"Don't you even dare to touch her," said Ting Hao.

"Senior Ting Hao!"

"Drillmaster!"

Both Bai Cao and Yin Xiu were sweating. Everyone went towards both of them.

"Since how long were you guys here?" asked Bai Cao hesitantly.

"Long enough to know everything," said Ting Hao.

Bai Cao looked straight into Ting Hao's eyes. His eyes were filled with pain. It was clearly visible. Bai Cao lowered down her face seeing that.

"How could..." before Chang An could finish, he was interrupted.

"Chang An, wait. There is someone who is unwanted here. Before you ask Bai Cao anything, don't you think we should get that person out of here?" said Ting Hao while pointing his index finger at Yin Xiu.

"Yeah, you are right, Ting Hao. We should get her out," said Chang An.

Everyone started glowering at Yin Xiu.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" asked Yin Xiu.

"You should leave, Yin Xiu. There is no use of you staying here," said Ting Hao.

Yin Xiu folded her hands and said, "Why should I go? I know everything. There is nothing hidden from me... literally nothing."

"Oh really! We didn't know that you know everything. Thank you for letting us know that you know everything," said Yi Feng in a sarcastic way.

"What do you mean, Yi Feng?" asked Yin Xiu.

"You seriously don't know how to take hints, right?" said Ting Yi.

"You are right, Ting Yi, but it's ok. We know how to make people like her understand," said Chang An.

"What do you want me to understand?" asked Yin Xiu.

"That we are a family and you are extra here right now," said Ting Yi.

Yin Xiu laughed and said, " Family? You guys? Really? How funny!" She kept laughing. Suddenly, she stopped laughing and said, "But I don't think you guys are family."

"As we care about what you think," said Xiao Ying.

"I know you guys don't care about that. But for once, I believe that you all are a family. But I heard that people never hide anything from their family. Right?" said Yin Xiu.

No one said anything.

"I guess I am right. People don't hide anything from their parents or family, but here, Bai Cao hid a really big truth from you guys. So, does this mean that you guys aren't a family? I am asking this because I lived without my family. I know nothing about living with family. But I guess, maybe the world is wrong because you guys claim that you all are a family and hide things from each other. Or maybe Bai Cao never saw you guys as her family," said Yin Xiu.

"You are right, Yin Xiu. You are absolutely right," said Ting Hao.

"Ting Hao, what are you saying?" asked Chang An.

"What? Isn't she right? People don't hide things from their family," said Ting Hao.

Hearing that, Yin Xiu smirked looking at Bai Cao while Bai Cao was looking at Ting Hao.

"But you know, Yin Xiu, actually you don't know because you never lived with your family. Let me tell you. Sometimes... they do hide things from their family because people like you who like to snatch away the peace from everyone's life, do not leave any other option for them." said Ting Hao.

Yin Xiu's smile disappeared hearing that and on the other side, a light smile appeared on Bai Cao's face.

"Or sometimes, they just can't see the other option because they love their family and don't want anyone to hurt them. And when we take any step without letting our family know, at first you will feel pain. Not only us but our family too. At that time, we might regret our decision. But because we made that decision, we and our family gets something which they wanted for a very long time. For example, take my case. You know why I came to Feng Yun Hall. So, tell me, why did I decide to come to Feng Yun Hall?"

Yin Xiu gave no answer. She just kept staring at Ting Hao.

"What? You were the one who came to tell me what Chen Zhou wants. You know why I came to Feng Yun Hall. Don't you?"

Yin Xiu still didn't say anything.

