Ting Hao - Bai Cao, open the door or else I will cut my wrist.

Then suddenly Bai Cao heard the sound of glass breaking.

Bai Cao stood up after hearing that noise and opens the door.

As she opened the door, she saw Ting Hao holding a piece of glass against his left hand's wrist. Ting Hao was trying to cut his wrist.

Seeing that, she shouted...

Bai Cao - Senior Ting Hao!

Ting Hao raised his head and saw Bai Cao standing. He was happy to see her. He was about to go towards her and forgot that he had a piece of glass in his hand. And unknowingly he holds the piece of glass more tightly and accidentally he cuts his wrist a little and his fingers were badly cut.

As Bai Cao saw that, she ran towards him. She held Ting Hao's hand and started looking at his injury.

Bai Cao - What is this, Senior Ting Hao? Are you mad? Why do you always have to do such childish things? Why do you always have to be so childish?

Ting Hao - I am being childish! Seriously!

Ting Hao was in disbelieve.

Bai Cao - Yeah. Now come here with me.

Then Bai Cao made Ting Hao sit on the bed. Then she started to search for something in a bag.

Ting Hao - Excuse me, Bai Cao, if this is childish, then what were you doing? Were you not being childish?

Hearing that, Bai Cao turned back towards Ting Hao. She had some ointments, cotton and some bandage in her hand. She went towards Ting Hao and sat in front of him holding his hand.

Bai Cao - Senior Ting Hao, I had logic in whatever I said and did that time. But you... you did this without any logic.

Bai Cao said while cleaning Ting Hao's injury.

Ting Hao - Oh really! And what is your logic, Bai Cao? I know there is no logic in whatever you said at that time. At least I have logic in whatever I do.

Saying that, Ting Hao removes his hand from Bai Cao's hand.

Bai Cao - Oh really! What is your logic then? Why don't you tell me your logic in you cutting your hand?

Saying that, Bai Cao held Ting Hao's hand again and continued cleaning his injury.

Ting Hao - Yeah, this is what you always do, Bai Cao. Whenever you can't answer any of my questions, you ask the same question to me.

Bai Cao - If it's like this, then just answer my question.

Ting Hao - Wait, wait, wait... you mean my question because I asked you this question first. So technically this is my question.

Bai Cao - Whatever. Just answer it.

Ting Hao - Fine. I did this to bring you out from that washroom. I wanted to know the reason why you were doing this. Now you tell me why you did this.

Bai Cao - I did this because I didn't want anything to happen to you all because of me... because of a person cursed like me. I didn't want you guys to lose your lives as my parents did.

Bai Cao said that with her eyes closed and in a loud voice.

Everyone was shocked to hear her. They all were looking at her.

Bai Cao slowly opened her eyes and found that everyone was looking at her.

Bai Cao - Please... go away from me.

Chang An went near Bai Cao. He had tears in his eyes but didn't let them fall off.

Chang An - You saw our parents dying?

Bai Cao's eyes were filled with tears. She lowered down her head and nodded.

As Chang An saw her nodding her head, he hugged her.

Tears started rolling down the cheeks of both Chang An and Bai Cao.

After some time.

Bai Cao was sitting on the bed. Chang An was sitting on Bai Cao's right and Ting Hao was sitting on her left. Everyone else was sitting on their front.

Chang An - You remember everything.

Bai Cao - Yeah. Everything about that day.

Chang An - What really happened that day.

Bai Cao - You and I were playing inside the house when suddenly, someone called us. She was calling me Ai Shu

FLASHBACK

20 years ago

Ai Shu and Chang An were playing with each other. Suddenly, they heard a woman calling them by their names.

Woman - Ai Shu! Chang An! Come here, I have something for you two.

Both of them ran towards that woman. That woman was no one but their mother, Xian Mei.

Ai Shu - Mumma, what do you have for us?

Xian Mei - Ai Shu, this is for you.

Xian Mei said while putting a necklace around Ai Shu's neck. It was the same key necklace that Bai Cao still has.

Ai Shu - What is this, Mumma? Why does it have a key in it?

Xian Mei - Ai Shu, this is the key to both of your lives.

Ai Shu - What do you mean, Mumma?

