The two of them walked quietly toward Li's house. The evening felt calm, and neither of them spoke much. When they reached her gate, Li stopped and turned to Zhao.
"You know what a good friend is?" she asked softly.
Zhao looked at her, waiting.
"A good friend is someone who listens when their friend is very sad. When their friend is sharing their pain, they don't interrupt. They don't ask questions. They just stay quiet and listen until their friend's heart feels lighter." She paused, her voice gentle but serious. "And today, you proved that you are a very good friend."
Zhao felt surprised. He hadn't done anything special — he had only listened. But seeing the gratitude in her eyes made him realize how much it meant to her.
Before he could respond, Li gave him a small smile and went inside. Zhao stood there for a moment, thinking about her words. Then he slowly turned and walked back home, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Li Ting arrived at her house. As soon as she stepped inside, she saw her sister sitting in the kitchen.
"Sister! You're here?" A bright smile appeared on her face.
She quickly ran toward Li Hang, who stood up just in time to hug her. The two sisters wrapped their arms around each other tightly.
For a few seconds, everything felt warm and safe. But as Li Ting held her sister, her eyes slowly filled with tears. The emotions she had been hiding all day suddenly felt too heavy.
Li Hang gently pulled back and looked at her face.
"Are you crying?" she asked softly.
Li Ting quickly wiped her eyes. "No. Something just got into my eye, I think."
Li Hang studied her for a moment but didn't argue.
"When did you arrive?" Li Ting asked, trying to change the topic.
"Just now," Li Hang replied.
"Where is Mom?"
"She must be in her room."
"And Dad?"
"Dad dropped me off and then went out to get something."
Li Ting nodded. "Okay, I'll go change my clothes and come back."
She turned to leave, but Li Hang called her.
"Wait. Come here."
Li Ting stopped and faced her. "Yes?"
Li Hang stepped closer, her expression serious but gentle. "Why do your eyes look like you've been crying a lot?"
Li Ting forced a small smile. "I just didn't sleep well last night. That's why I look like this."
Li Hang knew her sister well. She could tell something wasn't right. But instead of pushing her, she simply nodded.
"Alright. Go freshen up. Then I'll show you your gifts.
"Okay, I'll be back quickly," she said softly before walking into her room and gently closing the door behind her.
Meanwhile, Momo was sitting alone in her room. The house felt unusually silent, almost heavy, as if it too was carrying unspoken emotions.
Suddenly, her phone rang.
The sharp sound broke the stillness of the room and made her heart jump. For a second, she hesitated. Then she quickly reached for it. When she saw the caller ID, her breath caught.
It was Dad.
she answered the call and held the phone close to her ear.
"Hello?" Her voice was soft, almost fragile.
On the other end, Dad's familiar and warm voice spoke. "How is my daughter feeling now? Is she better?"
"I'm better," she replied quietly. Then her voice weakened. "Dad… I miss you so much. Please come back to us."
There was a pause. It wasn't a long one, but it felt heavy.
"Dear," he said gently, "you know I can't come right now."
His words were calm, but she could sense the sadness behind them.
"But Dad," she insisted softly, her fingers tightening around the phone, "there must be some solution to this problem. Can't you come here? There has to be a way. We can figure something out."
On the other side, he sighed quietly.
"So far, I don't see any solution," he said. "Dear, I miss all of you too. More than you know. I really want to see you, but I'm helpless right now."
Helpless.
That word echoed painfully in her heart.
"I sent a gift for you through Zhou Ming," he continued, trying to lighten the mood. "Did you like it?"
A faint smile appeared on her face despite everything.
"Yes, Dad. I liked it very much," she replied softly. "Thank you."
"I'm glad," he said.
"Dad…"Mom misses you a lot too. She doesn't say it, but she cries at night."
"Yes, Dear…" he finally said in a low voice. "I know she still loves me just as much."
His voice sounded distant and full of memories.
The silence that followed was filled with unspoken feelings
She wished she could say more. She wanted to tell him how empty the house felt without him, how Mom tried to stay strong but sometimes couldn't, how she herself felt caught between hope and disappointment.
But the words stayed inside her.
"Alright, Dear," he said gently after a moment. "I should hang up now. Take care of yourself. And take your medicine on time."
His tone became firm but loving — the way a father speaks when he wants to sound strong for his child.
"Yes, Dad. I understand," she replied. "And Mom is here to take care of me."
"Good," he said quietly. The call ended. "Come on, kids! I've brought food for you. Come here!"
Mr. Kon ( Li's father ) entered the house carrying two shopping bags in his hands.