Chapter Fifty-Four: The Sunrise I Owe You (Part Two)

The flood swept away the Dragon Temple; family fought against family.

Xie Liu sat awkwardly to the side as Angela carefully bandaged and treated his wounds. A small group gathered around a modest fire; dusk had fallen, and darkness engulfed everything except the shattered mountains and the scattered gravel underfoot.

The summer wind faded, surrendering to the night. The world became tranquil and still, the day's battle seeming to recede into memory. When fireflies began to flicker in the distant forest, everyone drew closer together, gazing at one another in silent understanding.

The saying goes, "A fight brings people together." In that moment, they realized they were not enemies, but shared a common purpose: to protect Angel. Angel lay nestled in the old man's arms, sleeping sweetly, her grimy little face tinged with a faint, elusive smile. The old man stroked her hair with tenderness, and when he looked up, gratitude shone in his aged eyes. He spoke quietly, "Thank you all for keeping this child safe."

"I don't want your thanks. We've been beaten so badly—not just for one word of gratitude. We simply did what we believed was right," Xie Liu replied, shaking his head. "But I can't understand what happened. We fought without knowing why, nearly losing our lives. I want to know the reason behind all of this."

Hearing Xie Liu's words, the old man Angel called Grandpa sighed. "You shouldn't know," he said.

"We've suffered so much, and all we get is 'you shouldn't know'?" Xie Liu retorted angrily. Wendy raised her brows and added, "Is it any easier for us?"

The old man lifted his hand to stop Wendy, sighing again. "I truly wish you wouldn't hear what I'm about to say. If you insist, I hope you can accept it when I'm done."

Seeing him relent, Xie Liu and the others straightened up. The old man's gaze drifted from their faces to the child in his arms, and he began to speak.

"My name is South Wind. I was once a researcher at the Institute for Supernatural Abilities. Five years ago, I was transferred to what became the city's Third Special Research Facility. There, I met Angel for the first time. She was only seven."

Professor South Wind looked at Angel with infinite softness in his eyes.

"Angel was originally an orphan, raised in the city's orphanage," he recalled, his eyes distant with memory. "I tried to find her parents, but failed. She seemed to have appeared in this world out of nowhere, without a trace."

The sleeping Angel seemed to sense something, frowning lightly. Angela, seated beside Professor South Wind, whispered, "Professor, let me hold Angel."

South Wind did not refuse; he gently handed the girl to Angela, who stroked her hair. Angel murmured in her sleep but did not wake. South Wind looked away reluctantly and continued, "When she was six, Angel's abilities awakened for the first time."

"Wait," Xie Liu interrupted, startled. "Ability awakening? Angel is from the city? She's not a modified member of the Special Forces Alliance?" He recalled how Angel had survived a wound through her chest—such recovery could only be explained by modification.

South Wind shook his head. "Let me finish."

"Angel's ability is the first of its kind in history, unprecedented and likely never to be repeated. Her power is Elemental Transformation."

"Elemental Transformation? What kind of ability is that?" the others asked in amazement—even Franny looked surprised, as if she too was unaware.

"It's a powerful ability," South Wind explained. "She can convert unwanted elements into others, including dark-side antimatter."

He closed his eyes. "Such power should have shone brightly, but unfortunately, Angel was chosen for the Third Special Research Facility."

"In that facility, there were many children like Angel, each with valuable abilities. They were all orphans, brought there after their abilities awakened. Their sole purpose: to use their powers for profit."

"What do you mean?" Xie Liu and the others asked, confused. South Wind hesitated before speaking. "What I'm about to tell you is something the city doesn't want anyone to know. Are you prepared? You may find yourselves enemies of the entire city."

"The entire city? That's flattering. Is there anyone more formidable than this one?" Xie Liu sneered, pointing at Franny, who smiled bitterly and shook her head, showing helplessness.

Professor South Wind studied Xie Liu closely and continued, "The Third Special Research Facility must remain secret. You must know that there are still human experiments conducted in the city."

"There are rumors," Xie Liu nodded. South Wind shook his head. "Not rumors—it's real. Some people, for their research or profit, care nothing for ethics or morals."

"Even the abilities you use—are they truly clean?" South Wind pressed. "When the concept of supernatural abilities was first proposed, who could guarantee its feasibility? Before they were applied to the public, how much research was done, using what methods—do you know?"

