Chapter 3 (part 2)

In the years that followed, the Carter family returned to Beijing at least once a year. But fate had not allowed him to see the doll so often. He had managed to catch a glimpse of him at a few occasions or official receptions. Still, he had never been able to approach him because he always kept to himself, talking only to his siblings and parents. Then, finally, the right opportunity had presented itself.

The right opportunity came to him during university. In those days, he was called Hēi Sé, the black, by everyone. That nickname had been given to him by one of his many high school adventures. She had explained that he deserved to be called because his soul was black, and not even a sliver of light could pass through it.

His fame as a playboy and the echoes of the misdeeds he had committed together with his two companions in misfortune, Sun Wěi Qí and Hu Yún, had only fuelled the use of this nickname.

His father, tired of rushing to clean up his messes aroun