Tokyo.
Hotel’s entrance.
“Chief, are you getting on the bus?”
“You all go ahead. I need to make a phone call first.”
Zhang Fan, Yu Rui, and Luo Haiting will not board the bus before their leader, and they waited there.
Dong Xuebing took out his phone and walked a few steps away from them. He called Yu Meixia’s number. Although he has auto-roaming, the reception is not good. Some static sounds can be heard before the line got through.
“Hello, Xiao Bing?”
“Sister Yu, where are you?”
“I am preparing lunch with Qianqian at home.”
Dong Xuebing cleared his throat. “Can you tell me about you and your parents in detail? How old are you when they found you?”
Yu Meixia paused for a second. “I found out from a relative a few years ago after my parents died. I think I was four or five years old, and I couldn’t remember anything. If my relative accidentally mentioned it, I will not know about it as I was too young to remember anything. Why are you asking? I thought you are in Japan for a work trip? Are you back?”
“Not yet. Let’s not talk about me now.” Dong Xuebing continued. “Can you have any distinctive marks on your body?”
Yu Meixia blushed. “No.”
Dong Xuebing had seen her body before, and she does not have any birthmarks.
“What about the clothes or jewelry you were wearing?”
“I can’t remember. Xiao Bing, what’s going on?”
“Didn’t I say I will help you find your biological parents? That’s why I need some clues. Can you try to recall or ask your relative?”
“Ok… I will ask them.”
“Call me immediately if you have any news.”
Dong Xuebing felt it’s hard to rely on Yu Meixia’s clues and only find out more from Liu Chenlong. But the flight…
Dong Xuebing looks at the bus. “You all go ahead first. I still have some unfinished business here and will take a later or tomorrow’s flight back.”
Luo Haiting paused. “This…”
Dong Xuebing didn’t explain and carried his luggage back to the hotel. He can change his flight timing or buy a new return ticket as it does not cost much. What’s important now is to find out Yu Meixia’s relationship with Liu Chenlong. He had taken advantage of Sister Yu for so long and felt indebted to her. That’s why he needs to do something.
……
One hour later.
Dong Xuebing sat and smoked in a private room of a restaurant in the hotel. The dishes are served.
After a while, Liu Chenlong entered with a smile. He is curious why Dong Xuebing suddenly calls him to have lunch.
“Liu… you are more than 30 years older than me, and I should address you as Uncle Liu.” Dong Xuebing stood up and smiles. “Uncle Liu, have a sit. I had ordered the dishes, but I am not sure if you like it.”
“No… I must pay for this meal.”
“It’s fine. It’s the same whoever is paying.”
“Xiao Dong, I thought you are supposed to be on the flight?”
Dong Xuebing does not want to reveal anything without any confirmation and made up an excuse. “Don’t mention it. Something cropped up last minute, causing me to miss the flight. I will catch the next flight or tomorrow’s flight back.”
This hotel is often used to host tourists and have Chinese restaurants. Dong Xuebing ordered a bottle of Maotai and did not ask him about Yu Meixia straight. He wants to make Liu Chenlong tipsy before entering the main topic. But he is a good drinker, and they quickly finish half the bottle. Dong Xuebing thought to himself. No wonder Liu Chenlong’s wife left him. Who can tolerate anyone who drinks like this?
“Uncle Liu, you are a good drinker.”
“Haha… I don’t drink alcohol in the past, but I have to entertain guests and attend functions frequently in the recent years and slowly become a good drinker.” Liu Chenlong laughed. “I can tell you are also a good drinker.”
“I am nothing compared to you.” Dong Xuebing slowly changed the topic to Liu Chenlong’s family. “Oh, do you have a son or daughter?”
Liu Chenlong’s facial expression changed. “I don’t have any children.”
“Huh?” Dong Xuebing topped up Liu Chenlong’s glass.
Liu Chenlong is getting tipsy, and he replied with a weary smile. “I am living alone now. Are you married?”
“I am also single, but I am starting to feel lonely. Have you considered setting up a family again?”