Xian Mei - You will get to know everything when you will grow up. Now, it's Chang An's turn.

Then Xian Mei gave Chang An a wooden box. It was the same box that Chang An still has.

Xian Mei - Chang An, this box is really important. It's the box to both of your lives and our lives too.

Chang An - It is that important, Mumma?

Xian Mei - Yeah.

Chang An - Then I will bury it inside the ground. It will be safe there.

Xian Mei smiled.

Xian Mei - Ok. But remember where you buried it, ok?

Chang An - Yeah, Mumma. I will remember it.

Saying that, Chang An went outside to bury the box.

Ai Shu - Don't worry, Mumma. Even if older brother forgets, I won't forget it.

Xian Mei giggled. She patted Ai Shu's head softly.

Xian Mei - Ok. Now go with your brother.

Then Ai Shu also went outside.

Both of them buried the box under the ground then started to play.

After some time.

Both of them were playing.

Ai Shu was running.

Ai Shu - Brother, catch me if you can.

Chang An - I will catch you, little sister.

Ai Shu - You can't catch me. You are really slow.

Chang An - I am slow! I will show you how fast I am.

Suddenly Xian Mei called them.

Xian Mei - Come on, children, it's time to eat.

Ai Shu - Yes, Mumma. Let's go, older brother.

Chang An - You go, I'll be there.

Ai Shu - Okay.

Then Ai Shu went from there.

Then suddenly a man came from Chang An's back and picked him up. He closed Chang An's eyes with his hand. Chang An was not able to see that man's face. Then Chang An punched that man on his face and jumped off from that man's arms.

Man - Chang An, you have grown stronger.

As Chang An heard the man's voice. He turned back with a wide smile on his face.

Chang An - Pa, you are back.

It was no one else but his father, Fen Hua

Chang An jumped and hugged Fen Hua.

Chang An - Where were you? Why did you not come earlier?

Fen Hua - I had work, Chang An, but you tell me, why do you always let your little sister win? You are faster than her.

Chang An - You know that I let her win?

Fen Hua - Yes.

Chang An - Please do not tell her this. She will get upset.

Fen Hua - Okay, I will not tell her. but you tell me why do you do so?

Chang An - I do this because she is my little sister, and I love her.

Fen Hua - Okay. Come we will eat.

Chang An - I will be there in 2 minutes, Pa. You go.

Fen Hua - 2 minutes, okay?

Chang An - Yes.

Then Fen Hua went inside the house.

Inside the house.

Ai Shu was eating. Fen Hua sat beside her.

Ai Shu - Pa, you are back!

Ai Shu jumped on Fen Hua while saying that. As Xian Mei heard that, she went towards him. She hugged him.

Xian Mei - I am really happy to see you.

Fen Hua - I told you that I will come back.

Suddenly, something blasted.

All three of them were shocked. Xian Mei picked Ai Shu up in her arms.

Fen Hua - Let's go out.

They were about to go out when suddenly, they saw a man coming towards them. He was wearing a mask and had a rod in his hand.

Fen Hua - Xian Mei, go.

Xian Mei - No. I am not going anywhere without you.

He was about to hit Fen Hua but before he could, Fen Hua stopped him by holding the rod.

Fen Hua - Go from here. Take her with you. I won't be able to stop him for long. Go.

Xian Mei - But...

Fen Hua - Go, please. For Ai Shu... for our Bai Cao and Chang An. Please go.

Xian Mei hugged Ai Shu (aka Bai Cao) and started running.

Xian Mei - I love you, Bai Cao. Mumma loves you a lot. Nothing will happen to you.

Ai Shu - I love you too, Mumma.

Saying that, Ai Shu turned back and shouted.

Ai Shu - Pa, I love you.

At that time, that man pushed Fen Hua inside the room. Fen Hua fell to the ground and shouted

Fen Hua - I love you too, my princess.

Fen Hua smiled looking at Ai Shu when suddenly something blasted inside the room.

Hearing that blast, Xian Mei stopped for a second. She had tears in her eyes.

Xian Mei(whispered) - I love you, Fen Hua. I love you the most... my love.

Xian Mei didn't turn back and started running again.

Ai Shu was looking at the back only when suddenly, the man's mask fell. Ai Shu saw the man's face but it was not clear because there was a lot of smoke.

