Chapter 138: “hand Over The Money”
Yun Jian found Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai in an old factory building.
The two children were hugging each other, huddled under a rotten plank full of holes.
Their clothes were dirty and shiny, their faces pitch black with not even two ounces of meat on them, looking like little beggars.
It was hard to imagine that these two kids used to have no worries about food and drink, the most beautiful children in the lighting factory staff building.
Yun Jian used to be a soldier too, had completed all kinds of tasks, seen all sorts of pitiful people, the Meng brothers’ situation wasn’t the worst, it didn’t stir any waves in his heart.
He looked at them indifferently.
“Are you Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai?”
Xiao Jingmo didn’t expect anyone to show up here, he jumped up abruptly, blocking in front of his younger brother, his expression vigilant, “Who are you, what are you doing here?”
This was the secret base he and Xiao Bai had found, how did this person get here.
His face was full of offended unhappiness.
Yun Jian didn’t take the child’s wariness to heart, and asked again, “Are you Meng Jingmo and Meng Guangbai?”
Meng Jingmo’s pitch-black eyes stared at him, “So what if we are?”
He was covered in thorns.
Yun Jian seemed to smile a little.
“Little porcupine, come on, I’ll treat you two to a meal.”
Gu Chenghuai hadn’t said much on the telephone, he didn’t know what connection these two boys had with his comrade, but if his comrade opened his mouth to ask him to inquire, it meant the relationship wasn’t shallow.
He had to take good care of these two for his comrade.
…
The Yuan family was vicious, occupying all of the Meng family’s things, not even willing to give Xiao Jingmo and Xiao Bai a steamed corn bun, that Yuan Jinbao was even more excessive, throwing half a steamed corn bun on the ground and stomping on it heavily twice, making the Meng brothers pick it up and eat it.
Meng Jingmo angrily flipped the dining table in fury, a clatter of sounds, taking advantage of the enemies not reacting, he pulled his younger brother and ran out the home door, hiding here.
The two little brothers were very hungry.
Meng Jingmo ignored the “little porcupine” nickname, looking at the stranger in front of him, and calmly asked: “Why?”
“Someone asked me to inquire about you, I think you two are pleasing to the eye, I’ll treat you to a meal.” Yun Jian said casually.
Meng Jingmo’s eyes lit up a bit, “Who?”
Was it Dad?
Thinking of Father, the little boy’s full-body bravado melted away, a sky full of grievances welled up, his throat sour and astringent, he really wanted to cry.
He held it back, turned his face away, quietly sniffed his nose, covering up the vulnerability that almost showed.
“You don’t know him.” Yun Jian said.
Meng Jingmo didn’t believe it, “I don’t know him… why is he inquiring about me?”
“How would I know.” Yun Jian shrugged, “I’m not a busybody.”
“Come on, I’ll take you two to eat.”
Meng Jingmo ignored this sentence, continuing to retort: “Who is the one inquiring about us?”
Yun Jian thought this kid talked a lot, but a flash of appreciation passed in his eyes.
“A soldier.”
A soldier?
Meng Jingmo lowered his eyes.
He didn’t know any soldiers, Father didn’t know any soldiers either.
Just then, Meng Guangbai’s stomach let out a rumble rumble.
The child hurriedly covered his stomach, licked his dry lips, “Bro, I’m not hungry, it’s my stomach not listening.”
Meng Jingmo touched his younger brother’s head, his eyes full of self-blame, he hadn’t taken good care of his younger brother, failing Father’s entrustment.
He looked at Yun Jian, “Can I see your ID?”
Yun Jian tsked, laughed and said: “Sure.”
He took out his ID for him to see.
“Can you read?”
Meng Jingmo nodded, “I know characters.”
Dad said people have to know characters, knowing characters means you won’t be taken advantage of, when he was just over four, his father held him in his bosom and taught him characters.
Thinking of Father being forcibly taken away, not knowing where he was sent, Meng Jingmo’s mouth tasted bitter, his little heart hurt so much it hurt.
Those people said Father was a bad element, Yuan Jinbao also cursed them as bad seeds, but… he didn’t blame Father, he only hoped to see Father again.
After confirming the ID was genuine, the wariness in Meng Jingmo’s eyes eased a bit,
“Now you’re relieved, right? Come on, I’ll take you to eat.” Yun Jian snorted a laugh, “I’m not interested in selling kids.”
Xiao Jingmo: “…”
He held his younger brother’s hand and followed the man, “Aren’t you afraid we’ll implicate you?”
Yun Jian raised a brow, his tone slow and leisurely, “Your father and mother aren’t divorced? And, your mother even published a statement on your behalf severing ties with your father, essentially speaking, you two have no identity issues.”
Meng Jingmo’s face sank sharply, gritting his teeth: “That statement doesn’t count! I don’t acknowledge it!”
He didn’t want to sever ties with Father!
Meng Guangbai was still little, couldn’t understand at all, blankly looking toward his older brother.
Yun Jian smiled a bit, “You’re quite tough.”
His bones were tough too.
But such children were likable. He had heard that Doctor Meng was very good to his two sons, if they didn’t react it would be disheartening.
