As an observer, even if I cannot witness it with my own eyes or experience it firsthand, I still feel a sense of sympathy for these people. Adam Dale's story—I cannot imagine what must have been going through his mind at the time, living like an ant, barely surviving.
"Sympathy? Ethan Zhang, for what we've been through?"
I glanced at Xu Fu and nodded.
"I'm not telling you this story because I want your sympathy. Make sure you understand that."
I think I understand now why Xu Fu wants to tell me these stories. I remembered what Master Frank Yuan said about murderous intent.
"It seems you've started to understand, Ethan Zhang. Go cook. Once we've eaten, we'll continue. I'll tell you everything—about all thirteen of us. You have the right to know."
Xu Fu's last words—'you have the right to know'—filled me with immediate doubt. He put away his smile.
"What must come will come. What you ought to know, you'll learn someday. What you know now is only the beginning."
Dr. Henry Lin only smiled faintly at what Adam Dale said, as if a child were joking—he didn't take it to heart. At first, he was a little afraid; if Magistrate Lawrence died, who would he go to for the money?
Magistrate Lawrence was over fifty, but had no major illnesses.