I bit my lip. “Okay.”


    After that, I remembered the thing I had wanted to ask him since yesterday and said, “Those people from yesterday–did theye looking for trouble again?”


    As I spoke, I instinctively nced at his hands and face, checking for injuries. Fortunately, there were none.


    “No,” Josh answered. He seemed to read my thoughts and reassured me, “Even if they did, they are not my match.”


    How domineering,‘ I thought.


    After finishing thest spoonful of oatmeal, I asked, “Did you find out anything about your father’s ident? Who exactly did you uncover that made them resort to threats?”


    Josh looked at me and exined, “They are afraid I will uncover the truth about my father’s boss’s death.”


    He was being vague again and only giving half an answer. So I pressed on, “Was your father’s boss some kind of big figure? Would his death have affected other people’s interests?”


    “He has been dead for over ten years. There is no more interest involved. What they are afraid of… is that his children might seek revenge,” Josh said, and something about his words made my throat tighten.


    “His boss had children? Have you met them? Do they know you are investigating?” I asked in quick session.


    Josh lowered his gaze and replied, “She does not know yet.”


    For a moment, I did not know what to say. Then, after a pause, I asked, “Are you going to keep looking into it?”


    “Of course,” Josh answered without a hint of hesitation.


    “But… it is dangerous. The people behind those men from yesterday are clearly not small–time,” I said, voicing my


    concerns.


    A sharp determination shed in Josh’s dark eyes. He looked straight at me and asked, “What? Worried about


    me?”


    His words carried a hint of ambiguity, but I still nodded and tried to persuade him, “Josh, your father and his boss are both gone. Even if you uncover the truth, they will note back. But putting yourself in danger for it–is it really worth it?”


    Josh’s gaze deepened, and he asked, “Is that what you think?”


    “People should look forward, not dwell on the past,” I repeated. It was something my father had always told my mother when he was alive, and 1 had never forgotten it.


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    “I see,” Josh said as he continued eating.


    I was not sure what else to say, but leaving immediately felt inappropriate. So, watching him finish off the rest of the food, I decided to offer a littlepliment in gratitude. “Your cooking skills are amazing. Did you learn this in the military? Were you assigned to the kitchen or something?”


    Of course, he was not. He had told me before–he was in special forces.


    “My little sister was sickly and a picky eater. I had to learn,” Josh said, and his words made me freeze.


    “You have a sister?” I asked.


    “Yes, my biological sister,” he rified, as if afraid I would misunderstand.


    I pursed my lips andmented, “You never mentioned her before.”


    Josh paused slightly in his movements, lifted his eyes to look at me, and said, “I never had the chance.”


    “How old is she? Is she around my age? Is she studying or working?” I asked curiously.


    Josh tightened his grip on his chopsticks and sighed. “She is not well.”


    I froze for a moment, suddenly realizing that I had touched a sore spot for Josh. I did not know what to say.


    “A congenital heart disease,” Josh exined further.


    I followed his words and said, “That can be treated. A heart transnt is an option.”


    Josh fell silent again. A thought suddenly struck me, and I blurted out, “Josh, do you not have the money?”


    A heart transnt was a major surgery that required a significant amount of money, not to mention the annual check–ups and post–surgery care. Josh and his sister had lost their father, and I had no idea about his mother’s situation. Given his current ie, he probably could not afford the operation for his sister.


    He looked at me, his gaze making me slightly uneasy. Worried that he might misunderstand, I quickly added, “If that is the case, I can lend you the money. I have enough.”


    “I am afraid I will not be able to pay <i>you </i>back,” Josh sighed, responding smoothly.


    That only confirmed my guess. He really did not have the money. Wanting to help, I grinned and said, “If you


    can


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