"Fine, I will answer my own question. There were two reasons that I came to Feng Yun Hall. First, to save Ting Yi because Chen Zhou said that if you won't join, then he will not let the doctors perform the surgery on Ting Yi, and because of that, she will die. Second, to not let Feng Yun Hall harm Bai Cao. But still, why did I come to Feng Yun Hall for Ting Yi and Bai Cao? I should have thought about myself. I didn't want to join Feng Yun Hall. Then why did I? Because I love them. I love Bai Cao, I love Ting Yi more than I love myself. I hid the truth from them because I didn't want them to blame themselves. At that time, I couldn't think of any other option rather than hiding the truth from them. But after some time, I started thinking that I had many other ways to save Ting Yi's life... to save Bai Cao from you all. I could have done that without hurting them, but it was already late. I joined Feng Yun Hall. I hurt Bai Cao and Ting Yi very badly. I was regretting my decision and at that time, you came and told me that Chen Zhou want to invite Bai Cao to Feng Yun Hall. I brought her here and with her, everyone else came too. And because we came here, Chang An found his sister, Bai Cao found her brother..." Ting Hao went to Bai Cao and holds her hand, "And I found my long-lost childhood friend even though she was in front of me. So you see, my one decision because of which I hid the truth from them, led us to so much happiness. If I would have found the other option and I didn't have come here, then maybe we would have never imagined that Bai Cao is Ai Shu." Ting Hao turned his face towards Bai Cao and said, "I am sure that because Bai Cao decided to hide the truth from us because she didn't want us to blame ourselves for not being able to protect her from you."

Bai Cao was looking downwards. She didn't say a word.

"But I know that this will lead us to another big happiness. Right, Bai Cao?"

Bai Cao raised her head and nodded while thinking "Because I jumped off from there, I overcame my fear... fear of confessing my love to Senior Ting Hao. This will surely lead us to happiness... the happiness Senior Ting Hao wanted for a long time."

Ting Hao smiled looking at Bai Cao. He turned his face towards Yin Xiu and said, "Now, are you leaving, or do you want us to help you?"

Yin Xiu said nothing and kept looking at Ting Hao's hand entwined with Bai Cao's hand.

"I guess you need help. Xiao Ying, Ting Yi, would you guys please help Yin Xiu to get out of here?" said Ting Hao.

"Why not?" said Xiao Ying.

"I'd love to do that," said Ting Yi.

"Fine. I'll leave," said Yin Xiu and went out of the room. She turned to her back and said, "You will regret your decision, Drillmaster," said Yin Xiu.

Ting Hao folds his hand and said, "You don't have to think about my regrets."

Ting Yi went towards the door and said, "I'll just close the door I don't you to hear our conversation." Saying that Ting Yi closes the door.

Yin Xiu stumps her foot on the floor, I won't leave you, Bai Cao. I won't let you take my Ting Hao away from me, Bai Cao. Then she went away from there.

Inside the room

"For how long did you plan to hide this from us?" asked Ting Yi.

"Forever." Bai Cao replied.

"That means Yin Xiu was right. You never saw us like your family," said Ting Yi. Tears rolled down Ting Yi's cheeks.

"It's nothing like that, Ting Yi," said Bai Cao.

"Then what is it like, Bai Cao?" asked Xiao Ying. Tears started falling off Xiao Ying's eyes. "You were going to commit suicide without even thinking about us. You should have thought about us at least once, Bai Cao."

"I am sorry," said Bai Cao with tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Bai Cao, Me and Chang An have got you... our sister after a very long time. Why do you want to snatch our happiness?" said Yi Feng.

"I am sorry." Bai Cao sat on her knees crying and said, "I could only think about killing myself. I just didn't want you guys to be hurt because of me... because of loving me."

Ting Hao sat on his knees in front of Bai Cao. He puts his hand on Bai Cao's shoulder and said, "We know, Bai Cao. We know that you love us a lot and you don't want us to be hurt, but hurting yourself is not right too. Seeing you hurt, we will be hurt too. Right?"

Bai Cao nodded. Ting Hao wipes her tears while saying, "Stop crying now and let's go."

Everyone came out of the room and went towards the practice hall.

The night was falling everyone was having their dinner. No one was talking and Bai Cao didn't dare to speak. Why is brother not saying anything to me? Why is he not talking?

Chang An finishes his dinner he stood up so did Bai Cao. Chang An didn't look at Bai Cao and went straight to his room.

Ting Yi stood up and said without looking at Bai Cao, "I will talk to him. He will be ok. Finish your dinner." Then Ting Yi went towards Chang An's room. Xiao Ying and Yi Feng too went to their respective rooms without saying anything or looking at Bai Cao. Only Ting Hao was there. Bai Cao sat on the chair and started crying. Ting Hao puts his hand around Bai Cao's shoulder. She keeps her head on Ting Hao's chest and cries her heart out.

