Chapter 3 (1/2)

Chapter 3: Returning Home

Looking at the situation, Ye Qian slightly nodded his head. Although nothing will be exposed to the media, he was well aware that does not mean that the captain wouldn’t speak to the investigators of the national agency. This wasn’t the only thing for Ye Qian to worry about, after all, the cameras on the plane were destroyed by the four gangsters. They can’t determine his appearance based on the words of the pa.s.sengers and captain alone, and trying to find him won’t be a simple matter.

Just outside the airport, he saw that an ambulance and a police car were parked outside the airport, and he saw an old man being carried from the ground onto a stretcher by several nurses into a car. The old man was shrieking sounds of pain, and it was apparent that he had received heavy injuries. Looking at the old figure, Ye Qian smiled and paused. He felt a sense of deja vu. The police were questioning a fat man dressed in a suit. He felt as though he had already seen this successful looking man earlier. He received a very arrogant glance from the fat man as he spoke with the policeman, who then brought him into the police car.

Soon he heard the sound of people talking.

“Alas, the old man really has bad luck. It was pretty obvious that he had good intentions and picked up the fat man’s wallet just to return it back to him. It ended up that he became suspect of stealing the wallet and was then severely beaten. This year is hard for good people.”

“Yes, this year is when lives seem most worthless. The old man was just a garbage collector, and it is likely that he is going to die, and yet not one will seek justice for him. Look at what the fat man is wearing; isn’t that a famous brand? He is certainly a rich man, and the garbage collector should have just went home. It was all in vain to endure such a beating.”

Ye Qian slight frowned and stared as the fat man got into the police car, while Ye Qian stretched out his hand to call for a taxi that would take him home. If not for the police speaking to the fat man, Ye Qian would certainly have some hard lessons to teach him; however, now that the police had taken control of the situation, whether or not the man is convicted, it would be inconvenient for Ye Qian to interfere.

Along the road, Ye Qian mood fluctuated. He was like a child who wanted to go home, but was afraid to because of some guilt.

The car finally stopped, and Ye Qian looked out through the window. Eight years, and it seems little has changed, it is still a worn out shanty town and parasol trees were erect on both side of the broken road. It was rare to see such a car in this town.

Ye Qian tried to search for his memories of this house. The old house seemed more shabby now, and it seemed like it would collapse at any moment. The door was left wide open. Above were tiny couplets with words written in white, it was clearly the handwriting of an amateur; however, it was graceful and tender handwriting, like that from a girl’s hand.

Ye Qian took a deep breath. After years, he finally had the courage to go up to the old house. He knocked on the door, but no one seemed answered, and so Ye Qian went inside. There seemed to be no changes from the last eight years. All decorations were the same. A simple square stable and several benches sat peacefully inside the living room. On top of the table was a photo of an old man wearing shabby clothes and a kind smile with a group of youngster surrounding him. Ye Qian started to feel tears streaming down from his eyes. Men don’t cry easily, except when their heart is filled with grief.

From the kitchen, there were sounds of cooking, Ye Qian wiped his eyes full of tears and walked inside. He saw a girl about 16 to 17 years old busy in the kitchen, which surprised him. He then knocked on the door gently.

“Daddy” the young girl turned excitedly but saw an unfamiliar face. She couldn’t help but stare blankly at him and suddenly grew quiet. Looking at Ye Qian, she asked “Can I help you?”

Ye Qian glanced at the girl, a pure looking schoolgirl, plainly dressed, but this could not hide her beauty. “Is your father at home?” Ye Qian softly asked.