The two then left. Lin Ying exchanged a few words with the neighbor aunt, then went to find Zhao Qinghuai.
Just as Lin Ying arrived, Zhao Qinghuai and two security guards came out from inside.
Gao Youfa and his wife were arrested for child trafficking.
Because they weren't wearing uniforms when they arrived, everyone assumed they were Gao Youfa's relatives. Then they saw the two of them come out handcuffed.
Instantly, a large crowd gathered around.
Zhao Qinghuai led Lin Ying away from the crowd in an oxcart.
Back home, Zhao Qinghuai said, "The case is a bit complicated. We might not be able to find the child before we leave. They say it was a couple from out of town who paid money to have the child replaced. I'm afraid it will be difficult to find that couple."
Lin Ying asked, "If they're from out of town, how did they know this family had a child? They must have talked to the villagers, right?"
Zhao Qinghuai's eyes lit up upon hearing this: "I'll contact the police station tomorrow and see if they can get any more information out of me."
The next day, the two went to Old Zhao's house again. The well had been dug very deep that day, but they hadn't found any water yet.
Zhao Qinghuai spoke to the well-drilling uncle on Lin Ying's behalf about installing a water pump. The uncle didn't think it was a bad idea, but instead calculated the materials: "We don't have enough cement, so we'll use wooden planks. We can open the well anytime and just put big stones on top of it when we're not working."
Zhao Qinghuai said, "You're the expert, just do what you think is best."
There are far fewer people here today to join in the fun.
Lin Ying took out the clothes and shoes she bought for Xiao Shuanzi, and Xiao Shuanzi's eyes were full of surprise when he looked at the new clothes and shoes.
Lin Ying boiled water and asked Guo Qiaoling to help give the child a bath, and then let the child change into new clothes.
Guo Qiaoling's petty temper flared up again: "It's not a holiday, why wear new clothes? These clothes and shoes don't look cheap."
She was already planning to secretly sell the clothes later, hoping to get a few dollars.
Lin Ying didn't need to come to the argument with Guo Qiaoling. Zhao Qinghuai said, "You didn't buy the clothes, so why are you saying all this? Didn't you see how dirty the child's clothes are? Can't you give the child a proper wash?"
Guo Qiaoling stopped talking and went to get a large wooden basin, poured hot water into it in the kitchen, and washed the child.
Xiao Shuanzi is only three years old, and September isn't too cold, so there's no need to avoid anything.
The water in the wooden basin was changed twice before the child was cleaned.
Seeing her child so happy in his new clothes, Lin Ying smiled happily too.
Perhaps sensing Lin Ying's kindness towards him, Xiao Shuanzi clung to her even more. Lin Ying was tending the fire, and Xiao Shuanzi sat beside her.
Lin Ying gave him two more candies. Then she saw Xiao Shuanzi happily run into another room, and then run out again.
But the candy in my hand was gone.
Lin Ying was a little curious. She had seen Shuanzi like this for the past few days and assumed he was hiding food. But now, judging from his appearance, it seemed that wasn't the case.
So Lin Ying asked curiously, "Shuanzi, where's the milk candy your auntie gave you?"
Shuanzi said, "Give one to our parents, and save the other one for our younger sister."
Lin Ying was worried that the child might secretly put candy in the child's mouth while the adults weren't looking, so she quickly said, "Your little sister isn't well, she can't eat candy. You can't put candy in her mouth, okay?"
To everyone's surprise, Shuanzi patted his chest and said, "I won't give it to this little sister. I'll give it to my little sister. Grandma said she'll take me to Grandma's house in a few days. My little sister is at Grandma's house."
Lin Ying paused, her eyes filled with disbelief: "Shuanzi, do you know this isn't your sister?"
Shuanzi said, "This is my little sister, Grandma says so. But I also have a little sister. My mother told me before going to bed that I should take good care of her!"
Lin Ying felt a pang of sadness; she understood perfectly what Shuanzi meant by "sleeping."
What kind of desperation must one feel to entrust a child to someone on their deathbed?
However, there was something important to discuss. Lin Ying composed herself and asked, "How did Shuanzi figure out that this younger sister wasn't your sister?"
Shuanzi said, "Of course I know, my sister is very pretty. There's even a little fish here!"
Lin Ying's voice trembled slightly: "You, you said your sister has a small fish-shaped birthmark on her collarbone?"
Shuanzi nodded: "Yes, there's a little fish on my sister's body."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