Liu Chenlong shook his head and sighed. He opens his wallet and looks at the picture. “I had divorced my ex-wife for years, but I still cannot forget her. Haha… I find her an eyesore when we were together, but I start to miss her every day after we divorced. Sigh… all men are like this.” Dong Xuebing knows he still has feelings for his ex-wife, or he would not keep their picture in his wallet.
If it were someone else, Dong Xuebing would not continue to ask. He did not stop today and continued to probe deeper.
“Your wife is working in Fen Zhou City….”
“Qian Lihua, Fen Zhou City ICBC bank’s Branch Manager.”
Huh? Qian Lihua?!
Dong Xuebing is familiar with this name. The Investment Promotion Agency often has to interact with the bank. But they communicate with the County’s branch most of the time and seldom work with the City’s branch. He had only heard of Qian Lihua’s name. She is the person who looks like Sister Yu? She is so near to him, but they have never met before. Even if they met, he would not think of Yu Meixia immediately. No matter how Qian Lihhua maintained her looks, she is in her fifties and will look different from the picture.
Liu Chenlong finished his glass of alcohol and said. “If our child is still around, we might not divorce. Sigh…”
Dong Xuebing brightens up. “Child? You mentioned you don’t have….”
“It was a long time ago.” Liu Chenlong sighed and said something shocking. “Her name is Dandan, and she is very cute. But she went missing when she was five. Her mother had brought her out and lost her when they were shopping. We reported to the police and searched for a long time. But…”
Dong Xuebing’s hand shook and spilled his alcohol. “Your child went missing?!”
“Yes. She might be abducted, and I wonder how she is doing now.”
“Is it a boy or girl?”
“… girl.”
“Were you all staying… at Fen Zhou City?”
“We are living in the City. My ex-wife and I were working there. Sigh… it’s been thirty years now.” Liu Chenlong looks at the sky through the windows. “My wife and I had her earlier. If Dan Dan is still around, she should be in her thirties. She might be married or have children… sigh…” Liu Chenlong downed another glass of alcohol and did not continue.
Five years old? Went missing?
Fen Zhou City? Girl?
Damn! Dong Xuebing clenched his fist. It might be a coincidence if it is only one or two things. But all the clues are pointing… This is no longer a coincidence!
Yu Meixia might be Liu Chenlong’s missing child!
Of course, it’s not confirmed, but the possibility had increased significantly. Sister Yu was also found by her ‘parents’ when she was around four or five years old, and she is from Fen Zhou City. She also looks identical to Qian Lihua when she was young. This… it will be weird if Yu Meixia is not Liu Chenlong’s missing daughter!
One will search high and low only to find it when one least expects to!
Is this fate for Sister Yu to find her biological parents?
Dong Xuebing continues to drink with Liu Chenlong to find out more. He had divorced Qian Lihua because of this incident. Their daughter had gone missing, and they could not find her after searching for a few years. The pain caused them to have frequent quarrels, and Liu Chenlong turned to alcohol to drown his sorrows. He became an alcohol addict and drinks once he got home. Their marriage fell apart, and he was transferred to the electric company’s head office.
Dong Xuebing is speechless after hearing his story.
Half an hour later.
“Oh, it’s so late now.” Liu Chenlong looks at his watch and smiles. “Let’s end our lunch now. Thank you. I will give you a treat and have a good chat again when we return.” He stood up while supporting himself on the table. After drinking so much, he is a bit tipsy.
“Be careful.” Dong Xuebing went over to help him. He is treating him as his elder now.
Liu Chenlong waved. “I am not drunk. Oh, you had missed your flight, right? I will get someone to arrange a flight to Beijing this afternoon.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “Will it be too troublesome?”
“It’s fine. We also need to book our tickets.” Liu Chenlong felt better after sharing his sorrows with Dong Xuebing, and they have gotten closer.
Dong Xuebing did not reject his offer. It will be troublesome to buy or change his air ticket as he cannot speak Japanese.
Dong Xuebing did not reveal anything about Yu Meixia to Liu Chenlong after he settled his air ticket. He wants them to meet if they are related, but he doesn’t know how Sister Yu will react. After all, they had not seen each other for almost thirty years. He needs to consult her opinions first and let her be prepared.