Xie Liu's expression grew grave. He remembered Vladimir saying, "The optimal age for developing abilities is six." Why six? Not ten, not twenty. Because they had tried!

"The Third Special Research Facility exists out of public view. Its mission: to study how to strengthen abilities," South Wind said, his aged hand clutching his coat so tightly that his knuckles whitened. "They constantly stimulate Angel and others, forcing their abilities to higher levels, then exploiting those enhanced powers for profit. Angel and the others… they are lab rats!"

"What!" Xie Liu and the others stood up in shock. Professor South Wind gestured for them to sit.

"Angel's ability is Elemental Transformation, capable of creating dark-side metals—so her power was highly valued. But such abilities almost never occur, let alone reach advanced levels."

"But those researchers didn't care. They used every method—physical stimulation, drugs, forced knowledge transfer—to push Angel's abilities higher for their experiments and profit," South Wind continued. "I was assigned to oversee Angel, since she could create antimatter. You know how precious antimatter metals are. Before I arrived, Angel had been imprisoned there for a year, forced every day to create antimatter. That continued for five years after I arrived!"

Xie Liu and the others fell silent, listening as South Wind spoke on. "For five years, Angel overexerted her powers, her body weakening day by day. Yet even so, I could do nothing for her—I was just a researcher." His trembling hand covered his aged face. "I once told Angel we should escape together, but she only smiled. I'll never forget that smile. She knew if I took her away, we'd both be hunted by the city."

"In truth, Angel always smiled for my sake," he said.

"For five years, I cared for her. In my heart, she became my granddaughter."

"Angel had no name, only a code. But I named her Angel—because she is my angel." Tears streamed down his face, gradually hidden behind his hands.

"Angel never saw the sun; she was always trapped in the cold research facility, endlessly converting elements and enduring tests."

South Wind wiped his tears and continued, "I once asked her what she wanted. She said she wanted to see the sunrise..."

"But even such a small wish, I couldn't give her."

"I'm just an insignificant researcher! Insignificant..."

South Wind closed his eyes. "Six days ago, this child finally exhausted all her life. As she left, I remember, she was still smiling, holding my hand, asking, 'Grandpa, when will you take me to see the sunrise?'"

A long silence fell, a stillness and coldness broken only by the flickering flame that marked the passage of relentless time—time that never stops for anyone.

"Impossible," Xie Liu stood, coldly refusing South Wind's words. By his account, Angel was already dead. But during these days, Angel had lived among them—a real, living person, who laughed, cried, got angry and sad. "Are you telling me all this was fake? That the Angel we spent these days with was just an illusion? Impossible!"

"I'm not lying. Angel died six days ago," South Wind whispered. "What you saw was only a fantasy."

"Because I stole the institute's forbidden medicine and gave her seven days more life!" As if confessing his deepest secret, Professor South Wind seemed to deflate, near collapse. Wendy stepped forward to support him.

"The Third Research Facility, besides abilities, was developing resurrection drugs. Though they hadn't succeeded, they created a substance. If injected within thirty minutes of death, it can repair the body, keeping the person alive for seven days. When the seventh day's sun sets, it fails, and the dead die again."

South Wind took a deep breath. "I stole this drug, injected it into Angel, and so she lived again."

"All I wanted was to fulfill her wish. Angel said she wanted to see the sunrise. So, I took her to see the most beautiful sunrise."

"We escaped the institute, fled to Tokyo to find my friends. But we were discovered; the institute sent ability users to hunt us. In the chaos, Angel got lost."

"Miss Franny's father is my friend. After losing Angel, I sought his help and met them. When Miss Franny learned the truth, she agreed to help. After repelling several pursuers and hearing of your whereabouts, I assumed you were city agents, leading to everything that happened."

Professor South Wind suddenly knelt. "I implicated you."

"Impossible," Xie Liu tried to argue, but Franny spoke, "Professor South Wind is telling the truth. You know I'm the strongest telekinetic. In this world, I can sense every living person—except Angel. Because..." Franny shook her head, "Angel has already died."

"I'm sorry. It's my fault you suffered so much," the old man cried again, tears streaming down his face. "But I must thank you. I didn't protect Angel. Even after escaping the institute, I failed to fulfill my promise. I couldn't show her the most beautiful sunrise."

