Chapter 38
Chapter 38
At first, he thought that Zhihao might have been playing a prank on him so he patiently searched around the area. However, after half an hour without finding them, he began doubting his earlier theory.
He took out his phone and gave Shuren a call. He had always been a mature child so his parents had trusted him with his own phone.
Upon notifying the adults about the missing children, Liu Jin proceeded to the security booth to meet up with Shuren and Nana. They then reported the matter to the park staff.
The booth gave the standard lost child announcement over the entire park while security personnel on the ground were instructed to start searching for the children. Security cameras were likewise checked but to no avail. Unfortunately, the place where both children went missing was a blind spot because the area was currently undergoing renovation.
Starting to worry, Nana urged Shuren to call the police and he did. He even called for Fang Bao and his men to help in the search and of course, he didn't forget to inform Wang Jing.
Soon, the sun began to set but the children could still not be found. Butler Tang and the old man had arrived and were currently with them in the lounge, awaiting news.
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Meanwhile, Zhihao tried his best to stay calm. Right now, he was the big brother in the situation and he knew that his priority was to protect Daiyu.
"Xiao Yu."
Daiyu looked up to him.
"Xiao Yu, right now, we're lost."
"Lost?"
Zhihao nodded. He then explained to her how the cart they were in had started moving away from the park. After finding out that she was far away from her Jin-gege, she finally realized the trouble they were in.
"J-Jin-gege!" She panicked.
"It's okay. Your Jin-gege is currently trying to find us."
That fact was something Zhihao was sure of. That man would never allow Daiyu to go through any sort of harm and by now, Liu Jin must already be searching for them. With that assurance in mind, he knew that his next step was to get them to some place where Jin would be able to find them easily.
But first, they had to leave the truck.
The cart they were in had stopped moving sometime back but he had no idea where they were. Judging by the sandy interior of the truck, it must have been used to carry construction materials for the park's renovation. He guessed that the driver must have brought the truck to a place where he could refill its contents. Perhaps a factory?
After a while without hearing any sound, Zhihao decided to stop waiting. He noticed that at the upper half of the doors, there were small slits that served as ventilation. He wanted to take a peek to see if he could find out their current location but it was too high for him to reach.
"Xiao Yu, come here."
Daiyu obediently trotted over to his side.
"Xiao Yu, I'm going to carry you on my shoulders. Do you see those small openings?"
Daiyu nodded.
"Look through them and tell me what you see. Okay?"
"Owkay."
Zhihao then carried her in his shoulders.
"My god. Jin must be feeding you really well." He clenched his teeth. Daiyu was heavy!
Daiyu pouted.
"Jin-gege said chubby babies are cute!"
"X-Xiao Yu. I can't hold on much longer. T-tell me what you see." He stuttered in between breaths.
Daiyu quickly remembered her task and took a peek.
"Nothing."
"Huh?"
"There's nothing. Only light and grass and road."
"Road? Can you see where it leads to?"
Daiyu shook her head.
"Only more light."
'More light?'
"You mean lamp posts?"
Daiyu nodded.
"Okay." He then set her down gently.
Judging by what Daiyu saw, they must be by a highway. If they followed the road, they could call for help from cars passing by. If not, they could always try to see where the road leads them to.
The interior of the truck was getting dark and it was harder to see. However, he remembered that earlier he had seen a metal rod while the truck was still moving.
"Xiao Yu, can you try to see if you can carry this?" He then handed her the rod.
With a little bit of struggle, Daiyu was able to carry it.
"Okay, I need you to put this rod through the hole and try to swing it sideways." He then explained to her how he wanted her to nudge the sliding lock by the door. Luckily, because the mini-truck had been altered to look like a carriage, the door had a simple lock to blend in with the design.
Daiyu nodded and Zhihao once again carried her on his shoulders.
"X-Xiao Yu. How much l-longer?" Zhihao's face was turning red. Daiyu was really very very healthy!
