Northwest of City S where clatters of city life hardly reached have residents of poor people. In one of these houses, a man gazes at the vast night sky while sitting in a wheelchair. Intense worry is evident in his eyes.
Since yesterday his son hasn't come home and has seen his daughter has been beaten by some gangsters today morning as they had some arguments over something. He couldn't hear their arguments but saw them beating his daughter. He couldn't do anything except see the scenes unfold in front of his eyes.
He couldn't tell what he felt at that moment. Extreme anger, sadness, depression, helplessness, and various other emotions envelop him making him hard to breathe. He couldn't even support his daughter and protect her from them. For a father what could be more tormenting than to see his children being beaten in front of his eyes?
After the gangsters left, a young man came dragging his daughter somewhere. Till then he didn't have any news about his daughter. He looked around the room, where the sound of his children used to be is now silent. A drop of Tears rolled down from his lifeless eyes.
He used to be a doting father and a caring husband but an accident changed everything. His fortunes got robbed by his brother and his wife whom he loved dearly loved left this world in sorrow and Now his children will also leave him!!! No. It couldn't be!! He has to do something otherwise the last shred of his living will be lost. He couldn't think straight anymore, he felt as if he is going insane.
He doesn't know from where he got the strength but after some moments he found himself in front of a local shop huffing and gasping for airs. Sweats leaking from his forehead, anybody could tell that the man in front is in a dire state.
"Lifen what you are doing here?" The shopkeeper was surprised to see the man. The man of course Zhu Lifen, father of Zhu Ying.
The man didn't say anything only glanced at the man with half-open eyes. The shopkeeper can see the intense pain in his eyes which made him baffled.
It is almost 10 p.m. And it is time of closing the stop. So there have only two or three customers left. The customers were also confused to see a paralyzed man in front of the shop. One of the customers recognized the man as Zhu Ying's father.
That customer was a playmate of Zhu Ying when she came to their colony. The man is called Pan Shi, one year younger than his daughter Zhu Ying.
"Uncle, what happened? How did you come here? "He bends toward his wheelchair and asked with worry.
He still couldn't say anything only staring at them with red eyes, tears flowing down from his eyes. They became panicked seeing him like this.
"Can you help me?"He uttered in a low and indistinct tone after some time with difficulty, glancing at Pan Shi.
"Yes, Uncle. Just tell me what happened?"
"My son and daughter haven't come home since yesterday. I don't know where they are." He said in a hoarse voice.
"What!!" Pan shi and The shopkeeper said in unison. The other two also glanced at each other in surprise.
"Niu settle their stuff and close the shop."The shopkeeper said hurriedly to his assistant before leaving the place with Zhu Lifan and Pan shi. Pan shi pushed the wheelchair for Zhu Lifan.
After reaching The shopkeeper's house they settled down. The shopkeeper has a wife and a child who is almost the same age as Zhu lifan's son.
"Lifan tell slowly what happened?"The shopkeeper urged as He knows how difficult it is for a paralyzed person to speak.
Zhu Lifan describes the whole situation to them. After listening to the whole story Pan Shi's eye got bloodshot. Who would be this cruel to do this?
"Uncle I think we should complain to the police."Pan shi said after some thinking.
"And you thought that police will help us. You saw how the police behaved toward us. They only lick the rich people's feet, we poor people have nothing but ourselves." The shopkeeper said in a sad voice.
They become silent after that. But seeing the distressing eyes of Zhu Ying's father, Pan Shi stood up in determination.
"No, we couldn't give up like this, not until the time I tried my best. I don't think every police officer is corrupted. I have to try at least." Saying this he dashed out of the room. Seeing his disappearing back the shopkeeper sighed.
"Lifan don't worry, Everything will be all right." The shopkeeper consoled him.
On the other hand, Pan shi roamed desk to desk of the police persons but none of them was ready to take action either they excuse themselves by saying that they are busy with today's accident case or mocked his friend.
"I said your friend flee with her lover and spending her honeymoon somewhere. So don't waste our time and leave this place now or we will lock you up for disturbing our work."A police constable threatened him.
Pan Shi glared at him fiercely listening to his remarks. The police constable ignored him seeing his gaze. After some time Pan shi left the police station with his head down. 'What should he do now? Mr. Cui was right. There is no place for poor people. How foolish he was believing in humanity.' Pan Shi thought in desperation. Mr. Cui is the name of the shopkeeper.
Just as he lost his hope he saw a boy running towards him. He recognized the boy, the boy was serving tea to the police officers when he was pleading with them.
"Brother wait!"The boy shouted while running.
After coming, the boy opens his mouth.
"If you want help, go to the person named Lei Enlai, he is the new supervisor here. I heard he comes from a powerful family of city H so in this police station no one tried to mess with him. And I saw him helping poor people, unlike others." He said while huffing.
Then he picks out a visiting card from his pocket.
"There is the address and the contact number of Mr. Lei. He is a very good person and I hope he will help you. Now go quickly and don't say to anyone that I helped you. Okay."He said with a smile.
Pan shi looked at him with grateful eyes and thanked him before heading towards the given address...