Mother's Worries

Wang Xiyue was tired of waiting for news about her elder brother's efforts to arrange her son's job transfer. A whole month had passed, and she couldn't wait any longer.

Just as Tong Haojing was leaving, Wang Xiyue had also considered going into town to ask her elder brother, Wang Xigui, how things were progressing. Almost at the same time Tong Haojing left, Wang Xiyue followed him out the door.

Before leaving, Wang Xiyue took the time to dress up in front of the mirror. Standing at 1.65 meters, she put on her cheerful, round-necked top. The faint crow's feet at the corners of her eyes were completely hidden by powder, making her look ten years younger. Her small, delicate feet were clad in black high heels that, at a glance, anyone could tell hadn't been worn in a long time; they were so black they looked moldy. Wang Xiyue struck a few poses in front of the mirror like a model, then let out a chuckle. However, a perfect beauty mark on her forehead still pleased her.

As Wang Xiyue left her home, she habitually brought her purple umbrella. Her house wasn't far from town; it required crossing a bridge over the Tangdu River. She was terrified of that bridge because it had no railings, so she rarely went into town. She even visited her elder brother Wang Xigui's home infrequently, only once a year for a family visit.

Wang Xiyue didn't encounter any acquaintances on her way. However, as she entered the street, a police car with flashing lights was stopped at the entrance. No one was inside. She didn't know what had happened, and it probably had nothing to do with her. Wang Xiyue noticed that the town had changed; some areas were undergoing demolition, and many landmark buildings were unrecognizable, leaving her disoriented.

Having come from the countryside to the city, she remembered that Wang Xigui lived in a building behind the municipal party committee compound. She looked around as she walked, thinking how wonderful the city was. Walking on the wide, asphalt road, the ground was clean and tidy. The tall buildings filled her with envy. Beautifully dressed young women walked past her, unlike the rustic, dirty, and annoying sights of the countryside. She imagined her son holding hands with a city girl, walking into an office building, and the girl turning back to smile at her.

Amidst her joy, Wang Xiyue got lost. She reached the entrance of a market and wandered around for a while, muttering to herself, but still couldn't figure out which way to go. At this point, she didn't notice that a middle-aged man behind her had been watching her for a long time. Wang Xiyue sighed and inadvertently revealed her family matters...

The middle-aged man hurried past Wang Xiyue, deliberately dropping several hundred yuan in a place where she could see it.

Seeing someone drop money, Wang Xiyue quickly stepped forward and picked it up, shouting, "Big brother! Big brother, you dropped your money!"

The man turned back, patted himself, and said, "Oh, my money! Thank you so much, you're a good person!"

The man took Wang Xiyue's hand, thanked her profusely, and then struck up a conversation, acting like an old acquaintance, "Big sister, you're in town for something, right?"

Wang Xiyue was startled. How did this person know? Her heart tightened, and her whole body tensed. Her eyes darted to the middle-aged man. Wang Xiyue sized him up. The middle-aged man looked like a scholar, but his feet were a bit unsteady. This person might be trouble. She quickly walked a few steps towards a more crowded area, trying to shake him off. But he kept pace, becoming increasingly enthusiastic, calling her "big sister."

"Big sister, don't be afraid, I'm not a bad person!" The middle-aged man pulled out an identification from his jacket pocket.

"Look, there's a seal from the Public Security Bureau on it!" The middle-aged man flashed the ID in front of Wang Xiyue's eyes. In reality, Wang Xiyue didn't see anything clearly; she only noticed a red seal on it.

Upon hearing about the Public Security Bureau seal, Wang Xiyue's guard relaxed considerably. Her son had once said he wanted to be a police officer. Police officers and the Public Security Bureau were part of the same system. This man looked respectable; perhaps he could help.

"Are you from the Public Security Bureau?" Wang Xiyue asked.

"Yes, I am. You're a good person. Is there anything I can help you with?" the middle-aged man continued. He saw that the middle-aged woman had let down her guard. He was contemplating his next move.

"My son wants to be a police officer!"

"Big sister, if your son doesn't make plans soon, it might not happen!" the middle-aged man added.

"The job needs to be arranged, what should we do?" Wang Xiyue had completely connected her son's matter with the middle-aged man; it was a perfect fit.

The middle-aged man felt a surge of delight. "I have connections in the city. It might cost some 'grease money,' just a token amount, we're very familiar with each other!" The middle-aged man spoke convincingly, and Wang Xiyue completely believed him. Wang Xiyue touched the thousand yuan she had brought with her, looked around, and, fearing others would see, quickly handed it to the middle-aged man.

"Is this enough?" the middle-aged man looked greedily at Wang Xiyue, placing the money on his lap and counting it meticulously. Wang Xiyue looked at the middle-aged man counting the money, finding his earnestness almost pitiable.

"This might be a bit short. Why don't you go borrow some more? Two thousand, and we'll adjust for the difference?" the middle-aged man tentatively pushed his luck.

