Chapter 206

She heard her young, clear voice singing "Man Bu Ren Sheng Lu."

"What if we… get caught again and can't escape?" a boy's voice rang out.

"Idiot! With me here, how can we not escape? I'll definitely take you with me and escape!"

"If you ditch me, you'll definitely be able to escape."

"There's no way I'm going to ditch you! I said I would protect you, so I will! I'm not afraid of those bad guys!"

"Why aren't you going to leave me?"

"Because we're friends!"

"Ah!" Grace opened her eyes, startled. She sat up in bed, eyes wide, the pale light of dawn illuminating her rental home. She glanced at the clock: three in the morning.

Had she been dreaming? It seemed she'd dreamt of a conversation between her younger self and a boy. She'd even sung Teresa Teng's "Man Bu Ren Sheng Lu."

Good heavens, why such a dream? Had she listened to "Man Bu Ren Sheng Lu" too many times in Brian's car?

However, the dream felt incredibly realistic, as if it had actually happened…

Meanwhile, at the Hart family mansion, a light burned in one room. Brian sat before a painting, staring silently. It depicted a little girl carrying a little boy on her back through a thorny forest. His fingers traced the girl's face slowly. He murmured, "When will I finally be able to see you again?"

His voice held yearning, regret, loss, and unspeakable pain. Some people and things, time could not erase; instead, they intensified, becoming an obsession.

Two days later, Grace's uncle called, urging her to pay her share of the medical bills. After considering her options, she called Lina Sweeney.

"Lina, can you lend me $7,500? I need it urgently, but I can't repay you immediately. Maybe a little each month?" Grace spoke hesitantly. Lina was the last person she wanted to burden. She'd done so much, and Grace felt unable to reciprocate.

"Sure, I'll transfer it now," Lina replied readily.

"Thank you," Grace whispered.

"Grace, no need for that between us," Lina said.

Despite Lina's words, Grace wanted to repay the loan as quickly as possible. She couldn't bear owing Lina so much. So, when Claire Watts offered her a part-time job, she eagerly accepted.