The first rays of dawn broke across the harbor as Lin Wantang slid from the sleek yacht's deck onto the hospital quay, Jasper nestled in her arms and Qi Siheng at her side. The night's storm had passed, leaving a crisp salt tang in the air and the horizon ablaze in gold and rose.
Paramedics were waiting, having transported Wantang's shoulder‑wound victim to the infirmary. The cut was a grazing hit—painful but superficial—yet it left her gown stained with her own blood. She winced as they led her toward the emergency entrance.
“Stay with Jasper," Siheng instructed softly, brushing a damp strand of hair from her face. “I'll handle this."
She nodded and carried Jasper inside. Mei followed, clutching a plush blanket and warm water for his morning wash. In the lobby's warm glow, Wantang felt
