The process of transferring Xiao Feng’s household registration went smoothly. Zhang Qiming, eager to get Huang Xiaojuan released, pulled some strings, so everything was handled quickly. In Mingxi County, Xia Mian’s eldest uncle was well-respected, allowing Xiao Feng’s registration to be added to Xia Mian’s account within just a week. Afterward, Zhang Qiming, with Xia Mian in tow, hurried to the police station to reverse the charges against Huang Xiaojuan.
For the first time, Xia Mian witnessed the corruption in this rural place. She didn’t even need to speak—just being present and pressing her fingerprint on the statement prepared by Officer Ding was enough. She saw Officer Liu Hong’s disgruntled face and the indifferent, accustomed expression of her partner, Officer Zhang. It was a reality Xia Mian felt powerless to change, so her only choice was to take Xiao Feng and leave for a brighter place without such darkness.
Back at the hospital dormitory, Xia Mian happily sat on the sofa with Xiao Feng, showing him the thin household registration page. “Xia Yufeng, this will be your new name from now on!”
Zhang Qiming, clearly shaken by recent events, didn’t even object to Xiao Feng changing his name during the registration transfer.
Xiao Feng happily swung his legs, his whole body bubbling with joy. “Xiao Feng and Auntie are a family!”
“Yes, we are a family now!” Xia Mian said, patting his head with a smile.
The child, not yet learning how to read, carefully held the registration page and studied it intently. Then he carefully handed the thin booklet back to Xia Mian and asked, “Are we going to Yan City?”
“Yes,” Xia Mian squinted her eyes, “but we can’t let anyone know about this yet.”
“Tomorrow we’ll thank the neighbors who have been taking care of us, and the day after, we’ll go back to our hometown,” Xia Mian said. “Xiao Feng can play with Brother Qiangqiang.”
Xiao Feng smiled shyly, “Cicadas.”
“You like eating cicadas, huh?” Xia Mian laughed. Ever since he knew he was on her household registration, the little guy had become bolder and started to openly express his likes and dislikes.
The next day, Xia Mian took Xiao Feng to the department store to buy some things and then went back to say goodbye to the neighbors who had helped them so much during this time. She also met Huang Xiaojuan. Since formal charges hadn’t been pressed, the police station released her as soon as the report was withdrawn.
Xia Mian had just stepped out of Teacher Mi’s house when she bumped into Huang Xiaojuan. It was hard to connect this weary woman, with her disheveled hair and numerous visible bruises, to the once fashionable and glamorous figure she used to be.
But it made sense. A detention center naturally didn’t provide a good living environment, and Zhang Qiming was too busy with his problem to bring her daily necessities. There were also hardly any decent people in the detention center, so bullying was inevitable.
Huang Xiaojuan wore Zhang Qiming’s oversized shirt, her head almost buried in her chest, unable to look anyone in the eye. After this ordeal, she might never lift her head again.
Not only would she never lift her head…
Judging from Huang Xiaojuan’s past reactions, she likely knew the truth about Xia Chun’s death. Did she also know that Zhang Qiming planned to buy insurance for her?
Xia Mian’s gaze slowly fell on Zhang Qiming, who happened to be looking at her too. At that moment, she saw a smile in his eyes.
Zhang Qiming noticed the gift bags in Xia Mian’s hands. “Preparing to go back to your hometown? There is no more bus today, right? Are you staying at the hospital dorm tonight?”
Xia Mian nodded.
Zhang Qiming said, “Alright, I’ve got a lot on my plate lately. Once I’m done, I’ll go to Mingxi County to see you.” He looked at Xiao Feng and smiled. “Xiao Feng, remember to stay close to your aunt…”
For some reason, Xia Mian found his words chilling. Xiao Feng clutched her skirt tightly and hid behind her.
…
The encounter with Zhang Qiming seemed to frighten Xiao Feng. The brightness he had just started to show dimmed again and he became visibly tense, sticking close to Xia Mian. Xia Mian recalled hearing somewhere that playing with water could help alleviate a child’s anxiety. Unsure if it was true, she filled a large bucket with water and carried it back into the dormitory.
She mixed in some hot water to make it warm and then placed Xiao Feng in the bucket for a bath. The bruises on his body had completely faded, and Xia Mian had taken good care of him. Although he was still thin enough to show his ribs, he had gained some weight and his skin was smooth and tender, adding some cuteness.
