"My mommy is definitely my daddy’s," Xiaobao hugged his arm tightly, snuggling up against him. "Mommy really likes Daddy."
"Do your daddy and mommy like you?" He Jingyao looked down at him.
"Of course!" He puffed out his chest proudly.
"But you just said your mommy doesn’t want you anymore," He Jingyao calmly probed. "You also mentioned that your daddy wouldn’t give you a proper name."
This child’s statements were full of contradictions.
As expected, Xiaobao was at a loss, furrowing his brows in deep thought.
He Jingyao chuckled softly, patting his head and saying, "Did you run away from home?"
"No," he shook his head.
"Then why do you insist on sticking with me, huh?"
"No reason," he murmured meekly, snuggling closer to him as if scared that He Jingyao would leave him behind.
The child was tight-lipped.
He Jingyao rubbed his temples, finally giving up on questioning. Soon, the car stopped.
He carried the little fellow out of the car and walked across the street.
Xiaobao looked over curiously and immediately became anxious at the sight: "A police station? Why did you bring me here!"
He Jingyao flicked his finger on Xiaobao’s head: "I’m helping you find your daddy and mommy."
"I don’t want to!" Xiaobao clung to his neck tightly, pleading, "Don’t leave me behind!"
As he spoke, a hint of a cry laced his voice.
He Jingyao gave him a look, remained silent, but kept walking; Xiaobao’s face went pale with fear, clinging to him with all his limbs.
He Jingyao’s face tensed as he pulled the little one off his neck: "Tell me your parents’ names and your own name, and I’ll take you away from here."
His eyes slightly red, he stubbornly shook his head, refusing to speak.
At that moment, a police officer stepped forward; he had received a call earlier and knew the identity of the visitor, so he said with great respect, "Mr. He."
"The child seems to have gotten lost from his family; try to find his parents," He Jingyao instructed, placing the youngster on the ground.
But as soon as he let go, Xiaobao quickly latched onto his leg, his little face scrunched tight, eyes reddening as if he was about to cry any minute.
"Xiaobao." He Jingyao’s voice dropped.
The little one paid him no mind.
He Jingyao exhaled, reminding himself not to argue with a child, and turned to the police officer, "He refuses to say anything, it’s all yours now."
"Of course," the officer, experienced in such matters, immediately squatted down and kindly addressed Xiaobao, "Little friend, would you like uncle to take you to find your daddy and mommy?"
"No," he sobbed, "He Jingyao, don’t abandon me!"
He Jingyao took a deep breath, his face cold as he glanced at the officer.
The officer understood, bent down, and picked up the little one.
"Don’t! Don’t touch me!" Xiaobao struggled frantically, but being so young, he couldn’t contend with an adult’s strength and was quickly held in the officer’s arms.
Enraged, his little face turned bright red as he struggled desperately: "Let me go! Let me go! Wuuu..."
The officer, helpless, tried to soothe him quietly, but Xiaobao wasn’t having it, his tearful eyes fixed on He Jingyao.
He Jingyao was unmoved as he turned and walked away.
However, the little one’s low whimpers followed him like a shadow, forcing him to stop in his tracks.