Chapter Twenty-Eight: Miao Miao

Ye Dong asked in a low voice, "What's wrong? You look a bit strange."

Nian Xue withdrew her gaze from the man in gray and shook her head with a smile. "It's nothing."

Ye Dong said, "It's almost afternoon. Let's head back. Officer Li is probably waiting for us."

Zheng Zheng, hearing Ye Dong's intention to leave, whispered, "I should head back early too. My father told me not to linger here for too long."

Miao Miao, who was playing with her friends, seemed to have overheard their conversation. She turned to look at Zheng Zheng, then glanced at Nian Xue, and unexpectedly ran off.

Zheng Zheng grew anxious. "Is Miao Miao angry?" She was about to give chase, but Nian Xue stopped her. "Let her be. She's probably just reluctant to see you go. Kids are like that."

"But—" Zheng Zheng hadn't finished speaking when Miao Miao came running back, panting, with a rolled-up item in her hands.

Zheng Zheng hurried over and coaxed, "Little Miao Miao, don’t run so fast, you might fall!" She knelt down, opening her arms to shield the sweat-soaked child.

Miao Miao's face was flushed, and she didn't bother to wipe the sweat from her forehead. She hurriedly handed the roll to Zheng Zheng. "Sister Zheng Zheng, here!"

Zheng Zheng took the scroll and asked gently, "Did you run off just to get this for me?"

Miao Miao grinned mischievously. "Yes! Sister Zheng Zheng, open it and take a look!"

In front of Miao Miao, Zheng Zheng slowly unrolled the scroll. It was a colored drawing: beneath blue skies and white clouds, a young woman held the hands of two adorable girls as they played on the grass. The skill wasn’t remarkable, but the use of color and composition showed that the artist had given it careful thought.

A warmth filled Zheng Zheng’s heart. "Miao Miao, did you draw this?"

Miao Miao tilted her head and smiled. "Yes, I spent all day on it! The grown-up is Sister Zheng Zheng, the girl on your left is me, and the one on your right is my little sister. We're playing together on the grass!"

Ye Dong and the others gathered around, listening to Miao Miao’s explanation. Their hearts stirred with complex emotions. "Zheng Zheng and Hua Hua must mean a lot to Miao Miao."

Zheng Zheng’s eyes reddened. "It's a beautiful drawing. I love it, Sister Zheng Zheng is very grateful! Thank you, Miao Miao!"

Miao Miao grew shy, shaking her head quickly. "No need! When I grow up and earn money, I’ll treat Sister Zheng Zheng to dinner!"

Ye Dong knelt and gently touched Miao Miao’s forehead. "Miao Miao, you’re so sweet. But I heard you already burned your drawing, so how do you have this one?"

Miao Miao covered her mouth and laughed, pulling Zheng Zheng and Ye Dong’s ears close to her. She whispered, "The one burned was drawn by my sister! Don’t tell anyone!"

Ye Dong and Zheng Zheng felt a jolt in their hearts. They exchanged glances, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

He whispered, "Miao Miao, why did your sister burn the drawing?"

Miao Miao pouted. "That day, Sister Zheng Zheng didn't come, and my sister was in a bad mood and seemed sick. She got angry and tore up the drawing, then burned it. Afterward, she cried for a long time. I stayed in the room with her until she stopped. Then, we drew this one together to give Sister Zheng Zheng again."

Though Miao Miao’s words sounded strange, a mix of inexplicable sadness and warmth welled up in their hearts, leaving them unsettled.

Ye Dong guessed, "Could it be Miao Miao hides in her room to talk to Hua Hua? Or perhaps Hua Hua’s spirit has always been with her?"

He pretended nothing was amiss, gently comforting Miao Miao. "You’re a good girl, Miao Miao. Besides drawing together, did Hua Hua ever tell you anything else?"

Miao Miao looked around, making sure no teachers were around, then whispered, "Hua Hua said the director and Aunt Zhen aren’t good people, and told me not to play with them."

Zheng Zheng was startled. "Why aren't they good?"

Miao Miao shook her head, her eyes darting. "I don't know. Hua Hua told me, and I believe her. I don’t like the director or Aunt Zhen, so I keep away when they come."

Zheng Zheng thought, "So this is why Miao Miao never shows Aunt Zhen a friendly face—it’s because of Hua Hua."

She asked again, "Did Hua Hua say anything else?"

Miao Miao, her face full of innocence, giggled. "Hua Hua said Sister Zheng Zheng is a really good person, and I should eat well and grow up fast so I can protect you!"

Ye Dong wondered, "Protect Zheng Zheng? Could this be connected to Lai Jiayu's claim that someone wants to kidnap Zheng Zheng?"

