As Xiao Wei made his way into the hospital corridor, his heart heavy with sorrow and concern, he couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness that gnawed at him from within. Seeing Ming-Ling and her mother in such pain tore at his soul, and he knew that he had to do whatever he could to ease their burden during this difficult time.
Approaching Mrs. Hung with a somber expression, Xiao Wei offered her a gentle smile, his eyes filled with genuine compassion.
Mrs. Hung,  he said softly, his voice tinged with sadness.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr. Hung was a good man, and he will be deeply missed.
Tears welled up in Mrs. Hung's eyes at Xiao Wei's words, her heart aching with grief for her beloved husband.
"Thank you, Xiao Wei," she whispered hoarsely, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Your kindness means more to us than you'll ever know."
Xiao Wei reached out and took Mrs. Hung's hand in his own, offering her a silent gesture of comfort and support.
I know that this is a difficult time for you and Ming-Ling, Xiao wei stated gently with a deep voice. 
But please, let me help. I'll take care of the arrangements and make sure that everything is handled with the utmost care and respect. You shouldn't have to worry about a thing.
Mrs. Hung looked up at Xiao Wei, her eyes shining with gratitude and relief.
"Thank you, Xiao Wei," she said, her voice choked with emotion.
"That means so much to us."
With a reassuring nod, Xiao Wei turned to Ming-Ling, his gaze soft and tender.
And as for you, Ming-Ling, he said, his voice filled with warmth.
I'll be here for you every step of the way. You don't have to face this alone.
Ming-Ling's heart swelled with gratitude at Xiao Wei's words, her eyes shining with tears as she looked up at him.
"Thank you, Xiao Wei," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the din of the hospital.
"I don't know what I would do without you."
With a gentle smile, Xiao Wei pulled Ming-Ling into another embrace, holding her close as they stood together in the hospital corridor. At that moment, surrounded by the echoes of their shared grief, Ming-Ling felt a sense of comfort and solace wash over her, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still light to be found, still hope to cling to.
As Xiao Wei drove Ming-Ling and her mother back to Montana Mansion, the atmosphere in the car was heavy with grief and sorrow. None of them spoke a word, each lost in their own thoughts and memories of Mr. Hung. Ming-Ling stared out the window, her eyes glazed with tears as she replayed the events of the day in her mind. Her mother sat beside her, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her face drawn with sadness. And Xiao Wei, behind the wheel, kept his eyes focused on the road ahead, his expression unreadable.
The journey back to the mansion felt like an eternity, each passing mile stretching out into infinity as they made their way through the darkened streets. Ming-Ling's heart ached with the weight of their loss, her mind consumed by thoughts of her father, of the laughter they had shared, the tears they had shed, the love they had for each other. It was almost too much to bear.
As they pulled up to the gates of the mansion, Ming-Ling felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, a weariness that went bone deep. The sight of the housemaids and gatemen waiting outside, their faces somber with grief, only served to deepen her sense of despair. They offered their condolences in hushed tones as Ming-Ling and her mother made their way inside, their hearts heavy with sorrow.
The mansion felt empty and hollow as they stepped through the doors, the silence echoing off the walls like a ghostly whisper. Ming-Ling's footsteps echoed in the grand foyer as she made her way to the living room, her mother following close behind. They sank onto the couch together, their grief weighing them down like a leaden blanket.
For hours, they sat in silence, the only sound the occasional sniffle or sob as they struggled to come to terms with their loss. Ming-Ling's mind raced with memories of her father, of the times they had shared, the lessons he had taught her, the love he had shown her. It was almost impossible to believe that he was gone, that she would never hear his voice again, never feel his comforting presence by her side.
As the night wore on, Ming-Ling found herself unable to sleep, her mind restless with thoughts of her father. She tossed and turned in bed, her heart heavy with grief, until finally, as the first light of dawn began to creep through the curtains, she gave up trying to rest. She made her way downstairs to the kitchen, where she found her mother sitting at the table, a cup of tea in her hands, her eyes red-rimmed with tears.
"Mom," Ming-Ling said softly, crossing the room to sit beside her.
"Are you okay?"
Her mother looked up at her, her eyes filled with sadness.
"I don't know, Ming-Ling," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I just can't believe he's gone."
Ming-Ling reached out and took her mother's hand in hers, offering her a silent gesture of comfort and support.
"I know, Mom," ming-ling stated gently.
"I can't believe it either."
For a moment, they sat in silence, the weight of their grief pressing down on them like physical force. Then, slowly, tentatively, they began to talk, sharing memories of Mr. Hung, reminiscing about the good times they had shared, finding solace in each other's company.
