31
In a classroom of a certain class at Tamsui Junior High School, Meiyin looked at a well-off classmate using all kinds of high-end stationery and wearing a premium headband, and could not help but feel envious: “Classmate, your pencil case is so beautiful, and that Platinum-brand fountain pen too—so cool!”
Girl A said: “My dad bought all of these for me when he went on a business trip to Taipei.”
Meiyin said, full of self-pity: “Your dad treats you so well! You can have anything you want, unlike me…”
Girl A said: “You can ask your parents for them too, can’t you?”
Meiyin said with a dejected expression: “They’re divorced… let’s not talk about that…”

32
Yuling was in the living room watching TV while folding clothes. Youji sat by the table drawing. Meiyin walked into the living room.
Meiyin called out in a coquettish tone: “Mom~.”
Yuling said: “Every time I see you acting spoiled, nothing good comes of it.”
Meiyin said: “Don’t say that, Mom. Could you give me a bit more allowance?”
Yuling said: “You’re just a school kid—what do you need so much money for? And Mom gives you money every day already.”
Meiyin said: “That money is gone just from meals every day, Mom. I see my classmates using really nice pens and pencil cases, and I want them too.”
Yuling said: “Do better pens make your handwriting prettier or something? Your writing looks like a clay doll scribbling charms—no matter what pen you use, it’s the same.”
Meiyin said: “That’s not it, Mom. I mean, I’m already in junior high, but I’m still wearing my older sister’s old clothes. My classmates are already wearing really pretty headbands to school. I look so shabby.”
Yuling stopped what she was doing and asked: “So this is your real reason for asking for money, huh?”
Meiyin said: “Come on, just give me the money, Mom~.”
“No means no.” Yuling’s tone was firm, her expression displeased.
Yaxin walked in from the doorway.
Yuling said: “Look at your sister—so well-behaved. From childhood until now, she’s never once asked me for money. You don’t even study as well as your sister, yet you still have the nerve to ask for allowance every few days?”
Yaxin asked: “Mom, what happened?”
Yuling said: “If only you were even half as sensible as your sister.”
Meiyin said resentfully: “Sister, sister—everything good is always about her, and everything bad is me! Fine, I’m just not well-behaved, okay! Hmph!”
Meiyin stormed off in anger, deliberately giving Yaxin a small shove before leaving.
Yuling shook her head and sighed: “Sigh! I really don’t know what to do with this child.”
Youji kept his head down, drawing. On the paper appeared a dark-colored fire-breathing dragon roaring angrily at two women.

33
In the church rehearsal room, Yaxin sat at the piano, playing with focused attention, while Candy (Tang Meiyun) stood beside her giving guidance.
Under the shade of a tree not far outside the window, Father John listened to the sound of the piano.
Candy said: “In this passage, pay special attention to your finger positions. And don’t forget—you’re not just playing with your right hand. You can let your left hand lead here. Yes, that’s it.”
Xiyang walked into the church carrying a violin and came up to them: “Hello, Candy. How is Yaxin doing?”
Candy said: “Your student is very good. She absorbs what I teach extremely quickly, just like a sponge. Watching her practice so intently, I often forget about her ears…”
Xiyang immediately signaled: “Candy!”
Teacher Tang suddenly realized she had misspoken and hurriedly stopped. Yaxin, however, remained immersed in the world of the piano, not noticing their conversation at all.
Candy asked: “Yaxin, are you tired? You’ve been playing continuously for two hours. Shall we stop here for today?”
Yaxin turned to look at Teacher Tang, her expression radiant, showing no sign of fatigue at all.
Xiyang said: “Candy, look at her expression—she’s clearly not satisfied yet. Let her practice a bit longer.”
Candy said: “I really admire you. Alright, let’s continue.”
Teacher Tang continued guiding Yaxin, while Xiyang sat nearby watching the two with great interest.

