Song Qi Nian took extra care with her appearance that morning, choosing an elegant dress and applying subtle makeup before heading to the prison hospital. Her heart pounded through each security checkpoint, afraid that something would go wrong, that she'd be turned away at the last moment.
When she finally saw her father, every emotion she'd bottled up came rushing out at once. She couldn't hold back her tears at the sight of him – Song Guanliang, once robust and full-faced, had withered away to almost nothing.
"Niannian?" His voice cracked with disbelief. Before he could even rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming, she had crossed the room and thrown herself into his arms.
Dad... Dad... The words echoed in her mind as she wept, clinging to him like she used to as a child.
Song Guanliang's own tears fell as he held his daughter. "Niannian, is it really you? How did you manage to get here?"
She couldn't bring herself to let go. His embrace felt like home, like safety – something she'd feared she'd never feel again. Her shoulders shook with sobs until his familiar gesture of patting her back slowly calmed her, just as it had when she was little.
"Come now, Niannian. Let your old dad have a proper look at you," he said gently.
Reluctantly, she pulled away, quickly wiping her face and attempting a smile. Song Guanliang touched her cheek, his eyes full of pride and relief. "My Niannian grows more beautiful by the day. I bet the boys can't leave you alone."
She tensed at his words. He didn't know about Shen Chi Yan. She'd never mentioned her marriage during her visits, and for good reason – it wasn't a love match, and who knew how long it would last? Why burden her father with that knowledge? He'd only worry, and she'd have to fabricate a happiness that didn't exist. Better to keep that part of her life to herself, at least for now.
Song Qi Nian gestured to her throat, shaking her head.
"Niannian," Song Guanliang said, his voice heavy with emotion, "not being able to speak doesn't make you any less precious or capable. Someone who truly loves you won't care about that. They'll love you even more fiercely for who you are."
Shen Chi Yan's face flickered through her mind, and her eyes clouded with sadness.
"Never let your inability to speak make you feel less than anyone else. You've always been my pride and joy."
Song Qi Nian smiled at his encouragement, then her hands flew into excited motion as she signed, [Dad, Jia Shu's college entrance exams are in two days!]
"Already?" Song Guanliang's eyes widened.
She nodded eagerly.
[Three years have passed. He's eighteen now.]
The weight of those lost years settled over Song Guanliang. "Niannian, I failed you both. When you needed me most, I—"
She cut him off with quick, urgent signs. [Jia Shu and I have never blamed you.]
Her words were kind, but they couldn't erase the reality of how much time they'd lost. Three years – gone.
"I remember when Jia Shu was fifteen," Song Guanliang said softly. "Such a rebellious kid, always at the bottom of his class. Now he's about to start college. Do you think he'll make it?"
The memories came rushing back – young Jia Shu, always stirring up trouble, leading his friends to poke at beehives and pull pranks. Everyone said he'd never amount to anything.
But sometimes boys grow up in an instant. After his father's imprisonment, Jia Shu changed completely. He packed away his toys, cut ties with his old friends, and threw himself into his studies.
He might not have had Song Qi Nian's natural talent, but he made up for it with sheer determination. While other students started their day at six, Jia Shu was already at his desk by five.
Only he knew the true extent of his struggle and persistence.
His hard work paid off. From last place, he climbed to the top fifty in his school. The neighborhood troublemaker had transformed into someone with real promise.
[Don't worry, Dad,] she signed. [Jia Shu's doing great. He might not get into a top university, but he'll definitely get into a good one.]
"Is that right?" A smile broke across his face. "Thank goodness! I used to worry he'd never find a wife if he kept causing trouble!"
Song Qi Nian smiled as she signed, [He's grown into quite a catch. Girls keep slipping love letters into his desk.]
"That rascal," Song Guanliang chuckled. "Finally getting his act together... How's your mom doing?"
Three years had passed, and Liu Xiaohan hadn't visited once. Not wanting to burden him with the truth, Song Qi Nian forced a smile and signed, [She's doing well. Found a good job too.]
Song Guanliang sighed deeply. "I've failed her. All these years of marriage, and I never managed to give her the life she deserved."
[Dad, stop. You gave her everything you could.]
Throughout their marriage, Liu Xiaohan had never worked – partly from her own reluctance, partly because Song Guanliang had insisted she stay home. He kept giving while she kept taking, until their relationship tilted completely off balance. Even when she called him useless, he swallowed his pride, all for the love of her and their children.
Not wanting to dwell on painful memories, Song Qi Nian changed the subject, her hands moving quickly. [Dad, about what happened three years ago – do you remember anything else? After you put the porcupine in the trunk, did you notice anyone suspicious? Or maybe a strange smell in the car?]
"No unusual smell," he said. "But lately, I've been having this memory... When I was starting to feel dizzy, I think I was in the passenger seat, and some young man was driving my car. Though I can't tell if that really happened or if I dreamed it."
"What did he look like?"
"It's fuzzy, but... he had a scar near his eye."
Song Qi Nian's heart jumped. [Was it a scar running from his eye down to his cheekbone?]
"Yes, that's it... Wait, how did you know that?" His expression darkened. "Niannian, have you been investigating the case?"
She nodded. [I believe in you, Dad. I'll find out what really happened and clear your name.]
"No – it's too dangerous. If they find out—"
She squeezed his hand, her signs firm and determined. [You've already lost three years. I won't let them take seven more. Our family needs to be whole again.]
"But—"
[No buts. Trust me. I'll be careful.]
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