Chapter 13 A Promise to Pei Xi
The nanny said Pei Xi had been playing on the swing in the yard that morning.
She went to the kitchen to get a fruit plate and when she returned the child was gone.
They searched the entire villa but still could not find her.
We rushed back to Shanghai at once.
Along the way all kinds of kidnapping and trafficking cases flashed through my mind. I trembled all over.
She was only three years old, still at an innocent age. What if she fell into the hands of bad people?
Pei Yuchuan's palm covered my hand.
His voice stayed calm as he comforted me.
"The villa area's security is very tight with guards on twenty-four-hour patrol. Pei Xi probably did not go out."
"As long as she is still in the neighborhood there is no big problem."
I comforted myself the same way over and over but I could not stop imagining the worst outcomes.
That soft little girl who called me Mom—I had not yet properly accompanied her growth. She must not have an accident.
When we reached Shanghai Pei Xi still had not been found.
Pei Yuchuan and I joined the search right away and called her name again and again.
We searched for a long time. Our throats grew hoarse but there was no answer.
I dug my nails deep into my palms and fought back the tears.
Until we rounded the holly bushes around the villa perimeter a small figure suddenly appeared in sight.
She wore a pink cotton jacket and squatted in the grass. Her chubby little hands gently cupped a red camellia.
My suspended heart finally landed. I rushed forward and hugged her. My voice trembled uncontrollably. "Pei Xi, you scared Mom so much."
She was startled by the hug then stretched out her warm little hand and held the camellia out to me. Her eyes sparkled.
"Mom, the flower smells good. For you."
"Dad said this is your favorite flower."
She looked up at me expectantly. Her cotton shoes were muddy and her pant legs were dirty.
I could not hold back anymore. I hugged her and sobbed.
Pei Xi looked a little lost and asked me carefully, "Mom, did I make you angry?"
"I saw this flower was really pretty and wanted to wait until you appeared to give it to you. But while I walked I forgot the way back."
"Do not cry, okay? When you cry I feel so bad and I want to cry too."
She pushed the red camellia into my arms.
I tried to stop the tears but sobbed even harder.
She wiped my tears with her little hands over and over, hugged my neck, and asked softly.
"Mom, how long can you stay this time when you appear?"
"Can I make a wish for you to spend a day with me?"
Not far away Pei Yuchuan noticed the commotion and ran over quickly.
Seeing Pei Xi and me hugging tightly he did not come closer. He simply stood quietly to the side.
He watched us with a gentle expression.
Three years ago I thought the class gap was an insurmountable chasm.
At this moment only one thought filled my mind.
No matter what gulf or chasm, my daughter and my loved one were right here.
I took the camellia and pressed a kiss to Pei Xi's forehead.
"Pei Xi, from now on we will see each other every day, okay?"