34
Yuling was busy in the kitchen preparing braised pork for dinner.
Yuling called out: “A-Xin, come help me for a bit, A-Xin.”
When Yuling saw that Yaxin didn’t show up for a long time, she wiped her hands and went to Yaxin’s room. She saw Yaxin leaning over the desk, intently playing a silent piano.
Yuling asked: “A-Xin, what are you doing?”
Yuling reached out and placed her hand on Yaxin’s shoulder. Startled, Yaxin quickly turned on her hearing aid.
Yaxin said: “No… nothing.”
Yuling asked: “Is this a piano you drew on your desk? Are you practicing piano?”
Yaxin nodded.
Yuling said: “Then how do you know how to play the piano? Did your school teacher teach you?”
Yaxin said: “Mom, no—it’s a teacher I met at church outside who’s teaching me.”
Yuling said: “I see. That teacher is really nice. Playing the piano is great. I was worried you only focused on studying and didn’t know how to develop your own interests. Learning piano is a good thing, but you know Mom’s income is limited. Such an expensive instrument—I can’t afford to buy one for you right now…”
Hearing this, Yaxin quickly shook her head and said: “That’s really not necessary. I can just go to the church after school to practice.”
Yuling said: “I see… By the way, has that Father John at the church come to talk to you again recently?”
Yaxin said: “No.”
Yuling said: “That’s good. Can you come help me in the kitchen now?”
Yaxin said: “Okay.”
Yuling and Yaxin passed through the living room. Youji was still scribbling endlessly, while Meiyin was watching a singing program attentively, occasionally humming along.

35
In the church rehearsal room, Candy was tuning that old piano.
Father John walked in. Candy had just finished a section of work and said: “This piano really should be replaced, Father.”
John said: “I’ve reported the piano issue to the regional bishop. He said he would find a way to secure the funds.”
Candy said: “How long will that take? Why don’t I pay for it first? The choir uses it regularly for rehearsals anyway, and my student Yaxin needs it for practice too.”
John thought for a moment and said: “How could I accept that? You’ve already devoted so much to the church. How can we let you spend your own money? I still have some savings—let me use that first.”
Candy said: “Alright, we’ll do as you say.”
John said: “Candy, thank you for teaching Yaxin piano.”
Candy asked, puzzled: “Why thank me? Yaxin is a piece of unpolished jade. When one has a talented student, one should teach her. I’m more than willing.”
John said: “To be honest, Yaxin is actually my long-lost daughter, Vivian.”
Candy said in surprise: “Oh? No wonder her sense of music is so good—it comes from your genes. Like father, like daughter. You should let Yaxin know her own background.”
John said somewhat wistfully: “I promised Vivian’s mother that I would try not to disturb her life.”
Candy said: “I see… that really puts you in a difficult position, Father.”
John said: “Actually, I really want to do something for Vivian.”
Candy said: “I understand how you feel, John. But don’t you think Yaxin has the right to know her own background?”
John sighed softly: “Sigh… how could I not want to? Over the years, I owe their mother and daughter far too much…”
Candy said: “How about this—when Yaxin comes to practice later, I’ll find a chance to tell her.”
“Is that alright?” John still had some concerns.
Candy said: “Don’t worry. Blood ties cannot be denied. Sooner or later, you’ll have to face this.”

36
In the rehearsal room, Candy guided Yaxin in practicing a piano piece. Not far away, under the shade of a tree, stood Father John.
After a segment of practice, Candy signaled with her eyes and said: “Yaxin, do you notice the priest under the tree? He’s been standing there for quite a while.”
Yaxin said: “Mm.”
Candy said: “Father John has always cared about you. Do you know why?”
The perceptive Yaxin had actually sensed it vaguely, but she was not yet mentally prepared to accept John. She nodded slowly and said: “I know.”
Candy said: “Your mother doesn’t want Father John to disturb your lives, but John is, after all, your biological father.”
Yaxin lowered her head. After a while, she spoke: “Teacher, what should I do?”
Candy gently stroked Yaxin’s long hair and encouraged her: “Face him. Accept him calmly, child.”
Yaxin remained silent.
Candy took Yaxin’s hand and said: “Go on, child!”
Yaxin stood up, walked toward the courtyard, and came before John.
John opened his arms, embraced Yaxin, and kissed her forehead. Neither of them spoke.
Inside the window, Candy watched the father and daughter, her eyes brimming with tears, deeply moved…

37
Yaxin and Meiyin were in the living room doing their homework. Yuling, wearing an apron, walked in.
Yuling said: “A-Xin, in a moment, take your younger sister with you and go to the supermarket to help me buy a bag of rice. We’re almost out of rice at home.”
Meiyin said: “Why do I have to go too?”
Yuling said: “Your sister’s hearing isn’t convenient. I’m never at ease letting her go out alone, so you sisters should go together.”
Meiyin complained: “So annoying. I can barely finish my homework as it is!”
Yuling said in a commanding tone: “If I tell you to go with your sister, then you go.”
Meiyin said impatiently: “Fine! I’ll go, okay!”

