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墨書 Inktalez
"No, she is usually quite well-behaved. When I make meals, she comes out to eat by herself. When I mention doing laundry, she brings out the dirty clothes she has saved up. She just doesn't like to talk. This is the first time today; maybe... it was because I went into her room? Kids these days are all about privacy, right? I’ve never gone in before; I only did today because she woke up late."
"How does she eat? How much? Why is she so thin?"
"She eats—about half a bowl of rice per meal, not much vegetables. I tell her to eat more, but she just shakes her head. I don't know if she's full or if my cooking doesn't suit her taste. Sir, this child is too thin; it looks like she's a bit malnourished. It's the time for her to grow, and we can't let that slide."
"Yes, I understand. Usually, make sure to prepare good meals for her and pay attention to nutritional balance. If you run out of money, just call me anytime."
"It's enough; I can't spend it all. You can tell you don't do household chores; the meals are usually lavish. Actually, vegetables aren't as expensive as you think; they cost just a few dollars per pound. The money you gave is more than enough." Aunt Li chuckled, "I keep track of everything in a notebook; I'll show it to you later."
I wasn't concerned about these trivial matters and waved my hand dismissively. "No need for that; I'm just asking about Xiao Ran's situation. Has she mentioned anything to you? Like if something unhappy happened at school or if she had conflicts with classmates?"
"No, I only come here two days a week, and this child isn't familiar with me; she usually doesn't talk. Aren't kids like that? They come home and say nothing to their parents, retreating into their own rooms for hours—either playing games or watching TV. It's hard to get them to say a word. My son is just like that; he's about the same age as Xiao Ran, and it's driving me crazy."
I paused for a moment and asked uncertainly, "Is it really like that for all of them?"
"Yes, it's like that for all kids. They become a worry for their parents; the older they get, the less considerate they are. You'll gradually get used to it."
I usually interacted with people from the business world and wasn't accustomed to gossiping women who talked about family matters. Business was business; we rarely discussed family, so I had no way of knowing what normal kids were like.
"I see," I felt somewhat reassured and then took out my wallet from my pocket, casually pulling out a stack of thin bills. "When you have time, please buy her some seasonal clothes and supplies. I'm busy with work and don't have time."
The nanny accepted the money with delight, nodding repeatedly. "That's easy; I'll go buy them this afternoon."
After discussing some other trivial matters, I left the room and returned to the living room. There was still half a bowl of porridge left in the bowl on the dining table, and the two dishes were still full; hardly any had been taken. The chair was already empty of people. I looked toward Xiao Ran's room; the door was tightly closed, clearly indicating a refusal to enter.
I gave a sheepish smile to the nanny who came out afterward without saying anything and left the apartment.
Afterward, I selectively ignored several opportunities to notice signs that Xiao Ran was not normal.
Until nearly a year later when I came to Lin City, Xiao Ran had completely turned into a puppet-like figure.
It was the day before Xiao Ran's summer vacation began; after summer break, she would be entering sixth grade.
I originally planned to send a driver to pick her up, but then I thought about how I hadn't seen Li Hua for many days and that there weren't many company matters I needed to handle. Each person has their own responsibilities, so I decided to send the driver away and drove to the school myself.
The school was in chaos; the usually closed gates were wide open, with parents coming and going to pick up their children. Cars, motorcycles, and bicycles were all jammed together at the entrance, creating a complete lack of order.
I parked my car at a distance and looked at the crowd. I really had no interest in pushing my way through. I took out my phone, found Li Hua's number, and saw that our last contact was over a month ago.
After a long wait, the call connected, but Li Hua's voice sounded lazy, as if she had just woken up.
"You're not at school?"
"Huh? No, I'm at my place. What's up?"
"Isn't today the students' holiday? Why are you still sleeping?"
"Uh..." I heard her shift in bed, and after several seconds she replied, "I quit."
"You quit? What do you mean? Did you resign?" I was taken aback. She was Xiao Ran's homeroom teacher; if she wasn't working, then there would be no one to take care of Xiao Ran. I hadn't received any news about such a significant matter.
"To be precise, I was fired," Li Hua said casually.
"Fired? When? What happened?"
"I was used as a scapegoat... Ugh, it's hard to explain in one sentence. Anyway, I've been gone for a while now. If you're picking up Xiao Ran, just go inside and find her; she's still in Class Three. Oh, by the way, there's something I forgot to tell you: you should have Xiao Ran transfer schools. It would be best if you could take her to see a psychologist."
"Be more specific."
At that time, awareness of psychological treatment wasn't widespread; people who saw psychologists were generally considered mentally ill, and even today some still think that way.
"I mentioned it before—the Principal Liu—he's been doing that kind of thing to Xiao Ran for almost a year now. When I told you about it, you didn't..."
I couldn't hear what she said next. I held my phone in shock, frozen in my seat as buzzing filled my ears. Li Hua's words echoed repeatedly in my mind.
He has been doing that kind of thing to Xiao Ran for almost a year...
He had been doing that to Xiao Ran for almost a year...
By the time I realized what was happening, my body had already left the wheelchair and was rushing towards the classroom.
I ran forward in a daze, pushing through one pedestrian after another, ignoring the countless shouts and curses behind me. All I wanted was to find my daughter, to see her, to hold her, and to say I was sorry.
Finally, I saw her. She was standing in front of the teaching building, her small frame burdened by a heavy backpack, clutching a stack of books in her arms. She had her head down, carefully avoiding pedestrians, afraid of being bumped into.
I rushed over and pulled her into my embrace. She flinched slightly and then let out a sharp scream.
I quickly said, "It's me, it's Dad, Xiao Ran, it's Dad."
She gradually stopped screaming, but her body continued to tremble. With her head lowered, her face was as pale as a paper doll.
My eyes were burning with tears, and my throat tightened. I gently stroked her dry hair, which had become so brittle over time, and softly said, "It's okay, don't be afraid. We're going home; Dad will take you home."
Her lips were pressed tightly together; she neither nodded nor shook her head and wouldn't even spare me a glance.
I wanted to take the books from her arms, but she held onto them tightly and wouldn’t let go. How could I bear to blame her further? So I stood up straight, supported her shoulders, shielding her from others as we slowly walked towards the school gate.
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