Evening.
Dong Xuebing stretched as he put down a document. He stuck out his hand from the window to feel the temperature. It was cold. He wore his coat and carried his sleeping baby under it before walking to his car.
On Dong Xuebing’s way home, Little Qianqian woke up and started shouting.
It wasn’t easy to drive while carrying a baby.
“Why are you calling Daddy?”
“Aah… ahh…”
“Haha…. Are you hungry?”
“Ooh… ahh….”
“Daddy will bring you to the supermarket to buy you some treats.”
Little Qianqian seemed to understand and started giggling. She reached out to grab Dong Xuebing’s hair excitedly.
Dong Xuebing was amused by his cute daughter and kissed her chubby cheeks. Although it was tiring today, it was worth it.
City Party Committee family quarters.
It was warm at home because of the heater.
Dong Xuebing was cooking his dinner when his phone rang.
“Hello, Mum.” Dong Xuebing answered while cutting vegetables. “Are you still at the hospital?”
Luan Xiaoping replied. “Yes. I had dinner with Yunxuan. How is Qianqian?”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “She is in her pram waiting for me to feed her.”
Luan Xiaoping instructed. “Just give her milk. Don’t give her anything spicy or salty if she wants to eat something else. Remember to smash the food first, or she will get indigestion.”
“I know.”
“You cannot give her too much solid food; she must drink her milk first.”
“I know… I know…. Don’t worry. I know what to do.”
“Are you getting impatient?! Huh? Put the phone closer to my granddaughter. I want to speak to her.”
Dong Xuebing laughed. “Mum, I am preparing dinner. You can see her after Yunxuan is discharged. Alright. I am hanging up.”
Dinner was ready, and Dong Xuebing sat at the dining dinner with his daughter on his lap.
Little Qianqian got excited when she saw the food on the table. She waved her arms wildly and tried to grab the food.
“You greedy girl. Your granny doesn’t allow you to eat other food, and I can only give you a little.” Dong Xuebing picked up a small piece of meat and chewed it before putting a little into Qianiqiand’s mouth. She smacked her lips and swallowed her food.
Dong Xuebing looked at Qianqian. “Is it delicious? Do you want more?”
“Yaa… Yaa… Aah….” The baby got anxious and started making noises.
Dong Xuebing was amused. “I cannot give you any more. You will get indigestion. You got to wait until you are more than six months old.”
Little Qianqian started waving her arms wildly, but Dong Xuebing did not give in. She got mad, and her big eyes turned red.
“Ahh…. Don’t cry….” Dong Xuebing quickly grabbed the milk bottle and stuck it into Little Qianqian’s mouth.
The baby was easily contented, and she quickly stopped crying. Dong Xuebing looked at her and felt blessed. Having a child is the greatest joy in his life.
Dong Xuebing seldom had the chance to accompany Qianqian since she was born, and he felt he could not leave her now. She was so adorable, and he wanted to take care of her instead of asking his Mum to help. He might not have the chance to see her once a week in the future.
Around 8 pm.
Dong Xuebing took a shower and bathed Little Qianqian. After that, he tucked her into bed and played with her.
“Do you want to live with Daddy in the future?”
“Ahh….”
“Oh, you want? Good girl….”
“Ooh… yaa….”
“Haha…. Play with me.”
Little Qianqian still did not know how to crawl and tried to grab the doll Dong Xuebing was holding. She laid on her back and waved her arms.
They played for a while when Dong Xuebing’s phone, which was on the table, rang.
Dong Xuebing gave the doll to Little Qianqian. “Play by yourself. Daddy is going to answer the call.”
Little Qianqian was giggling as she grabbed and pulled her doll.
Dong Xuebing smiled and kissed her cheeks before walking out to the living room to get his phone. “Hello, this is Dong Xuebing.”
Luo Haiting said. “Xuebing, have you heard about it?”
Dong Xuebing asked. “Heard about what?”
Luo Haiting replied. “Li Taibo had escaped.”
“What?” Dong Xuebing frowned. “How did it happen?”
