Pure Darkness

Chapters 22.2

I don't know how to describe my feelings. That day, everything I did seemed to cause panic. At night, I saw Tong Sheng sleeping soundly in bed. I pushed the door open and stood on the balcony. As I stared at the starry sky, I suddenly felt at ease.

The boy is grown up and has a life of his own. His father was right – I should not interfere.

The child craves love and romance, craves someone to rely on. Moreover, the person he wanted to rely on was not his mother.

However, I could not help but indirectly tell her to be vigilant in her relationship with men, and to always protect herself. Tong Sheng was cooped up and panting, unwilling to divulge more. I can only leave the topic.

If I knew what would happen on that holiday, I would definitely not let him go.

My son had a difficult life the last few years, so he told me that he wanted to travel for relaxation. I agreed wholeheartedly, and even gave him my whole month bonus. I think he'll go with his friends. It never crossed my mind that she was too used to being independent, and had no close friends to talk about. So, he went alone.

……

The fifth day after Tong Sheng's disappearance, I went home after work, called the police and received the same apology response, “We are still investigating. Sister Xie, please think again, could it be that your child went somewhere else for a vacation and did not tell you about it? Maybe he doesn't have a cell phone signal, or runs out of money?”

“No! That won't happen!” I almost screamed at him. “He will definitely call me. He won't forget to keep me updated. Obviously, something has happened to him, you have to find him! Find him!”

But, he can't be found.

Police said there was evidence that he had lived in the ancient city for several days, then moved to another area.

Then he disappeared.

There were people who saw him, but no one saw where he went.

My Tong Sheng is like a drop of rain falling to the ground, evaporating and disappearing.

But, he's my only water (T/N source of life).

……

I left my job and sold my apartment. I took all my savings and started looking.

I looked for him in every corner of the county. No. gabe. Why can't I find him?

I searched for it there for almost a year, until my savings were almost depleted.

Then, I came to the ancient city.

One day, while I was living in the dorm, I saw my reflection in the mirror and retreated. I felt like I had just woken up from a dream.

Is that me?

I used to be a teacher, and the hardest job I ever did was housework. On my birthday the year before, Tong Sheng even praised me, saying his mother was very beautiful and youthful, with white skin. I look like I'm his older sister.

She must have been exaggerating since I already had some white hair. However, it was nothing compared to what I saw in the mirror right now.

My skin will never turn white again, as it is tanned by the sun. My fingers are rough and dirty, and my hair is gray. Once upon a time, I couldn't even slaughter a chicken, and had to rely on Tong Sheng's father. Now, I can lift a bundle of burlap sacks with one hand and carry them easily, so that I can earn enough for lunch, then continue looking for Tong Sheng after I eat.

That night, I felt a little uncomfortable.

I thought, what if I find Tong Sheng, and he doesn't recognize me? How then?

I have reported the QQ number to the police before. However, they told me that they had investigated, and the boy had attended a class at the university by the time Tong Sheng disappeared. There's a lot of evidence that she wasn't with him, and it had nothing to do with the case. I wanted to get the boy's contact information but the police refused to give it to me.

I knew I needed to find a job, otherwise there was no way I could keep looking. An older sister* who works part-time with me told me, “If you want to earn more money, you can go to the Yao family. Salaries there are high, but . . . . those who work there are not considered human.”

T/N (da sao) a respectful term for older women

“As I said, the people in the Yao family are not human. A man, with 5 wives.” Another brother said, “I heard that he found a student two years ago and wanted to make her his next wife. After that, no one saw the girl anymore. They said he ran away.”

I didn't pay much attention at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I felt something was wrong. So, I chased after the older brother to ask the girl's appearance and age. Unfortunately, he doesn't know anything anymore.

I stood at the door of the Yao family courtyard and thought very carefully.

Student, a few years ago.

A man, a very rich man was approaching the age of fifty.5 wives, yet still not satisfied.

On the surface, all of this seemed to have nothing to do with Tong Sheng. However, I felt a strange and powerful premonition that forced me to move into the Yao household.

I knocked on the door and walked in.

……

Three times a week, he would sleep in the room of Ming Lan's first wife.

They never once mentioned the name ‘Tong Sheng’.

Only an old servant was allowed to approach their room. We weren't.

Whenever he saw a beautiful young girl, he would always look again, even though she was obviously old enough to be his father.

……

Zhao Xia was not at all like them. He was always silent, always sad, and never once hit me. One time, I pretended to be innocent and asked him, “I heard that Mr Yao previously planned to take a female student as another wife, and then she disappeared?” His expression at that time was difficult to explain. He turned around, neither answering nor looking at me.

My heart felt like it had been brutally beaten by a stone hammer. I could hardly bear it anymore and wanted to question him further. Is that Tong Sheng? Was it?

However, I looked into the large courtyard, and managed to hold it back. I have no proof, and the Yao family has money and power. I have to be patient. Be patient until the day when I can no longer.

Every day, I would say to myself, several times: I will find Tong Sheng.

I thought I was slowly, little by little, approaching the truth.

After that, I thought through everything and came to a clear conclusion: if there is no evidence and no relationship with Tong Sheng, then, if I can determine that Tong Sheng must have been harmed by them, I will kill Yao Yuange and everyone else. How could their lives be precious, but my Tong Sheng life is not?

After that, I became used to waiting. I am used to the beatings and nagging of Yao family members, used to living a life like this. I no longer live like a human being, but this is the only way. Only with my suspicions and hatred towards those hidden in my heart can I live as if I were still human.

This world is so big, and I still haven't found Tong Sheng. I have nowhere to go.

……

The morning was a drizzle. I was cleaning the area near the front desk in the inn, when I heard the voice of a young man who was about to enter the inn.

“Halo, I want a king bed room,” the young man said with a smile to the receptionist.

I kept my head down and continued to sweep the floor. I at that time liked to do repetitive and mechanical cleaning work. Watching the surface gradually become clean gave me a strange feeling of pleasure.

“Are you a student? Do you work part-time here?” A man's voice asked.

The woman at the front desk smiled and denied it.

“You look like a student.” She said, “This is my QQ number: 5643XXX321. Why don't you add me? ”

My hands are riveted.

I looked up, and saw his face.

He also noticed my look. He looked at me, then threw away his face again without a care.

That night, I sat in the narrow and dark servant's room for a very long time. I stared at the fine drizzle that fell from the sky, and the wind blew past the window, causing the sheets beside me to billow, as if something was accompanying me. I suddenly understood that everything was governed by destiny. It moves in cycles, ebbs and flows, bringing one up, then down, repeatedly. It disappointed me, but it finally gave me hope.

Tong Sheng, I know you have come to me.

You told me, Mom, don't wait anymore, take action.