He wore the mask and started running towards Xian Mei and Ai Shu but Xian Mei was fast.

Xian Mei went inside a room and closed the door.

She opened a window but she didn't jump out from there.

Xian Mei - I hope that he will think that I jumped out from this window.

Then she went towards the wardrobe and opened the door of it. She puts all the clothes aside and touches the wardrobe from inside. Then suddenly a door opened. There was a secret room inside the wardrobe. But the fire already reached that room too. But still, Xian Mei went inside the room and locked it. Her skin was burning. She wanted to go out but she could not because she knew that if she will, then that man will harm Ai Shu.

She went to a corner where there was less amount of fire. She sat there hugging Ai Shu. There was a window but Xian Mei's leg was injured because of the fire. Xian Mei was burning but she was not letting a fire flack touch Ai Shu.

Ai Shu (crying) - Mumma!

Xian Mei - Don't worry. Everything will be alright. You are going to get out of here.

Ai Shu(crying) - Mumma, your skin is burning. It must be paining.

Xian Mei looked at her hands and saw that her hands are burning.

Xian Mei - It's nothing. I am okay. You only say that mommy is the strongest. And you are right, I am the strongest. So, how am I going to be in pain? Can you sing the song you sang for me on mother's day? I want to hear it.

Ai Shu - Okay

Ai Shu(singing) -

You filled my days with rainbow lights,
Fairytales and sweet dream nights,
A kiss to wipe away my tears,
Gingerbread to ease my fears.
You gave the gift of life to me
And then in love, you set me free.
I thank you for your tender care,
For deep warm hugs and being there.
I hope that when you think of me
A part of you
You'll always see.
I loved you, mom, I love you, mom and I'll love you forever.

Xian Mei - I love you too. My dearest, Bai Cao, always remember, I am proud of you and I love you.

Ai Shu - I love you too.

Then suddenly, there was a blast.

Ai Shu - Mumma!

Ai Shu started to feel dizzy because of the smoke when suddenly, she saw a man coming towards them.

He was standing outside and was looking at them through the window.

Xian Mei opened the window.

Xian Mei - Take her with you and take my son with you too. Take good care of them.

Man - You are also coming with me.

Xian Mei (huffing) - No, I won't. Please, let me go with my husband I see him waiting for me. Let me... go.

Saying that, Xian Mei closed her eyes and fell to the ground.

On the other side, Ai Shu also fainted.

FLASHBACK ENDED

Bai Cao was in tears.

Everyone was really. They were sad because Bai Cao and Chang An lost their parents at a very young age but more than that, they were sad because Bai Cao had to see all that.

Bai Cao looked at them with a smile.

Bai Cao - Guys, I know it's pretty saddening but it does not mean that you all will sit like this saying nothing.

Chang An - I am sorry, Bai Cao.

Bai Cao - Coach, I know I asked you guys to say something but I didn't mean this.

Everyone giggled.

Chang An - Ok, ok.

Ting Hao(thinking) - Bai Cao has gone through a lot. I know that she won't show her pain. I know that she will hide her pain behind her smile but I know that she is in pain. Even if I want to, I can't take her pain on myself. What should I do? How can I comfort?

Chang An - Well, Bai Cao, do you remember that person's face who saved you?

Bai Cao - I don't but I am sure it was master who saved me because after waking up, I saw him only.

Chang An - If it's like this, then why didn't he tell you that he saved you in the US? Why did he tell you that he found you in China?

Everyone started thinking about what Chang An said.

Ting Hao(thinking) - Chang An has a point. Why didn't tell Bai Cao the truth? But I don't think that he saved Bai Cao just for humanity's sake. He does know something or he knows everything.

Bai Cao - I don't think that Master is hid anything or he had any sort of intention to hide something. He might have not found it important to tell me that he found me in the US.

Chang An - Ok. It's ok if he didn't tell you that he found you in the US but why didn't he tell you about how he found he found you and in what situation?

Bai Cao could not say anything.

She said nothing for a minute.

Bai Cao - No, I am sure that master is hiding nothing from me. I guess, he didn't tell me anything because he didn't wanted me to be shocked.

Chang An - Fine. If you think that he is not hiding anything from you, then maybe it's true because you have spent half of your life with him.

