A simple name—He Xiuyuan couldn't think of any other way to describe himself. Because from beginning to end, his label was just that simple: 'the quiet guy following Sui Dongsheng.' Only at this moment did he not want to use that label, unless they really couldn't remember him. He Xiuyuan nervously gripped the phone cord. Soon, a familiar voice came from the other end, as if reminiscing: 'It's you, child.' He Xiuyuan loosened his grip slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. 'Mm,' he said softly. 'How are things at the orphanage lately?'
On the other end was the older principal, Principal Liu. She wore reading glasses and was the best at sewing clothes. She used to use a sewing machine most often, until one year, to get food, she sold it. She said that food was more important than tools. Besides, without a sewing machine, she could still sew by hand, and the clothes wouldn't be any worse. So He Xiuyuan had always wanted to buy her a new sewing machine. He wondered if the money had been used for that.
Principal Liu's voice was healthy and strong. 'We're all fine, and life has certainly improved. The country is developing, society is advancing—how could we regress?' She described the changes at the orphanage in a reassuring tone. 'Don't worry about us out there. And Dongsheng, are you two doing well outside?'
From the conversation, He Xiuyuan learned one thing: the orphanage didn't know about their crimes. He didn't know whether to feel relieved or ashamed. Then, the next question was about Dongsheng. That seemed normal, because the adults didn't really know him; the only center of conversation was Sui Dongsheng. He Xiuyuan thought about how to answer. '...We're doing well outside too. Don't worry about us.' His tone was thin and weak. He hadn't lived a good life; not long after leaving, he had been living in hiding. He couldn't seem to imagine things he hadn't seen.
He Xiuyuan paused and began asking about everyone there: whether Little Apple had gotten to eat apples, whether Teacher Li had gotten knee pads, whether Chef Hu had put pork in the dishes. Principal Liu answered each one. Yes, all of those had been taken care of. He Xiuyuan's smile widened; it was much more sincere than before. 'And that social assistance money—did you keep any for yourself? To buy a new sewing machine?' Since her eyes were weak, overusing them was harmful, so having a sewing machine would be best.
Principal Liu shook her head. 'I really don't need it. But what social assistance money?' He Xiuyuan's movements slowed. Standing in the shadows, his expression was unreadable. 'No funding?' Principal Liu opened a drawer and counted the letters inside, but didn't find He Xiuyuan's name. There were no anonymous donations either. In fact, children who left from there, lacking formal education, could barely manage their own lives. So Principal Liu shook her head. 'Really, there's none.' She didn't recall receiving any recent assistance. Their lives were very ordinary; the staff were honest and didn't participate in outside social activities. The only company support was from Hengxing. Over the years, as Hengxing grew, their sponsorship increased, allowing them to live better.
Hearing this, Principal Liu quickly guessed why he was asking. 'I told you before, don't send us money. Just take care of yourselves.' But if the child had sent money and she hadn't received it, Principal Liu easily thought of a bad situation. 'Child, have you been deceived?' He Xiuyuan's voice was dry. 'Maybe I have been.' Afterwards, Principal Liu said a lot, telling him to be careful, that it was hard to earn money outside, and that the orphanage was doing well now—words of advice. He Xiuyuan was silent, not sure if he was listening. Soon, it was time to rest and turn off the lights. The call ended.
He Xiuyuan put the receiver back. The surroundings were noisy, but he paid no attention. Amidst the chaotic sounds, he quickly found Officer Wu. 'Hello, could you give me the contact information for Madame Bo Xin?' Officer Wu's eyes widened. He didn't know when He Xiuyuan had been caught, nor when he had come to stand behind him. Plus, the police station was so chaotic, yet He Xiuyuan had found him so quickly and accurately. No wonder the leader said he was a promising talent. But the question was hard to answer. Officer Wu scratched his head and refused. 'Sorry, that involves resident privacy. I can't tell you.' He Xiuyuan looked up, his tone sincere. 'I have something urgent. I need to ask her something in person.'
