The yacht slowly approached the private dock.
The water beneath it sparkled under the bright afternoon sun.
As the vessel ca to a halt, the crew secured the ropes while the boarding bridge was lowered.
One by one, everyone stepped onto the island.
A group of island staff mbers was already waiting near the dock.
They bowed politely.
"Welco to the island."
Hope looked around excitedly.
Her eyes seed unable to stay in one place.
"Wow..."
Asher suddenly pointed toward a grove near the shoreline.
"Big bro!"
"Are those coconut trees?"
Hope imdiately followed his finger.
"There are coconuts on them!"
Everyone turned toward the direction the twins were pointing.
A long stretch of beach extended along the coast.
Golden sand glowed beneath the sunlight.
Rows of tall coconut trees swayed gently in the sea breeze.
The calm waves rolled onto the shore again and again, creating a soothing rhythm.
The entire island felt peaceful.
Miles smiled at everyone’s reactions.
"So like we decided..."
"We are staying here tonight."
He pointed toward a group of elegant buildings further inland.
"The rooms are already prepared."
"Though if anyone wants, you can stay in the yacht instead."
Then he pointed toward the shoreline.
"The beach is on the left side."
"And beside it is one of the fishing spots."
The staff stepped forward.
"You may hand your bags to us."
"We’ll take care of everything."
Miles looked around.
"So."
"What do you want to do first?"
"Beach?"
"Or explore the island?"
Elena answered imdiately.
"Beach first."
"Then lunch."
"Then so rest."
"After that, we can explore the island."
Daniel looked at her with amusent.
"Wow."
"You ca here with the whole itinerary planned."
Elena folded her arms proudly.
"Of course."
"Mona helped ."
Monica smiled innocently.
"I only gave a few suggestions."
Miles laughed.
"How about we catch so fish too?"
"We can grill them tonight."
Elena’s eyes lit up.
"That’s a great idea."
Flora imdiately nodded.
"I can’t wait to taste Aunt Elena’s cooking again."
Elena smiled warmly.
"Then we better catch enough fish."
Suddenly Dion rolled up his sleeves.
"But first..."
"I’m getting coconuts."
He pointed dramatically toward the trees.
"Co on soldiers!"
Without waiting for anyone’s response, he ran toward the beach.
Hope gasped.
"Let’s go!"
Asher imdiately followed.
"Wait for !"
The twins sprinted after him.
Flora instantly panicked.
"Hey!"
"Careful!"
The three disappeared toward the coconut grove.
Everyone watched them go.
Elena chuckled softly.
"He’ll be a great father."
Daniel nodded.
"I agree."
Miles stood quietly watching the excited trio.
A smile naturally ford on his face.
Flora noticed.
"What are you thinking?"
Then she smirked.
"You’ll be a great father too."
Miles nearly choked.
"Let be a good brother first."
The group burst into laughter.
Chloe’s face instantly turned red.
Alice leaned toward her.
"Butteflies?"
"Shut up, Lissy."
Alice grinned.
Flora noticed imdiately.
"Oh?"
"Interesting."
Chloe wished the ground would swallow her whole.
Flora laughed and clapped her hands.
"Alright ladies."
"Let’s get ready for the beach."
Monica nodded.
"Let’s go."
She grabbed Chloe’s arm.
"Co on."
Alice and Kate followed.
Soon the won headed toward the accommodation area to change.
anwhile, several staff mbers arrived carrying fishing equipnt.
Fishing rods.
Bait boxes.
Small coolers.
And folding chairs.
Miles picked up a rod.
Then looked at Daniel.
"Let’s go, Father."
Daniel smiled.
"Alright, son."
"Let’s see who catches the bigger fish."
Miles grinned.
"Let’s see."
Together they headed toward the fishing area.
Several staff mbers followed behind carrying supplies.
anwhile...
Near the coconut grove...
Dion was already halfway up a tree.
Hope and Asher stood below with wide eyes.
"Big bro Dion is flying!"
Asher shouted.
Dion laughed from above.
