How easy is it to find a little girl through a painting? Anyone who has experienced the complexity of the internet and the widespread use of social media would surely understand, especially as, in the lower right corner of the painting, Yu Yuntian had labeled a name in delicate cursive - Gina.
The private investigator almost effortlessly found the most accurate information among the thousands of results provided by the search engine - Gina, a thirteen-year-old American girl, a deep depression sufferer, five suicide attempts, all rescued by her caring parents; the latest attempt was three months ago when she tried to hang herself with a shower curtain.
Her parents seemed to have been tormented by a series of life and death struggles. They sought help from a psychologist, and she was placed in special care facilities, but nothing worked; she refused to communicate with anyone. Yet, three years ago, she seemed completely normal.
According to her parents, she suddenly changed one evening. She got off the school bus with her backpack and stood motionless at the door of her house, as if she had lost her soul. She didn't eat anything that evening, and everyone thought she was just tired and needed sleep. The children of that age don't understand worry; they can be entangled in sorrow for a few hours and heal on their own. But they were all mistaken, and very mistakenly. Gina, who woke up the next day, couldn't recover from this bewildered state. She gradually lost the ability to laugh, jump, learn, talk, and even survive. She went from a lively person to a mere walking corpse.
Her parents were tortured by this and just couldn't figure out what had happened to her that day. She had been going to school as usual and hadn't suffered any harm; yet, all of a sudden, she lost the courage to live. How could something have struck a ten-year-old child to this extent?
This question was burning in the hearts of these parents every second. For a parent, the most frightening thing is not when your child encounters danger, but when you encounter danger and have no knowledge of it; because of not knowing, you don't even have the chance to save them.
Song Wen finished reading all the begging posts from Gina's parents, feeling dull inside. With trembling fingers, she edited a very long letter and sent it to their private email. At the end, she earnestly wrote, ["I don't know what you will choose to do. If you want to report to the police, I can do everything to help you. If you choose to remain silent, I will keep silent as well, especially because Gina's current situation is so terrible, she cannot bear any more hurt. May God bless you and Gina."] The email was sent successfully, but Song Wen closed her laptop and fell into a longer, more silent wait. After a night of struggle, her hot blood had already cooled, and she even began to doubt the "right choice" she had made. This letter was her final effort. If it failed, then she would give up completely. No one could fight against the whole world, and no one could change the whole world. The ambition she had previously amounted to something like a Savior now seemed so naive.
Surely Yu Yuntian must have known what she was doing, right? After all, she openly took away so many paintings and contacted several victims' parents. However, he did not send a text or call to inquire, investigate, or even stop her, indicating he wasn't in the least bit concerned. It was likely that in his view, all the efforts she was making now were equivalent to those of a dying clown.
Thinking until here, Song Wen suddenly covered her face and laughed mockingly. It was no wonder that Yu Yuntian once said to her, "Your biggest flaw is your rashness; when encountering things, you like to act blindly. This won't yield any results."
Now looking back, it was indeed true! She had acted rashly every step of the way, charging forward in the guise of justice, but she had crushed everyone in her path. In reality, did those people even need her help? Each and every one of them detested her.
The private investigator took out his own cigarette case and tried to console her: "Don't laugh, it's not pleasant. Smoke a cigarette to clear your head; you haven't slept all night."
Song Wen lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, speaking barely audibly, "Am I a joke?"
"No, you are lovely." The private investigator looked at her disheveled hair like a bird's nest and couldn't help but smile.
Song Wen grinned but it was an uglier sight than tears. After finishing one cigarette, she lit another, seemingly preparing to numb herself with nicotine, but at that moment, she heard a frantic ring, a long string of numbers flashing on the screen. It was a call from the United States.
She gripped the phone tightly, but lacked the courage to face it. Instead, the private investigator took the phone from her and put it on speaker.
A long string of English poured out, the speaker's voice heavy with tears and uncontained gratitude, "Hello, is this Miss Song? I'm Gina's mother, Catherine Baker. I read your email, and after that, I had a long conversation with Gina. Oh God, she cried! Can you imagine? After three years of silence, this is the first time she has cried in front of us! She finally has a reaction to this world, she admitted it. Everything you told us is true, she admitted it!"
