Yuanyuan cried with genuine emotion—so much so that anyone who heard him would feel heartbroken, and anyone who saw him would tear up. Especially Tuantuan, who had always protected his younger brother.
The moment Tuantuan heard his brother’s voice, he was finally sure the person on the other end wasn’t a liar.
His eyes instantly reddened. He was only four years old—alone in a strange and distant place. Hearing the voices of his younger brother and his mother, how could he not feel scared and wronged?
“Yuanyuan…”
But after choking up twice, Tuantuan forced himself to hold it back and instead tried to comfort his brother.
“Yuanyuan, don’t be afraid. Big brother will be back soon. Stay home with Mom and behave.”
“I won’t become someone else’s son. I only want you and Mom.”
He wiped away his tears fiercely, putting on a brave front.
He truly carried the demeanor of an older brother. Even at a time like this, he didn’t forget to tell his little brother to take care of their mother, never mentioning his own fear.
“Wuwuwu, big brother… when will you come back?”
“Mom can talk now. Her voice sounds really nice. You must have taught her…”
Yuanyuan started rambling. He loved clinging to his brother and always had endless things to say when he found him.
But the most important thing now was getting him back. As long as he returned, there would be plenty of time to talk later.
So Xia Mingyu took the phone back, speaking urgently.
“Tuantuan, is there an adult beside you?”
“Hand the phone to them. Mom wants to talk to them and ask them to help send you back.”
“You must behave and not cause trouble for them, understand?”
Even in her anxiety, her voice remained gentle and pleasant.
If her voice sounded this nice, how bad could the person be?
Sikong Huai raised an eyebrow, unconsciously beginning to imagine what the owner of that voice looked like.
“Okay, Mom. I’m very well-behaved. Don’t worry about me. This uncle looks just like me. He really likes me and even bought me food.”
Tuantuan nodded obediently, though it was unclear whether he was comforting Xia Mingyu or simply being a little self-absorbed.
Still, he wasn’t wrong—Sikong Huai did like him.
Smart, quick-witted, sensible, and adorable—no one could resist a child like that.
Sikong Huai took the phone. After a brief pause, he spoke. It was rare for him to feel a bit nervous.
“Comrade Xia, hello. My name is Sikong Huai. Tonight at 7 PM, I will send Tuantuan back.”
“He was brought here by someone named Liu Hai. I’ve already handed him over to the police.”
“The Beijing police will coordinate with your local police to take statements. We will not let any trafficker go unpunished.”
He stood straight, his voice firm and resolute, as if reporting to a superior.
Though in truth, there were very few people left who could be considered his superior.
“Thank you so much, Comrade Sikong. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”
“I could also buy a ticket and come pick him up myself. Would it be too much trouble for you to send him back?”
“Or could the Beijing police help send him?”
Xia Mingyu said gratefully, offering several possible solutions.
“No need. I happen to be going to see Lu Ning, so I’ll bring Tuantuan back along the way. You don’t need to feel burdened.”
“You’re also taking care of Yuanyuan. Traveling like that would be inconvenient—and more importantly, tiring for the child.”
Sikong Huai declined in a steady voice.
To ease her concerns, he even mentioned that he had business with Lu Ning.
Xia Mingyu felt reassured, her sense of burden lightening.
“Thank you.”
Not knowing what else to say, she could only repeat her thanks.
She had truly encountered a kind person this time.
She would never again give Qiao Hongye the chance to send her children away. She must find a way to divorce him!
From the side, Lu Ning couldn’t help but curl his lips. What business could Sikong Huai possibly have with him? He was about to return to Beijing anyway.
He really was like a brick—used wherever needed!
But no one cared about Lu Ning’s inner thoughts.
After settling Tuantuan’s matter, although reluctant, Xia Mingyu took the initiative to end the call.
After all, phone calls were expensive.
Sikong Huai had made the call himself, meaning he had already spent more money.
She felt embarrassed to let him bear such costs.
Silently, she decided that when he arrived, she would not only treat him to a good meal but also repay his travel and phone expenses.