Bai Cao - Let's just drop this talk. I don't want to talk about it anymore.

Chang An - Ok.

Xiao Ying - Well, what was in that wooden box? Do you guys know?

Chang An - Obviously not, Xiao Ying. We could not know about what is in that box because Bai Cao had the key and I had the box but we were never with each other. Then how would we have known that what's in that box?

Bai Cao - Wait... you still have that box?

Chang An - Yeah. I dug it out when that accident happened. And hid it I don't know why. I never showed that box to anyone.

Bai Cao - Why don't we open the box now?

Ting Hao - Yeah, if we will open the box then maybe we will get to know something.

Chang An - Yeah. I have brought that box with me.

Ting Yi - Really!

Chang An - Yeah. It's in the car, I will bring it.

Yi Feng - No, I will bring it.

Chang An - Ok. It's actually in my bag.

Yi Feng - Got it. I will be back in a minute.

Chang An - Thanks.

Yi Feng - Chang An, if you have forgotten then let me remind you that we are cousins but we are still friends and in friendship, no thank you and no sorry.

Chang An - Yeah, yeah. Now go. Here is the key.

Yi Feng - Yeah.

Then Yi Feng ran towards the car at full speed.

He opened the car trunk and unzipped Chang An's bag. As he unzipped the bag, he found the box on the top. He took the box, locked the car and ran back towards the room.

Soon, he reached.

He gave the box to Chang An.

Yi Feng - Here is the box. I hope I brought the right box.

Chang An - Yeah. You have brought the right box, Yi Feng.

Yi Feng - Thank God! Now open it.

Then Chang An looked at Bai Cao.

Bai Cao took off the key necklace and opens the box.

As she opened the box, they found a lot of pictures which was kept inside the box upside down. Something was written in the first pictures.

Bai Cao took the picture out and read what was written.

Bai Cao - Chang An's birthday pictures.

Bai Cao flipped the picture and saw Chang An's picture.

He was with Fen Hua and Xian Mei. Bai Cao gave that picture to Chang An.

There were a few more pictures of Chang An's birthday. Everyone started looking at those pictures when suddenly, Bai Cao saw a similar face in that picture.

Bai Cao was shocked to see that person in that picture.

Bai Cao - This can't happen.

As everyone heard that, they all were confused. Bai Cao was looking at that picture only. Chang An took that picture from Bai Cao's hand and looked at it.

Ting Hao - What is it, Chang An?

Chang An - I told you, Bai Cao. I told you that master Qu Xiang Nan is hiding something from us... from you.

Bai Cao - No, this can't happen.

Then Bai Cao started looking at other pictures when suddenly, she saw something written on one of the pictures.

Bai Cao - Ai Shu's birthday.

Bai Cao started looking at the pictures and there were a lot of pictures of Chang An and Ai Shu.

Bai Cao's hands were trembling.

Then she again saw Qu Xiang Nan's pictures. He was playing with Ai Shu and Chang An.

There was a lot of pictures of him with the whole family.

Bai Cao was shocked. The wooden box slipped off her hand. She sat down on the bed.

Bai Cao - Why? Why did master hide the truth from me? Why didn't he tell me anything about my past.... my true identity?

Ting Hao - Bai Cao, realx. Ok? Just relax. You only said that master Qu Xiang Nan is hiding nothing from you, right?

Bai Cao - Yeah but all this...

Ting Hao - Don't look at these things, Bai Cao. Just believe what you want to believe, ok?

Chang An - But, Ting Hao, he...

Before Chang An could complete his sentence, Ting Hao stopped him but holding his hand.

Ting Hao - Chang An, come with me.

Then Ting Hao took Chang An to corner. Ting Yi sat beside Bai Cao to comfort her.

Chang An - What are you doing, Ting Hao? It's clear that master Qu Xiang Nan is hiding something from us but still, you are asking Bai Cao to believe him! Why? What if he is that man who killed my parents?

Ting Hao - If he was that man, then your mother have never handed Bai Cao over to him.

Chang An - Fine. Let's just say that he is not that man but what if he has a bad motive behind hiding the truth from us... from Bai Cao?