"You gave her everything, gave her the ending to her final dream!" Professor South Wind choked, "Angel lived in darkness, in sorrow, but she always smiled, always lived for her dream. She lived—she truly lived!" His frail body collapsed, his voice uncontrollable with grief.

Lin Yang quietly helped South Wind up, saying nothing.

Silence weighed on the group. At last, Xie Liu looked at Franny. "Is that really true?" Franny lowered her head and, after a long pause, nodded.

Lin Yang saw Franny offer no rebuttal. He took a deep breath, turned to leave, but after two steps, returned, waving his hands, wanting to say something—yet unable to find the words.

In the end, he could only clasp his hands to his chest, kneel upright, and gaze heavenward, mouth open as if to cry out—but no sound came.

"You're lying!" Gong Hou suddenly stood, pointing at everyone. "You're all lying to me! All of you!"

"Angel... How can that be? How can it? She's unique, she's perfect, perfect... perfect..." Gong Hou stumbled, searching for words.

"Perfect two-dimensional girl! You can't tell me this is true!"

"Angel made me believe that as long as you hold on to your dreams, one day you'd receive God's gift. But you can't—oh, you can't tell me this dream is just a bubble. That's too cruel!"

"We didn't lie to you," South Wind replied, supported by Wendy, head bowed. "Angel is dead. No matter how you refuse to believe, that's the truth."

Gong Hou froze, his expression shifting from shock to rage, then he grabbed a nearby stone, aiming to hurl it at South Wind. "I'll kill you for your lies, old man!"

But Wendy stopped him halfway. "Gong Hou, what are you doing? Put it down!"

Gong Hou's angry face stiffened, and in seconds, despair overtook him. He dropped the stone, slumped to the ground, staring lifelessly at the sleeping Angel.

The atmosphere cooled; no one spoke. Xu Xiong closed his computer, perhaps unable to play anymore. Li Shizhu tore pages from his manga, feeding them to the fire, bits of warmth surrounding the sleeping girl.

Time passed slowly, trickling away. Each person, lost in their thoughts, watched the fire in silence. No one slept that night. Ye Ling cried all night, her eyes swollen like walnuts. Every time she remembered the child who once called her "Mom," then later tagged along as "Sister," she couldn't hold back her tears.

Angel was just a little girl who loved sweets and meatballs, nothing more...

"After tonight, what day will it be?" After some time, Xie Liu broke the silence, drawing everyone's gaze to South Wind, who shook his head. "The seventh day—the last day."

Xie Liu nodded, turning to look at the eastern mountains, where dawn was beginning to pale the sky. He smiled bitterly. "Not long ago, I took Angel to see the sunrise. I told her there would be many more, many beautiful ones. Ha, I really deserve punishment."

He turned to South Wind. "Sorry, but on this last day, please let us take care of Angel."

South Wind glanced at Xie Liu in surprise; Xie Liu shook his head. "I still owe her a promise."

...

"I wanted to take her to see the sea, but there's not enough time in one day," Xie Liu said, watching Angel lead Professor South Wind away. He turned to his teammates, "Fortunately, the amusement park at the foot of the mountain is nearby."

"I think we should at least give Angel some good memories," Xie Liu looked at them for approval; they nodded. "Then let's take Angel for a day at the amusement park."

"And please, put away your sorrow. Now is not the time for tears..."

"At least let Angela know she lived—she truly lived."

...

It was Angel's first time at an amusement park. Long ago, she had learned of their existence from South Wind's lessons. Now, seeing it in reality, she was like a joyful bird, racing inside.

"Fat Uncle, hurry up!" Angel called to Gong Hou, who came forward, hoisting her onto his shoulders. Angel directed Gong Hou as he wandered to and fro.

"What's that?" "That's the carousel." "Looks fun—let's play!"

On the carousel, with lights and music swirling, Angel laughed joyously. Ye Ling and Lin Yang rode beside her, teasing her into laughter, the innocent girl carefree and happy.

In the distance, Xie Liu watched quietly. He took out his camera, but halfway up, put it down.

What use is it to record this moment? He found a clean spot, sat, and watched in silence.

...

"What's this?" "Ah, ah, let's not do the roller coaster!" "Xie Liu, you take Angel!"

Xie Liu sat expressionlessly in the front row, watching Angel beside him, eager and excited. He said drily, "If you want to scream, just do it."

"I won't scream," Angel said with a grin, then—

"Ahhhhhhhhhhh—" Angel's shriek echoed through the amusement park.

