Chapter 4: The Fire at the Welfare Home
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Xiao Man had been sorting through photos when she immediately looked over upon hearing the news. Zhou Lin exchanged a glance with her. “The report confirms that the human DNA extracted from the needle belongs to Xiao Man, while the animal DNA is from Wuyun Gaixue.”
Xiao Man felt a weight lift from her heart. “Xiao Man is lucky—an uncle saved me. But Wuyun Gaixue wasn’t so fortunate. Crow said Aunt Duan Mei stabbed it to death and threw it into the river...”
When Tang Zheng struck her at the cemetery, she had remained strong and didn’t cry. But thinking about losing her little companion brought tears streaming down her cheeks.
Zhou Lin had no experience comforting children and didn’t know how to console her tears. The usually stern and steady Captain Zhou was at a loss in this moment.
“Xiao Man, the important thing is we have evidence to convict Duan Mei. She will be severely punished for hurting you.”
“Uncle, can Aunt Duan Mei be punished for killing Wuyun Gaixue too?”
“Well...” Zhou Lin thought for a moment. “Our current laws don’t clearly address animal abuse.”
Xiao Man nodded. “I understand. I hope there will be laws to forbid humans from hurting animal friends in any way.”
“There will be,” Zhou Lin said as he patted her head. “Xiao Man, you’re smart and kindhearted—and you think deeply.”
Xiao Man smiled happily, her eyes curved like cute little crescents. She packed the photos into a small box. “It’s a pity Dad burned all Mom’s photos! I’ll take the little bear Mom bought me!”
Zhou Lin messaged Lin Nan: [Log into the household registration system and send me a photo of Xiao Man’s mother.]
Lin Nan replied: [Captain Zhou, got it!]
When leaving the Tang household, Zhou Lin carried the pink little box while Xiao Man held a white teddy bear. She stood before Zhou Lin’s jeep, gazing at the home where she had lived for over four years, reluctant to part.
“Uncle, if Mom comes back someday but can’t find me, what will happen?”
“Don’t worry, Xiao Man. If your mother returns, Uncle will bring you to her.”
Zhou Lin opened the car door and lifted her inside. She hugged his neck tightly. “It’s so good to have you, Uncle!”
Zhou Lin looked at the soft, adorable little girl. “The Spring Festival is just a few days away. If there are no missions at the team, Uncle will celebrate the New Year with you.”
“Yay!” Xiao Man beamed with joy. “I’m really looking forward to celebrating with Uncle!”
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Zhou Lin took her to the Changjing City Welfare Institute. He had intended to stay and have dinner with her but was called away on a mission, so he left in a hurry.
Through the rearview mirror, he saw Xiao Man feeding a stray dog with the leftover steamed bun she hadn’t finished.
Da Huang rummaged through a trash bin while whining, “I’m so hungry! If I can’t find food, what will happen to the puppies in my belly?”
Xiao Man broke the bun into tiny pieces and tossed them to him. “Da Huang, since you’re a mother now, you have to eat more so your puppies are healthy!”
Da Huang took a step back on his lame leg. “You’re a new human cub at the welfare institute—can you really understand me?”
Xiao Man smiled brightly and nodded. “Yes, my name is Xiao Man. Wait for me—I’ll check the kitchen for more food.”
She said this and scampered off on her short legs.
When Xiao Man returned with two more buns, she heard Da Huang barking furiously, “I didn’t steal the buns! Xiao Man gave them to me!”
But the group of nearly ten-year-old boys surrounding the dog couldn’t understand a word. They brandished sticks, ready to chase Da Huang away.
Xiao Man rushed over and stood between them and Da Huang. “You can’t hit Da Huang!”
The leader, Qiang Qiang, sneered, “Look who’s here! You just got here and you’re talking to ants—are you crazy?”
The other boys laughed loudly and jeered, “Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!”
Xiao Man raised her voice, “I’m not crazy! I just arrived at the welfare institute, and greeting ants is basic courtesy.”
The boys laughed even harder. “I remember there’s a book about a lunatic who talks to ants. Hahaha...”
Da Huang nuzzled Xiao Man’s pants. “Xiao Man, Qiang Qiang and the others are scary. They often crush ants and break the legs of stray dogs like us...”
Fuming, Xiao Man clenched her fists and looked at Qiang Qiang and the others. “If you hurt little animals, I’ll tell the police and have you arrested.”
“The police don’t care!” Qiang Qiang and the others mocked her and ran off.
Xiao Man gave all the steamed buns to Da Huang. “Eat up, then rest! If you’re hungry, come find Xiao Man—she’ll feed you!”
As Da Huang walked away, he kept looking back. “Thank you, Xiao Man!”
After a few steps, he returned beside her. “I saw the kitchen wires catch fire this evening when I was looking for food. Be careful, Xiao Man.”
Xiao Man waved to him. “Got it, Da Huang. Bye!”
Worried about kitchen safety, she went straight to find the institute director.
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Director Zeng Ren had graying hair and a kind face. “Xiao Man, are you settling in alright?”
Xiao Man nodded. “Grandpa, I’m fine. I want to report something—the kitchen wires caught fire this evening. Please have someone check the safety.”
“All right, I’ll have someone inspect the wiring immediately.” Zeng Ren patted her head gently. “You should go to your room and rest now.”
“Okay, Xiao Man’s going. Goodbye, Grandpa.” She hopped away cheerfully.
Zeng Ren nodded slightly, pleased to see a newcomer so unafraid and eager to integrate, treating the welfare institute like home. This child was truly remarkable.
Xiao Man returned to a large shared room filled with girls of various ages. Their eyes on her were filled with suspicion, as though she were a monster.
“I’m going to sleep now. Everyone else should sleep early too!” Xiao Man remained optimistic. “Good night, ants!”
The dorm fell silent except for the sound of heartbeats. Only Dou Dou, a girl with cerebral palsy, mumbled a slurred reply, “Xiao Man... good... night!”
Just as Xiao Man was drifting off, the leader of the older girls, Huan Huan, called others to carry her out of the dorm and dump her in the hallway.
The younger girls threw her bedding, pillows, and sheets at her head.
“Qiang Qiang was right—she’s crazy!”
After speaking, they slammed the dorm door shut.
Xiao Man pounded on the door with her small hands, but no one opened it.
She sat on the floor outside, wrapping herself in the small blanket. “I’m not crazy! I just can talk to animals.”
At that moment, the frogs by the pond croaked in response, “Ribbit! Ribbit! Xiao Man is awesome!”
Listening to the frog chorus, she felt sleepy and slipped back into dreams.
She didn’t know how much time passed before the ants’ voices startled her awake.
“The kitchen pipes are sparking again! My antennae are getting singed! Where’s Xiao Man? Wake her up quickly!”
“Our messages travel fast—let’s notify everyone to tell Xiao Man to run!”