The Missing Aunt

I looked up and saw my sister standing at my door in her bear pajamas.

"What's wrong?" she asked, tilting her head curiously and peering at the files on my desk. "What are you looking at?" The little bear on her stomach stretched, looking rather comical.

My mood lightened. I casually closed the files and replied, "Work stuff. You should get to bed early. Don't read too late."

"Okay. I'm going to wash up now. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." I shut down my computer, tidied up, and went to sleep.

The next day at work, I gave Fatty the contact information for Zheng Xiaorui. Fatty was so grateful he practically wanted to hug my leg and kiss my shoes.

"Alright, go find your person," I said, pushing him away with a wry smile.

Guo Yujie called out to me then, "The neighborhood committee just called. Old Mr. Wang is back."

Old Mr. Wang's full name was Wang Hongzhang. He was a resident of Gongnong Village Six. He was one of the targets for "mediation" that Guo Yujie and I were responsible for. Shortly after the demolition office was established, he went to another province to visit his daughter's family. We hadn't met him until now.

This Old Mr. Wang was listed as a mediation target because the neighborhood committee had provided us with some information.

His only daughter didn't live in our city. He should have been easy to persuade, moving closer to his daughter's place after receiving the demolition compensation. However, Old Mrs. Wang went missing two years ago while out buying groceries and was never found. Old Mrs. Wang didn't have dementia. Surveillance footage showed her leaving the market and entering a small alley, but never coming out. The police searched that street and the surrounding areas for a long time without any success. The case went cold, leading to all sorts of speculation, from murder and dismemberment to alien abduction. The only common belief was that Old Mrs. Wang had met with an accident and was unlikely to return. The police had an open case for two years with no leads. Old Mr. Wang was likely traumatized by the event. He was a bit delusional about it, firmly believing his wife had just gone on a trip and would return one day. If his wife wasn't mentioned, Old Mr. Wang was perfectly normal. But the moment she was brought up, he would start "talking nonsense," and others found it difficult to engage with him. Such an Old Mr. Wang would certainly not agree to demolition and relocation. He wouldn't even agree to move in with his daughter, only visiting her for a few weeks during winter and summer breaks to help with his grandson.

Guo Yujie and I both knew Old Mr. Wang would be trouble. Compared to the "Qingye Paranormal Investigation Agency," where people disappeared without a trace, Old Mr. Wang's story was more of a "heartwarming story for China" kind of situation. Guo Yujie, a tough woman physically, had a very soft heart and cried when she heard about it. But work had to be done, and with Old Mr. Wang's situation ongoing, no one knew what would happen to him. His daughter was very worried, and the neighbors often sighed with concern.

We arrived at Gongnong Village Six and, accompanied by the neighborhood committee, found Old Mr. Wang.

Old Mr. Wang was a kind-looking old man. He cheerfully invited us in and nodded at the unfamiliar Guo Yujie and me. He asked Director Mao from the neighborhood committee, "Little Mao, what brings you here today?"

"Uncle Wang, these are Xiao Lin and Xiao Guo from the demolition office," Director Mao introduced us to Old Mr. Wang.

At the mention of "demolition office," Old Mr. Wang's smile vanished. He asked in surprise, "Are they demolishing our area?"

"What are you saying! Haven't we been looking forward to demolition in this old neighborhood for years? Now the government's plan has reached us, the demolition office has been established, and demolition work will officially begin soon," Director Mao said with a smile, her voice full of enthusiasm.

She wasn't wrong. Many people in these old neighborhoods did look forward to demolition. After demolition, they could get new housing and compensation money, which was like a windfall. Many people who outwardly refused demolition were actually just trying to negotiate a better price; their refusal was a tactic for bargaining with the demolition office. If negotiations failed, it was usually about the price. The demolition office always had ways to deal with such people, but Old Mr. Wang wasn't one of them.

"I'm not moving. My wife hasn't come back yet. If I move, how will she find me when she returns?" Old Mr. Wang became agitated.

"Alas, Uncle Wang..." Director Mao sighed, looking at him with pity.

"I'm not moving anyway. Don't you have to do some kind of investigation before demolition? I disagree!" Old Mr. Wang stated firmly.

"You're referring to the demolition intention survey. That survey will officially begin once eighty percent of the residents agree," I explained to Old Mr. Wang.

"Even if everyone else agrees, I won't. I'm not moving." Old Mr. Wang slumped back onto the sofa, like a child throwing a tantrum on the floor.

Guo Yujie tried to persuade him, "Grandpa, we've heard about your situation from Director Mao. Our demolition office's proposal is this: we'll help you contact the public security bureaus in various provinces and cities to search for your wife's whereabouts nationwide. What do you think?"

Old Mr. Wang froze.

Director Mao quickly chimed in, "That's right, Uncle Wang. The director of the demolition office is an old leader. He can put in a word for you. Not only our district's police station but also the municipal public security bureau, and even public security bureaus nationwide can help you find Auntie Wang."

Old Mr. Wang fell silent and sat up straight again.

Guo Yujie and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Guo Yujie's promise earlier wasn't just empty words or a trick to fool Old Mr. Wang. She had already spoken to the old leader about it. The old leader had been calling his former comrades, subordinates, and associates. He had never held a high official position and often worked at the grassroots level, but he had extensive experience and was extremely shrewd in dealing with people. His network was unparalleled. Many of his former subordinates had already risen to high positions, earning him the nickname "Old Leader," a title that suited him well. It wouldn't be difficult for him to ask various provincial and municipal public security bureaus to search surveillance footage for an old woman.

The task wasn't difficult, but I wasn't optimistic about the search. People don't just disappear without reason, and she hadn't been found after two years. Her disappearance from the surveillance records indicated something had indeed gone wrong. If she couldn't be found within the city, it was even less likely she'd be found nationwide. Moreover, the missing person was an elderly woman, not a child, a young woman, or a strong man. Old Mrs. Wang's chances of survival were slim. This was also a deduction by the police station, which believed the innocent Old Mrs. Wang had been involved in some case and murdered and buried. Their initial investigation followed this line of thought, but they found no clues on that small street or in the surrounding areas.

Old Mr. Wang spoke, "Can you really search nationwide?"

"Yes, really!" Guo Yujie nodded emphatically.

"Then... I'll agree once she's found," Old Mr. Wang said hesitantly.

Director Mao chuckled, "Uncle Wang, the demolition office is starting the intention survey next month. With such a vast country, how can results be out by next month?"

"I won't move until I find my wife." Old Mr. Wang glanced at Guo Yujie and me. "How do I know you're not tricking me? Once I sign the intention form and agree to the demolition, you won't look for her anymore. Who will I turn to then?"

Guo Yujie was about to try persuading him again.

My phone rang. I apologized to Old Mr. Wang and stepped aside to answer it.

It was Fatty calling. When I answered, he didn't say anything.

"What's wrong?" My heart sank.

Fatty sighed faintly on the other end of the line, "Brother Qi, are you playing with me?"