RYEY -Chapter 333 Breaking Free

The woman’s hand twitched slightly, her eyes filled with hesitation. But when she saw Cheng Li’s clear, bright eyes and his fair, handsome face in the sunlight, she shook her head decisively.

Cheng Li’s expression instantly darkened. He had no money and no introduction letter—otherwise, he could have escaped from this woman on his own.

The woman seemed to realize this problem as well. She took out a rope, tying one end to Cheng Li’s hand and the other around her waist.

The gesture wasn’t unusual; many adults would do the same when taking children out, to prevent losing them.

She draped a small cotton blanket over Cheng Li, fastening the corner with the rope carefully so it wouldn’t fall:

“It’s cold outside. Your clothes aren’t thick enough, so wear this for now. When we get home, I’ll make you new clothes.”

“Where is your home?”

“Far away. It would take several days by train.”

“Where is this place?”

Cheng Li’s heart pounded. Several days by train—would his parents still be able to find him?

“This is Jin County. Once you finish eating, we’ll take the train home. But I don’t know if there’s a train to your home today.”

The woman finally got a basin of hot water and tore the steamed bread into pieces, putting them in the water. She handed him a spoon.

Cheng Li pressed the bread into the hot water with the spoon. The rising steam enveloped his face, making him look even more appealing. The woman looked on satisfied; five hundred and fifty yuan was absolutely worth it.

Cheng Li ate the bread piece by piece. The soaked bread was much softer. Whether it was because he was hungry or because it was his first time eating sorghum bread, he found it surprisingly tasty.

Seeing Cheng Li eat so politely, the woman was even more pleased. Though his clothes didn’t fit well, they didn’t affect his appearance at all.

“Boy, your clothes are so tattered. When we get home, I’ll find some cloth and cotton to make you a new set.”

Cheng Li looked down in surprise and realized that his original down jacket was gone. Now he wore patched-up, ragged clothes.

“Where’s my original jacket?”

“What jacket?”

Cheng Li fell silent. He knew his jacket had been taken. Few kids in Beijing could afford a down jacket, but his mother had made them for all her children out of love.

He hadn’t been able to keep it. Someone had taken it. These people were despicable. He had to report them to the police and make sure the traffickers were caught.

After finishing the meal, Cheng Li’s spirits improved significantly. He obediently followed the woman to the station. But when she was paying for the tickets, he snatched the money and dashed outside.

The woman was startled. The rope tied to his hand had somehow come undone. She cried out in panic: “Son! Don’t run! Don’t leave me!”

As Cheng Li ran past the ticket booth, someone grabbed his collar. The woman stumbled out, clutching his hand, refusing to let go.

Cheng Li panicked and struggled, but with his collar held and feet off the ground, he couldn’t break free. He shouted urgently:

“She’s not my mother! She’s a trafficker! She spent 550 yuan to buy me as her son!”

The crowd around them gasped at Cheng Li and the woman. But seeing his patched-up clothes, many shook their heads, laughing.

This child’s outfit looked as poor as the woman’s. They must be mother and son, and clearly poor. There was no way she could have spent 550 yuan to buy him.

“Maybe your son isn’t eating enough, that’s why he doesn’t want you,” teased a bystander, smiling at the woman who refused to let go of Cheng Li. Her face flushed—yes, the boy probably looked down on her poverty.

“Are you blind? Look at my face—don’t I look like him? I have a mother! My mom studies at Beijing University. My dad studies at the University for Workers, Peasants, and Soldiers. My grandfather is a dean…”

Cheng Li recited his family details in one breath, loud and clear, leaving the crowd speechless.

“You… you… how can this child be so ungrateful? I just fed you bread from my own ration! How can you be so heartless? I can’t live anymore!”

“Kid, your mother studies at Beijing University. How are you here, dressed like this?”

The man holding him released Cheng Li and examined the woman. She had a pale, thin face and rough hands—clearly not capable of raising a child like him. The boy’s delicate features and fair hands indicated he was raised with care.

“I was knocked unconscious by someone. While they were gone, I escaped but was drugged by a trafficker’s cake. When I woke up, it was her who spent 550 yuan to buy me,” Cheng Li explained.

“A trafficker? Son, hold your mother’s hand!”

Another woman hurriedly grabbed a child walking ahead, looking at Cheng Li with pity. Such a handsome boy, and male—too precious to be stolen.

“He’s lying! He’s my biological son! I’ve raised him for nine years, this ungrateful brat!”

Cheng Li smiled. After the New Year, he would turn eight, though his good nutrition made him taller than most eight-year-olds.

“You say I’m nine, but do you know my full name and where my family comes from?”

The woman froze. She had forgotten to ask the trafficker the boy’s name. Originally, it didn’t matter; she could have given him a name at home.

By now, everyone could tell the woman was suspicious. The man squatted down, lifted Cheng Li, and said:

“Uncle will take you to the police. Come with me.”

Everyone nodded—this should be reported. The traffickers were brazen enough to steal even a Beijing child, whose parents were university students.

Cheng Li felt reassured. Though embarrassed to be held, he struggled shyly. The man understood and set him down, holding his hand firmly.

The woman realized her mistake. Going to the police would ruin her plan; she might end up in serious trouble. She tried to sneak away.

Cheng Li looked back and saw her slipping away quietly. He said nothing—after all, she had brought him out and spent 550 yuan on him.