On the other side, Ting Yi and Chang An were sitting on the floor resting their back at the bed. Both of them were saying nothing. Chang An was looking at his family picture he found in his box which Bai Cao opened with her key necklace. Ting Yi puts her hand on his back. As her hand touched him, he lowered down his head. His shoulders were shaking. It was obvious that he was crying.

"Why does this always happen with me? Why can't I be happy as I was in childhood?" Chang An raised his head and holds Ting Yi's hand. "Will I lose everyone, Ting Yi? Will I lose Bai Cao?"

"No, Chang An. You won't. All these problems... pain won't last long?"

"How will it not last long, Ting Yi? Will my parents come back? Will Master Qu Xiang Nan come back? No. They are gone forever."

"I know, Chang An, but you still have us beside you. Everything will be alright, Chang An."

"No, it won't be, Ting Yi. Did I do something wrong, Ting Yi? I must have done something wrong. That's why I am being punished. But what did I do wrong that I am punished so badly?"

"Chang An, you did nothing wrong. This is not a punishment, this is just a phase. It won't last long. No matter what happens we will be by your side... I will be by your side, Chang An. Everything will be okay."

Chang An lowered down his face and rubs Ting Yi's hand.

"I have lost everyone... now I can't afford to lose Bai Cao... I can't afford to lose anyone of you"

"Chang An, you won't lose anyone. I will be there with you forever."

Chang An looks at Ting Yi and hugs her tightly. Both of them were crying.

"I'll love you forever, Chang An."

"I'll love you forever too, Ting Yi."

On the other side, Ting Hao and Bai Cao were sitting outside in the garden, looking at the moon shining in the sky.

"At that time, I thought dying is better than seeing my family getting hurt because of me," said Bai Cao.

"So, don't you think it goes the same for me? Don't you think that I might also think that it is better to die than to see my family getting hurt?" Ting Hao turned his face towards Bai Cao and holds her hands. "It's painful for me too, Bai Cao. I am doubly pained to see you in pain." Tears sparkled in his eyes.

Bai Cao lowered down her face and said, "I am sorry, Senior Ting Hao."

"Bai Cao, you don't need to say sorry. And you know that I can forgive you for anything before you say sorry. But do you think I would have been able to forgive myself if something would have happened to you that night?" The tears he was holding inside since he got to know about everything, finally rolled down. It kept rolling down non-stop even though Ting Hao wiped them off while saying, "If you wouldn't have changed your mind, then I would have been just a few minutes late to save you. Do you think I would have forgiven myself for not being able to protect you properly? Bai Cao, you play a very important role in my life. And I need this role forever. I know I always say that I don't need you to love you, but that doesn't mean that I don't need you. I am better because of you. All of the good in my life is because of you. You know my feelings for you. And I know your feelings for me were never the same as mine. I love you but you never loved me. But still, I need you, doesn't matter as a friend or life partner... I just need you standing by my side. I'll never be able to forgive myself. I should have protected you properly. I am sorry, Bai Cao... I am sorry for not protecting you properly."

"No, Senior Ting Hao. You have protected me in the best way. I am standing here because of you. If I wouldn't have remembered what you said to me that night when we were in Senior Brother Yi Feng's hotel, then I would have died. Because I remembered it, I held the railing so hard and then I pulled myself up at the right time."

"You held the railing!?"

"Yeah."

"So, that means the mark on your palms was because of it, right?"

Bai Cao smiled nervously and said, "What mark are you talking about, Senior Ting Hao?" Then she starts looking at the moon stealing her eyes from Ting Hao.

"You don't know what I am talking about?"

"No..." before Bai Cao could even finish, Ting Hao held her hand and started looking at the mark on her hand. The mark was still looked very fresh. A teardrop fell on Bai Cao's hand.

"Is it paining?" asked Ting Hao while looking at Bai Cao's hand.

"No, Senior Ting Hao. It doesn't pain at all," said Bai Cao with teary eyes.

"But it looks painful. It didn't look so bad at that time."

"Senior Ting Hao, it's nothing. It's not painful at all. You know I have had wounds worse than this."

