Chapter Forty: Xiaowan's Search for Her Family

After dinner, Ning Zhiheng was kept behind by his parents to chat in the living room, discussing family matters. His elder brother, Ning Zhipeng, also hurried home.

Ning Zhipeng was four years older than Ning Zhiheng, with a dignified appearance and an air of keen capability. He had followed their father in learning the business since childhood and was now able to manage things independently—the family’s restaurant was entirely entrusted to him.

When the two brothers met, Ning Zhipeng warmly embraced his younger brother. Ning Zhiheng, by nature calm and steady, did not resist his brother’s enthusiasm and smiled as he hugged him back.

“Why didn’t your sister-in-law and Mingming come? I haven’t seen Mingming for a whole year now. I wonder how much weight he’s gained?” Ning Zhiheng asked with a smile.

Mingming was Ning Zhipeng’s son, nearly two years old—a chubby, adorable little boy whom Ning Zhiheng adored.

“Your sister-in-law took the child to stay with her family for a few days; they won’t be back until later. She was asking just the other day when you’d graduate and return home. As it turns out, you came home right after she mentioned it—ha!” Ning Zhipeng chuckled.

The four family members chatted and laughed, and Ning Zhiheng recounted the events of the past year or so—just everyday life, nothing that couldn’t be spoken of.

When he mentioned the matter of Xiaowan, Ning Zhiheng’s narrative caught the attention of Ning Liangcai.

Ning Zhiheng explained that he had a friend at the police station who, during a raid to arrest human traffickers, rescued Xiaowan. Hearing her Hangzhou accent, he was entrusted to bring the child home to find her family.

A child rescued from traffickers, six years old, just over ten days ago—why did this sound familiar?

Suddenly, a realization struck him! He abruptly stood up and asked Ning Zhiheng excitedly, “Does the child know her surname? Is it Chen, with the ‘ear’ radical?”

“Yes, exactly! Her surname is Chen, with the ‘ear’ radical. Her father is called Chen Guangran, her mother is Mei Niang. Father, do you know whose child she is?” Seeing his father so excited, Ning Zhiheng was delighted—clearly, there was a clue!

Ning Liangcai slapped his thigh in excitement. “Chen Guangran! That’s right, ha! Zhiheng, the Director of the Public Works Bureau in Hangzhou is called Chen Guangran!

I heard that just over ten days ago, his six-year-old daughter disappeared, and the whole family was beside themselves with grief.

They thought it was a kidnapping at first and didn’t dare to make a fuss, fearing to alarm the kidnappers. But the strange thing was, no kidnappers ever showed themselves. Some suspected she was taken by human traffickers.

Because of this, Director Chen went to the police station and scolded the chief thoroughly, throwing the whole place into chaos.

I heard about this while dining with friends these past couple of days. If Xiaowan really is Director Chen Guangran’s daughter, this is a tremendous fortune!”

Ning Zhiheng quickly said, “It shouldn’t be wrong. According to the traffickers’ confession, the time and place match, and Xiaowan remembers her parents’ names very clearly. I never expected things to go so smoothly.”

Ning Liangcai smiled. “Do you realize! This Director Chen is no ordinary man—he’s a prominent figure in Hangzhou, said to have deep connections in Nanjing, formidable backing. Even the mayor has to give him some respect.

The Public Works Bureau—isn’t that the place with the most lucrative opportunities in all of Hangzhou? Land use, planning, construction—all decided by him. With this connection, our family will be viewed with admiration by the entire business community in Hangzhou.”

Ning Zhipeng was also visibly excited. He knew well that if their family could establish a relationship with the Director of the Public Works Bureau, it would be all too easy to reap some benefits.

Ning Zhiheng, however, was unimpressed. What use is power? By the end of next year, everything would turn to dust. This so-called Director Chen—his prospects were bleak.

By then, he would take the whole family to Chongqing. Who knew how many years it would be before they returned to Hangzhou?

But seeing his father and brother so thrilled, he chose not to dampen their spirits and gently reminded, “Father, this matter should be handled without delay. Tonight, we must inform Xiaowan’s family of this good news.

The sooner they know their child is safe, the sooner she can be reunited with her parents and spared the torment of longing.”

