In other words, the thief stole the wallet, took the money, and then returned it? Because there were important photos inside? Bo Yuxu instinctively looked around but saw no suspicious figure. Ji Yanyi poked his head out, crouching in an awkward position under Bo Yuxu's armpit, "So this is the photo where they said you smiled so brightly. You really look happy." Bo Yuxu released his hand and stood helplessly beside him, "What kind of pose is that?" Ji Yanyi, uncomfortable with his legs bent, stood up in the open space and pointed at the sun, "No choice. If I don't crouch, standing up high would cause glare." Bo Yuxu accepted the explanation but remained displeased, mainly due to the height difference. He murmured softly, almost to himself, "This person returned the photo. Maybe he's not a bad guy after all." Ji Yanyi disagreed, "But he took all the money." Bo Yuxu admitted Ji Yanyi had a point, but he occasionally let his emotions take over. For instance, he believed people could have genuine difficulties.
When they got home, he placed the wallet on the table and admitted to the two adults, "I found this on the street." Bo Xin glanced at the familiar scratch—identical in position and depth. It was indeed the same wallet. She opened it to find the money gone. At least it proved she wasn't blind that night. Bo Xin asked, "Didn't you see anyone?" Bo Yuxu shook his head. Bo Xin figured there was no choice but to proceed with the arrest as the police had planned. The child's height suggested he was under fourteen, but kids like him, who grew up scrabbling for survival, were hard to gauge. That day, she could bring a disguised helper—a child to lower the thief's guard. She recalled the police station saying this was their third attempt at capturing him. Bo Yuxu couldn't participate because the thief surely knew his face. Bo Yuxu was shocked not by his exclusion, but by the fact that this person was a repeat offender. So his earlier assumption that the person had difficulties and might be decent was just his imagination? Bo Yuxu silently removed his red scarf. This was the first time he had misjudged someone.
If this person was bad, and if during the arrest he carried tools or a blade, Bo Yuxu's anxiety flared again. "Mom, can't this task be done by someone else?" Bo Xin was taken aback, then understood. She curled her finger and flicked Bo Yuxu on the forehead. "Have a little faith in our people's police." Bo Yuxu had no words. He rubbed his brow, "Is this about faith or not?" It was clearly about worrying for his mother's safety. His mother always deflected with jokes, but she was sharp as a mirror. That's why her flick was so light—more ticklish than painful. Meanwhile, Ji Yanyi performed a series of moves and then struck a pose, looking at Bo Yuxu. "Don't think I'm just going for nothing. I've learned all this. I can protect Mom, no problem." Bo Yuxu paused, momentarily at a loss for words. After a long hesitation, he said, "...You should take care of yourself first." The remark had multiple meanings, and Ji Yanyi had a knack for picking out the one he wanted to hear. He saluted excitedly. "Don't worry. I won't let your concern down." Bo Xin smiled at Yuxu, then patted Yanyi's head approvingly. "Then I'm counting on you, my little warrior." Bo Yuxu pressed his lips together, silent.
—
At 5 PM, it was normally rush hour. About fifteen minutes earlier, at 4:45 PM, Bo Xin sat on the bus seat and watched as a small figure appeared next to her. He had changed clothes and dressed low-key, but she still recognized him at once—probably because of his unique aura. According to previous reports, he usually sat by the bus door to make a quick escape after stealing. He was small and agile, easily slipping through crowds. But this time he sat behind her. Was it still early? Bo Xin didn't think so. She stood up and sat down on the outside of the child, effectively blocking him. Ji Yanyi fidgeted in the back, but Bo Xin gestured for him to stay calm. "Is this seat taken? I can sit here, right?" He Xiuyuan wasn't sure. Since she had already sat down, if he said it was taken, would she get up? After all, her intention was clearly to trap him. Maybe the reward for catching him could offset the two hundred yuan. He nodded. "You can." Bo Xin found the child uncommonly indifferent. If she handed him over to the police right now, his expression probably wouldn't change at all. She was curious. "It seems you recognized me?" He Xiuyuan didn't shift his posture. His hands remained clasped on his lap, no weapons—perhaps signaling that he posed no threat. "Your family all look very distinctive. Especially you—you share a similar face shape with your son. It's impossible not to recognize." Bo Xin was taken aback. This was probably the first time someone said Yuxu looked like her. It had always been that he resembled Ji Xingzhi. This kid had an extraordinary talent for... law enforcement. "If you come with me now, I can tell the police you turned yourself in today." He Xiuyuan didn't understand. "What's the difference?" Bo Xin smiled. If he really wanted to become a police officer in the future, he shouldn't be a legal illiterate. "The difference is the sentence is lighter." She glanced at him. "In fact, you wanted to turn yourself in, didn't you?" Including the seat selection—he was tired of sneaking around and hiding. Voluntary capture counted as a form of self-surrender. Bo Xin checked her watch and took him off the bus at the next stop, Liuzhou Road.