"I don't have anyone I know here, what should I do?" Wang Xiyue looked at the middle-aged man with disappointment. Suddenly, Wang Xiyue remembered her elder brother, Wang Xigui.

"Maybe I can go find my elder brother, but I can't find his house now. It's behind the government compound in the alley."

"I'll take you!" Seeing that Wang Xiyue had completely let down her guard, the middle-aged man became reckless.

The middle-aged man secretly instructed Wang Xiyue, emphasizing that she couldn't tell anyone about this, including her family or her elder brother. Keeping the secret was crucial; otherwise, if others found out, it would be exposed, and her son's job would be lost.

Wang Xiyue thought that someone was helping with her son's matter, and the hope was high. Without a second word, she readily agreed, "Absolutely confidential!" A satisfied smile appeared on her face.

The middle-aged man led Wang Xiyue down a street behind the bank. After passing through an alley, they reached the municipal government square. Wang Xiyue immediately remembered the way to her elder brother's house. Just as she was surprised, the middle-aged man had disappeared.

Wang Xiyue suddenly realized, "Damn it, a scammer!" Her face turned ashen. She instinctively chased a few steps, but it was useless. Wang Xiyue felt ashamed and didn't want to make a scene, deciding to suffer in silence. She turned a corner and fled the alley in terror.

This was perhaps a stark reality of her desperation for her son's sake. Now, she had to find her elder brother. Fortunately, she could find his house now.

Wang Xiyue walked through the municipal government compound, turned a corner, and passed through a dilapidated alley to reach Wang Xigui's residence. It was on the first floor, very dark. Wang Xiyue knocked on the door, and the light inside turned on. Wang Xiyue called out "Big brother" a few times. Wang Xigui heard her. He was dazed for a moment before getting up from his chair, putting on a pair of cloth slippers, and slowly opening the door.

The first thing Wang Xiyue saw when she looked at her elder brother startled her. The flesh on his face had visibly shrunk; she almost didn't recognize him.

Wang Xigui knew the purpose of his sister's visit. He turned his head down, fearing his sister would see his face, and sat down heavily on the living room sofa, resting his chin in his hands, silent and dejected.

Having just been scammed at the bank entrance, Wang Xiyue still had pent-up anger. Seeing her brother's distressed expression, she pretended nothing had happened and couldn't help but ask, "Big brother, what's wrong?"

Wang Xigui's face was full of sorrow. "Sister, I've failed you!" he said, and then began to sob.

Wang Xiyue had never seen a grown man cry like this before. There must have been a major incident. She feigned calmness, "Tell me what happened!"

Wang Xigui said with a mournful face, "Sister, the matter wasn't handled well. The director at the Civil Affairs Bureau said Tong Haojing's issue needs to be put on hold!" Wang Xigui relayed Director Zheng's exact words.

Wang Xiyue asked impatiently, "What does 'put on hold' mean?"

Wang Xigui replied, "It means it's dead. It's all my fault for being incompetent and messing things up!"

Wang Xiyue's head began to spin. She didn't understand how things had come to this. Could her son's matter be ruined by her own actions? She didn't know how to tell her son. He didn't know yet. The delay in his job arrangement must be related to this. She felt despair. Thinking of this, she could no longer control her emotions and couldn't help but cry along with her brother.

"What are we going to do! What are we going to do!"

She didn't tell her elder brother about being scammed. In these times of misfortune, she could only endure and swallow her bitterness.

Wang Xiyue was overcome with sadness. She wanted to call her son but couldn't remember his phone number. Besides, she was too embarrassed to face her son. She decided to stay at her brother's place for a couple of days before leaving.

Three days later, in the morning, the weather was clear with a light mist.

Wang Xiyue got up very early. She hadn't slept at all, and neither had her brother, who was burdened with guilt. Zheng Benli's phone suddenly rang: "Hello, is this Wang Xiyue's elder brother? I'm Uncle Mumu." Wang Xiyue, who was nearby, heard the voice of Wang Xiyue's neighbor, Uncle Mumu, on the phone.

In fact, Uncle Mumu had also gone to the West City Police Station when Tong Haojing was taken away that day. He was questioned by the police and gave a statement before being released. However, Tong Haojing was kept at the police station. Uncle Mumu was extremely anxious and rushed home to find Tong Haojing's mother. Wang Xiyue had gone to Tangdu, and it wasn't until the morning of the third day that Uncle Mumu managed to contact Wang Xiyue's elder brother and made the call.

"Yes!" Wang Xigui replied.

"Please put Wang Xiyue on the phone." Wang Xigui handed the phone to Wang Xiyue.

"Uncle Mumu, what's wrong?" "Tong Haojing was arrested by the West City Police Station. You need to go get him quickly. He was arresting bad guys..." The call cut off before he finished speaking. Wang Xiyue tried to call back, but the number was no longer connecting.