The onlookers surged forward all at once!
Someone even shut the supply cooperative’s doors, intending to trap him inside!
Fueled by anger, the crowd overpowered Qiao Hongye in no time and pinned him to the ground.
“Pah!”
“You beast!”
People spat on him and even stomped hard on his head!
A scum like this deserved to die!
“Damn it!”
Qiao Hongye’s vision went dark from the pain, and someone’s foul-smelling saliva landed on his face, making him nauseous.
He never imagined he would suffer such a huge setback back in his hometown!
All of this was because of Xia Mingyu!
“You bitch! Hurry and tell them to let me go!”
“I’m your husband! The child was just sent to relatives to play. I’ve told you this so many times! It’s one thing for you to make a scene yourself, but now you’re lying to everyone and making them worry too—you’re inhumane!”
Qiao Hongye knew that if he didn’t quickly prove his identity, things would only get worse, so he revealed it himself.
“I’m Qiao Hongye from Xitang Production Team—a battalion commander in the army! She’s my wife, Xia Mingyu. We have twin sons. Haven’t any of you heard of us?”
It wasn’t easy for a poor rural place to produce a battalion commander. Qiao Hongye believed he must be somewhat famous—how could no one recognize him?
He spoke confidently, and indeed some people seemed to have heard of him. For a moment, they hesitated and looked toward Xia Mingyu.
Xia Mingyu shook her head firmly.
“I don’t know him. I only have one son.”
“He really sold my child. He was just on the phone with the buyer. I only rushed in after confirming it.”
“Please help me. Take him to the police station. As long as I can get my son back, my child and I will be grateful to you for the rest of our lives!”
“I’ll bring him back to kowtow in thanks!”
As she spoke, tears streamed down her face, and she swayed as if she might collapse.
She was afraid they would believe Qiao Hongye.
If no one helped her now, she might never find her eldest son, Tuantuan.
The longer this dragged on, the worse it would be.
She didn’t know whether Tuantuan had suffered on the way, whether that family treated him well, or if he could ever come back.
The more she thought about it, the more her heart ached. With a thud, she knelt down and began to kowtow.
She struck her head hard, quickly bruising her forehead. Combined with her pale face and thin frame, she looked like a wronged spirit seeking justice.
“Please… please help me… sob…”
“Miss, don’t do this. It’s heartbreaking to watch. We’ll definitely help you!”
“That’s right! We’ll take him to the police station. Then we’ll know who’s lying!”
Everyone agreed at once, unable to bear watching her continue.
They tied Qiao Hongye up tightly and prepared to escort him to the police station.
It was the first time Qiao Hongye had heard Xia Mingyu speak—and she had used it to spin such lies.
He knew anything he said now would be useless.
Anyway, he had connections at the police station. At most, he’d lose face—nothing serious would happen.
Once he took Xia Mingyu back, he’d deal with her properly!
He shot her a dark glare and stopped struggling, resigning himself to being taken away.
Surrounded by the crowd, Xia Mingyu had no chance to speak to her younger son.
And since she had denied her identity, if Yuanyuan came out, it would confirm Qiao Hongye’s claims.
After hesitating, she decided not to call him out.
She glanced toward the straw basket in the corner. Yuanyuan was still crouched inside, just as before.
She secretly signaled to him, hoping he would see.
Yuanyuan was obedient—without her permission, he would not run off or follow anyone.
Once she reached the police station, she would tell the truth. Then she could ask the police to bring Yuanyuan over.
That was the only way.
Gritting her teeth, Xia Mingyu left with the crowd.
Even after exiting the supply cooperative, she kept looking back. Only when the building was no longer visible and Yuanyuan hadn’t come out did she finally feel relieved.
Yuanyuan was indeed very obedient. When his legs went numb, he simply sat down, hugging his short legs tightly and burying his head between them, unmoving.
The straw basket was his shield. Unless Xia Mingyu lifted it, he wouldn’t move.
However, not long after she left, a shop assistant came to retrieve something.
“Why is there an extra straw basket here?”
Curious, she lifted it—and revealed a fair, chubby little child.
“Ah! Why is there a child here?!”
Discovered!
Yuanyuan’s eyes widened. He pressed his lips together, a little flustered, but said nothing. He picked up the basket and covered himself again.
Like a little mushroom in the corner—silent and adorable.
“Are you playing hide-and-seek with friends?”
The assistant looked around and called out loudly:
“Whose child is this? Why are you hiding here? Where are the parents? Come take him home—don’t make trouble here!”
She lifted the basket again, leaving Yuanyuan with nowhere to hide.
“My mom told me to wait here for her. Auntie, can you give me the basket back?”
Yuanyuan was gentle and shy, but not timid.
He softly asked, reaching out his little hand.
Such a child was instantly lovable.
The assistant felt her heart soften.
Most of the customers had gone to the police station, so the remaining few gathered around Yuanyuan.
Lu Ning had just finished a mission. He came to the nearby supply cooperative to buy something before catching a train back to the capital.
Seeing the crowd, he walked over and squeezed in.
At first, he just wanted to see what was happening—but the moment he saw the fair little boy sitting on the ground, with delicate features and big round eyes, he froze.
Though the child was quiet and harmless, Lu Ning couldn’t help but gasp.
Th-this!
This child looked exactly like his boss when he was young!!!
They had grown up together—he knew his boss’s childhood appearance better than his own!
Could there really be someone this similar in the world?!
Yuanyuan answered everyone’s questions obediently.
He said his mother had stepped out briefly and would return soon, asking them not to send him away.
After that, he calmly closed his mouth, unfazed by their attention.
But when Lu Ning approached, Yuanyuan reacted.
This man was clearly different—he wore a special uniform, was good-looking, and seemed reliable.
He looked powerful.
Yuanyuan couldn’t help but look up at him, his eyes bright.
A young man… a little older than his mother.
Grandma always said they didn’t look like their father.
And someone who would sell his own child couldn’t be their father—he must be a bad person!
Resting his chin on his hand, Yuanyuan tilted his head and stared at Lu Ning.
The shock on Lu Ning’s face was obvious.
He knows me.
Yuanyuan quickly reached that conclusion.
Suddenly, he thought of something and tentatively called out:
“Dad?”
Lu Ning’s expression cracked instantly. He waved his hands frantically.
“Kid! You can’t call me that!!!”