Su Yan sat by the window, gazing at the night sky, her heart filled with complex emotions. Since Bang left, her world seemed to have lost its color. These past few weeks, her condition had deteriorated, and even her closest parents had noticed something was amiss.
After dinner, her father finally couldn't help but ask, "Su Yan, what's been wrong with you lately? Is something troubling you?"
Su Yan paused, then gave a forced smile, "It's nothing, maybe just a bit tired from school."
Her mother wasn't so easily fooled, "You've never worn your emotions on your sleeve, but now it's obvious you have something on your mind. Tell me, what is it?"
Su Yan bit her lip, struggling with whether to confess. Finally, she took a deep breath and said softly, "Dad, Mom, I'm actually... looking for someone."
Her parents exchanged glances, and her father frowned, "Who?"
Su Yan's voice trembled, "Bang."
The air instantly froze, her mother's face changed, and she stared at her daughter in horror, "What did you say? You're looking for Bang? That murderer?!"
Her father's expression darkened, and he looked at Su Yan with a complex gaze, waiting for her explanation.
Su Yan took a deep breath, finally gathering her courage, "Dad, Mom, I've known Bang for three years. We've always been friends... until before he disappeared, I realized I had fallen in love with him."
Her mother gasped, her face turning pale, and she said angrily, "Su Yan! Have you lost your mind?! He's a murderer! He killed his own father and brother! He's a wanted criminal! How could you fall in love with someone like that?"
Tears streamed down Su Yan's face, and she said softly, "I don't know... but I can't let him go. I don't believe he would do those things without a reason."
Her father was silent for a long time, then sighed, walked over to Su Yan, gently stroked her head, and said in a rare gentle tone, "My dear, it's a good thing to like a boy. But now, that boy is universally condemned. Can you tell your father, what do you like about him?"
Su Yan raised her head, her eyes filled with determination, "Dad, Bang isn't like what people say. He's always been kind, though sometimes aloof, he always quietly helps others. He's smart, responsible, and has his own principles. He cares about his family... even though they treat him badly, he still tries to maintain those relationships. He's not a bad person."
Her father looked at her deeply, as if trying to find an answer in her eyes.
"Do you think you can save him, even if you find him?"
Su Yan choked up, lowered her head, and murmured, "I don't know..."
The room fell silent.
Her mother's eyes were filled with worry, knowing her daughter was stubborn and hard to change once she made up her mind. Her father was lost in thought, understanding that Su Yan had grown up and had her own ideas and convictions.
After a long time, her father sighed softly, "Su Yan, listen... if you insist on looking for him, you must understand that you'll be fighting against the whole world."
Su Yan raised her head, her eyes firm.
"I know."
The night wind outside the window brought a hint of coolness, and an unknown future.