The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

That day, Xu Nian took leave and brought Xu Xi to the police station.

"Xu Nian, you've arrived."

The chubby policeman beckoned to the two men.

He looked at Xu Xi and said with a smile.

"You've gotten fatter, little girl."

Xu Xi nodded shyly.

During this time, Xu Nian took good care of her.

Her arms, which were originally skin and bones, have become more fleshy.

"Don't be nervous. The main reason I called you here is to take your statements about the kidnapping incident last time."

As he spoke, the chubby policeman stood up and waved to a policewoman in the distance.

"How long will it take?"

Xu Nian asked.

"About ten minutes to half an hour."

The policewoman walked over, nodded to the group, and indicated that she would be in charge of taking their statements.

Xu Nian squatted down and asked Xu Xi.

"How is it? Can you manage alone?"

Xu Xi nodded.

"Go."

He patted Xu Xi on the shoulder.

After Xu Xi and the policewoman walked away, Xu Nian stood up and looked at the fat policeman.

His eyes showed some hesitation, as if he didn't know how to start the conversation.

"Want to go out for a smoke?"

The chubby policeman sensed that Xu Nian had something to say.

"Okay, sure."

The two walked to a tree outside the courtyard, where the trash cans were piled high with cigarette butts.

It looks like a designated smoking area.

The chubby policeman lit a cigarette and handed one to Xu Nian.

"I've been quite busy lately. I've been wanting to visit your home for a while, but I haven't had the time."

"However, I'm relieved to see that the little girl has gained weight."

Xu Nian took the cigarette and gave an awkward smile.

"That old devil Li shouldn't be able to get out anytime soon."

The fat policeman looked up and silently did some mental calculations.

"He'll never get out of here in his lifetime."

"We found a lot of evidence in his home, and discovered that he was involved in multiple murders."

"The number of lives he's taken is enough to warrant the loss of several heads."

As Xu Nian felt a chill run down her spine, she breathed a deep sigh of relief.

On the surface, Li Laogui is a drunkard, but in reality, he has a criminal record.

Fortunately, Xu Xi managed to escape from him, otherwise her life would have been in danger.

"How's work lately?"

"It's pretty good, it's relatively stable."

The chubby policeman patted Xu Nian on the shoulder.

"There are quite a few people like Li Laogui in that shantytown."

"A large proportion of the population in Yuncheng are migrant workers, many of whom live in shantytowns."

"Plus, there were thugs there, making the area very chaotic."

"We want to take action, but unfortunately, we have limited police resources. We are currently investigating a major case, so our plan to maintain security in the shantytowns has to be put on hold for the time being."

"If possible, I suggest you move out of there as soon as possible."

"I've already moved out."

"Oh? Where are you staying now?"

"In Compound No. 5."

"The military dependents' compound."

The chubby policeman raised an eyebrow.

"It's a nice place; several of my former superiors live there."

"It's just that the security guards are too strict. Last time I brought two cases of wine to visit them, the guards stopped me outside for an hour."

Xu Nian smiled.

He had also experienced being turned away at the door.

Presumably because the security guards were extremely strict, Li Laogui could only wait until Xu Xi left the community before he had a chance to make his move.

"Officer, there's something I'd like to ask you."

"you say."

The chubby policeman perked up, and after exchanging pleasantries for so long, Xu Nian finally got down to business.

Xu Nian hesitated for a moment before speaking cautiously.

"Well, the new school year is almost here, and I want Xu Xi to be able to go back to school. Is there any way to do that?"

After her birthday night, Xu Nian started to think about this matter.

He was destined to be an undignified person for the rest of his life, doing the lowest-paying jobs and exchanging his hardest sweat for muddy money.

He has already done so, but he cannot let Xu Xi do the same.

He wanted Xu Xi to be able to live a decent life.

"Has she ever attended school before?"

"Yes, she went to junior high school in another city. I want her to continue her studies in high school in Yuncheng."

"I see..."

The fat policeman pondered for a while.

"The middle school entrance exam in Yuncheng ended a long time ago. Now that the start of school is approaching, the enrollment lists of various schools have been basically finalized."

"According to the normal procedure, we have to wait until next year's high school entrance exam and take the exam again before we can apply for high school."

"If I took the high school entrance exam in another city before, will I still have the opportunity to enroll this year?"

Xu Nian recalled asking Xu Xi about her studies and remembered that she had mentioned taking the high school entrance exam in another city.

However, before the results were even announced, a misfortune befell the family.

After that, Xu Xi wandered around and never entered the school gates again.

He wasn't very clear about the rules for high school admissions, after all, he was a rough man who hadn't even finished elementary school.

The chubby policeman frowned and thought for a long time.

"Give me Xu Xi's identity information, and I'll try to find out more about her."

"Okay, thank you, officer."

The fat policeman nodded and extinguished his cigarette.

"Judging by the time, the statement should be finished. Let's go back."

"Okay, sure."

When they returned to the police station, Xu Xi was already sitting in a chair in the lobby.

She hugged her knees, her eyes lowered, and her body trembled slightly.

Clearly, recalling what happened that night terrified her.

The policewoman sat to one side, patiently comforting her.

"elder brother!"

Upon seeing Xu Nian approach, Xu Xi quickly stood up and tightly grasped his arm.

It seemed that only by being close to Xu Nian could she feel a sense of security.

Xu Nian gently ruffled her hair, carefully avoiding the wound on her head.

"Then we'll head back now."

He said to the fat policeman.

"Okay, I'll contact you if I hear anything."

"it is good."

......

On the way home, Xu Xi was sullen and unhappy.

Xu Nian thought that she hadn't recovered from her memories yet, so she could only squeeze her hand tightly, conveying the warmth of her palm to her.

The aroma of roasted chicken legs wafted from afar; it was that same stall selling roasted chicken legs again.

Xu Nian walked to the stall, bought two roasted chicken legs, and gave one to Xu Xi.

Taking the paper bag and smelling the odor emanating from it, Xu Xi's displeasure lessened somewhat.

"It's freshly baked, so it's a little hot."

Xu Nian reminded her.

Xu Xi nodded, pouted, and blew air into the paper bag.

As the temperature gradually drops, the oily outer layer slowly becomes crispy.

It has a rich aroma that makes your mouth water.

"Brother, let's switch."

She shoved the cooled chicken leg into Xu Nian's hand and took the scalding hot chicken leg from Xu Nian.

Xu Nian saw through her little trick and helplessly ruffled her hair.

"Don't be upset now that you've finished eating. The bad guy has been caught, and no one will hurt you anymore."

Xu Xi shook her head.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly.

"Brother, I don't want to go to school."