Grandpa Director gently placed his weathered hand on Xiang Ning’s hand. “It’s alright. As long as you’re safe. You have your own life and I cannot interfere in it. But remember this, you are not just living for yourself. Many others are waiting for you.…” His hand was already shaking, a far cry from the steady hands he’d had ten years ago.

The old man slowly placed his hand on his cheeks, but they were shaking. Ten years ago, when he had sent Xiang Ning out of the orphanage, the same hands had gently held him and given blessings as well. Xiang Ning still remembered how...