Chapter 747: The Secret of Baohua (Part 1)

Amid Li Ang's indecision, the carriage carrying his family passed the checkpoint and entered Redwood Avenue, traveling deep into its length.

As the two children pressed against the carriage windows, awestruck by the two towering redwoods nearly a hundred meters tall, Li Ang also spotted Emma's familiar figure at the entrance of Baohua Estate.

After taking one child in each arm and helping William and Melanie off the carriage, Li Ang saw Emma, dressed in a plain woolen skirt with minimal adornment, quietly smiling at him as she held a little girl's hand by the roadside. His heart suddenly grew calmer.

"Sorry we're a bit late."

"You're not late. Eli and I just stepped out a moment ago."

Watching the two children hold Li Ang's hands, curiously studying his daughter, Emma couldn't help smiling, then gently squeezed the tiny, tense fist in her own palm.

"Eli, say hello to Uncle Li Ang."

The little girl, wearing a wide-brimmed soft child's hat and a matching woolen dress, timidly spoke:

"Hello, Uncle Li Ang, Hello, Aunt Anna, and… hello to you too."

The girl's voice was lovely—not only crisp and melodic like wind chimes beneath a summer eave, but also soft and milky at the end, making her sound gentle just from hearing her.

Yet, unlike her gentle voice, her attire seemed deliberately "unapproachable"—the cuffs and hem of her woolen dress had been specially lengthened, fully concealing her wrists and small shoes.

Even the collar, embroidered with tiny flowers, was raised, hiding her slightly chubby chin, while her face, already half-obscured by the wide hat brim, wore large, opaque glasses that nearly concealed her pale, delicate features.

This child… seems afraid of light?

Seeing that the girl's hand, held by Emma, also wore delicate gloves, Li Ang raised an eyebrow in thought, then knelt down, smiling:

"You too, Eli. Happy birthday."

"Thank you, Uncle Li Ang…"

When Li Ang knelt to her eye level, the girl—who rarely interacted with others—instinctively stepped back, hiding half her body behind Emma's skirt.

But hearing his firm yet gentle tone and seeing the kindness in his eyes, her fear melted away, and without realizing it, she took half a step forward.

Huh?

Noticing her hand no longer tensed—and even slightly tugged outward, as if pulling her closer to Li Ang—Emma's eyes lit up with surprise.

Eli doesn't resist contact with Li Ang?

…

【Trustworthy Older Brother (Bronze): Having lost your parents early, you took on responsibilities early… deeply loved by your younger siblings】

【Effect: When speaking with minors younger than you, they will easily trust you, and during emotional moments, may trigger the special state "Open Heart," confiding their burdens and secrets to you】

Indeed, Emma's daughter, having had little contact with others, was naturally shy. Switching on this badge beforehand was the right move.

Through the lenses, Li Ang studied Eli's eyes and confirmed her fear and unfamiliarity had largely faded. He smiled faintly, then waved to William and Melanie, inviting them to greet "Little Sister Eli."

With the 【Trustworthy Older Brother】 effect grounding her, her tension and fear vanished; moreover, encountering two peers who were social phobes themselves, her mood quickly brightened. The once-reticent Eli soon overcame her unfamiliarity and played with Li Ang's two little devils, even boldly removing her glasses and letting curious Melanie try them on.

My guess was right—Emma's daughter is "abnormal."

Though neither child noticed, Li Ang, who had been watching her closely, keenly observed that after Eli removed her glasses, her body became slightly translucent as more sunlight touched her skin.

Even the change was minor—merely shifting from completely opaque flesh to 99. % opaque—the illusionary, ethereal quality was undeniable. She was certainly not a "normal" child.

Before Eli removed her glasses, Emma, who had been chatting with Anna, slightly bit her lower lip, as if wanting to stop her, but ultimately said nothing, allowing her daughter's anomaly to be exposed before Li Ang—only gently adjusting the hat when it slipped in play, shielding Eli from direct sunlight.

"Anna, could you do me a favor?"

Watching her daughter laugh and dance joyfully under the sun—more "alive" than ever—Emma's eyes, filled with both tenderness and guilt, refused to leave her. But finally, she turned back and asked Anna:

"Could you watch over them for me? I need to speak with Li Ang. Thank you."

"Emma, you don't need to be so formal."

Anna, Li Ang's savior, naturally agreed, leading the three playful children far around the execution platform beside the redwoods and along the main path into Baohua Estate.

Emma lagged half a step behind, walking beside Li Ang—who also had questions—and lowered her gaze, speaking softly:

"I'm sorry… Li Ang. I never told you about Eli's condition."

"It's fine."

Shaking his head slightly, Li Ang replied quietly:

"Emma, yesterday, besides ordering a gift for little Eli, I visited a friend in the Police Force and asked her to look up Baohua family records and some archived documents from that time.

So I understand your feelings. You didn't want to hide it from me—you just couldn't speak. Every time you tried, too many memories resurfaced, and your voice failed you."

Seeing Emma's tightly clenched lips and complex expression, Li Ang gently but firmly squeezed her cold hand, then spoke with sincere earnestness:

"Emma, I did these investigations not because I suspect you of ill intent, but because I feel you and the Director are hiding something from me—something deeply harmful to you.

But unlike the Director, I respect your wishes. If you're not ready, you don't have to tell me. I'll stop my inquiry.

Yet, in return, I ask you to promise me: before you do anything reckless, think of Eli first. Don't let yourself regret it, okay?"

"Thank you…"

Feeling the warmth from Li Ang's hand, Emma bit her lip, gently withdrew her palm, then pulled out a small, sharp knife and slashed her palm. She then firmly grasped Li Ang's left hand.

【Name: Sin of Baohua (Flesh, Life and Death)】

(End of Chapter)