Chapter 2: The Love Gene A(Jan.25)

Jun.2024 In this bittersweet world, why is the human suicide rate so low at only 0.02%?

Humans are basically governed by three preset genes.

The "Immortal Gene" drives humans to fear death and choose survival.

The "Love Gene" compels humans to bond with the opposite sex and reproduce.

The "Growth Gene" fosters a desire for novelty, providing opportunities for human development and progress.

February 26, 2004, Lo Wu Women's Correctional Institution.

At the public transport waiting area outside the correctional facility, several individuals awaited the release of their loved ones.

One middle-aged woman had even brought new clothes, eagerly anticipating the moment her relative would be released and could change into fresh attire.

Soon, several female inmates were released, among them the person the middle-aged woman was waiting for.

"Wanzhen, come over here and change into these new clothes." The woman was there to greet Liang Wanzhen, a former police detective who had accidentally killed her mother.

In May 1999, Wanzhen was sentenced to seven years in prison for the accidental killing of her mother.

Due to her good behaviour and deducted leave, she was released early today.

"Auntie, thank you for your hard work!" The woman was Wanzhen's maternal aunt.

Since the accidental death of Wanzhen's mother, her aunt had taken on the responsibility of handling the aftermath.

This included arranging her mother's funeral, dealing with the legal implications of the accidental killing, and managing the public housing unit after Wanzhen's imprisonment.

With Wanzhen's release, her aunt could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Having lost several years, Wanzhen was now 28, with a touch of weariness but still possessing a youthful, pure beauty.

Since her imprisonment and her mother's death, their public housing unit in Tsuen Wan West had been reclaimed by the Housing Authority.

Upon her release, Wanzhen had to temporarily stay at her aunt's home.

Her aunt, a widow with children living abroad, resided alone in a unit at Amoy Gardens in Kowloon's Ngau Tau Kok.

"Wanzhen, this is the room prepared for you." Her aunt had cleared out her son's old room for Wanzhen.

"Thank you, Auntie." Wanzhen looked around the room.

"No need to thank me. Taking care of you is my duty and what I can do for your mother." Aunt smiled.

"Watching the news in prison, I heard about the SARS outbreak last year. It must have been terrifying. It seems lively again now?" Wanzhen glanced out the window.

"That period was indeed horrifying. I didn't dare visit you in prison, fearing I might infect you. I only resumed visits after the outbreak ended." Aunt recalled.

"You've been through so much, Auntie. I'm glad you weren't infected, and now it's finally over." Wanzhen nodded.

"So, Wanzhen, what are your plans now?" Aunt asked.

"I haven't thought much about the future yet." Wanzhen shook her head, having just regained her freedom.

"That's understandable. Take your time to adjust here. There's no need to rush." Aunt didn't press further.

"Aunt... I want to see mother." Wanzhen lowered her head and asked.

"Oh! Okay, it's been a few years. I believe sister wants to see you too." Aunt stroked Wanzhen and nodded in agreement.

The next day, Diamond Hill Cemetery.

Wanzhen and her aunt came to the place where her mother's ashes were buried.

Wanzhen, who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, has lost some of her memories and has no recollection of how her mother died.

Wanzhen only heard the police's statement that she had killed her mother by mistake.

Wanzhen was heartbroken as her mother, who had depended on her since childhood, died in vain at her hands. She burst into tears as she looked at the tombstone, and her aunt kept comforting her.

March 1, Telford Plaza.

With no clear direction for the future, Wanzhen spent her free time wandering around Telford Plaza, reacquainting herself with the changes in society over the past few years.

Her former partner, Sergeant Chen Dazhong, also lived in Telford Gardens.

Suffering from Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Wanzhen had lost some memories, including those of her partner Chen Dazhong, but the feelings remained.

Back then, during their surveillance at Dalian Hospital, after each shift with partner Li Boguang, Dazhong would drive her here for breakfast before taking her home.

Thus, the surroundings felt familiar to Wanzhen.

"Liang Wanzhen." As Wanzhen walked, someone called her name.

"Who is it?" Wanzhen turned to see a stranger.

"You... don't recognize me?" The man was Ryumoto Taro, wanted by the FBI, who had come to Hong Kong under a false identity.

Risking arrest and exposure, Ryumoto had come to find the woman he deeply loved, Liang Wanzhen.

But now, it seemed she had forgotten him, leaving him disappointed.