Lián Xīng stood looking over the city from high in one of its state-of-the-art skyscrapers.

  “Miss Lián Xīng.” Came from behind her, but she knew he was already there. The man’s gold-rimmed glasses reflected in the pristine glass in front of her.

  “Mr Chen Jiehong?”

  He nodded, holding out his slim-fingered hand to shake her hand. She did so, but didn’t like the clammy feeling coming from his hand. As he turned to lead her into his office, she tried as inconspicuously as possible to wipe her hand.

  His office was tidy but small. He wasn’t that high up in the firm.

  “Please sit.” Chen Jiehong gestured to the lone plush seat in front of his desk. The one thing that didn’t match the humble surroundings.

  Miss Lián Xīng sat down and tugged on her pristine dark navy blue suit jacket. She didn’t wear it often, but when she did, she always made sure there wasn’t a wrinkle in sight.

  “Let’s get right to it then.” He clicked on a file on his holographic screen, the contents only visible from his side. He held out a device for her tech brace. “Zhang Limei wished for me to give you a message before I read the will.” After tapping her brace, he bowed, “I will give you ten minutes before I return.”

  “Thank you.” Lián Xīng looked nervously at her brace, knowing she was about to see her best friend again but also knowing she wouldn’t hug her again. She wouldn’t be able to hear her melodic laugh. Tears welled up in her eyes, but still she waited until the soft click of the door closing behind the solicitor before she moved.

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  Softly she tapped on the message, a voice that was her late best friend trying to sound professional asked for a pass code: “Starlight Sisters.” She whispered, a lone tear falling down her cheek.

  “Hello, my sister.” A hologram of Zhang Limei looked softly at her, her features wane from sickness. “I know you’ll be angry at me I didn’t tell you I was sick, but I won’t regret it. You would have never stopped trying to save me, and I’m afraid you’d forget me. Forget to just be with me and the kids. I could never let that happen, even if it meant I would have to say goodbye one day. I wanted it on my terms.” She paused, her smile turning sad, no doubt remembering losing her parents suddenly. “I know that makes me selfish, but let me be selfish just this once.” She cleared her throat and wiped her tears away, “I give you everything, my sister. My children, what is left of my family’s fortune, and our estate. All I ask is that you keep your promise you gave my children when they were born: love them, keep them safe, and give them whatever they want.” She let out a laugh, “That last one will probably hard with how the world is going to turn. Use my fortune wisely, sister. Keep our little family safe and healthy no matter what happens in the outside world.” There was a pause before it looked as if the hologram knew exactly where she was, their gazes connecting. “I love you, my sister-of-my-heart.”

  Tears fell onto Lián Xīng’s cheeks, and choked sobs came from her mouth. Her hands covered her mouth to stifle the sound, even as her shoulders shook.

  The soft click of the door behind her had her straightening up, a tissue was placed in front of her.

  She took it and wiped her tears, whispering a soft ‘Thank you’.

  Chen Jiehong walked forward and around his desk with a cold business smile, followed by a notary. Before sitting and looking at his screens, “The will of Zhang Limei reads thusly: I, Zhang Limei, give all my personal property to my good friend, Lián Xīng….I give all my residences…to Lián Xīng…I appoint as guardian of the person of my minor children to my good friend, Lián Xīng, under the assumption she’ll hold to her promise to them at their birth.”

  Zhang Limei had given her everything.

  She believed in her ability to keep her family safe.

  Now, Lián Xīng needed to hold herself to such beliefs; she could and would protect her family.