"Wait!" Daiyu tried her hardest as she swung the metal rod around.
"What has Jin been feeding you?!"
Daiyu pouted but continued working hard. She wanted to see her Jin-gege soon!
After several attempts, they heard a click and the door opened. The two children rejoiced and hugged each other in delight.
"Alright, good girl!" Zhihao patted Daiyu's head and she giggled.
"Let's go. Let's find a place where your Jin-gege will find us quickly."
Daiyu nodded and huffed, eyes filled with determination.
Zhihao opened the door first and scanned the area. When he found that it was safe, he held Daiyu's hand tightly and they both left the truck.
He was right. The truck was parked in an empty parking lot beside the highway. He approached the driver's seat but found that it was empty.
Why would the driver park the car at an odd place?
He looked around and found a bike chain nearby.
He sighed. The driver must have routinely left the truck here and went home riding his bike.
"Okay, Xiao Yu. We need to follow the lights until we see a car or a phonebooth."
Daiyu nodded obediently. Just then, her tummy rumbled and she looked down. Zhihao chuckled.
"I'm sorry Xiao Yu, Zhihao-gege has no food."
"Its owkay. Daiyu has snacks." She then opened her small red backpack and took out a water bottle and a few biscuits. Her Jin-gege had prepared her bag this morning and packed her a few snacks. She took a bag of biscuits and gave it to Zhihao.
"It's alright. You can have them. Xiao Yu has worked hard. I'm sure you're hungry." Zhihao gently patted her head.
Daiyu hesitated. Just then, Zhihao's tummy grumbled too. Daiyu giggled and she handed him the biscuits again.
"Zhihao-gege! Let's share! When Jin-gege comes, he will bring us more food!" She had faith in her Jin-gege. Her Jin-gege had never allowed her to go hungry.
Zhihao smiled and took the biscuits.
"Okay. Thanks, Xiao Yu."
The two children then ate and walked at the same time. They followed the highway, hoping to see a car or a gas station nearby. Luckily, the streetlamps lit their way.
After a while of walking, Zhihao looked over and saw Daiyu slowing down.
'She must be tired.'
"Xiao Yu." He bent down, signaling her to climb on his back.
"But Daiyu is heavy." She pouted, remembering Zhihao's earlier struggles when carrying her.
"It's alright. Your Zhihao-gege is strong."
"R-really?" She tilted her head to one side. She was indeed tired. Her little legs were swollen from walking around all day.
Zhihao nodded and smiled.
Daiyu hesitated before she climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
Zhihao started sweating immediately. He regretted trying to act cool!
'How on earth does Jin carry her around like she weighs nothing?!'
Nevertheless, he gritted his teeth and kept carrying her. This was the least he could do as her big brother. Plus, he had his pride as well.
While he walked, Daiyu sang songs to lighten the mood. To his surprise, Daiyu had a beautiful angelic voice.
"Wow, Xiao Yu. You sound really good."
Daiyu nodded, accepting his compliment.
"At the twain station, Daiyu sings every day for money!"
Zhihao smiled bitterly. She must have been singing for commuters, hoping for spare change.
"When you grow up, you should become a professional singer."
"P-pwo… pwo what?"
He chuckled.
"It means, you sing in front of lots of people while you stand on a big stage. They pay you lots and lots of money too."
"R-really?!" Her eyes turned into dollar signs.
"Uhuh! When we see your Jin-gege later, you should ask him. I'm sure he'll support you."
Daiyu nodded vigorously. She was going to ask her Jin-gege all about it!
After walking for what seemed like forever, Zhihao started seeing faint lights in the distance. Was that a gas station?!
"Xiao Yu!"
Daiyu, who was about to doze off, lifted her head upon hearing his voice.
"Do you see that?" He pointed towards the lights and Daiyu's eyes widened in excitement as she gasped. Zhihao chuckled.
"Let's go."
Daiyu nodded excitedly. She was finally going to see her Jin-gege!