...

"Let's go in there!" "Angel, that's the haunted house!"

"Help, help, help!" Angel clung to Gong Hou, curling up in fear.

"Angel, come have ice cream!" Ye Ling arrived with a basketful, quickly devoured by everyone. Xu Xiong, unwrapping his, accidentally dropped all the cream, eliciting laughter from Angel and the others.

Jungle adventure, theater, anime cosplay—Xie Liu and his friends played with Angel throughout the day, until the sun slanted west.

...

"Angel, this is for you." Gong Hou handed her a red balloon, which she tied to her wrist. She ran happily ahead, with Ye Ling scolding her for safety, following close behind.

Xie Liu, silent, checked the map. They'd nearly covered the entire park, with only one place left. He looked up at the enormous Ferris wheel, saying nothing.

"Strange Uncle, let's ride this," Angel suddenly said, grabbing Xie Liu's hand and running toward the Ferris wheel. He was momentarily stunned, looking back at the others, who had all stopped.

"You guys!" Xie Liu paused, glanced at the sunset, and suddenly understood. Time was running out. Once Angel and he boarded the Ferris wheel, she would not come back down. The others didn't want to witness her departure.

"Angel?" Xie Liu looked at her. She smiled gently, holding his hand and waving to Ye Ling and the others in the sunset.

"Thank you all!"

...

"Why did you choose me?" Xie Liu leaned by the window, watching his teammates fade away below.

He asked quietly. Angel giggled, "Because there are things I want to say to Strange Uncle." Xie Liu turned, seeing the girl still smiling. "Hm? What is it?"

"Strange Uncle," Angel's tone softened, surprising Xie Liu. "At first, you wanted to abandon Angel, didn't you?"

Xie Liu's heart jolted; he quickly looked away. "Uh, sort of. Well, anyway, uh, sorry!" He shifted his gaze, pretending the scenery was fascinating—the sunset stained the city with red, dust and life.

"It's fine," Angel smiled, also gazing at the sunset. "Angel doesn't mind, because before meeting Grandpa, Angel was never loved."

Her words seemed casual, but they chilled Xie Liu to the core. It wasn't that Angel wasn't sad—she had simply become numb. In this loveless world, she had grown numb long ago.

"A few days ago, when you handed me over to the City of Illusions, I really thought it was over," Angel rested her chin on her hand. "But inside, I wasn't that afraid—nothing left to fear, only some unwillingness."

"I used to think freedom was just a luxury. When you gave me to those city people, I just wanted to laugh at myself. Why cling to impossible dreams?"

"When I first escaped the lab, I had no hope. Living was just that." Angel pressed her face to the glass, hand clutching the red balloon. "Then I got separated from Grandpa, and lost all hope. I wandered, and saw a cake. I didn't know what it was, but it looked delicious."

"So you pressed yourself to the glass, pretending to be cute," Xie Liu smiled faintly. Angel blushed. "Because I was malnourished in the lab, I don't look twelve, right? So I pretended to be an innocent little girl—maybe I could get a piece of cake."

"Ah! I'll never forget that taste. For the first time, I felt alive." Xie Liu stiffened.

"But why were you all so kind to me?" Angel's smile vanished. "I thought, if I could just eat a cake, that would be enough."

"No reason—because you're cute," Xie Liu answered irresponsibly. Angel just smiled.

"By the way, you wanted to hand me over to the city, but then you changed your mind," Angel turned to him. "I wonder what made you change—I guess you still have a gentle side."

She flipped her hand, revealing a colorful little bear. Xie Liu was surprised. "When did you take that?"

Angel giggled. "Ages ago—you never noticed." Xie Liu's face changed; amidst all the chaos, he'd forgotten about the bear.

Angel poked the bear, turning it purple. "You were gentle to me because of its owner, right?" Xie Liu said nothing. Angel handed it over. "I wish you well. The one who changed you must have been amazing. May you be together."

Xie Liu took the bear, shaking his head slightly. Angel didn't know—the bear's owner was long gone. Maybe it was after she died that he became so cold. But he wouldn't tell Angel that.

Angel giggled, tapping Xie Liu's hand. Blue energy sparked through his fingers. "You gave me this absolute defense because you were worried, right? But it's okay now—I don't need it anymore."