"I’m not flying."
"I’m climbing."
Then he looked down.
"Move aside you two."
"I’m dropping coconuts."
Asher imdiately grabbed Hope’s hand.
"Okay, big bro Dion!"
The twins hurried away.
A few seconds later...
Thump!
Thump!
Several coconuts landed on the sand.
The twins cheered as if they had discovered treasure.
Back near the fishing area...
Miles and Daniel arrived at a floating wooden platform secured to the shore with thick ropes.
The platform gently moved with the waves.
Several comfortable chairs had been arranged there.
The sea stretched endlessly before them.
A cool breeze swept across the water.
Daniel slowly looked around.
"That’s really a good place."
His eyes beca slightly distant.
"The last ti I went fishing..."
"It was with my own father."
"I was very young."
"He taught how to use hooks and fishing lines."
Miles glanced toward him.
"Do you miss him?"
Daniel remained quiet for a mont.
Then smiled softly.
"Maybe sotis."
"Life made very busy."
"I left a lot behind."
The ocean breeze moved through his hair.
Miles nodded.
"You can rest more often now."
"Enjoy life."
Daniel looked at him.
There was genuine gratitude in his eyes.
"Thanks to you..."
"I can."
"Playing golf with friends."
"Watching my children grow."
"I’m very grateful."
Miles smiled.
"Well."
"You’ll have to teach too."
Daniel blinked.
"What?"
"Fishing with a rod."
"I’ve never actually used one before."
Daniel looked genuinely surprised.
"You’ve never fished?"
Miles shrugged.
"I’ve done spearfishing."
"Set up random traps."
"But never used a rod."
Daniel laughed loudly.
That sounded exactly like Ghost.
"Then I’ll gladly teach you, son."
Miles smiled.
Flashback
Baby Dragon Art School, Shanghai
Morning sunlight filtered through the trees surrounding the academy.
The peaceful campus was already awake.
Students carried sketchbooks beneath their arms. So sat beneath the trees drawing quietly. Others were discussing paintings while walking between the stone paths.
Ghost stepped out from iling’s workplace.
In his hand was a small wooden case.
He opened it slowly.
Inside rested a tiny silver star.
The little star reflected the morning light beautifully.
For a mont, Ghost simply stared at it.
One star.
One of the three stars he needed to earn before he could return to active operations.
A faint feeling of accomplishnt appeared in his chest.
It was strange.
He had completed missions worth millions.
Eliminated dangerous targets.
Survived battlefields.
Yet sohow this tiny star felt harder to earn than many of those victories.
"Congratulations, troubled child."
Ghost looked up.
Wáng Yí was standing nearby.
She was already dressed to go out.
A small shoulder bag hung at her side.
A cheerful smile rested on her face.
"You broke all the records."
"No one has ever earned a star in one night."
Ghost closed the case.
"How did you know I would finish it by morning?"
Wáng Yí proudly placed both hands on her hips.
"Because I am a lucky charm."
She pointed at herself.
"I am lucky for you too."
Ghost blinked.
"Hun?"
Wáng Yí sighed dramatically.
"Don’t just stand there."
"We have to leave now."
Ghost frowned slightly.
"Where are we going?"
"Just wear so decent clothes."
"You’ll see soon."
Ghost nodded.
"Thank you for your guidance."
"As promised, I will go with you."
Wáng Yí waved her hand.
"Hmm."
"Just go now."
"Okay."
Ghost turned and walked away.
As he disappeared around the corner, Wáng Yí quietly smiled.
"Is he innocent..."
"Or acting like one?"
A few minutes later...
Ghost returned.
His appearance had changed considerably.
He wore dark jeans and a black leather jacket.
His hair had been combed neatly.
Combined with his sharp features, he looked more like a college student than soone raised by Graveyard.
Wáng Yí looked him up and down.
Then nodded approvingly.
"Let’s go."
Together they walked toward the reception building.
Both handed over their jade tokens.
The receptionist recorded their nas.
Then they stepped outside the academy gates.
