Chapter 41
"Xia Ying!" Grandpa leapt up and rushed toward the door.
Xia Ying's dad was still bewildered. "What's going on? Why did she run off?"
Grandpa spun around, fury in his eyes. "That hair clip—remember? It was the birthday present you gave her last year. Did you forget?"
Dad finally made the connection. "Right... I bought it at the big supermarket. It's broken, so I'll just buy her an identical one. What's the big deal?"
"Do you really think that's the same to her? After all this time, do you still believe Xia Ying knows nothing? Do you still treat her like a little kid?" Grandpa glared at his infuriating son, voice rising. "What are you standing around for? Go after her! She's so small—anything could happen!"
Without waiting, Grandpa bolted down the stairs.
"Okay!" Dad hurried after him. "Dad, slow down!" Then he called back to the boy in the apartment: "Stay inside. Don't run off."
He caught up with his father on the landing. "It's broad daylight, Dad. She won't get lost. Don't rush and fall."
Grandpa refused to listen. "Don't talk to me! If anything happens to Xia Ying, don't call me your father ever again."
Their shouting on the stairwell drew Lin Xiaoli, who was sweeping her own flat. She opened the door, broom in hand, and noticed the neighbor's door standing ajar. Inside, a sturdy boy sat at the dining table, cheeks stuffed with steamed buns.
Lin Xiaoli stepped in, puzzled. "Little guy, what happened? I heard shouting."
The boy swallowed a mouthful. "My sister ran off. Dad and Grandpa went after her."
"Your sister? Do you mean little Xia Ying?"
He shook his head. "I don't know her name, but her last name should be Xia—Dad and I are both Xia."
A chill ran down Lin Xiaoli's spine. "Xiaojie! Xiaojie, come here—something's wrong!"
Liu Wenjie hurried out. "What's the matter?"
"Little Xia Ying's run off. It's summer vacation and the roads are packed—anything could happen. Plus the forecast said it would rain today. Grab some umbrellas, quick!"
"What? She ran away?" Wenjie snatched the umbrellas and followed his mother downstairs.
The heavens seemed to conspire: the moment they stepped outside, fat raindrops began to fall. Dark clouds swallowed the sunlight. Each drop hit the hot pavement, releasing the sour smell of dust. Pedestrians scurried for cover.
Grandpa and Xia Ying's father had assumed a child couldn't get far, yet in half a minute Xia Ying had vanished. Grandpa's voice cracked as he shouted across the estate: "Xia Ying! Where are you? Come out if you can hear Grandpa! I'll send your dad away—just you and me, we'll watch TV together, okay?"
Dad joined in, rain soaking his white shirt. "Dad, where does Xia Ying usually play? We can't just wander aimlessly."
"Play?" Grandpa's temper flared. "When have you ever cared about your own daughter? All these years, when has she ever gone out to play? She's always home alone while you're at work. Who plays with her?" He seized his son's collar, trembling. "I'm warning you—if anything happens to Xia Ying, you and I are finished!" His eyes were bloodshot. "I'll never forgive you!"
Lin Xiaoli and Wenjie dashed over with umbrellas. "What's going on?"
Grandpa spotted them—especially Wenjie—and clutched the boy's arm like a lifeline. "Xiaojie, where do you and Xia Ying usually go? Where could she be?"
Wenjie listed every place he could think of: the park, the nearby streets—nowhere special.
Lin Xiaoli handed out extra umbrellas. "Let's split up. She can't have gone far. If those spots don't pan out, we'll check the kindergarten and the elementary school."
Grandpa nodded urgently. "Good idea. Thank you."
"No need for thanks—safety first."
The group split into three and fanned out through the downpour, calling Xia Ying's name. No response.
They quickly covered the streets and the park, then widened the search.
Wenjie stood at the edge of the complex, staring at the cars speeding past. Where could she be in this storm? He prayed she hadn't been foolish enough to run into the road. Then something clicked. He looked toward the far end of the street—yesterday's market had been bustling, but today it was deserted. Wenjie broke into a run.
When Lin Xiaoli glanced back, Wenjie was gone. Panic surged. "Xiaojie? Where's Xiaojie? Son! Don't scare me!"
Her phone buzzed repeatedly. She pulled out her second handset—the one she used for remote part-time jobs.
"Mom, I'm looking for Xia Ying. Don't worry. If I find her, I'll call you."
Lin Xiaoli exhaled in relief. When had he taken her spare phone? When they left the flat? She texted back: Where are you? Don't wander in this rain.
Wenjie replied instantly: I won't go far. You guys might scare her off. I'll search alone.
Lin Xiaoli typed: Then keep texting me. I'm worried sick.
"Got it, Mom. I'll answer every message."
Wenjie walked the empty market street, umbrella in hand, shouting, "Xia Ying! Are you there?"
Only the drumming of rain answered.
He strode from the front of the street toward the middle. His shoes were soaked, veins bulging at his temples. He hadn't been this angry in ages. Drawing a deep breath, he bellowed, "Xia Ying! I'm counting to three. If you don't come out, I'll be really mad! I've known you long enough—I know where you'd hide. Three! Two!"
He spun around. From a distant alley, Xia Ying timidly emerged, shielding herself with a warped scrap of plywood. Her white dress was splattered with mud. "W-Wenjie Older Brother... I'm here."
Relief washed over him. He walked over and held the umbrella above them both, glowering at the trembling, red-eyed girl.
"Drop the board. I've got the umbrella."
Xia Ying, terrified by his expression, set the plywood aside and stood straight. "I—I've put it down."
Without mercy, Wenjie rapped her on the head. She yelped; each tap pushed her lower until she crouched on the ground, arms shielding her head.
"You little idiot! Running off in a storm—everyone's frantic looking for you! And why didn't you come out when I called?"
The blows hurt more than usual, but she didn't dare complain. Eyes swimming, she apologized in a quivering voice and slowly rose, rubbing her head. "I'm sorry... sorry, Wenjie Older Brother..."
Her tears spilled all at once, and she burst into sobs. "I'm sorry! Don't be mad, okay? When I heard your voice I came out—really I did—you just didn't see me."
Wenjie studied the crumpled girl and guessed something awful had happened with the man who claimed to be her father.
"So it's my fault for not noticing?" he asked.
Before he could say more, Xia Ying flung herself at him, arms around his neck, crying harder than ever.
"It's not your fault, Wenjie Older Brother. I'm useless—I tried, but I still can't do anything right."