Life of Bāo - Chapter 19
June 21, 2023 (Evening)
The Red Dragons will use any means necessary to find Bāo and retrieve the gold bracelet. The fulcrum between what she must do, complete the Gaokao and self-preservation, getting as much distance between her and the Red Dragons, is as thin as a razor’s edge. An unknown co-worker, Cao Juān, someone who knows what it’s like to be on the run, warns Yan of danger. Welcome to Chapter 19. Enjoy.
Chapter 19
June 21, 2023 (Evening)
After Deng Yan finished the exam, she stopped at Wu’s Tea House to pick up her paycheck. She hurried to the office using the employee entrance. She was exhausted. She needed three things: her paycheck, food, and sleep.
“Hello, Yan,” came a greeting from the kitchen. “Let me deliver this tea tray, and then I have something very important to tell you.”
“Okay, but hurry. I’m on my way home. I am exhausted.”
Cao Juān (pronounced Jan) had covered for Yan for the Gaokao. Juān said, “This concerns you. Yesterday, two men were having tea at one of my tables. While waiting on a table near theirs, I overheard one of them say, “I don't see her.” Then the other said, “Long black hair with red streaks would be hard to miss. Maybe she changed her appearance.”
Yan’s eyes widened with concern while she shook her head in acknowledgment. Juān leaned closer so only Yan could hear. She whispered, “They asked me if I knew a girl named Dang Yan. I saw a Red Dragon tattoo on one of their forearms. The other wore a long shirt, but I bet my paycheck he had one, too. It's not unusual to see the Red Dragons here, but they usually wear suits and drop a lot of money.” Juān looked right and left to ensure no one was listening, “They asked if Yan lived at the Children's Welfare Institute.”
Yan tried to stay calm, but her heart raced when asking, “What did you say?”
“I told them I was new here and didn't know many of the staff.”
To avoid alarm, Yan composed herself and said, “Thank you for telling me, Juān. I'll see you in a couple of days. I don't know what that was all about. Thanks again for working my shifts. The Gaokao is just crazy.”
Yan left the tea house with her mind reeling. What am I going to do now? She looked for anyone suspicious as she walked. I can’t stay at the orphanage, but I need my things. I can’t return to Wu’s Tea House. Bāo was right. The man he stole the gold bracelet from was someone to be feared. I need to get word to Bāo. How do I do that? How do I avoid the Red Dragons? They are looking for me. She would have to chance getting clothes and money out of the orphanage without being detected. I need to sneak in.
***
Ong Jin sat behind his mahogany desk, looking sternly into Sheng Yao's eyes. Jin spoke directly and forcefully, “It’s been over a month, and you still have not located the boy or the gold bracelet. My patience is running thin. Tell me what progress you have made.”
Yao confidently said, “The boy, Bāo, lives with a Shaolin monk named Zhao Sun Feng. Peng Lu, a janitor, said the boy had been living in the Jinsha Site Museum. Our Straw Sandal was correct. We extracted the monk's name from the janitor, which was quite difficult. His martial arts training hardened him. Even with torture, we did not get the information easily. It was rather unpleasant.
“So you know where to find Bāo and the gold bracelet?”
“Not yet, but we have discovered someone important to him, a girl, Dang Yan.”
“Where does she live?”
“At the Children's Welfare Institute, an orphanage, and works at Wu’s Tea House.”
Shocked, Jin said, “Wu’s Tea House!” I was there a few days ago. She may have waited on me.”
“I also met with a government official at Wu’s last week.”
“And you haven't picked her up yet?”
“I have sent soldiers to Wu’s Tea House and the orphanage. They have not located her yet.”
“How did you get her name?”
“Before our Straw Sandal stopped breathing, he shared Bāo’s location, the museum. He also shared a picture of Bāo and the girl, which he acquired at the Mobile phone store. On a hunch, I went back to the Children's Welfare Institute. After some convincing, the director named the girl in the photo. I should add that the Director has since passed.”
“So, what is next?”
“Once we have the girl, she may know where Bāo is. When we have Bāo, we can use her as leverage. After we have the gold bracelet, we will make sure they disappear. I assure you there will be no trail leading back to us.”
