father's favourite son even though I am his biological son," I said, pouting at the little prince who stood up, walking up to me and crouching down, ruffling my hair.

"Don't be jealous, Bo di, you'll forever be my favourite person," I couldn't help the giggle that escaped my mouth as the little prince sat beside me, slinging his arm over my shoulder.

"Cut the lovey-doveyness," we both looked up to my father, who was massaging the bridge of his nose, "I understand it feels unfulfilling, but you both have done whatever you could to give her a peaceful ending, and that's what you should never forget." I nodded at my father's words, knowing we had at least been of help to Li Ziyang.

"To say it like this, the cards you two have gotten dealt this time was not the easiest as I have heard until now," My father looked at us, and we both nodded.

"Li Ziyang was adamant in the beginning that she didn't need anyone's help, but things changed, and we got to help," the little prince explained as I leaned back into the couch, trying to disappear in its softness.

"Li Chunhua, I am sure, will assure Li Ziyang won't get forgotten as just another victim. For now, it's best if you two take a rest." I fiddled my fingers while listening, having closed my eyes.