Ting Hao - If he had a bad motive, then he wouldn't have saved Bai Cao from there... he would have never brought Bai Cao up so well. If he had a bad motive, then he would have never asked me to protect Bai Cao... he would have never warned me.

Chang An - What do you mean? Did you know about Bai Cao's past earlier? Are you hiding something from us?

Ting Hao - No, Chang An. I am hiding nothing from y'all. Master Qu Xiang Nan just said that Feng Yun hall should never know about Bai Cao's true identity.

Bai Cao - Why would he say that?

As Ting Hao heard Bai Cao's voice, he was shocked.

He turned back and saw Bai Cao standing right behind him. Seeing her, he lowered down his head.

Bai Cao went near him and holds him by his arms.

Bai Cao - Why would he say that, Senior Ting Hao?

Ting Hao said nothing.

Bai Cao(in a loud voice) - Why would he say that, Senior Ting Hao?

Ting Hao - I don't know...(softly) I don't know, Bai Cao.

A tear drop fell off Bai Cao's eyes.

She intently wipes it. 

Bai Cao - We need to go. Let's go.

Ting Hao - Go where, Bai Cao?

Bai Cao - To meet master where else? Let's go.

Then Bai Cao went out of the room. Everyone else also followed her.

They all sat inside the car. Ting Hao was driving. Bai Cao was sitting on the passenger's seat.

She had a photo in her hand, she was all the time looking at it.

It was a family picture in which there was Fen Hua, Xian Mei and Qu Xiang Nan. Both Chang An and Bai Cao were in Qu Xiang Nan's arms.

After seeing that picture, Ting Hao looked at Bai Cao. She had tears in her eyes but a lot of questions too.

She raised her head and started looking out from the window.

Ting Hao(thinking) - I know, Bai Cao, that you are in pain. I wish... I wish that I could take all your pain on myself.

Then Ting Hao looked at front and continued driving.

Soon they were reached Yi Feng's hotel.

It was already six in the morning when they reached there.

They all went inside. They were going towards Qu Xiang Nan's room but on the way, the met Xiao Ba.

Xiao Ba - Guys, what are you all doing here so early?

Bai Cao - We are actually here to meet master. So, we are just going towards his room.

Xiao Ba - He is not in his room. Everyone is in the dining all having their breakfast.

Bai Cao - Ok, then we will go there.

Then everyone went towards the dining hall.

As they opened the door, they saw Donghai, Qu Xiang Nan, Guang Ya and Lin Li sitting there and having their breakfast.

Guang Ya - Bai Cao, what a surprise!

Guang Ya got up from her seat and hugged Bai Cao.

Qu Xiang Nan - Why are you all here so early? Did anything happen?

Bai Cao went near Qu Xiang Nan and sat next to him. She holds his hand.

Bai Cao - Master, I want to ask you something really important. Please answer it truthfully and with all your honesty. Ok?

Qu Xiang Nan - Ok.

Bai Cao - Are you hiding anything from me?

As Qu Xiang Nan heard that, he was stunned. He looked at Bai Cao's eyes for a few seconds and then lowered down his head.

Qu Xiang Nan - So, you got to know everything.

Bai Cao - Does this mean that you are hiding something from me?

Qu Xiang Nan - I am sorry, Bai Cao.

Bai Cao - I don't want your sorry, master. I just want to know why... why did you hide such an important thing from me?

Guang Ya - Bai Cao, what are you talking about?

Bai Cao - Why don't you ask your father, Guang Ya. He will be able to explain more nicely.

Guang Ya - Pa, what is Bai Cao talking about?

Qu Xiang Nan said nothing.

Bai Cao - So, you are not going to say anything, right, master? Fine... then I will say. Guang Ya, master always knew who I really was. He always knew my true identity but still hid it. He knew who my parents were but still hid it. God knows why?

Qu Xiang Nan - I didn't want to hide anything from you, Bai Cao. But I was scared... I was scared that...

Before Qu Xiang Nan could complete his sentence, they all heard a gunshot voice.

Qu Xiang Nan turned back and saw Donghai holding a gun.

Then suddenly Qu Xiang Nan fell to the ground. Both Bai Cao and Guang Ya shouted.

Guang Ya - Pa!

Bai Cao - Master!

TO BE CONTINUED