And as the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm golden light over the mansion, Ming-Ling and her mother found themselves surrounded by a sense of peace, a peace born of their shared sorrow, their shared memories, their shared love for the man they had lost. And at that moment, they knew that no matter what the future held, they would face it together as a family, united in their grief and bound by their love for each other. It was early in the morning when a doorbell was given attention to
'knock, knock'
As the morning sun cast its golden rays over Montana Mansion, Ming-Ling and her mother were startled by a gentle knock on the door. With heavy hearts, they exchanged a glance, wondering who could be calling at such an early hour. Ming-Ling rose from her seat at the kitchen table, her footsteps echoing in the quiet house as she made her way to the door.
Upon opening it, Ming-Ling was surprised to find Xiao Wei's parents standing on the doorstep, their faces etched with concern and sorrow. Xiao Wei's mother, Mrs. Li, was a petite woman with kind eyes and a warm smile, while his father, Mr. Li, was tall and imposing, with a stern yet compassionate demeanor.
"Mrs. Li, Mr. Li, Ming-Ling said, her voice filled with surprise.
"What are you doing here?"
Mrs. Li reached out and took Ming-Ling's hands in hers, her eyes brimming with tears. We heard about what happened to Mr. Hung, your father." she said softly.
We wanted to come and offer our condolences to you and your mother. We can't imagine what you're going through right now.
Ming-Ling's heart swelled with gratitude for Mrs. Li's words, her eyes shining with tears.
"Thank you," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
"Your support means the world to us."
Mr. Li stepped forward, his expression grave.
"We also wanted to offer our assistance in any way we can," he said, his voice firm but gentle.
"We know that this must be a difficult time for you and your family, and we want you to know that we're here for you."
Ming-Ling nodded, her heart heavy with gratitude for the Li family's kindness and support.
Thank you, Mr. Li, she said, her voice filled with emotion.
"We appreciate your offer more than you know."
With a solemn nod, Mr. Li turned to Ming-Ling's mother, offering her a respectful bow.
Please accept our deepest condolences, he said, his voice tinged with sympathy.
Mr. Hung was a good man, and he will be sorely missed.
Ming-Ling's mother nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "
Thank you, Mr. Li, she replied softly.
"Your kind words mean more to us than you'll ever know."
As the Li family and Ming-Ling's mother exchanged words of comfort and support, Ming-Ling felt a sense of gratitude wash over her, a gratitude for the kindness and compassion of her friends and neighbors, for the strength and resilience of her own family in the face of adversity.
As the Li family made their way inside Montana Mansion to offer their condolences, they were soon joined by a steady stream of neighbors and friends, each carrying flowers and offering words of comfort and support to Ming-Ling and her mother. The atmosphere inside the mansion was heavy with grief, but the presence of their loved ones brought a sense of warmth and camaraderie to the somber occasion.
Among the guests was Mrs. Chen, an elderly widow who had been friends with Ming-Ling's parents for many years. She approached Ming-Ling's mother with a sympathetic smile, her eyes brimming with tears. "My dear friend," she said softly, taking Mrs. Hung's hand in hers.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Hung was a wonderful man, and he will be deeply missed.
Mrs. Hung nodded, her own eyes shining with tears. Thank you, Mrs.Chen, she replied, her voice choked with emotion.
"Your kind words mean more to us than you'll ever know."
As Mrs. Chen offered her condolences, Ming-Ling found herself surrounded by other neighbors and friends, each offering their own words of comfort and support. Some shared fond memories of Mr. Hung, recalling his generosity and kindness, while others simply offered a hug or a reassuring pat on the back.
But amidst the outpouring of sympathy and support, Ming-Ling couldn't help but notice the undercurrent of gossip that ran through the crowd. Whispers and murmurs floated through the air, as neighbors speculated about the circumstances surrounding Mr. Hung's death. Some claimed that Ming-Ling's return to Montana Mansion had brought back bad luck, while others whispered about possible foul play or hidden motives.
Ming-Ling felt a pang of frustration and anger at the rumors, knowing that they were unfounded and hurtful. But she pushed aside her emotions, focusing instead on the support and love that surrounded her in the form of her family and friends.
As the morning wore on and the guests began to depart, Ming-Ling found herself feeling a mixture of relief and exhaustion. The outpouring of support from their neighbors had been overwhelming, but it had also been a source of comfort and strength during a difficult time.
As the last of the guests filed out the door, Ming-Ling sank onto the couch, her heart heavy with grief but also filled with gratitude for the love and support of those who cared for her.