"I know." Ting Hao wipes off his tears. "Come with me, I will apply an ointment on it." Ting Hao held Bai Cao's wrist and took her inside. He made her sit on the couch and brought the first-aid box from a drawer. He sat in front of Bai Cao and started applying the ointment to her hand. While Ting Hao was applying the ointment, his tears kept flowing down nonstop.

"I am sorry, Senior Ting Hao. I promise that I won't do anything like that again."

Ting Hao wiped his tears off and said, "I won't even let you do that. And if you even think of doing that, I swear I won't leave you alone even for a second."

Both of them smiled. Suddenly, Bai Cao stood up and kept looking in front. Ting Hao raised his head to see Bai Cao. Her fear and shock were evident on her face.

"Brother!" Bai Cao stuttered. Why are brother's eyes puffy? Did he cry?

Ting Hao stood up and turned to his back. Chang An, Ting Yi, Xiao Ying, and Yi Feng, all of them were there.

Chang An went towards Bai Cao and hugged her. "I am sorry, Bai Cao," he said.

"Why are you saying sorry, brother?" asked Bai Cao.

Chang An lowered down his head and said, "For everything." He sighs, "I should have been there with you when Yin Xiu was talking rubbish. I shouldn't have ignored you after I got to know about your su... your suicide attempt. I am sorry."

"We are sorry too, Bai Cao," said Ting Yi, Xiao Ying, and Yi Feng together.

"You don't have to be sorry. I know you guys are angry and it's justified too as you guys love me a lot and don't want me to do any stupidity," said Bai Cao.

"I guess it's time for a group hug," said Ting Hao while spreading his arms.

Everyone smiled and said, "Why not."

Then they had a group hug.

After a couple of minutes

Everyone was sitting on the couch.

"Now that everything is sorted, I want to clear my doubts," said Chang An.

"What doubts, brother?" asked Bai Cao.

"I have been thinking about how Yin Xiu got to know that we were in Yi Feng's farmhouse," said Chang An.

"You are right, Chang An, but most importantly, how did she come inside the house? Because I remember I locked the doors and if someone broke the window or something, the alarm would sound," said Yi Feng.

"She didn't come inside. I went out," said Bai Cao.

"What!" said everyone. They all were shocked.

"Why would you go outside?" asked Chang An.

"Bai Cao, tell us everything that happened that night," said Ting Hao.

Bai Cao took a deep breath and said, "Actually, that night, Yin Xiu called me with an unknown number. At that time I obviously didn't know it. I didn't even answer the call a couple of times but then I got irritated and answered the call. Then she asked me to come out or else..." Suddenly, Bai Cao paused. She looked lost.

"Or else what, Bai Cao?" asked Ting Hao.

"Or else she will kill my loved one," Bai Cao answered. I can't let Senior Ting Hao know that I went out because Yin Xiu said that she will kill him. He will keep on blaming himself. I can't see him like that.

"Then?" asked Xiao Ying.

"Then I ran out in the garden and found Yin Xiu there. Then she started saying all that rubbish that I am a jinx and all. I was affected by what she said at that time so I decided to kill myself. I jumped off the bridge and as she saw that, she went from there. But I held a railing at the right moment. And I am standing in front of you guys fit and fine," said Bai Cao. "I hope all your doubts are clear now," she asked.

"I still have one," said Ting Hao.

"What is it, Senior Ting Hao?" asked Bai Cao.

"When you and Yin Xiu were talking, Yin Xiu was constantly saying that she will get what she wants and you said that she won't get it. So, what I want to ask is, what does she want?" asked Ting Hao.

Bai Cao was dumbfounded to hear that. She didn't know what she should say. I am in big trouble now. What should I say? I can't say that she wants Senior Ting Hao. If I do, then he will understand that I have feelings for him and I can't let him know about it like this.

"Bai Cao, what does she want?" Ting Hao asked again.

"My everything... she wants my everything and I can't let her take that so easily," Bai Cao replied.

"But you said that she is not worthy," said Ting Yi.

"Yes, I did because she is not worthy of my everything," said Bai Cao.

"That's true," said Ting Yi.

"Now that everyone's doubts are clear. We should plan about getting proof against Feng Yun Hall," said Chang An.