Waiting there was a police officer surnamed Wu. Leaning against a pavilion, he had been undercover. Now, seeing He Xiuyuan obediently following Bo Xin down without any resistance, his eyes widened in disbelief. This was too easy. He had participated in two previous capture attempts and knew how slippery He Xiuyuan could be. His eyes lit up with admiration for Bo Xin. Bo Xin paused. "Where's your superior?" Officer Wu folded his newspaper and respectfully led the way. Bo Xin found it amusing. "Thanks to you, I get to experience riding in a police car." He Xiuyuan was handcuffed. "What kind of luck is that?" For her, riding in a police car was probably something she'd never need to experience. And the kid named Yanyi—why was he so excited? This was clearly a very unlucky event. Was this the confidence of someone who had done nothing wrong? What kind of happy life could make a person as calm and carefree as this child? He Xiuyuan turned his head to look but saw no one. Yes, he had already told Dongsheng not to come. Still, he turned anyway. What was he expecting? He deserved this. But... from the very beginning, Dongsheng had been involved in nothing, and the police had nothing on him. Couldn't they just have one last look? Was it really that hard? He Xiuyuan took a deep breath and began scratching an old scar on his wrist. Pain often brought him a different sensation, sometimes suppressing excess emotions, making him cold again. At that moment, the woman beside him grabbed his undamaged wrist. Her grip was so strong he couldn't even twitch. "What are you doing?" he asked. Bo Xin smiled wryly. "That's my line." 'What are you doing?' Legal illiteracy plus self-harm tendencies—it seemed the path to becoming a police officer would be long and arduous. He Xiuyuan didn't know how to answer. He made an excuse. "It's just itchy. I wanted to scratch." Bo Xin nodded approvingly. At least he knew his behavior was unusual, different from other kids. She turned her head as well but saw nothing in the back. She didn't understand why he was so agitated. She looked him up and down—he hadn't eaten well or worn good clothes. That meant he hadn't used the stolen money. "Were you just looking for your accomplice?" He Xiuyuan explained, "I have no accomplice." Bo Xin could hardly believe it. Even after being abandoned, he was still defending the other person. That accomplice must mean a lot to He Xiuyuan. The car stopped, and He Xiuyuan visibly relaxed. For some reason, facing Bo Xin made him more nervous than facing the police. Probably because the way she looked at him felt strange. He swallowed and raised his hand to touch his heart.
The two met the superior officer. Bo Xin explained first that He Xiuyuan had essentially turned himself in—admitting his mistakes without resistance during the entire process. The superior was startled. They had been chasing He Xiuyuan and, judging by his build, assumed he was at least fourteen. But now he looked so young—maybe not even twelve. He asked the most pressing question, "Do you have a good attitude toward admitting your guilt? Are you willing to return the money you stole?" He Xiuyuan shook his head firmly. "That money has already been spent." The superior scratched his head. That was a problem. "Then you'll be detained at the police station for a few days. After that, I'll send you to an appropriate correctional facility." Correctional facility? Not prison? He Xiuyuan couldn't hide his shock. "I've done so many wrong things, and in the end, I'm just being sent for education?" The superior was taken aback, then smiled at the boy's anxious expression. "You're not yet fourteen, are you?" "I've already had my thirteenth birthday." The superior clapped his hands and spread them, as if to say 'case closed.' "After you finish your education, don't do these things again. You could have a bright future."