***
Deng Yan stood near the dumpster behind Wu’s Tea House parking lot and waited for the employees to end their shifts. She watched as Juān walked out with another employee. Following at a distance in the dark between cars, she waited until Juān was alone near her car. She whispered, “Juān.”
Juān was startled, “Yan?”
“I am sorry I frightened you. I didn't know where else to turn. I have a favor to ask. I cannot stay at the Children's Welfare Institute. Those men know who I am and are hunting me. I need somewhere to stay, maybe for two or three nights. Can you help me?”
Juān said, “Get in the car.” Once they were both in the car, Juān said hesitantly, “I am afraid. I know about that organization those men belong to.”
Yan attempted to reassure her, “You wouldn't be in danger. They do not know who you are or where you live. I will not return to work. I do not want to endanger anyone. I have nowhere else to go. Once I complete the Gaokao, I will leave the city. I will cash my check tomorrow and give you half of it. It's the least I can do for your kindness.”
Juān said, “Okay, but only for two or three nights.”
“Thank you. All my things are at the Children's Welfare Institute. Can we drive there first so I can get a change of clothes and whatever else I can fit into my backpack?”
Juān protested, “But they know where you live. They will be watching.”
Yan said, “If they are watching, they will watch the front door. I know a way in from the back. I used it often to sneak out at night.”
Juān hesitated, “Well, I –.”
Yan quickly replied before Juān finished her argument. “We can park a block away. I'll be quick, I promise.”
They drove to the residential street behind the Children’s Welfare Institute. Yan exited the car, “I'll be right back. It will take no more than 20 minutes.”
Yan walked between apartment buildings. She stopped and looked for anyone suspicious when she reached the parking lot behind the building. A small ground-level window opened into the laundry room at the back of the building. Carefully climbing through, she left it open in case she needed to exit quickly. She walked up the staircase to the first floor and, in the dark, walked to a front window. She saw a black vehicle across the street, which was odd since after eight p.m., the street was usually clear. She saw the faint glow of a cigarette in the vehicle. The window opened, and when the cigarette butt was tossed out, the scattered embers looked like fireflies dancing on the street. The car window closed. She knew they were looking for her.
Yan slowly made her way up the stairs into her room. She put jeans, shirts, socks, and underwear into a backpack. She moved four shoe boxes in the closet, lifted a loose floorboard, and removed an envelope. It contained money she had been able to save over the years. This should last for a few weeks until I can find a job. I can find an inexpensive motel in Hengyang and apply to the University of South China. I will be among thousands of students. They will never find me. She replaced the floorboard and boxes. She crept down the stairs, stopped by the window, and looked out. The room lights came on. She accidentally bumped into a table, and a lamp fell to the floor. A dog across the street started to bark. Yan turned around as her heart raced and saw Ai at the top of the stairs. Yan calmly said, “Little Ai, why are you out of bed?”
Ai was a six-year-old resident new to the Children's Welfare Institute. Ai yawned, “I couldn't sleep.”
Yan replaced the lamp on the table. “You shouldn't be up. It's late.”
Ai politely said, “Okay, Yan. I want to have a tea party tomorrow.”
“Okay, Ai, but I need you to go to bed right now.”
Ai turned and walked up the stairs.
Yan looked out the window and saw two men exit the vehicle. Two dark silhouettes, backlight by the street light, ran toward the front door. The dog barked as the men reached the front door. There was a knock. Yan shut the light off and ran to the stairway. They forced the door open. More lights came on upstairs. They must have seen me through the window.
She ran for the laundry room and scrambled onto the washer to squeeze through the window. Behind her, loud footsteps clomped down the stairs. She cleared the opening just as they entered the laundry room. Once outside, she grabbed her backpack through the window as one of the men reached for her. The backpack caught on the ledge of the window. She tugged it loose and ran. At the edge of the parking lot, she looked back at a man partially stuck in the window and slamming his fist on the ground. Once at the car, Yan calmed herself, opened the door, and said, “All set. No problem, let’s go.”