"Yeah. You are right, Chang An. I have been thinking about it since we came back," said Ting Hao.

"Same here. I don't want to stay here anymore," said Bai Cao.

"I am sick of this place," said Ting Yi.

"So am I," said Xiao Ying and Yi Feng together.

"Do you have a plan, Chang An?" asked Ting Hao.

"Not really," said Chang An.

"Then let's make one," said Ting Hao.

"I have one thing in my mind," said Chang An.

"What is it?" asked Bai Cao.

"There are people whom Chen Zhou trusts the most. Maybe we can find something there and no elders and Chen Zhou's trustworthy peoples are here including elder Chen. They all have gone out for a meeting with someone... I don't know. I guess this is the perfect opportunity. What do you guys think?"

"I guess it's a perfect idea," said Bai Cao.

"But there are six offices for the elders and six for Chen Zhou's trustworthy people. Where should we go first? Elders' office or the trustworthy peoples' office?" asked Ting Hao.

"I don't think we need to go to elders' offices because they are all aginst Chen Zhou. We just need to go to Chen Zhou's trustworthy peoples' office because we can never trust them," said Chang An.

"But when will we start finding the proof and how? We can't just go in and start finding proof. They will never let us do that," said Bai Cao.

"You are right, Bai Cao. They will never let us do that. That's why we will start finding the proof at lunchtime. At that time, no one will notice that we are not there. We just need to be in the practice hall before anyone reaches there. That means we only have twenty-five minutes," said Chang An.

"Then it's decided. We will start finding the proof at lunchtime," said Ting Hao.

"Now we should go and sleep. We need the energy to do that," said Yi Feng.

"Yeah, we do," said Xiao Ying.

"Then we should go and sleep now," said Chang An.

Then everyone went to their respective rooms.

Inside Bai Cao's room.

Bai Cao went inside the washroom to wash her face and came out. While coming out, her eyes fell upon Qu Xiang Nan's diary which Guang Ya gave her. She picked it up and went to keep it on the table when suddenly, the diary fell down on the floor. She picked it up when suddenly, she saw a paper lying on the floor.

What is this? It must have fallen down from the diary.

She picked the paper and opened it. She scrunched her eyebrows as she opened it.

There were two words and a name written on that paper. The proof and Liu Chen Han's office. There was a lot of space between the proof and Liu Chen Han's office.

The next day

Everyone was in the practice hall when suddenly, the bell goes off. It was lunchtime. Everyone looked at each. They all stood there waiting for the Feng Yun Hall students and Yin Xiu to leave. As they went away, they all gathered together.

"Guys, you remember what we have to do, right?" asked Chang An.

"Yeah." Everyone said in one flow.

"Good. Remember, if anything happens... just run. Okay?" said Chang An.

Everyone nodded and said, "Okay."

"Let's go then," said Chang An.

Everyone went towards the offices of Chen Zhou's trustworthy people. They all went to different rooms and closed the door. As they did that, Bai Cao slowly opens the door. She looks left and right to check whether everyone went inside the room or not. As she was assured, she sneakily came out of the room and shuts the door.

I am sorry for not telling you guys before doing this. But I don't want you guys to be hurt. I hope you all will forgive me.

Then she went in a different direction. The darkness got grew darker after her every step but she didn't stop and kept walking. As it was too dark, she took her phone out and turn the torch on.

As she was walking, she saw a switchboard. She went towards it and switches the lights on. As she did that, she saw a big office next to her. It was Chen Zhou's office.

As Bai Cao saw that, she took a paper out of her pocket. It was the same paper that fell down from Qu Xiang Nan's diary. She unfolds the paper and this time, there were more words than Liu Chen Han's office and proof.

I guess this is the place where dad hid the proof. Thank God I remembered what I had to do, or else, I would have never been able to change that invisible message into visible. All thanks to my science classes.

Flashback

What is this? It must have fallen down from the diary.

She picked the paper and opened it. She scrunched her eyebrows as she opened it.

There were two words and a name written on that paper. Liu Chen Han's office and proof. There was a lot of space between the proof and Liu Chen Han's office.

What is this? It is not my master's handwriting. Maybe it is from mom and dad. But what have they written? What does this mean and why is there so much space between the proof and Liu Chen Han's office?