His mother, Sang Su’e, who had been silent, took Ning Zhiheng’s hand and patted it, saying, “That’s my good son. Zhiheng is kind-hearted! One must keep goodness in mind, do good deeds and reap good fruit.

Don’t be like your father, thinking only of gain. Imagine what a mother feels when she loses her child—how are those days endured? I can easily imagine.

This matter must be reported to Director Chen and Xiaowan’s family immediately, not a moment’s delay. Every minute sooner is another merit to our name.”

Ning Zhiheng knew his mother had a sharp tongue but a soft heart; she could never bear to see anyone pitiful and was kindness personified. Hearing this, he nodded repeatedly in agreement.

At this time, government officials and wealthy businessmen all had telephones installed at home. Ning Liangcai quickly dialed Director Chen Guangran’s home.

Once connected, Ning Liangcai briefly explained the situation. Then, from the other end, came the sound of teacups shattering and furniture being overturned. Faintly, cries and shouts could be heard.

After hanging up, Ning Liangcai said to Ning Zhiheng, “Director Chen himself answered the phone. He was extremely emotional. He and his wife are rushing over right now.

Go and call Xiaowan out—tell her the good news, so she can be prepared.”

Ning Zhiheng was also overjoyed, never expecting the matter to be resolved so smoothly, and so swiftly, on this very day.

He returned to his room and brought Xiaowan out, softly telling her the news that her parents had been found.

Xiaowan, upon hearing this, said nothing, but her tears flowed in torrents. Seeing this, Ning Zhiheng’s heart ached, and he gently held her in his arms.

This child Xiaowan had endured much hardship and terror these days, yet she never behaved like an ordinary child—crying and shouting. She always bore it silently, with a maturity beyond her years, endearing her to Liu Datong’s family and Ning Zhiheng himself.

In less than half an hour, the sounds of car brakes, commotion, and crying erupted outside.

Waiting by the door, Ning Liangcai led a couple, who rushed in at a run.

The elegantly dressed lady rushed forward, and at a glance saw Xiaowan sobbing in Ning Zhiheng’s arms.

“My heavens!” came a heart-wrenching cry.

She seized Xiaowan and held her tightly, refusing to let go.

Xiaowan, whose tears had just stopped, broke into sobs once more, her little hands clutching her mother’s neck, crying out, “Where did you go? Why didn’t you want me? I was so scared! I called for you, but those bad people beat me. It hurt so much! Don’t you want me anymore?”

Xiaowan’s father, Chen Guangran, dropped to one knee, embracing mother and daughter tightly, tears the size of beans streaming down his face.

He kept repeating, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry! It’s all my fault! All my fault! It will never happen again! Never again! I swear to heaven, never again!”

Witnessing this deeply moving scene, everyone could not help but shed silent tears. Even Ning Zhiheng, who prided himself on self-control and composure, felt his eyes grow moist.

The three embraced and wept for a long time before Chen Guangran gradually calmed down.

He stood up, came forward, and grasped Ning Liangcai’s hands, speaking with heartfelt sincerity, “Boss Ning—no, Brother Ning! Your great kindness to my family, I, Chen Guangran, will never forget! Such gratitude cannot be expressed in words! From today on, the Ning family and the Chen family are as one. If ever you need my help, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!”

Overcome with emotion, Chen Guangran did not know how to show his thanks. His daughter Xiaowan, born late in life, was the apple of his eye, his most beloved little princess—more precious even than his own sight.

Those fourteen days without her, the family had lived in anguish every day. He repented a thousand times each day for his carelessness.

He could not imagine a life without his daughter, nor any happiness left. Xiaowan’s mother spent every day in tears, consumed by grief and longing!

A happy family, almost broken apart—never did he expect them to be reunited today.

Overjoyed, he could not control his emotions, holding Ning Liangcai’s hand and repeating his thanks.

At this point, the women of the household came forward to help Xiaowan and her mother to their feet, gently comforting them. After some time, the mother and daughter finally ceased their crying, with Xiaowan’s mother still holding her tightly, unwilling to let go.

Seeing the noise and crowd in the living room, Ning Liangcai invited Chen Guangran to the study for a private conversation, with Ning Zhipeng and Ning Zhiheng following.