June 17, 2006. Contact with Shen Xue's parents, Shen Jiajun and Wang Xinfang. Audio file: 00720060617.wav.
"Hello, Mr. Shen, Mrs. Shen. Your daughter should have already told you what happened, and we've also given you the information we had. Is there anything you'd like to add about the past between Xiao Ying and the Shen family, Mr. Shen? The more we know, the better our chances of uncovering the truth, and the better we can protect your family."
"Mm, I understand. I do. Actually, this whole thing... I emigrated with my family because of it. I originally... How should I put it... Sigh..."
"Take your time, Mr. Shen. Tell us everything you know in as much detail as possible. Please don't leave out any details. Even something you think is unimportant might help us get to the bottom of this."
"Mm, I understand."
"..."
"...At first, I didn't believe it. I mean, I heard about it when I was in elementary school, when my grandparents brought it up. They didn't really believe it either, and neither did I. Though it wasn't exactly that I didn't believe it... At that age, I thought it sounded really cool..."
"What was it you didn't believe?"
"Our family had a treasure. Money, antiques, gold... things our ancestors had hidden away. They'd been very rich and stashed it somewhere. I heard about it in second or third grade, I think... I thought it was amazing, that my family was incredible. I even wanted to brag to my classmates, and I did talk about it at school. I got into a fight with a classmate over it. They said I was making it up. The school called my parents in. The adults all thought I was telling stories, just bragging. They said I was too young