"So you know everything," Xie Liu rubbed his forehead. "Turns out, little girls are always dark inside."

"Brother Xie Liu, first time I call you that. Angel can't represent much, but I want to say: please reclaim your humanity. You know how to love someone." Angel nodded, pulling out a small box from her pocket. "This is for you—open it tomorrow."

Xie Liu took the box, just a plain wooden container, no carvings. "I feel like you're leaving me something bad."

"Hehe, you'll see tomorrow." Angel smiled mysteriously. The Ferris wheel rose, and suddenly the world outside dimmed. Then, countless lights lit up all at once, colors spreading to the horizon.

"Wow!" Angel cried, pressing to the glass. "So beautiful!"

The rainbow lights stretched below, reaching far into the distance, where the sea could be glimpsed. "The sea! Is that the sea? I see it! The sea!" Angel cheered.

Xie Liu smiled, taking it all in. He felt heat on his face, surprised, and quickly wiped away his tears. Together, they looked out. "Yes, it's beautiful!"

"It is, so beautiful, and..."

"Living is really wonderful!"

Tears welled again. Xie Liu bowed his head, not wanting Angel to see him cry. He bit his lip, striving not to sob. In the end, he wanted to give her a happy memory.

"By the way, you brought a camera, right?"

"Help me record something." Angel smiled gently, her face framed by the lights. That moment, Xie Liu knew it was forever etched in his heart.

...

"Is it ready?" Angel smoothed her hair, blinking shyly at the lens. "Ahem... I'm Angel. If you're watching this, I'm probably gone. But it's okay—Angel is happy."

"First, Angel wants to apologize. Actually, Angel understands everything, but can't show it—because Strange Uncle is scary. If I show anything, he'll want to abandon me again." Xie Liu coughed, embarrassed.

"Being with everyone, though brief, made Angel truly happy. But because of Angel, you all had a lot of trouble—sorry for that."

"Thank you, Sister Ye Ling. Your cooking is delicious. Good girls like you are rare. You're my favorite. You'll find a good husband, but don't let it be one of these uncles!"

"Sister, when Angel is gone, don't be lonely. The uncles are still with you. Don't toss and turn at night—you'll catch cold. Eat more meat at meals. Oops, going off topic." Angel tapped her head, sticking out her pink tongue. "Anyway, take care of yourself."

"Uncle Lin Yang, you're the prettiest. Don't always steal Sister Ye Ling's spotlight. But try cross-dressing sometime—Angel would love to see it."

"Uncle Xu Xiong, stop staring at your computer. Bad for your eyes and your health."

"Uncle Li Shizhu, reading manga all the time won't help you find a girlfriend."

"Lastly, Fat Uncle," Angel paused, "You're my favorite. I love when you carry me everywhere. If Angel could grow up, I'd be Fat Uncle's bride, because... it's hard for Fat Uncle to find a girlfriend."

"As for Strange Uncle, you wanted to abandon Angel, so Angel isn't leaving you any message." Xie Liu smiled wryly—Angel had already said everything she wanted to him.

"That's it. Angel can't think of more. Thank you all, for giving Angel the most beautiful memories at the end. In short, Angel loves you all—loves you the most!" Angel shouted, tears sparkling in her eyes.

"And... farewell..."

...

The Ferris wheel descended slowly with the setting sun. Xie Liu approached from afar, cradling Angel's small body in his arms. He came to the group. "Angel is gone—she left peacefully."

He glanced at the sunset. "When the sun goes down, it's all over."

"No!" Gong Hou suddenly stood, snatching Angel away. "What are you doing!" Ye Ling exclaimed, but Gong Hou shouted and raced toward the sun. Xie Liu and the others hesitated not, following at full speed.

If only the seventh day's sun would never set. If only—I would become Kua Fu, chasing the sun, even if I turned to peach trees. If only I could protect you.

Gong Hou ran, carrying Angel, chasing desperately after the sunset. Bathed in blood-red light, their figures raced ahead.

The sound of the distant sea grew louder. Gong Hou finally reached it, and there, he saw the ocean.

On the horizon, the sun slowly sank into the sea.

Gong Hou knelt by the shore, looking at the girl in his arms, her eyes forever closed.

"Sorry I couldn't show you the most beautiful sunset." Night descended, time never turning back. Tomorrow's sun would rise, but it would be a sunrise without you.

We still owe you a sunrise...