Meng Jingmo didn’t speak.
Meng Guangbai obediently let his older brother pull him, silent and well-behaved.
It was go to work time, there weren’t many people on the road, Yun Jian directly brought the Meng brothers to the state-run restaurant.
Meng Jingmo saw the sign of the state-run restaurant, thinking of how his dad used to often bring him and Xiao Bai here, his eyes grew a bit wet.
“Bro, I miss Dad.” Meng Guangbai also had impression of this place, grabbing his older brother’s hand like grabbing a lifesaving straw, bean-sized tears rolling down his cheeks.
The little child also knew he had no one protecting him now, he lifted his hand to wipe the tears, sniffed his nose hard.
“Younger brother don’t be afraid, Bro promised Dad I’d protect you well, wait until I find out Dad’s news, Bro will take you to find Dad.” Meng Jingmo for the first time told his younger brother his thoughts.
His dad and his grandpa had both left him money, he had kept it all well, hadn’t told anyone.
Meng Guangbai’s eyes brightened, his voice soft and glutinous, full of expectation, “Go find Dad?”
“Yeah, go find Dad.” Meng Jingmo kept his little face serious, earnestly saying: “Dad’s situation isn’t good, we might suffer hardships going to find Dad, Xiao Bai afraid or not?”
“Not afraid!” Meng Xiaobai half-understood, didn’t know what older brother meant by Dad’s situation not good.
The timid boy raised his volume, said: “Bro, I’m not afraid, I can endure hardship, I miss Dad, want to be with Dad.”
Meng Jingmo solemnly said: “Yeah, I’ll find out Dad’s news!”
Xiao Bai smiled, “Bro is the best.”
With hope in his heart, the child became happy.
He thought, when he saw Dad, he definitely had to tell Dad how bad Mom and Grandmother and them were, let Dad vent for him and Bro.
The two brothers’ conversation was all heard by Yun Jian.
Go find that Meng Jiusi?
It was indeed a method.
But.
These two little things, it would be strange if they could find out where the person was.
Though Meng Jiusi had the Meng surname, he was picked up halfway by Old Meng, the Meng family with no conscience didn’t even recognize Old Meng anymore, how would they care about the two kids left by Meng Jiusi.
Not to mention, they themselves had a buttload of messes, no time to care about anything else.
Yun Jian didn’t say anything for now, bringing the two children inside, he glanced at the chalk words on the blackboard, said: “Two portions of fresh meat dumplings, one meatball soup, one kung pao chicken, one pickled mustard greens stewed vermicelli, plus 5 taels of rice.”
He often came out for treats, very familiar, paid the money and ration coupons, gestured for the Meng brothers to find a place to sit.
The two brothers were also familiar, sat in their usual spot.
Meng Xiaobai missed Dad again, said softly: “Dad said he’d bring us here to eat dumplings.”
Meng Jingmo also remembered—
Dad was carrying younger brother on his back then, asked if he wanted to be carried, he was all about face and said no, Dad sighed, then said Momo’s grown up, not close to me anymore. Xiao Bai hugged Dad’s neck, laughter crisp, said I’m close to Dad, Dad was very happy, said again wait until payday I’ll take you to the state-run restaurant to eat dumplings, then buy each of you a bottle of soda.
Finally Dad even muttered, after eating go to the state-run department store to look around, Momo and Xiao Bai’s birthdays are coming, see what you want, on birthday Dad will give them to you.
But who knew.
That day they had just gotten home, several fierce-looking people burst into the home, they took Dad away.
Without Dad, he and younger brother were like soaked in bitter water, mother doesn’t love and cousin bullies, birthday not even an egg.
The more he thought, the fiercer the fire burned in Meng Jingmo’s chest, the less the ripples in his heart thinking of Yuan Qin.
That wasn’t his mother, that was the Yuan family’s lackey.
He touched his younger brother’s head, comforted: “If Dad can’t come back we’ll go find Dad, Bro won’t abandon you.”
Xiao Bai let out a breath of relief, the corners of his mouth curved in a shallow arc.
“Bro is really good.”
Yun Jian chuckled lightly, propping his arm as he looked at Meng Jingmo, “You’re so sure you can find out your father’s news?”
“Hardworking people are not failed by heaven, I have plenty of time.” Anyway he wouldn’t give up.
Yun Jian shook his head, poking the child’s beautiful expectation, “You do have plenty of time, but…”
He paused, then continued: “Will that uncle of yours give you time to breathe?”
“You’re so small, he can casually pin you to death.”
“Besides, who are you going to ask? Not many people dare to get involved in your father’s matter, you can’t even see the ones who know, how are you going to inquire?”
Yun Jian’s words hit the nail on the head, Meng Jingmo knew it all, his face turned pale, eyes pitch black, hands clenched into fists, hating until his body trembled.
He didn’t resent the person in front of him for pointing it out, only hated the Yuan family pressing step by step, not leaving a way out for him and his younger brother.
“Bro?” Xiao Bai felt uneasy in his heart, clutching his older brother’s clothes.
Meng Jingmo came back to his senses, no time to be in chaos, comforting his younger brother, “It’s okay.”
