Blinded chapter 78

The harbor police sent personnel to Chongfeng City, where they took statements from Chang Xiaojia and Shi Hongqian at the city bureau. At the same time, they contacted the police station near the southwest border and jointly dispatched personnel to delve into the rainforest area. Following the approximate directions provided by Chang Xiaojia, they investigated and found the body of Chang Guanshan.

The scene where the body was found was quite gruesome, resembling a fierce gun battle. Besides Chang Guanshan, there were four other bodies, all from Harbor City, Chang Guanshan’s subordinates.

Chang Guanshan was indeed dead, and he died a gruesome death. The body had been partially eaten by wild animals. If the police hadn’t found it, the remains might have vanished.

Across from the Chongfeng City bureau, there was a small square. With the weather cooling down, there were almost no people on the square, except for a few middle-aged women persistently dancing square dance.

After completing the statements, Chang Xiaojia and Shi Hongqian sat on the steps of the small square, eagerly watching the door of the police bureau, waiting for Xie Li to finish work.

Shi Hongqian, having left Harbor City, was no longer wearing a black suit. He and Chang Xiaojia wore similar loose jackets, jeans, and sneakers. As Chang Xiaojia stared at the police bureau’s door, Shi Hongqian looked at him expressionlessly.

Chang Xiaojia later said, “Stop staring at me.”

Shi Hongqian turned his head and looked at the dancing women.

Having sat for a long time, Chang Xiaojia straightened his back, stretched lazily, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and hunched over. He said, “I first saw Xie Li here.”

Shi Hongqian looked at him again.

Chang Xiaojia, gazing ahead, said, “Do you remember the year I ran away from home?”

“I remember,” Shi Hongqian said. “We looked for you for a long time, and I was even punished by Mr. Chang.”

Chang Xiaojia said, “I came to this city alone. I was only thirteen years old at that time.”

Shi Hongqian said, “I know, but I didn’t know you had seen Xie Li back then.”

Chang Xiaojia raised his hand to support his face. “I had money on me, but it got stolen. I walked around here, saw the police station sign, and thought about whether I should go in and report the theft. That’s when I bumped into Xie Li.”

“How old was he then?” Shi Hongqian asked.

Chang Xiaojia smiled and kept his gaze forward. “Eighteen. He had just graduated from high school and got into the police academy. He said he was a cop and asked if I needed help. I told him my money was stolen, and he took me to look for the thief. We walked around the streets but didn’t find anyone.”

Shi Hongqian asked, “What happened next?”

“After that, his grandma called him to come home for dinner. He gave me twenty bucks from his pocket and left.”

“He doesn’t remember you?”

“I was only thirteen at that time.”

“But you still remember him.”

“Because at that time, he was already eighteen.”

Shi Hongqian remained silent.

Chang Xiaojia continued, “Since then, I thought, the police brother is so handsome. I want to be a police officer too. I want to personally arrest my dad and stand in court and make him pay for killing my mom.”

But he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t escape Chang Guanshan’s control. Moreover, as he grew older, he found out that not all police officers were good people. With so many corrupt police officers in Harbor City, he didn’t know whom he could trust.

So, he first brought Chen Haiman back home and then brought Xie Li back home.

Chang Xiaojia suddenly sat up straight.

Shi Hongqian saw Xie Li walking out of the opposite police station gate.

Chang Xiaojia raised his right hand, index finger against his lips, and said to Shi Hongqian, “Shh, don’t tell Xie Li.”

Shi Hongqian said, “okay.”

Chang Xiaojia ran towards Xie Li.

Xie Li hugged him, gently patting his back, and asked, “have you been waiting long?”

Chang Xiaojia said, “not too long.”

……………………

Since Chang Guanshan was dead, In Xie Li’s eyes, everything had settled.

However, he was slightly regretful. He would have preferred to bring Chang Guanshan to justice, accusing him in court of the crimes he committed, making him face legal consequences, rather than dying in the rainforest at the southwest border due to internal strife among his subordinates.

Nevertheless, it was still a relief. After all, the evidence of Chang Guanshan’s drug manufacturing had been confirmed, and Chang Xiaojia had safely escaped Chang Guanshan’s control and returned to him. Xie Li didn’t know what else he could be dissatisfied with.

As they left, Shi Hongqian said, “I’m going back to Harbor City.”

Xie Li was somewhat surprised. “Why do you want to go back?” He thought Shi Hongqian, like Chang Xiaojia, would never want to return to that city.

Shi Hongqian said, “Now that Xiaojia has you to take care of him, he won’t need me in the future. I don’t know what meaning it holds for me to stay here.”

Xie Li didn’t say anything. After all, his relationship with Shi Hongqian was too shallow. He just lowered his head and looked at Chang Xiaojia.

Chang Xiaojia looked calm. He said to Shi Hongqian, “If you want to go back, I won’t stop you. Please visit my mom often for me.”

Shi Hongqian nodded. “I will, Xiaojia.”

The next day, Shi Hongqian packed his things and left Chongfeng City. In their journey, he and Chang Xiaojia had almost no luggage. When leaving, they only brought a small backpack.

Xie Li and Chang Xiaojia drove him to the airport.

When parting, Chang Xiaojia hugged him for a long time, and Xie Li watched from a distance without going over.

They were both of average height, embracing each other with their heads together, and their emotions seemed very calm.

Chang Xiaojia used his hand to stroke Shi Hongqian’s hair and whispered, “When you go back, let He Chuanyun transfer my money directly to you.”

Shi Hongqian agreed, “Okay. I’ll wait for you, Xiaojia.”

Chang Xiaojia said, “I might not come back. If I don’t return, that money will be yours in the future.”

Shi Hongqian softly replied, “Perhaps you and Xie Li need the money now.”

Chang Xiaojia said, “No, we don’t need it. What we have is enough for now.”

Still, Shi Hongqian continued, “I will keep waiting for you. You can come back anytime.”

Chang Xiaojia turned his head, stood on tiptoe to kiss Shi Hongqian’s forehead, then released him and waved at him, saying, “Be safe.”

Shi Hongqian waved goodbye to both him and Xie Li and turned to walk toward the security checkpoint.

Now, only Xie Li and Chang Xiaojia remained in the airport departure hall.

Chang Xiaojia held onto Xie Li’s hand.

Xie Li glanced down, curled his fingers to grip Xiaojia’s hand tightly, and asked, “shall we go home?”

Chang Xiaojia nodded, “Let’s go home.”

The end.

Author’s Note:

And with this, the story concludes. It took quite a long time, initially starting with a simple idea for a short story. I didn’t plan the development thoroughly, and as I wrote, I felt it wasn’t wrapping up well. Consequently, the story grew longer than expected. I acknowledge that some plot points might be a bit stretched, so feel free to enjoy it without being too critical.

The sweet moments will be in the extras. I haven’t decided what to write for the extras yet, but there won’t be too many.