“Then… that’s it for now?”
she asked softly.
Her voice was like a feather, lightly brushing against Sikong Huai’s heart.
“Wait.”
He couldn’t help but stop her.
“Hm? What is it?”
Xia Mingyu waited for him to continue, but after a moment of silence, she thought the line had gone bad and called out again.
“It’s nothing. We’ll talk when we meet. Tuantuan is with me—you can rest assured.”
Sikong Huai said in a low voice, his usually firm face showing rare hesitation.
Some things couldn’t be explained clearly over the phone. It would be better to talk face-to-face.
Moreover, he wasn’t even sure what had happened five years ago.
After completing that mission, he had accidentally eaten poisonous mushrooms.
By the time he realized something was wrong, it was already night.
He had entered a random household, intending to ask for help.
But after that, his memory went blank. When he woke up again, he was already by the roadside.
The poison had worn off.
At the time, he was in a hurry to return and report his mission, so he didn’t pursue the matter.
He had assumed everything was a hallucination—that he had collapsed by the roadside and dreamed it all.
After a night, the poison cleared, and he regained consciousness.
So for five years, he had never thought deeply about it—until he saw Tuantuan.
If what he experienced that night wasn’t a hallucination, then what had he done to Xia Mingyu…?
His breath hitched. He didn’t dare imagine how painful her past five years had been.
He was truly despicable.
“Alright, then I’ll leave Tuantuan in your care.”
Xia Mingyu had no idea that the children’s biological father was so close.
Without noticing anything unusual, she gently hung up the phone.
Sikong Huai was a high-ranking officer, and his identity had already been verified by the police. Tuantuan would definitely be brought back.
At the latest, she would see him tomorrow morning!
Her mood finally eased a little, and she managed a smile.
“Comrade Lu, I also want to thank you for your help. Without you, Tuantuan wouldn’t have been found so quickly.”
“Would you like to come stay at our home for a night? When Comrade Sikong brings Tuantuan back tomorrow, we can all have a meal together.”
“My cooking is decent. Please don’t dislike it—this is the only way I can show my gratitude.”
Xia Mingyu sincerely invited him.
Lu Ning was tempted. If he stayed at her house, he’d get to witness everything firsthand tomorrow.
“This…”
“Uncle, come with us! I can even give you a shoulder massage—I’m really good at it!”
Yuanyuan hugged Lu Ning’s leg, looking up at him eagerly.
He understood everything.
Aside from a tiny bit of reluctance to part with this generous “sugar-giving” uncle, he also had another thought—
If that other uncle didn’t bring his brother back, then he wouldn’t let this uncle leave either!
“Alright then, I’ll trouble you for one night.”
Lu Ning smiled and agreed readily.
Forget everything else—getting firsthand information tomorrow was what mattered most!
“That’s great! Let’s go home!”
Yuanyuan jumped up happily, holding Xia Mingyu’s hand and leading the way, with Lu Ning following behind.
Looking at Yuanyuan’s lively and adorable figure, Xia Mingyu felt deeply content.
Once she divorced Qiao Hongye, she would take Tuantuan and Yuanyuan back to her old place.
She could reclaim the room she had rented out to educated youths.
But without that income, raising the children might become harder.
Should she dig something up…?
She pressed her lips together, lost in thought.
Meanwhile, Sikong Huai brought Tuantuan back home.
Old Master Sikong was leisurely practicing Tai Chi in the courtyard.
When he spotted a tall figure entering, he knew it was his unfilial descendant.
Just as he was about to scold him, he turned his head—and froze at the sight of the child in Sikong Huai’s arms.
Before he could speak, the fair, soft, and adorable little dumpling waved at him with a bright smile.
“Hello, Grandpa~~~”
“Sorry, Tuantuan will be staying at your house for a bit~~~”
Alive! Moving! Talking! Calling him Grandpa!
Old Master Sikong, who had always claimed he was getting old, suddenly dashed forward like a blur.
He snatched Tuantuan into his arms, tears streaming down his face.
“Heavens above! I knew it at first glance—this is my biological great-grandson!”