The boy remained motionless. The man outside was just trying to trick him out.
“I know you’re still hiding here.” The man’s voice became more distant as he slowly walked among the massive mechanical equipment, searching for him.
“I know you’re hiding here,” the man repeated.
“I know you’re here. You can choose not to come out, but if you don’t, I’ll immediately go to the North District Orphanage. I hear you have a good relationship with Teacher Yu. I wonder how sad you’d be if she got hurt?”
After waiting a moment with no response, he added: “Looks like you’re not very sad. So… what if she dies?”
The boy began to tremble slightly.
“Very good, very good… Perhaps you really don’t care. But I won’t hesitate to add another life to these hands.” The man slowly walked towards the warehouse exit.
“Wait!” the boy suddenly shouted, bursting out from behind the maintenance door.
“Very good,” the man repeated, turning to face the pale-faced boy.
“I’ll go back with you.”
But you must keep your promise. As long as I don’t escape, you’re never to harm Teacher Yu again. If you break your word even once, I’ll never trust you again, and you can forget about using others’ safety to threaten me.” Though his body trembled lightly, the boy’s voice remained calm.
Very well, it’s settled then.” The man in black smiled.
The North District Orphanage was located in the northern part of the city near the suburbs. The orphanage had two small buildings: one four-story building served as dormitories for children and teachers, while the three-story building functioned as a classroom, office, and cafeteria. Behind the buildings was a small plot of land where vegetables and flowers were grown.
Both buildings were quite old, but upon entering, the interior was clean and tidy.
On this day, a middle-aged couple walked into the director’s office on the third floor. The director welcomed them. The couple had expressed their desire to adopt a child, and today they were here to visit and see if there was a child who met their requirements.