The warm water and Xia Mian’s gentle touch gradually helped Xiao Feng relax. After taking him out of the bucket, Xia Mian planned to empty the water, but seeing Xiao Feng’s nervous expression, she decided to postpone it tomorrow and go straight to bed with Xiao Feng in her arms. She gently stroked his back and quietly asked, “Is your scumbag dad really that scary?”
Xiao Feng nodded without hesitation, “Very, very scary.” After thinking for a moment, he added, “Even scarier than my stepmother.”
Xia Mian pondered. Xiao Feng was very sensitive to people’s emotions. Could he sense Zhang Qiming’s true nature?
As the child in her arms gradually breathed more evenly, Xia Mian found it hard to sleep. Seeing Huang Xiaojuan today had only reinforced her belief that Zhang Qiming truly intended to kill his wife for insurance money.
When would Zhang Qiming buy the insurance? What kind of accident would he stage? How could she find a breakthrough from Huang Xiaojuan?
Lost in thought, Xia Mian suddenly heard faint noises outside, which didn’t sound like nocturnal animals but more like a thief. This dormitory was a bit far from the hospital and lacked walls or security, so thefts were common.
She quietly got up, grabbed a wooden stick from behind the door, and unlatched the door to open it.
But the door wouldn’t budge.
What’s going on?!
As Xia Mian puzzled over this, she heard the unmistakable sound of liquid being poured outside, soft but clear, right at their door.
As the smell of gasoline spread, Xia Mian suddenly realized what was happening. She rushed to the bedside, grabbed her phone, and quickly dialed out. The other side answered promptly.
Xia Mian didn’t have time for explanations. She yanked down the curtain and shouted loudly, “Zhang Qiming! Arson and murder will get you the death penalty!”
“Help!! Help!! Someone is setting fire and killing people!” The girl’s sharp voice pierced the silent night and woke up many people.
“I’ll be there right away!” Ning Shaobai said as he got up. “Listen, if there’s a fire and you can’t get out, use a wet towel…”
“I know all that!” Xia Mian shouted quickly as the sound of shattering glass filled the air. “Call the police! He’s serious! There’s gasoline, and it’s on fire!”
Xia Mian couldn’t believe it. Her warning hadn’t scared Zhang Qiming away; instead, it had made him speed up. The man was truly insane!
The glass, which could have provided some protection, shattered instantly. Flames flickered, and the gasoline at the door ignited, sending fire tongues licking inside through the broken window.
Xia Mian quickly soaked the curtain in the large bucket of water and stuffed it into the broken window, feeling fortunate that she hadn’t emptied Xiao Feng’s bathwater.
Xiao Feng was already awake. Xia Mian quickly covered his mouth and nose with a wet towel, pulled him down, and pressed him to the ground.
“Auntie?!” Xiao Feng’s small hands held the wet towel, his body trembling, eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t be afraid!” Xia Mian covered her mouth with a wet pillowcase, soaked another towel completely, and draped it over Xiao Feng. “Listen to Auntie. Don’t talk and don’t cry, cough, cough…or it will hurt your throat.”
Seeing signs of the curtain catching fire, she poured water from the thermos over it, trying to buy more time. This dormitory had no back window; the only exit was the front, now locked from outside. Their only hope was to wait.
The good news was that her earlier screams had woken many people, who were now outside trying to extinguish the fire. Buckets of water splashed on the window, slowing the fire’s progress. However, Zhang Qiming was clearly determined to kill them and had poured a lot of gasoline!
Xia Mian soaked another sheet, draped it over herself, and hugged Xiao Feng tightly. “Be good, cough, cough… if you’re scared, close your eyes. Cough, cough… Auntie will protect you!”
As the air grew thinner and the heat intensified, Xia Mian shielded Xiao Feng with her body. Unable to speak, she kissed his forehead to comfort him.
After what felt like an eternity, the sound of sirens finally reached them. The dormitory door was kicked open with a loud bang, and a tall young man, covered in a fire blanket, rushed in. “Xia Mian!”
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.
Zhang Qiming cannot even be described as human he is so horrible that calling him scum is being too generous ಠ益ಠ