Seeing Yan’s mother’s breathing grow fainter and fainter, Yan Xixi urged repeatedly, "Are you done yet? My mom is dying! Please, I’m begging you..."
"Buzzcut" shot her a sideways glance. "What’s all the shouting about? This is a routine check..."
Xu Xiaoya had a fiery temper. Seeing "Buzzcut" dawdling, she exploded, "Damn it! What the hell are you checking that’s taking so long? Can’t you be faster? The patient in the car is in critical condition! What if something happens to her? Will you take responsibility?"
That single "Damn it!" immediately stirred up a hornet’s nest. "Buzzcut" suddenly jabbed his makeshift weapon towards her. "Who are you cursing? You dare interfere with official business? Are you trying to ensure you don’t leave today?"
Xu Xiaoya, not to be outdone, yelled back, "Don’t you fucking try to intimidate me! What did *I* do wrong? Why can’t I leave? What law have *I* broken?"
"Damn it" and defiant uses of "I" like that were common curses among the tough women of this city. But today, as soon as Yan Xixi heard those words, she knew this was bad.
As expected, "Buzzcut" erupted in anger. "Miss, watch your mouth! We’re conducting official business here; it’s our duty! What are your intentions by obstructing us?"
Xu Xiaoya, exasperated and furious, retorted, "You people only know how to bully women and children—"
"Buzzcut," enraged, shoved her to the ground. "Everyone heard that! This shrew obstructed official duties and insulted us! None of you are going anywhere today!"
"Bastards! You’re all bastards!"
Several large men surged forward and surrounded Xu Xiaoya.
Yan Xixi was completely stunned. She reached out to hold her mother, but her legs were too weak; she couldn’t lift her at all. In her panic, she whirled around and ran, hoping to flag down a taxi.
Now she’d really done it. The other security guards, who hadn’t paid her much attention before, saw her run and mistakenly assumed she was hiding contraband and trying to flee. Two of them immediately chased after her and grabbed her. Their crude, makeshift weapons nearly struck her in the waist as one of them yelled, "Still trying to run?"
She struggled desperately. "Let me go! I need to get my mom to the hospital! She’s dying! Let me go!"
"Faking illness, are you? Let me tell you, lots of smugglers try this trick. It’s useless! Just behave and stay put. If you’re really innocent, we’ll let you go. Now, hands over your head! We’re going to search you."
After thoroughly searching her coat pockets and finding nothing, they didn’t search her further. They just shoved her aside and went to check Xu Xiaoya.
Yan Xixi caught her breath. Suddenly, an idea struck her. She pulled out her cell phone and, without a second thought, dialed Huang Xiaojue’s number. The instant she heard a "Hello," she burst out, "Xiaojue, my mom’s condition has flared up! We’re stuck at the XX intersection. Please, can you drive over right away and take us to the hospital?"
The other end of the line was a cacophony of laughter, chatter, and the clatter of mahjong tiles. She had no idea where Huang Xiaojue could possibly be. She raised her voice, "Xiaojue, please come and get us! I’m begging you, I’m desperate!"
Huang Xiaojue’s voice was cut off. His phone had clearly been snatched away. Yan Xixi then heard an impatient woman on the line snap, "No time, no time! My son is having dinner with his girlfriend and his mother today. He has no time! It wouldn’t matter even if the King of Heaven himself came looking for him!"
Yan Xixi cried out, "Auntie—" but the line had already gone dead, replaced by the DOOT-DOOT-DOOT of a busy signal. When she tried calling again, the other phone was off.