Next morning.
City Party Committee Family Quarters.
Luan Xiaoping, Qu Yunxuan’s parents, Qu Yunxuan and Dong Xuebing did not sleep. They were waiting for news.
“Xiaoping, do you think Huilan can succeed?”
“She had left for Beijing last night. It should be fine.”
“Her family….”
“All of them are officials, and Qianqian will be rescued with their help.”
“I hope so. My precious granddaughter…. Why does she have to go through such an ordeal?”
Luan Xiaoping and Qu Yunxuan’s mother started crying again. Qu Yunxuan’s father’s eyes also turned red.
Dong Xuebing was feeling terrible. He was to blame for what happened and didn’t dare to say anything. He just stood by the windows to smoke.
“Smoke… smoke… smoke….” Luan Xiaoping shouted at her son. “All you know is smoke!”
Dong Xuebing snubbed his cigarette. “Mum….”
“Can you think of a solution?!” Luan Xiaoping scolded. “All you do is smoke! What else can you do?!”
Dong Xuebing returned to his chair, looking terrible.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Xie Huilan entered.
“Huilan is back!” Luan Xiaoping asked. “How was it? Have you spoken to your parents?”
Xie Huilan nodded. She looked tired. “I spoke to them. My Dad had contacted the higher-ups, and the Navy vessel would be departing tomorrow to send the ransom.”
“That’s great!” Qu Yunxuan’s mother was delighted. “Can Qianqian return tomorrow?”
Xie Huilan hesitated and shook her head. “I cannot promise anything. Those pirates are cunning, and it is difficult to get them to release the hostages immediately. But the higher-ups will do their best to rescue them. They demanded the hostages be sent back by the Navy, or they would not pay the ransom. Those pirates agreed over the phone, but we are unsure if they would keep their promise. After all, they are pirates.”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother stopped smiling. “That means they might not release the hostages after receiving the ransom?”
“Yes.” Xie Huilan replied. “We are a great nation and would keep our word. However, it is hard to let those pirates keep their promises.”
Dong Xuebing asked. “What time is the Navy vessel departing tomorrow?”
“It might be early or late morning tomorrow.” Xie Huilan replied. “The pirates wanted cash transactions, and it is a large amount. Our side needs time to prepare it.”
Qu Yunxuan’s father cursed. “Those bastards….”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother got agitated. “If anything happens to Qianqian, I will fight it out with them!”
Qu Yunxuan pushed herself out of the room. “Nothing will happen to Qianqian. Stop saying such things.”
“Yes… yes…. She will be fine.” Qu Yunxuan’s mother said. “My granddaughter is blessed and can overcome all ordeals.”
Dong Xuebing also wanted his daughter to be fine, but he was unsure. His heartache when he thinks about Qianqian is in the hands of those pirates. He hated pirates for their cruelty. They kidnapped, robbed, murdered, and committed all sorts of crimes. They had hijacked Chinese ships more than once and kidnapped his daughter now. He clenched his fists, and his eyes were full of killing intent.
Dong Xuebing took a deep breath and lit a cigarette out of frustration.
Xie Huilan looked at Dong Xuebing. “I am pregnant. Can you snub it out?”
Dong Xuebing stopped and quickly snubbed his cigarette.
Qu Yunxuan’s mother wanted to vent her anger and turned to Dong Xuebing. “All you know is smoke! I did not see you show any concern for your daughter! Is smoking more important than her?!”
Luan Xiaoping also scolded her son. “If you were more careful, Qianqian would not need to go through these! Now, all you do is smoke. You are a father now!”
Dong Xuebing’s mother and Qu Yunxuan’s mother had been scolding Dong Xuebing for a few days. Even Qu Yunxuan’s father had been giving him cold shoulders.
Dong Xuebing did not retort as they were right. He had not done his part as a responsible father and did not look after Little Qianqian well. Everything happened because of him, and he might not see his daughter again.
Dong Xuebing could no longer sit still.
I must bring my daughter back!
Dong Xuebing decided and got up to pack his stuff. He kept his wallet and phone in his pocket and said. “Mum, don’t worry. I created this mess, and I will settle it! I will never return if I can’t bring Qianqian back safely!”
Xie Huilan was shocked. “What are you going to do?”
Dong Xuebing did not say anything and left the apartment.
“Xiao Bing!” Xie Huilan shouted. “Come back! Come back now!”
Dong Xuebing continued his way down the stairs.
Xie Huilan went after him, and he disappeared when she reached the ground floor. He did not even drive his car.
Inside the apartment.
Xie Huilan returned, and Luan Xiaoping asked anxiously. “Where is Xiao Bing?”
“I could not stop him.” Xie Huilan replied. “I don’t know where he went.”
Luan Xiaoping panicked. “What is he trying to do? Where is he going? Is he going to find Qianqian?”
Qu Yunxuan’s father’s face changed. “Is… Is Xiao Bing going to the sea off Fujian Province?”
That area was infested with pirates. Even the Navy vessels got to be cautious when sailing in that area. No one in their right mind would go there except for Dong Xuebing. Everyone knew he was not afraid of dying. He could risk his life for civilians, let alone his daughter.
Qu Yunxuan’s eyes turned red. She shouted anxiously. “Mum! Are you trying to kill Xiao Bing?! Why did you anger him?! It was not his fault for losing our daughter! Did you think he wanted this to happen?”
Qu Yunxuan’s mother was shocked. “This Xiao Bing…. Ah…. I was just saying…. You should know that I can’t keep my mouth shut…. I… I… hurry and look for him.”
Luan Xiaoping felt uneasy. “This kid…. What is he thinking?! Huilan, go and look for him now. Don’t let him seek his death there!”
Qu Yunxuan’s father stood up. “I will look for him too. This kid is too….”
Qu Yunxuan’s father and Xie Huilan searched for Dong Xuebing in many places, but he was nowhere to be found.
No one can stop Dong Xuebing once he decides to do something.
