The Dawn of Truth

I. Dark clouds loomed overhead. "Bang!" The cold, heavy iron door slammed shut behind A-Yu, like a cruel pronouncement of fate. The dull thud was like a powerful hammer blow, striking directly into the hearts of Lin Wanqing and Zhong Hua, causing their hearts to clench instantly, a wave of pain spreading through them. A-Yu, having inadvertently fallen into Gu Yanting's meticulously crafted, vicious trap, was now deeply mired in the quagmire of imprisonment. The dark, damp atmosphere of the detention center, like an all-pervasive ghost, seeped out silently through the narrow cracks in the door, slowly eroding the last vestiges of hope in their hearts.

Lin Wanqing's eyes were red and swollen, tears welling up like a flood about to burst its banks, yet she stubbornly held them back. She was filled with self-reproach, repeatedly berating herself in her heart. If it weren't for her, how could Ayu have fallen into such a desperate situation? Every thought was like a sharp knife, cutting cruelly into her heart. Zhong Hua, meanwhile, had her brows furrowed tightly, like two opposing mountain peaks, clutching the unexpectedly discovered old document tightly in her hand. She was caught in an incredibly difficult internal struggle. Revealing the clues in the document might be a lifeline for Ayu, but what if it triggered even more serious and unpredictable consequences? This thought was like a fog, preventing her from easily taking that crucial step.

The streets outside the detention center were as bustling as ever. People came and went, hurrying along, vehicles flowing endlessly, horns blaring and noise mingling together, creating the unique cacophony of the city. However, this vibrant scene stood in stark contrast to their icy despair. Lin Wanqing stared at the closed gate of the detention center, her eyes revealing a resolute determination. She silently vowed in her heart, "Ayu, no matter the cost, I will get you out." Zhong Hua, on the other hand, stood blankly to the side, as if her soul had left her body. Her mind was in turmoil, a tidal wave of thoughts colliding and intertwining, plunging her into a state of utter chaos.

II. A Difficult Exploration

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Wanqing immediately embarked on her arduous search. Like a tireless butterfly, she flitted through the city's streets and alleys. From the places where Ayu had worked diligently to the warm community where they had lived together, she left no stone unturned, not even the faintest glimmer of hope. Everyone who had ever crossed paths with Ayu became a target for her visits. She knocked on doors one by one, patiently asking questions time and again, her eyes always shining with unwavering determination, hoping to find the key figure among them who could turn the tide.

She first went to the coffee shop where Ayu had worked part-time. The shop was filled with the rich aroma of coffee, and soothing music played in the air. The owner was a kind-looking middle-aged man. Lin Wanqing anxiously told him about Ayu, hoping he could recall some useful details. The owner frowned slightly, trying hard to remember the scene, but after a moment, he shook his head helplessly: "I'm sorry, it's been too long, I really can't remember anything special." Lin Wanqing felt a pang of disappointment, but she didn't give up. After quickly thanking him, she rushed to a volunteer activity site where Ayu had participated.

The event was held at a community service center, bustling with people and volunteers moving about busily. Lin Wanqing found the organizers and spoke with the other volunteers one by one. However, several days passed, and she mostly received shakes of the head and helpless looks. Each dashed hope was like a bucket of cold water poured on her heart, but the flame in her heart to save Ayu never showed any sign of being extinguished.

Meanwhile, Zhong Hua was also working diligently in her field. She locked herself in her room, studying the old document like a persistent archaeologist, trying to unearth crucial clues related to Ayu's case from the yellowed pages and blurred handwriting. Utilizing her professional skills accumulated as a journalist, she consulted a vast amount of material, from dusty archives to the boundless sea of ​​online information, leaving no possible connection unchecked. The document's pages were yellowed, like a weathered old man, the handwriting somewhat blurred, as if deliberately concealing some secret. She would hunch over the table, eyes glued to the document, a magnifying glass in hand, carefully deciphering each word, often sitting for hours on end, forgetting even to eat. Time slipped away quietly in her focused expression; the only sounds in the room were her soft breathing and the rustling of the pages turning.

Night fell, and the city was illuminated by neon lights, their colorful glow reflecting on the streets and alleys. Lin Wanqing dragged her exhausted body home. Her legs felt like lead, and she collapsed onto the sofa, as if all her strength had been drained by the day's toil. She stared blankly at the ceiling, her mind replaying the image of Ayu suffering in the detention center. Ayu's haggard face and helpless eyes pierced her heart like needles. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she sat bolt upright. She remembered someone Ayu had mentioned—Uncle Li. Uncle Li was a close friend of Ayu's father; perhaps he knew something unknown and could be the key to saving Ayu. Lin Wanqing instantly perked up, all her weariness seemingly swept away by this sudden hope. Ignoring her physical exhaustion, she immediately got up and frantically searched through piles of documents and the corners of her memory for Uncle Li's contact information.

III. A Turning Point

After some twists and turns, Lin Wanqing finally contacted Uncle Li. A slightly weary voice came from the other end of the line. After Lin Wanqing anxiously explained her purpose, there was a moment of silence. This brief silence made Lin Wanqing's heart leap into her throat, as if time itself had frozen. After a long while, Uncle Li slowly spoke, "I do know some things that might be able to help Ayu." Lin Wanqing was overjoyed, like someone who had been groping in the dark for a long time finally seeing a glimmer of light. She quickly arranged a time and place to meet with Uncle Li, afraid that this hard-won hope would vanish in an instant.

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