These past few days, others had been telling Grandmother Yu the same thing – that they didn’t believe the body was Xu Zhongyi.

But Grandmother Yu particularly trusted Xia Xiaolan.

She didn’t care now whether Xia Xiaolan was just comforting her. If anyone could help uncover the truth and find her son’s family’s whereabouts, it would be Xia Xiaolan!

Though Xia Xiaolan and Zhou Cheng met a day early, they had little time for intimacy. There were too many procedures for the new autopsy, and everyone was busy with the matter.

On the 12th, Zhou Cheng departed for Detroit, with Xia Xiaolan personally sending him to the airport.

What followed was a whirlwind of activity. The story of an elderly Chinese woman searching for her son after 20 years abroad, uncertain whether he was alive or dead, gained the support of the Chinese Embassy in America. With both official involvement and Wen Manni’s efforts, they finally obtained permission for the autopsy on the 15th!

The 19-year-old case’s reopening and planned exhumation somehow caught the attention of local San Francisco radio stations, who wanted to interview Grandmother Yu.

“No interviews.”

If the body turned out to be Xu Zhongyi, and if things happened as Jim suggested – involving local gangs – Grandmother Yu wanted to protect her still-missing daughter-in-law Cui Yiru and grandson Xu Changle.

Xia Xiaolan supported her: “Let’s not refuse completely. San Francisco TV coverage might not be entirely bad. We can decide about interviews after we get the autopsy results, okay?”

If it wasn’t Xu Zhongyi, that would be best.

They could then use the TV stations to help search for Xu Zhongyi.

Originally, Xia Xiaolan had planned to “craft a story” for TV and newspapers herself, but having Grandmother Yu appear in person would be more effective.

Grandmother Yu nodded:

“Alright, we’ll do as you say!”

Permission came on the 15th, and the exhumation was scheduled for the 16th. Grandmother Yu insisted on going to the cemetery with the police.

Too much time had passed – the burnt skin was tightly stretched over the bones. Even Xia Xiaolan felt her heart race after one glance. Liu Fen couldn’t bear to look at all. The mother and daughter supported Grandmother Yu from both sides, fearing she might collapse.

Grandmother Yu watched as they unearthed the remains and the police took them away.

Her legs were weak, and she felt terrible, but she couldn’t fall. She kept telling herself:

“It’s not Zhongyi, it can’t be Zhongyi—”

An elderly woman standing beside a freshly opened grave, her white hair disheveled by the wind, needing two people’s support to stay upright – it was a heartbreaking sight.

Wen Manni felt deeply uncomfortable too.

American lawyers typically charge by the hour, but this case, which had taken Wen Manni many days, was purely legal aid. When Xia Xiaolan offered to pay, Wen Manni refused!

This was Professor Wen and Hu Ying’s wish – both deeply sympathized with Grandmother Yu’s situation.

Xu Zhongyi’s fate touched Professor Wen and Hu Ying, who had also immigrated to America decades ago. They’d just been luckier than Xu Zhongyi, establishing themselves successfully and now living good lives.

Xu Zhongyi had been among the unfortunate ones – his family of three had vanished after arriving in America.

“Though we’re immigrants, we’re still Chinese with yellow skin and black eyes. These are our characteristics, our proof of kinship in a foreign land. When compatriots face such difficulties, you should help. Manni, this is called ‘watching out for each other’!”

That’s what Professor Wen had told Wen Manni.

Watching out for each other?

Looking at Xia Xiaolan and her mother standing with Grandmother Yu, Wen Manni found it hard to believe they had no blood relation.

This pro bono legal aid case weighed heavily on Wen Manni’s heart.

Moved by some emotion, she unusually stepped forward:

“I’ll push the forensics team. Since there are no dental records from back then, please try to recall if Mr. Xu had any broken bones or other helpful clues from his childhood. We’ll ultimately rely on skull reconstruction to confirm the identity.”

The forensic technology of 1986 has certainly advanced since 1967.

Especially in America – as the current world superpower, if any country had the most advanced technologies, America would certainly be among the top two globally.

Grandmother Yu blinked her dry eyes:

“Zhongyi had an older brother who died young. My late husband and I protected our only remaining son carefully. He barely even had scratches growing up, let alone broken bones.”

Wen Manni nodded, “That’s alright. This case has TV station attention and embassy inquiry, so the San Francisco police will expedite it. I expect results within a week. A top skull reconstruction expert will personally handle it, and combined with the forensic data, we might achieve close to 70% similarity if successful.”

Close to 70%?

Xia Xiaolan felt that would be enough!

No matter how much a child changed, fat or thin, while others might not recognize them, wouldn’t a mother know?

With 60% similarity, Grandmother Yu could surely identify whether it was Xu Zhongyi at a glance.

“Connie, we don’t know how to thank you enough. You introduced Jim to us, and you’ve been delayed here in San Francisco for so long.”

Grandmother Yu wondered what she could offer Wen Manni in gratitude. Would all her savings converted to dollars be enough?

Wen Manni could only emphasize again that this was legal aid:

“The firm supports my involvement. Every law firm needs a certain number of aid cases. You don’t need to thank me especially… Now we just wait for news together.”

Wait for news!

Yes, that’s all they could do.

San Francisco TV stations knew about the renewed investigation into Xu Zhongyi’s case, and those involved must have heard rumors too. Xia Xiaolan increased Jim’s reward to $20,000, asking his informants to watch for anyone in San Francisco who might become restless.

If the remains were Xu Zhongyi’s, who was the killer, and where were his wife and child?

If not his remains, why had he vanished for years, completely forgetting his parents back home?

The truth buried for 20 years was about to be revealed.

Every day must have been torturous for Grandmother Yu.

By the 20th, while the skull reconstruction results weren’t in yet, Xia Xiaolan’s final exam results came out first.

Daisy’s voice was sharp over the phone:

“You should see this! You should come to school in person to see, but no worry, I can fax it to you… Xia, I’m so happy, I’m almost incoherent.”

Daisy started crying while speaking.

But these were tears of joy.

Tears flowing after such long suppression – how moving!

Xia Xiaolan softened her voice, “Oh, little Daisy, let me guess, you got an A in ‘Structural Elements’? Professor McCarthy gave you an A!”

“Yes, I got an A! Richard, Lyle, and I, we all got As! God, I’m so excited, I’ve decided to buy myself a new car and take a cross-country trip!”

Daisy had decided to spend her C·W prize money. No surprise there – don’t talk to Americans about saving, especially young Americans. Isn’t money meant to be spent on immediate enjoyment? As students do not get married, buy houses, or raise children, they are even less likely to save.