After the call was connected, Sheng Yan explained why she was calling.
“Hello! A while ago, I reported a little boy I saw begging by the roadside, and the police came to help him. I’m calling because I’d like to know how he’s doing now…”
“Please hold for a moment while we check.”
“Alright.”
After waiting for a while, the person on the other end spoke again.
“Ms. Sheng, we’ve done everything we could to help the child you reported find his family, but unfortunately we were unable to locate them.”
“Where is he now?”
“We’ve already contacted a children’s welfare home, so his living situation is stable for the time being.”
“Would it be possible to tell me which welfare home he’s staying at? I don’t have any other intentions. As a mother, I simply can’t bear to see any child left wandering outside, even if he’s a stranger. My daughter and I were the ones who found him that day and reported it to the police. I still don’t know how he’s doing, and I’d really like to visit him.”
“We can give you the address of the welfare home. However, if you wish to visit him, you’ll need to contact the staff there in advance, tell them the child’s name, the purpose of your visit, and arrange a visiting time. Since this would be your first visit, we’ll also need to verify your identity and confirm that you have no criminal record or other issues…”
“No problem.”
…
When Sheng Yan arrived at the welfare home where Chen Nian was staying, she spotted him from a distance.
He was sitting alone, unable to fit in with the other children.
“Chen Nian.”
The boy turned when he heard his name. The moment he recognized Sheng Yan, his eyes lit up.
“I remember you.”
Sheng Yan walked over and sat beside him.
“How have you been here?”
“Pretty good, I have food to eat and drinks.”
More importantly, there were so many things here that he’d never eaten before, and they all tasted delicious. Although the other children didn’t play with him, Chen Nian still felt this place was much better than begging on the streets.
“That day, were you the one who spoke through the air to the people inside that iron beast?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you! Otherwise, I’d still be out there with no food to eat and nowhere to sleep at night.”
“You don’t have to thank me. Last time, you said your home is in Xiaohe Village, Qingsong County?”
“That’s right. That’s where I live, but they all say there’s no such place, and nobody believes me.”
“I believe you.”
“Really?”
“Yes! Can you tell me your parents’ names?”
“My father is Chen Fugui, and my mother is Wu Mudan.”
Those distinctive forms of address made Sheng Yan even more certain of her suspicions.
She immediately sent Jiang Hongyan a message.
【Sheng Yan: I met the boy. Are Brother Chen and his wife named Chen Fugui and Wu Mudan?】
Jiang Hongyan replied almost instantly.
【Jiang Hongyan: That’s right!】
【Sheng Yan: Then it must be him. He called them ‘Father’ and ‘Mother,’ not ‘Dad’ and ‘Mom.’】
Sitting beside her, Chen Nian spoke in a pleading voice.
“Big Sister, can you help me find my way home? Even though I have food and a place to stay here, I still want to go home. I miss my father and mother. They must miss me too. Once I get back, I promise I’ll never run off again.”
If he hadn’t run into the mountains that day, he wouldn’t have fallen off the cliff, and he never would have ended up here.
Looking into the child’s hopeful eyes, Sheng Yan felt utterly helpless.
She had no way to send him home. If she possessed such miraculous power, she would have brought Jiang Hongyan back long ago.
“Nian Nian, I can’t send you home right now…”
The disappointment on Chen Nian’s face was impossible to miss.
It pained Sheng Yan to see it.
“Nian Nian, actually… my situation is quite similar to yours.”
“Have you lost your way home too?”
“I can still find my home, but someone very important to me can’t find his way back, and I have no way to bring him home. His situation is just like yours, and it makes me very sad.”
Chen Nian suddenly felt as though he had found someone who shared the same fate.
“Why did this happen? I was only being playful for a moment, and now I can’t go home anymore. This place is scary. There are so many iron beasts on the roads, and over there are lots of little iron beasts with glowing eyes. Every time I see those things running around, I’m terrified…”
Sheng Yan looked toward where he was staring.
There was a row of electric scooters parked there.
She gently comforted him.
“You don’t need to be afraid. Those are vehicles, not beasts. You won’t be in any danger here.”
“Vehicles?”
“Yes! You’ve seen ox carts and horse carts before, haven’t you?”
Chen Nian’s eyes immediately brightened.
“Yes! Some families in the village have ox carts. They can carry lots of things to the market, and people can ride on them too.”
“The iron beasts you mentioned are similar to ox carts. They can carry people and goods as well, but they move much faster. They don’t eat people. Their glowing eyes are lights that help people see at night. But if you ever see one of those vehicles, make sure you stand farther to the side of the road. They travel very quickly, and if you’re too close, they might not be able to stop in time, and you could get hurt…”
Chen Nian nodded earnestly.
“I understand! Thank you for telling me.”
“You’re welcome. Visiting hours are almost over, so I have to leave now.”
Chen Nian suddenly looked reluctant to part with her.
“Big Sister, will you come see me again?”
“I will.”
Hearing her promise, Chen Nian smiled, though a trace of sadness still lingered in his eyes.
“Big Sister, will I ever be able to go home?”
“I think… you will… someday.”
A bright smile spread across his face.
Before leaving, Sheng Yan gave him a few more reminders.
“You need to eat well, sleep well, and study hard while you’re here. One day, when you see your father and mother again, you can tell them you’ve been doing well. That will make them happy too.”
Chen Nian nodded immediately.
“I will!”