The car drove into the city. I asked the driver to take Xiao Hong's classmate home first, and then to the hotel for us.
The two girls were reluctant to part for a long time before the classmate got out of the car. The driver was very patient and didn't complain once throughout the journey. Da Feng Fiction Network.
When we reached the hotel, I took out three hundred yuan for the driver. He said it wasn't necessary, but I insisted, saying that any amount would be insufficient given how far he had driven and waited for us. His consideration was more precious than gold.
After settling Xiao Hong upstairs, I called Zhou Yingying to inform her that Xiao Hong had been brought back but couldn't come to work. She acknowledged it and hung up.
It suddenly occurred to me that the man knew this place, making our stay here very unsafe. These people were venomous and would resort to any cruel measures for money.
Looking at Xiao Hong, who was in pain and covered in injuries, I couldn't bear to trouble her further. I could only pray that they would have a change of heart, abandon their wicked ways, and live normal lives.
I double-locked the door and lay down beside Xiao Hong. I dared not touch her. Although there were no obvious external injuries, she was covered in whip marks and bruises everywhere, and any touch would cause her pain. I wiped the tears from her face. She was half-asleep, murmuring incoherently with her eyes closed. I knew she had suffered deeply, not just physically, but even more so psychologically.
Having been exhausted all day, I drifted off to sleep.
In the middle of the night, I was awakened by noise. I craned my neck to look downstairs and saw a group of people standing outside. The commotion was coming from the first-floor lobby. "This is bad," I thought, "it must be the man's creditors who have found us."
They had agreed to hand over the person at midnight, but I had taken her away. It was likely that the scoundrel couple had sold us out.
In a panic, I called Mr. Song, informing him of my location at the Guangming Hotel and that I needed his help.
I woke Xiao Hong, telling her to stay put no matter what and not to open the door for anyone. Then, I headed downstairs to confront these scoundrels.
As I went downstairs, I saw several people harassing the receptionist, likely trying to find out where we were staying. The receptionist refused, and they became enraged, on the verge of violence.
The hotel had a night security guard, but he had already been subdued by them and was sitting on a sofa in the back, not daring to move.
The scoundrel couple was also there, hunched over like dogs, fawning and subservient, with expressions of appeasement.
I walked down and asked, "I am the person you are looking for. What is it you want?"
A burly man with a fierce face approached me and said, "You've come at the right time. I won't make things difficult for you. Either give us the money or hand over the person, and we'll let these two go. Otherwise, his daughter can go collect a corpse tomorrow!"
I asked, "What do you mean by giving money?"
The man replied, "He borrowed a hundred thousand yuan from me. With interest, it's now a hundred and eighty thousand. Will you pay or hand over the person?"
I thought to myself, "You really dare to borrow such a sum! Borrowing a hundred thousand at once, aren't you afraid of dying before you can repay it?"
I said, "What if I refuse both?"
He retorted, "If you refuse, I'll come up and take her. You'd better stay out of it; this has nothing to do with you."
I replied, "This person is mine. If you take her, you're taking me. How can you say this has nothing to do with me?"
He was furious, yelling, "Damn it, you think you're untouchable, huh? You think I won't act?"
With that, he raised his hand to slap me. I swiftly kicked him in the lower body. His raised hand never came down as he sat on the ground. I followed up with another kick to his face, causing him to fall backward onto the ground.
The others were stirred to action, wanting to intervene. I pointed at them and declared, "Stand where you are! If you value your lives, stay put!"
The man stirred, trying to get up again. I kicked him in the lower body once more. He groaned and passed out.
The others were intimidated by my ferocity, watching with wide eyes, none daring to move.
I walked over to the scoundrel couple and slapped the woman. "I told you not to let me see you a second time. You brought this upon yourself!"
With that, I struck both sides of her face, turning it into a bruised mess!
How could such people be fit to be parents!
Just then, police sirens wailed outside. A group of officers entered and apprehended all of them, leading them away one by one.
I saw Mr. Song walk in. He was still not in uniform, wearing slightly tinted glasses and a mask, but I recognized him immediately. He took my hand and said, "It seems you can handle things yourself. However, I've been watching these individuals for a long time, so I'll handle this."
I nodded and replied, "Thank you for coming so promptly. I really couldn't have handled so many of them on my own. Calling you gave me the confidence."
Mr. Song remarked, "I doubt that. If I had arrived any later, it's likely more than just one person would be lying down!"
I quickly said, "My display of aggression was probably more than half of it. They might have been intimidated. If they had attacked all at once, I would have been the one lying down."
Mr. Song stated, "Let's not debate it. You should get some rest. We have more work to do back at the station."
With that, he left the hotel. The police cars had already departed, and a black sedan was waiting for him outside.
I returned to the room. Xiao Hong was sitting on the bed and asked in a low voice, "Did they come?"
I responded with a "Mm." I truly didn't want to bring up the scoundrel couple again. When I left their home, I had made my stance very clear. I thought they might have a change of heart and take responsibility when these people found them. Honestly, if they had truly reformed, I would have been willing to help them pay off the debt! But, they betrayed their daughter once again, currying favor and believing that by handing her over, the debt would be settled!
Damn it all, I feel disgusted even writing these words!
I gently held Xiao Hong and said, "It's all over now. You don't have a mother, but from now on, my mother will be your mother. Let's not be sad. This is a good thing, isn't it?"
She nodded and replied, "Thank heaven for letting me meet you. Without you, I can't imagine what my fate would have been. I truly dare not think about it."
I said, "Let's not talk about it anymore. Get some sleep quickly. You don't have to be afraid now. Stay here with peace of mind, recover from your injuries, and then you can work at Da Shi. You can be a cashier or a supervisor."
She hummed in agreement. I helped her lie down slowly, and I lay beside her, falling asleep together.
The night was long, and I had many dreams. I dreamt that Xiao Hong and I went to the countryside to find her biological father. After searching for a long time, we found him in front of an ancient castle. He called me aside and said to me quite unceremoniously, "I entrusted her to you to cherish and protect her. Look at how much suffering, hardship, and injustice she has endured because of you. You have disappointed me!"
I quickly apologized, "It is my fault. It won't happen again. I will cherish her and protect her, and I will not let her suffer any more grievances."
After I spoke, I looked up. Her father had disappeared. All I saw was a vast expanse of blue sky, bathed in sunlight. And Xiao Hong, transformed into an angel, fluttered her wings beside me, wanting to take me to see the sea, to see the world outside.