Chapter 1:

  A Tale of Eternal Love

  "Echoes of Loss"

  Lian Shen was a quiet girl with gray eyes and wavy, dark brown hair that fell to her shoulders. She had white skin and often appeared calm, though some people thought she looked cold-hearted at first glance.

  She lived in Seoul, a large and bustling city in South Korea, with her father and grandmother. Her father, Dong Shen, worked hard as a taxi driver to support their small family. Her grandmother, Eur Shen, was kind and gentle, always sharing stories about the past, especially about her late husband, Tong Shen, who had died when Lian was only three years old. Lian’s mother, Fian Shen, had passed away when Lian was seven. Lian missed her deeply and carried that sadness with her every day.

  Despite the early losses in her life, Lian’s home was peaceful and safe. Her father made sure they had everything they needed. Though their house was simple, it was filled with love and warmth. Money was never a big worry, and her father often brought home little surprises that made her smile. Lian helped her grandmother with chores and waited each evening for her father to return home.

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  One day, while she was walking in the park, her father called her from work. They chatted for a moment about dinner and how her day had gone. Then, something terrifying happened. She suddenly heard her father shout—and then the call went dead. Lian’s heart pounded. She didn’t hesitate. She threw on her coat and ran to the location her father had mentioned.

  When she arrived, the street was crowded. Her father was lying on the ground. He had been hit by a speeding motorbike, and the rider had fled the scene. An ambulance came quickly and rushed him to the hospital. Lian went with him, holding on to hope. But despite the doctors’ efforts, they couldn’t save him. Her father was gone.

  Lian was devastated. The police began an investigation and suspected it might not have been an accident. Since the motorbike rider didn’t stop, they began treating it as a possible crime. In one single, awful moment, Lian’s quiet, safe life was shattered. Nothing would ever be the same again.

  When her father died, Lian's world fell apart. She was suddenly responsible for taking care of her grandma all by herself. She started driving a taxi, like her dad did. His old car became her new way of life, and every day was a fresh start in a life she never planned.