In the late 1990s, the internet was just beginning, far less developed than in later years. The way of written communication still accounted for eighty percent, and the remaining twenty percent was phone calls, all landlines. Very few people could afford a big mobile phone.

Tangyuan was well aware of the power of the media in this era, so she advised them in advance on what to do. Sometimes, if a matter does not become a big issue, it cannot attract the attention of relevant departments.

After all, Liang Junjie was an adult and a leadership-level figure, it was impossible for him to be led by her. Therefore, it is reasonable for him to first report to the police and wait for the results. If the police were inefficient, then proceed to the next plan. Anyway, the person was born in K City, and Du Juan’s permanent residence was either K City, her in-law’s house, or Z City, her maiden home. These two places were mentioned when they reported the case because more clues could be provided, possibly avoiding many detours compared to the investigations in later years.

When the couple rushed to K City, overwhelmed with anxiety, Liang Quan continued to roam the streets of N City collecting junk. Now, with selling vegetables from his space and collecting junk, he earned US$ 10 to US$ 20 per day, enough for him to live on.

Of course, if he had the chance to see someone selling pots and pans, as long as they didn’t question this little child, he would buy them if he had money. Slowly, he organized his small space, with a soup pot, a frying pan, a few plates, bowls, spoons, chopsticks, and a small dining table he picked up. Surprisingly, Tangyuan also had a time of being a vagabond. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

He didn’t dare stay in one place, fearing that someone might notice him and harm him. Even though he was very cautious, he was aware of many adults with ill intentions towards him. He was fortunate to be a boy, as if he were a girl, things might have turned violent earlier.

Liang Quan was very quick-witted, retreating immediately if something seemed off, entering his space whenever he found somewhere sheltered, escaping once the danger passed.

Of course, he sometimes failed, as when the opponent had a drugged towel, causing him to faint. When he awoke, he found himself bound and in the trunk, listening in on the trafficker’s conversation. He realized they intended to sell him to a family without a son, in rural areas of a neighboring province, for three thousand yuan.

Though relieved his organs were intact and he hadn’t been crippled and left to beg on the streets, the situation was unfavorable for him.

Fortunately, these people also needed to eat, drink, and relieve themselves. Although they did not take the highway, the national road still had restaurants and rest areas. Before getting off for food, they checked to see if he was still asleep after plugging his mouth with a towel and binding his hands. Confident he was asleep, they boldly entered the restaurant.

As soon as they left, he immediately opened his eyes, took out a knife from his space, cut the rope off, and removed the towel. It was a van with several travel bags inside. He opened them and unexpectedly found over one thousand yuan. He sneered and quietly opened the side door to slip out, then used the knife to puncture all four tires of their vehicle. These vile traffickers hadn’t managed to cause significant harm. Though frustrated, at least he didn’t suffer for nothing, and he earned over one thousand yuan.

After getting out of the car, he looked around to see no one, hid in the grove, and entered his space again.

Almost a whole day without eating, he ate and drank his fill only after returning home before inquiring about the outside situation. The men were arguing because of his disappearance, and their mood worsened upon discovering the money and tires were gone. Finally, they had to pay for a tow truck, cursing as they reluctantly left.

The area was quite remote, and he didn’t know where he was. After nightfall, he slowly walked, hiding when a vehicle approached. Fortunately, it was a small road in the town, and before long, he reached the town. Still nervous about encountering those people, he continued towards the city. Walking for two hours at night, resting in his space for a few hours, he finally mustered enough determination to walk from dusk to dawn, reaching the county.

Then he found the bus station, bought a ticket, and returned to Ganxi Province’s capital, N City.

Within two months, he had saved up 3500 yuan, including over one thousand yuan he had found while escaping from the traffickers.

Meanwhile, Song Ge and Liang Junjie reported to the police in K City, waiting there for over a week. After extensive investigation, the police finally located Cao Dujuan, who had returned to her maiden home in Z City. Meanwhile, Wei Fuqiang was directly invited back to the police station from his workplace.

Additionally, the hospital where the child was born.