He asked quietly, "Did Hua Hua say when she’d come to play with you?"

At this, Miao Miao’s lips trembled, and she lowered her head. "Hua Hua said Sister Nian Xue is very fierce. She’ll only come after Nian Xue leaves."

Ye Dong secretly chuckled. "Nian Xue really is imposing—her ten years of cultivation show."

He comforted Miao Miao, "Don’t worry, Miao Miao. Sister Nian Xue may seem fierce, but she’s a really good person, just like Sister Zheng Zheng."

Miao Miao grinned. "Really? But Hua Hua just doesn’t like her, nothing I can do!"

Zheng Zheng carried Miao Miao indoors and soothed her. "I’ll come and play with you more often, okay?"

Miao Miao blinked her clear, watery eyes and nodded sensibly. "I understand."

Suddenly, Miao Miao lowered her voice. "If you have time, go find Nian Xue and play. She can protect you for me."

Zheng Zheng looked stunned, feeling a chill behind her. She gently set Miao Miao down. "I understand, Miao Miao. Be good."

Miao Miao waved her little hand, said goodbye to Zheng Zheng and the others, and went back to her room alone.

The group said farewell to the director and others, then boarded a luxurious seven-seater, heading toward the city.

Inside the car, everyone looked worried, weighed down by their thoughts.

Ye Dong considered for a moment and took out his phone to send Officer Li a message.

"Officer Li?"

"Ye Dong? Did you find anything?"

"Not yet, but we did notice something strange about Wan Zheng Zheng."

"Tell me."

Ye Dong typed quickly, recounting today's experiences at the orphanage in detail.

On the other end of the call, Officer Li’s brow furrowed deeply. Xiao Yang and Xiao Wang exchanged glances, both feeling a sense of foreboding.

"Tick, tick, tick..." The sound of the second hand on the wall clock echoed through the room.

Officer Li ordered, "Xiao Wang, later, go and find all the files from the accidental drowning incident at Star Orphanage a year ago."

Xiao Wang forced a smile. "Chief, is that case connected to the one we’re working on?"

Officer Li replied meaningfully, "Hopefully not. If it is, we’re in for real trouble."

He sent another message to Ye Dong. "Dong, test Wan Tian Ze—see what he knows. I have a feeling this case is anything but ordinary."

"Okay, I'll do my best." Ye Dong put away his phone. "Let’s hope his intuition is wrong."

But remembering how Officer Li’s instincts proved correct in solving the 714 case, Ye Dong’s anxiety only deepened.

Zheng Zheng sighed. "I never expected Miao Miao to have two personalities. Is this schizophrenia?"

Liang Lingzhi and the others nearly laughed, but only Nian Xue spoke quietly. "If it’s mental illness, that’s easier. If it’s something supernatural, we’re in trouble."

Zheng Zheng was confused. "Isn't this classic split personality? To say it's supernatural seems a stretch!"

Nian Xue countered, "Do you really think Miao Miao, with her tiny frame, could move such a big chair?"

Zheng Zheng was speechless, staring in a daze at Ye Dong beside her.

Ye Dong asked, "Zheng Zheng, don’t you want to know the truth?"

Zheng Zheng looked at the scroll in her hands and answered Ye Dong firmly, "I do!"

Ye Dong gently patted Zheng Zheng’s hand. "Zheng Zheng, can we meet your father tonight? I think he might know something."

Zheng Zheng hesitated for a moment. "Is something going on?"

Nian Xue interjected, "We just want to confirm a few things."

Zheng Zheng nodded repeatedly. "If that’s the case, I’ll take you to see him now. Zhou Zhixing, take us to the headquarters."

Zhou Zhixing, driving, laughed. "If the master knew you were coming to see him personally, he’d be overjoyed."

Zheng Zheng looked a bit embarrassed and did not respond.

Zhou Zhixing dialed Wan Tian Ze’s number. "Please tell the master that the young lady will arrive at the group headquarters in half an hour."

Da Chun was excited. "You’re taking us to Wanma International headquarters!? My goodness!"

Xiao Bao was also overjoyed. "That’s the tallest building in the province!"

Zheng Zheng admitted, "To be honest, I’ve only been there a few times myself."

The car sped toward the busiest commercial center. After entering an avenue lined with flags, they finally arrived at the imposing Wanma International headquarters.

The arrival of the young lady naturally caused a stir; some employees even took out their phones to snap photos.

"Ding."

The elevator doors opened, revealing a row of tall bodyguards, apparently waiting for them.

"Miss," a familiar voice called out to the group.

Ye Dong and the others were startled. "Lai Jiayu!?"