“I just returned from the Public Security Bureau. They had found new evidence and asked me to go there for further statements. The Bureau was in chaos when I reached there. I heard from one of the officers that Li Taibo had escaped. They should be blocking the news of his escape now.”
“How did he escape? He should be in the detention center.”
“I don’t know about the details. I heard he had used a loophole in the detention center and had beaten up a few officers to escape. His whereabouts are unknown now. Oh, there might be people helping him. After all, he was the Investigation Team Leader, and many people owed him favors. He managed to uncuff himself and is on the run now. The Public Security Bureau is investigating who helped him escape now.”
Dong Xuebing replied. “I know.”
“Director, you got to be careful. I am afraid Li Taibo might….” Luo Haiting stopped and said. “But I don’t think he would be so stupid to look for you. He should have heard about your skills. Checkpoints had been set up on all major roads and highways. He should be arrested soon.”
“Hope so.” Dong Xuebing looked terrible after hanging up.
What were the guards at the detention center doing?! How can they let him escape?
Dong Xuebing opened the windows and lit a cigarette. He thought about what had happened. Li Taibo… Li Taibo…. This person had given false statements and fabricated evidence several times. He is not fit to be a Police Officer. He had harmed several victims, and he should have been executed. Someone from the detention center must have helped him to escape.
Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette and returned to his room angrily.
Little Qianqian saw Dong Xuebing and started crying.
Dong Xuebing quickly composed himself and hugged her. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did you pee again?” He touched her diapers, but it was not wet.
Little Qianqian continued to cry.
Dong Xuebing suddenly remembered Xie Huilan’s words. His mood would affect his daughter, and he put on a smiling face. “Stop crying…. Daddy is not angry…. I am not angry with you…. Alright…. Don’t cry….”
Little Qianqian blinked, and her tears stopped.
Dong Xuebing kissed Little Qianqian’s forehead. “You are so sensitive. Other than sleeping and eating, what else do you know? Huh?”
Little Qianqian played with her doll for a while and lost interest. She was tired and was about to fall asleep.
Dong Xuebing smiled and put her into the baby cot. “You must be sleepy. Today must be a happy and tiring day for you. You played with many people and received so many praises. Sleep well.”
Little Qianqian seemed to be exhausted and fell asleep the moment Dong Xuebing put her into the baby cot.
Dong Xuebing smiled and shook his head. He lay on the bed and fell asleep too.
One hour….
Three hours….
Five hours….
Dong Xuebing woke up at 5 am. He had gone to bed early and could not go back to sleep. He looked at the baby in the baby cot and smiled. She should not wake up soon. He walked out of the room to wash up and get dressed. He grabbed his keys and left for the Public Security Bureau. He wanted to know the progress of catching Li Taibo, as he was worried he might harm his family. This guy must be captured soon and will help at the right moment.
But things were not looking good after he got to the Bureau.
Li Taibo was the former Investigation Team Leader and knew how the Police operate. The Public Security Bureau tried to arrest him last night. Two eyewitnesses saw him, but he disappeared when the Police arrived. He was too cunning.
Dong Xuebing did not find out anything at 6 am.
Dong Xuebing shook his head and drove back, as his daughter should be waking up soon. It was a Saturday, and he did not need to work. He can accompany her the whole day. He could not do anything about Li Taibo and got to leave it to the relevant departments. Li Taibo should not have the guts to look for him.
City Party Committee family quarters.
It was still dark when Dong Xuebing walked up the stairs.
When Dong Xuebing reached his apartment, he was stunned. The door was half opened. He remembered he had closed the door earlier and looked at the lock. It was forced open with a tool. There were scratches around the keyhole.
Damn!
Someone had come.
Dong Xuebing rushed into the apartment.
“Qianqian! Qianqian!” Dong Xuebing panicked.
Dong Xuebing rushed into his bedroom, and Little Qianqian was gone. The baby cot was empty!
“Qianqian!” Dong Xuebing shouted.
Dong Xuebing’s daughter was missing!
Dong Xuebing clenched his teeth and turned pale immediately.