Yaxin and Meiyin walked side by side on the road when three of Meiyin’s classmates approached them from the opposite direction.
Classmate A said: “Hi, Meiyin.”
Meiyin said: “Hi, where are you guys going to have fun?”
Classmate B said: “We’re going to watch a movie.”
Meiyin said enviously: “That’s so nice! I really want to go too, but…”
Classmate C asked: “Meiyin, who is she? That red-haired doll.”
Meiyin said: “She’s my sister.”
Yaxin said: “Hello, I’m Meiyin’s older sister.”
Classmate A asked curiously: “Hey, is your sister a foreigner? The way she talks sounds kind of strange.”
Meiyin said somewhat awkwardly: “She… she’s mixed-race. We have the same mom. She can’t hear very well—she has to wear a hearing aid to barely hear sounds.”
Classmate B said: “That must be very inconvenient.”
Classmate C said: “Yeah, so pitiful.”

Silence fell, and both sides were caught in an awkward moment.
Classmate A said: “Then… we’ll go first.”
They said goodbye to each other. Meiyin and Yaxin walked side by side in silence. Suddenly, Meiyin stopped. Yaxin walked a bit further, then turned back when she noticed her sister had stopped.
Yaxin asked: “What’s wrong?”
Meiyin said: “Sis, please don’t walk next to me. The way you talk makes me feel so embarrassed.”

After saying this, Meiyin quickly walked ahead, deliberately leaving Yaxin behind. Yaxin stood there in a daze for a moment, then hurried to catch up.
Meiyin suddenly stopped and stared at a shop window, then lowered her head and continued walking forward. Yaxin, who was behind, curiously stepped over to look at the window as well.
Yaxin thought to herself: “So this is the headband my sister likes.”

38
At Fisherman’s Wharf, after finishing their street performance, Yaxin helped Xiyang pack up the instruments.
Xiyang went across the street to buy herbal tea. When he returned, he offered Yaxin a drink.
Xiyang said: “Yaxin, come! Sit here and rest for a bit. This cup of herbal tea is for you.”
Yaxin said: “Thank you.”
Xiyang said: “The moon is very round and big tonight, just like the one in my hometown.”
Yaxin drank the herbal tea, tilted her head, and looked at Xiyang with a puzzled expression.
Xiyang said: “My hometown is very beautiful, with great mountains and rivers—but not great salaries. So many young people leave for the city to work.”
Yaxin asked: “Like you?”
Xiyang said: “Me? You could say that. But performing is my dream. I came here to pursue my dream. Performing everywhere is a kind of joy. Being able to chase one’s dream is a happy thing. Do you have a dream?”
Yaxin lowered her head and said: “Someone like me… can I still have a dream? I…”
Xiyang said optimistically: “Of course you can. As long as you’re not afraid of hardship and keep moving forward.”
Yaxin said: “But my ears… and the way I speak…”
Xiyang encouraged her: “You can still hear, can’t you? Does that affect your love for music?”
Yaxin shook her head.
Xiyang said: “That’s right. You have a talent for music. You must have confidence in yourself.”
After hearing Xiyang’s words, Yaxin nodded and smiled.

39
In the first-year gifted class classroom, during break time, Yaxin sat at her seat reading. Xueye glanced in her direction, then turned away with a disdainful expression. Seeing this, the girls from the “Princess Clique” deliberately gathered around Yaxin.
Girl A said sarcastically: “So obedient—still sitting at your seat reading during break!”
Girl B mocked: “Yeah, truly the teacher’s favorite student.”
Girl C said: “No wonder the teachers always protect her.”
Girl D said: “Our Xueye is so pitiful.”
Girl A said with insinuation: “Xueye is so loyal, unlike certain people who pretend to be well-behaved to win the teachers’ favor—so scheming!”

The girls chattered one after another. Yaxin slipped her hand into her pocket and quietly turned off her hearing aid. Instantly, she fell into a silent world. The girls gesturing and talking looked like clowns performing a mime in front of her.

At that moment, class monitor Lin Yijun walked over: “Don’t be like this. We’re classmates by fate—there’s no need to speak in such a sarcastic way.”
Girl A said: “Class monitor, we’re just telling the truth!”
Girl B said: “We didn’t wrong her.”
Lin Yijun said: “If the situation were reversed and one of you were being mocked, you wouldn’t think that way.”
Girl C said: “Even you are defending this deaf-mute? Aren’t you afraid we’ll vote to remove you as class monitor in the class meeting?”
Lin Yijun said displeased: “You all bully her so often—I just can’t stand it. Whether I remain class monitor or not doesn’t matter to me!”
Zhang Xueye said: “Can’t you read the room? The class monitor is angry.”
The girls looked at each other and did not dare to say anything more.