The city of Shanghai welcod them with noise and movent.
Cars passed continuously.
People filled the sidewalks.
Street vendors called out to custors.
Wáng Yí walked ahead confidently.
"It’s within walking distance."
"But first we need snacks."
Ghost glanced at her.
"Snacks?"
"Yes."
"A lot of snacks."
Ghost simply followed.
He had agreed to accompany her.
That was all.
As they walked down the street, a black luxury car suddenly stopped beside them.
The rear door opened.
A man in a black suit stepped out.
In his hands was an expensive bouquet of flowers.
The man smiled.
"Wáng Yí."
"Boss sent you flowers."
Wáng Yí didn’t even look at him.
"Keep walking."
Ghost continued walking beside her.
The suited man quickly followed.
"Wáng Yí."
"You know Boss personally bought this bouquet."
"He used his precious ti."
"Show so respect."
Wáng Yí finally glanced at him.
"Lou Han."
"He is your boss."
"Not mine."
"Tell him not to waste his precious ti on normal people like us."
Lou Han’s smile stiffened.
"You were my classmate."
"That is why I am being polite."
"He is rich."
"Successful."
"And he likes you."
"You are lucky."
"Yet you keep disrespecting him."
Wáng Yí laughed.
"Likes ?"
"Says who?"
"You?"
She crossed her arms.
"When he gathers enough courage to tell himself, maybe I will consider listening."
"But instead he keeps sending one of his dogs."
Lou Han’s fists clenched.
"Wáng Yí."
"You will regret this."
"You don’t understand how powerful he is."
His expression darkened.
"Don’t you love your family?"
Ghost stopped walking.
The atmosphere instantly changed.
Lou Han noticed it.
The young man who had been silent the entire ti suddenly stood between him and Wáng Yí.
Ghost’s eyes locked onto his.
Cold.
Calm.
Dangerous.
Lou Han felt a chill run down his spine.
He unconsciously stepped backward.
"Who..."
"Who are you?"
Ghost tilted his head slightly.
His deep voice carried no emotion.
"Whoever I am..."
"But not a dog like you."
His gaze sharpened.
"If you have even a little self respect left..."
"Scram."
Lou Han’s face turned red.
"You..."
"You don’t know who you’re ssing with."
Ghost took one step forward.
Lou Han took one step back.
"You don’t know who you’re ssing with."
Before the tension could rise further, Wáng Yí placed a hand on Ghost’s shoulder.
"Take a deep breath."
"Don’t waste your words on him."
"Keep your mind calm."
Lou Han gritted his teeth.
"Wáng Yí!"
"You!"
Without looking at him, Wáng Yí spoke casually.
"Tell your Boss Xin that I already have a boyfriend."
"And he should stop pursuing ."
Lou Han nearly exploded.
"You!"
Wáng Yí smiled sweetly.
Then grabbed Ghost’s arm.
"Let’s go, honey."
Ghost said nothing.
He simply turned around and began walking.
The two headed toward a nearby snack shop.
Behind them, Lou Han stood frozen with anger.
Eventually he stord back toward his car.
A few minutes later...
The street beca peaceful again.
Wáng Yí released Ghost’s arm.
"Sorry about that."
Ghost nodded.
"It’s understandable."
"And thank you for standing up for ."
Ghost looked ahead.
"It’s good you stopped ."
Wáng Yí blinked.
"Hun?"
Ghost pointed toward the snack store.
"There’s the shop."
"Let’s go in."
Then he walked ahead.
Wáng Yí stared at his back.
A smile slowly appeared on her face.
Then she followed him.
After nearly twenty minutes, they erged carrying several bags filled with snacks.
Or rather...
Ghost carried several bags.
Maybe he understood why he was here
Wáng Yí carried almost nothing.
They continued walking through another block.
Soon a large building appeared ahead.
Ghost read the signboard carefully.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Xīwàng Residential School for Specially Abled Children.
The noise of the city faded behind them.
Ghost beca curious about where Wáng Yí had brought him.
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