Chapter 17 The Breakthrough
Officer Tu came to our house. She said members of the child-trafficking ring that operated near the train station years ago had finally been caught.
But last month a key figure, “Brother Rong,” was spotted and reported by villagers.
Police from two regions laid low for days and arrested him.
Under interrogation he gave up the rest of the group’s movements and voluntarily confessed about another member, “Auntie Hua,” who was currently hiding near the Y Province border.
Officer Tu showed him the list of missing children from back then. He admitted to the trafficking without hesitation—until they reached Mu Weiyi’s photo.
He frowned.
“What? You don’t remember where she went?” Officer Tu asked.
“No.” Brother Rong shook his head. “She’s been with Auntie Hua since she was little.”
Mother listened to Officer Tu’s account. Her eyes, dry even at Father’s funeral, suddenly filled with tears.
She clutched Officer Tu’s hand, back bent like a shrimp.
“Officer, Officer, I beg you—please bring my daughter back safely…”
Then she collapsed to the floor, sobbing. “Old man, you suffered so much… Just two more years and you could have seen our little girl…”
I cried too. But mine were tears of terror.
Mu Weiyi was still alive.
That meant my time was up.
Before she left, Officer Tu paused at the door and gave me a long, meaningful look.
“Nanfang, I hope you can sleep well tonight.”