Officer Wu considered his own work ability average, but he had principles. 'I really can't tell you. Besides, Madame Bo Xin was one of those who helped capture you. Under no circumstances am I allowed to tell you.' He Xiuyuan reluctantly let go. 'Then when can I see her again?' Officer Wu paused, perhaps sensing the anxiety beneath He Xiuyuan's calm exterior. His voice softened. 'Wait until she comes next time. I'll have her come see you. She'll come again—she cares about you, doesn't she? She even paid back the money you stole.' At that time, after Madame Bo Xin had captured He Xiuyuan, Officer Wu, who had been transferred from another task to assist, didn't continue with the case. Today, during a casual chat, he learned that Madame Bo Xin was willing to cover the debts this kid owed. Officer Wu shook his head with a mature air. 'Well, isn't that something—mutual concern.'
A while later, Bo Xin really did come, bringing a company-signed document and some money. Officer Wu took the money, answered a few of Bo Xin's questions, and then closed the door to leave. But then he remembered he had forgotten something. However, his mediocre memory couldn't recall what. He looked up and met He Xiuyuan's gaze from the detention room. Officer Wu slapped his forehead—he finally remembered. He wondered if Madame Bo Xin had already left. He quickly turned around. Bo Xin was standing right outside the door. She tapped on the upper half of the glass door, signaling to open it.
Officer Wu opened the door for her and made up for it by saying, 'This kid has been wanting to see you.' Bo Xin nodded in understanding. She looked around—the place was too noisy. 'Well, can I take this kid to eat at your cafeteria? It's almost the end of his detention period. It wouldn't hurt to let him get some fresh air, right?' Officer Wu hesitated. Bo Xin continued, 'He won't run. If he wanted to run, he could find a chance even in the bathroom.' Officer Wu thought of the time he let him make a phone call. Following the leader's instructions, they had let him out easily. Within minutes, he had silently appeared behind him. It seemed just as Bo Xin said—if the kid really wanted to escape, he could find a way.
He took a large key ring and unlocked the door for He Xiuyuan. The cafeteria wasn't big, but it was a police cafeteria—cheap, generous portions, healthy and simple. Two bowls of plain noodles were soon ready. Bo Xin added some vinegar to her noodles before eating. He Xiuyuan picked up his noodles but didn't put them in his mouth. Clearly, he was distracted. 'Thank you for helping me pay back that money. I'll repay you too.' Bo Xin smiled. 'I'll be waiting.'
Unlike other kids, Bo Xin had approached He Xiuyuan as an investment. So she accepted his gratitude well. But compared to this, something else seemed to occupy his mind, making him eat without enjoyment. So, he had made that call to the orphanage, right? Bo Xin looked up and asked directly. He Xiuyuan gave a bitter smile, not expecting her to be so straightforward. This was exactly why he wanted to see her. 'You seemed to have already known that my accomplice didn't send the money back. Why?' He thought hard. No matter how he looked at it, the call she made him take had that implication. But he really didn't understand how she knew. He had been with Dongsheng for so long and hadn't noticed anything.
Bo Xin didn't answer immediately. Instead, she asked, 'Now that you understand this, you didn't tell the police about your accomplice, but came to tell me?' He Xiuyuan clenched his fist. 'Some things, I want to ask him face to face.' Besides, Bo Xin had told him not to be a legal illiterate anymore. 'He's younger than me, and from start to finish, he didn't really participate much. It was almost all my own actions. If giving him money counts as being my accomplice, he could also claim he didn't know anything, right?' Bo Xin smiled and said nothing more.
Most importantly, the leader wasn't stupid. It was obvious there was an accomplice. He had checked all the hotels He Xiuyuan mentioned but found no trace of another person. So when Bo Xin realized that person was Sui Dongsheng, she sighed at how close she had been to the protagonist. Now, she definitely wouldn't find him. 'Do you know where he will go?' He Xiuyuan swallowed and said he 'didn't know.' 'I'm going to a correctional school. I'll find him later, and at the same time, I'll find a way to thank you.'