In his heart he viciously thought, if the Yuan family bullies too much, he’ll set the home on fire, no one gets to live!
Yun Jian caught the gloom that flashed in Meng Jingmo’s eyes, tsked.
Not just a porcupine, but a not-so-simple porcupine.
He didn’t say more, how to do it wait until tomorrow talking on the phone with his comrade.
Not long after, the server called out, Meng Jingmo very insightfully went to carry the food and dishes.
Yun Jian saw him so proactive, didn’t get up.
Meng Jingmo went back and forth three times, before bringing all the food Yun Jian ordered.
Xiao Bai hadn’t eaten normal food in a long time, swallowing saliva, eyes couldn’t look away.
Yun Jian’s temperament was a bit mischievous, but not to the point of bullying a little one not as tall as his legs, he put one bowl of dumplings in front of him.
“Eat, you and your bro share a bowl, if your bro doesn’t have enough, eat more rice.”
Xiao Bai took the chopsticks, smiled shyly, politely thanked, “Thank you Uncle.”
Yun Jian: “…”
“What uncle, call bro.”
Was he that old?
He wasn’t even married!
Xiao Bai looked at him suspiciously, his sallow skinny little face full of conflict, seriously saying: “You’re uncle, not older brother.”
After speaking, he stuck the chopsticks into the dumplings, lifted it up and blew huff huff a few times, leaned forward and bit, eyes lit up a bit after tasting the meat.
“Bro, you eat.” The child handed the bitten dumpling to his older brother’s mouth.
The two of them would share even a steamed corn bun, neither minded the other’s saliva.
Meng Jingmo swallowed it in one bite, his long eyelashes lowered, hiding the moisture in his eyes.
Didn’t know if Dad had dumplings to eat?
After eating, Yun Jian bought four big meat buns for Meng Jingmo, for him to eat as afternoon meal, then went to the state-run department store to buy some biscuits and such things that could keep, let the child put them away well, then planned to leave.
“…Uncle Yun, thank you.”
Meng Jingmo solemnly thanked, this was the first person after Dad’s incident to extend a helping hand to him and his younger brother, he was very grateful, when grown up he would definitely repay him.
Yun Jian was stunned for a moment.
He waved his hand, indifferently saying: “Don’t thank me, thank my comrade, my comrade is called Gu Chenghuai.”
After speaking, he raised his hand to touch his forehead, left unhurriedly.
Meng Jingmo murmured, “Gu… Chenghuai…”
He hadn’t heard this name before, was it someone Dad saved?
Because of Yun Jian’s visit, the Meng brothers had a full meal.
They had just hidden the buns and biscuits when Yuan Qin, who hadn’t seen her son all morning, came looking for them.
Seeing the two children, she ran over, expression worried, eyes full of fatigue, “Jingmo, Guangbai, why are you here, quick come home with Mom.”
Meng Jingmo dodged her hand, gaze indifferent, “Without Dad, that’s not my home anymore.”
Home was never just a cold container.
He looked at Yuan Qin, “Where’s the money? I want money!”
Yuan Qin ignored Meng Jingmo’s first sentence, voice gently coaxing, “You two come back with Mom first, once home I’ll give it to you.”
Meng Jingmo wasn’t led astray, repeated again, “I want money.”
His gaze was stubborn.
Yuan Qin knew her son’s temperament was stubborn, if not given he wouldn’t say anything else.
She sighed, took out a stack of Da Tuan Jie, “Here. Come back with me, you didn’t eat breakfast, don’t you know you’re hungry, back home Mom will cook noodles for you.”
Meng Jingmo took the money, “Noodles aren’t for us!”
Yuan Qin hurriedly explained, “Your Grandmother and them aren’t home, I’ll cook noodles for you, eat them quick, all in your stomachs, they won’t say anything…”
She felt this was empty herself, uncomfortably saying: “If your Grandmother scolds, don’t confront her, just admit fault is fine.”
Meng Jingmo wanted to laugh, and he really did laugh, his pitch-black eyes reddening with anger.
“I’m not wrong, why admit fault, my bones aren’t that soft!”
Not wanting to argue more with Yuan Qin, he took the money and ran, ran very fast.
Xiao Bai hurriedly followed, afraid older brother would leave him behind, ran with new speed, soon leaving Yuan Qin behind.
“Jingmo! Guangbai!” Yuan Qin chased shouting, not long after, lost sight of the two children.
She panted to a stop, mouth bitter, kept murmuring, “Mom has no method either, endure a bit and it will pass, why not?”
Not staying long, Yuan Qin left dispirited.
After marrying she never worried about money, didn’t value it much, son wants she gives, the money left by husband also had theirs, she wouldn’t covet.
Once Yuan Qin left, Meng Jingmo brought his younger brother out from the dog hole, the two ran toward the ‘plank house’.
After hiding the money, Meng Jingmo’s heart settled a lot, “Xiao Bai, with this money, Bro can support you.”
Xiao Bai nervously and expectantly asked: “We’re not going back?”
“I don’t want to go back, I don’t want older brother to get beaten anymore.” He lowered his head, eyes full of fear.
