"I'm sorry ma'am, this won't happen again"the little crying and wailing echoed the a small room enough for four people.
In the room, one could hear s violent scoff. Breaking and tearing down of things made people think that a witch might be concoting something devilish probably for destroying the world. But too unfortunate, none heard or even knows what was going on in there.
Like power suddenly engorging the abused, she managed to slip through the door, by a hairs breathe.
"Come back here!!!"thoundered the abuser. The abused couldn't care about anything but her life being saved.
When he knew it was impossible to shout in order not to attract people, he sneered scrubbing his nose. He's been under drugs for he was actually talking like one who needed serious help from a psychiatrist.
"We can't attract Madame..."
"You're waiting for me to tell you what to do hah?!!!" He thundered.
"We're sorry"they quickly apologized and ran out without being told, actually trying to prevent the man from yappiing at them.
_______
"Have you found her?" A gentle feminine voice spoke as she faced the big sized glass window.
"She's hiding quite well, my apologies" younger lady standing behind her head still facing the ground.
"Ah,"she sighed uselessly. "It's not your fault. She's already used to this, letting someone find her, then, runs away again. I'll really break her legs if I find her again"
The younger lady said nothing as she patiently stood. Something in her made the words to come out unwilling. "What should I do?" She quickly hid her lips in disgust for her sudden question. That's not what she should be asking in times like this.
The older lady looked at her a little disappointed showing on her face.
"Just keep on searching, maybe, you..
No,... She will surface herself" as calm as she could be, she sat down now facing her.
"Li yu, be careful of my other sister" she cautioned.
"Yes" she bowed and left.
"You stubborn lady, where in the world are you? I'll really break your legs this time if I find you first" she sighed heavily. Slumbing on the fancy comfortable chair
_______
Ji Wei has just gotten ready for his job hunt. He had told his sister about it and didn't want to wait for her response.
"Just stay here. Isn't life very easy here" the maid asked.
The siblings looked at each other with a complete "NO" written on their faces.
"You haven't told us your name. How are we going to address you?" Ji Wei asked realizing that it was very difficult to communicate with her without her name.
"Yeah, that's right. What should we call you"Xing Li added.
"Is it polite to call me by my name?" She asked totally confused. No one actually cared about her name. A maid servant was okay or to further specify, oldest maiden would do the job perfectly.
The question surprised the siblings.
"Is it not rude to address you as whatever we want?" Ji Wei retorded.
"Meng Zi, that's my name.
"Ah... Meng Zi, that's nice. At least better than "you" or, "hey" that's good "Xing Li said beneath her teeth.
"Jie, I'm going. Are you coming along with me? You're not talking care of anyone now. So, there's no excuse."
"I never said I'm here to babysit anyone, did I?"
"Then, let's go " Ji Wei's gentle scoff then, smirked gave her the simper.
"Mn"she hummed.
They left Meng Zi to her early morning cleaning.
Outside, along to the road, something felt strange Xing Li sensed it like a war In her heart.
"Are you feeling anxious?" Xing Li asked. Trying to figure out by asking.
"Do you feel anxious?" He asked, knowing his sister well enough to detect whenever she's anxious or not.
" Mn. And I don't know why?"
"This is how you're whenever you leave a place you're used to. It's probably nothing "
"You think?"
"Yeah " he modded.
As they were about to take as many steps as they could, Xing Li suddenly felt a light weight on her legs, making it difficult to move.
Ji Wei was astonished too. " What are you doing?"
The child said nothing.
"You shouldn't cling to someone like that, you know?"
Yet, she held her so tightly by the right foot unwilling to let go.
Ji Wei wasn't angry but suprised. His sister doesn't seem to be bothered or worried about her cling.
"Jie,..."
Xing Li gave a shut up sign and he obediently stayed quite.
"Young lady, what's it you're doing?" Xing Li politely asked.
She shook her head refusing to talk. But instead showed her, her bruised body.
"Holy shit!!! Who did this to you?" Ji Wei asked feeling the discomfort crawling in his chest.
The girl said nothing. She seems as if she was mute since birth.
"Girl... What's your name?" Xing Li asked calmly at her.
No response
"Where are you from?"
Still no response...
"Where do you live? You're family or relatives?"
Again, another silence that frustrated Ji Wei.
"Young lady, if you really want us to help you, you should st leat say something"Ji Wei said to her feeling quite displeased at her.
The girl touched Xing Li 's long dress pointing to the East shaking her head, giving them a no sign to them.
"Ah Wei..."
"Job hunt can wait, let's help the girl first" he said understanding his name well.
As they turned to leave, they heard a group of heavy men approaching them.
"Where are you going with that child,?" The man in the middle asked.
"Does she belongs to you?" Ji Wei asked feeling a little relieved.
"Yes of course she's one of us. Give her back to us" the man said.
The girl seem to tug herself on Xing Li's body as of pleading not to leave.
"What is it?" She said nothing but used her body to protect herself from those men.
"Okay I'll send her to you..."
"Ah Wei," Xing Li calmly called.
He turned to look at his sister. Noticing the strong grip of the girl, sensed that something was wrong.
Looking at the girl, sensing a tinge of fear...no... darkened eye bags
"What's your relationship with her?" Ji Wei suddenly stood up, not knowing where the words came out from.
"She's umm... Umm... My sister's daughter" the man stammered.
Ji Wei looked at her, waiting for her quiet response.
She swiftly shook her head. Xing Li stared at him.
"Did you lose her?" He asked again.
"No, she ran away from home"
"Ran away? Do you not treat her well?"
The man realized his mistake. Quickly charged his words.
"This is family matters, you shouldn't interfere"
"Okay, I won't interfere,let her decide for herself if she wants to go home with you or not"
"What are you insinuating?"
"If she wants to follow you home, I have no option but to allow that, but if she refuses and you're still forcing her, then, I'll make sure you guys rot in jail before you can even think of escaping. "
"And if she agrees?"
"I'll return her back to you all, without any budge "
"Fun thing " the men gave her a dangerous stare to warn her of thoughts.
"Young lady, do you want to go home with them?" Xing Li asked.
She neither accepted nor denied, she just tugged onto her dress tightly, giving them a pitiful look.
After mins of standing without any response, Ji Wei grew tired. Took out his phone
"What are you doing?" One of the guys asked in confusion.
"Calling for back up " he replied still looking at his phone, without diversing his gaze from it.
The men judging from his clothings and expensive phone he held, and the lady's beautiful physique,
"Boss, this people looks well to do. I think he's going to call a greater people let's just leave her for the mean time" one of the guys in fright, suggested.
"You know how she's when things don't go her way. What should..."
"She also fears powerful people. I'm sure she'll only fume then, stay low until it dies out"
The huger guy looked at his men, heaved a depressing sigh.
"We'll come back for her" he coughed and with a twitch in his lips, he left with the men.
Actually, Ji Wei was just randomly pressing numbers. That was his thoughts, he didn't know it would work. He just fooled them. Thanks to her, Xing Li who always uses the town bully's son to intimidate anyone who messes with her younger brother.
"Are you alright?" Xing Li asked, she nodded.
"Let's take her home "
"What about Job hunt?"
"Ah Wei, it can wait tomorrow, besides, we just hopefully saved a girl from whatever " Xing Li reminded.
"But..."
"We can job hunt tomorrow, there's still another day for this okay "
Ji Wei nodded and carried her home.