C73 Disloyalty
I parked my motorcycle in the garage before heading to the train station to purchase a ticket to the provincial capital. With plenty of time to spare before the train's departure, I strolled through the county town to see if there was anything I needed to buy.
On a bustling street, I noticed a girl kneeling at the roadside, a white cloth spread out before her, its message unknown to me. Drawing closer, I read the plea written on the cloth: "I appeal to any kind-hearted soul for help. My father is gravely ill in the hospital, in urgent need of three thousand yuan for surgery. I am willing to offer my identity card as collateral and promise to repay the debt. Thank you for your great kindness..."
Though I seldom visited the city, I was aware that such appeals were often scams, so I didn't take it seriously and walked away with a dismissive snort. However, the girl must have heard me, for she suddenly looked up.
In her eyes, I recognized a familiar expression of innocence, helplessness, and a hint of resentment—emotions that once mirrored my own. I vividly recalled the despair I felt when my foster father was critically injured and I was powerless to help. That same sense of helplessness had once driven me to recklessly agree to Old Lady Jin's proposal, ultimately leading to the sacrifice of Old Master Jiaang.
They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, and through hers, I sensed honesty. She didn't appear to be deceiving anyone...
Taking a closer look at the girl, I noted her disheveled appearance, her clothes grimy. Most strikingly, she had only one arm and a large red birthmark on her face. My heart went out to her; her plight struck a chord with my deepest vulnerabilities. Not being able to save my foster father remained my greatest regret.
With a heavy sigh, I pulled out three thousand yuan from my wallet and handed it to her. Tears welled up in her eyes as she accepted the money, bowing repeatedly in gratitude.
When she offered me her ID card and phone number, I declined. The loss of the three thousand yuan didn't pain me; rather, it helped to mend a piece of my heart.
Upon reaching the mall with only a little money left, I limited my purchases to some bread and water. On my way back, I crossed the same street and noticed the girl was gone, likely off to save her father with the money she had received.
Lost in thought, I was jostled by someone passing by. Initially, I thought little of it. However, as I neared the train station and reached into my pocket, I was shocked to find my wallet missing!
Panic set in. That wallet held all my money. Without it, I couldn't even dream of traveling to Wuling Mountain, let alone the provincial city.
I dashed back to where I'd been, but the thief had vanished. Standing by the roadside, I realized I must have been marked as a target while giving money to the girl.
Now, what was I to do? Report to the police or head back to my village?
Feeling anxious and as vulnerable as the girl I'd encountered earlier, I decided to report the incident. En route to the station, I stumbled upon a pawn shop with "Lei's Brand" emblazoned in golden letters.
Peering inside, the shop seemed modest, with just two service windows and simple, traditional decor.
The sight of an intricately carved partition reminded me of the wooden box in my backpack. Could it possibly be exchanged for some cash? It was a keepsake from my foster father, but fulfilling his last wish was paramount, and I was desperate.
My plain and somewhat shabby appearance meant the clerk initially dismissed me. He eyed me warily and said, "Young man, just so you know, we don't take items pilfered from your folks, to avoid any family drama. And forget about trading in trinkets like Water Margin cards or figurines."
"What about this item?" I asked, pulling the wooden box from my backpack. The clerk's demeanor changed instantly. His eyes widened, and he dashed to the back, calling out, "Boss, come quick! We've got a big sale here!"