Bai Cao sat at her study table and switched on the table lamp. She kept the paper on the table and kept looking at it thinking what is it. Suddenly, she notices that the paper was turning brown slowly.

"Why is it turning Brown? How is it possible?" said Bai Cao. She puts her hand on her mouth in astonishment. "Why is my hand smelling like a lemon?" She asked herself. She picked the paper up and smells it. She realized that the paper was smelling like lemon too. Bai Cao stood up from her chair. It's smelling like lemon, which means dad or mom must have written something with lemon juice. They have written an invisible letter. Bai Cao, try remembering what you learned in your science class. You did learn about turning the invisible letter into visible if it's written with lemon juice. What was it? What was that experiment?

Bai Cao was kept trying to remember the experiment while walking left and right. Suddenly, she stopped. "I know what I need to do," she said and ran towards the kitchen. As she reached there, she started searching for something. She opened all the shelves but didn't find what she was searching for. Only one shelf was left. She went towards it and opens it. Candles were kept there. She took a candle out and lit it up. She puts the paper over it in some distance. As she did that, the paper started getting brown and whatever was written on it was visible. She blew out the candle and started reading what was written on the paper.

Letter

I have hidden the original proofs. Somewhere he can never guess that I will hide it there. I hid it in Liu Chen Han's office. The largest office in the whole Feng Yun Hall. There is a big bookshelf in there. There is a book named "The art of war" When you will pull that book, a small locker will appear. Chen Han does not know about it because I built it when he was not there. I have hidden all the proof there. But there is a password. If you know me, then you will know the password too. Without the password, that locker won't open. The password is the date that matters to me the most. The date... I will never forget in my whole life.

Letter ended

Bai Cao was confused. What can the password be? Which date matters for dad the most? I don't remember anything. Now, only one person can help me.

She went back to her room. She picked up her phone and calls Li Na, Bai Cao's sister whom Bai Cao's parents adopted.

Li Na quickly answered the call and said, "Hello, Ai Shu! How are you?"

"I am fine, sister. How are you?" said Bai Cao.

"I am fine too. By the way, why did you call me? Is there anything you want to ask?" asked Li Na.

"Actually, I wanted to know which date mattered for dad the most?"

"For him, 20th January mattered for him the most because, on that day, he and mom got married. For him, that date is the most special date. On that date, he used to be the happiest. After their death and you guys got disappeared, every year, we used to celebrate their marriage anniversary and both of your's birthdays. By the way, why are you asking this suddenly?"

"Nothing. I just wanted to know about dad. Dad really loved mom, right?"

"She was his life and he was her's. They loved each other a lot. Their hearts were filled with love. That's why they loved me as their own daughter when I wasn't their own. They never let me feel that I was adopted. I miss them a lot,"

"So do I. Even though I don't remember much but I miss them. I am sorry, sister."

"Why?"

"For calling you at this time and making you cry."

"Ai Shu, you can call me anytime... you don't have to be sorry. And you are not the reason why I am crying. That Feng Yun Hall is the reason. They killed our parents."

"You are right, sister. I promise that I will make them regret what they did with our parents. I will hang up now. You should sleep."

"Good night."

"Good night."

Then Bai Cao hangs up the call.

She switches off the lights laid down on her bed.

Now I know the password of that locker. I will be able to get the proof. I will be able to punish those killers.

Flashback over

Bai Cao went near the door and opens it. She went inside and closes the door. She went towards the bookshelf and starts searching for the book "The art of war." But she could not find it.

She searched for it for fifteen minutes and finally, she found it. She pulls the book. As she did that, a small portion of that row turned and the locker appeared. Bai Cao puts the password (2001) and it opened. Bai Cao was really happy to see it open. There was a small paper bag and a box inside. She took it out.

"I finally found a proof," she said. I should go now. We will see what is in there together.

Bai Cao closes the door of the locker and it turned itself.

She was going out with the proof, a smile on her face and tears in her eyes. As she came out, she stopped. There was surprise in her eyes but she kept a cold look on her face.

"Yin Xiu!" said Bai Cao with a cold look on her face.

TO BE CONTINUED