Mrs. Baker cried uncontrollably, so she had to stop to compose herself. After about ten seconds, she choked out, "Miss Song, thank you, thank you so much! You have brought us the answer we've been seeking for three years; you have no idea what this means to us! This is hope, this is redemption, this is a chance for a new life! Gina had a sincere conversation with us after three years, can you imagine? Before the age of ten, she didn't even know what she had experienced, it wasn't until three years ago, when she attended a sex education class, that she finally understood. Can you imagine how she felt at the time?"
Song Wen finally came to her senses and responded in fluent English, "I can! I can completely understand her feelings; I also lived with Yu Yuntian for two years, oblivious to the reality, I understand how horrible the belated realization feels. Those unbearable experiences are like shrapnel, slowly embedding themselves into your heart; because there's no pain, you have no idea of the consequences it will cause. However, when you finally understand, you realize the shrapnel has pierced your heart in an instant, tearing your blood vessels, causing you pain, despair, with no hope of being saved; it's a more deadly blow than a prolonged agony."
Mrs. Baker's restrained weeping sounded from the receiver, "Yes, yes, exactly as you describe. This shrapnel was hanging over Gina's head all the time, waiting to strike her. She had no way to face it until that day. She just collapsed. Oh God, my poor child. I have no idea of... anything."
Song Wen took the tissues handed to her by the private investigator and with a strong nasal tone, asked, "What do you plan to do? Are you calling the police or..."
Mrs. Baker's emotions suddenly became very intense, "Of course, we're calling the police, do we have a second choice?"
"But Gina attempted suicide only three months ago."
"I know, I perfectly understand. This is already the worst situation, what could be worse than this? Oh, there is something worse - Gina's death while her attacker roams free! We won't let him off, no way! We've already reported it to the police, Miss Song. In fact, I'm calling you to seek your help, an officer is right beside me, let him speak to you."
Soon, a calm male voice came over, "Hello, Miss Song? I'm Detective Will Bock of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. If you don't believe it's me, we can connect via video, I'll show you my credentials."
Song Wen quickly waved her hand, "No need, let's just talk. How do you need me to help?" She couldn't believe Gina's parents had chosen to call the police so quickly; then, what was the point of her nightlong struggle?
In a daze, she remembered the words of Fongar:
"Getting it is enough."
"I predict, it's a deadly arrow."
So it really was a deadly arrow, hitting right on target! Fongar had never been wrong, so did that mean she wasn't wrong either? Song Wen collected herself and focused on the words from the other end.
Officer Bock carefully said, "Miss Song, according to our investigation, Yu Yuntian, during his period of study in the U.S., had an art class for children run under the guise of charity, and Gina suffered abuse during that time. He studied for five years, and the class was operational for those five years. The number of children enrolled has not been counted yet, but it definitely wasn't few. So we have every reason to believe that victims like Gina are not isolated cases. Due to the gravity of the case, the FBI has taken control, but the biggest difficulty we're currently facing is- Yu Yuntian is in Huaguo, and we can't arrest him. If the news leaks, we're worried he will escape to another country. So, Miss Song, we're calling to ask if you have any means to get him to leave Huaguo and go to the U.S.?"
Song Wen responded without hesitation, "Yes, I can get him to go to the U.S."
"Alright, thank you for your cooperation, Miss Song. Can you help in sending over that painting? It's a critical piece of evidence."
Song Wen firmly stated, "I'll deliver it to you personally, shipping might not be safe."
"If that's the case, that would be wonderful. We'll help you with all the travel formalities here. Miss Song, may God bless you. Thank you!" Booker returned the phone to Mrs. Baker, and she repeatedly expressed her thanks with a grateful voice. Mr. Baker also leaned in and tearfully said, "May God bless you."
For them, this was the best blessing.
After hanging up the phone, Song Wen warm immediately packed up the painting and the private detective had already purchased the plane ticket for the day according to the FBI's instructions. Before going to the airport, Song Wen warm received a call from her cousin, and after learning about the situation, she said in a gentle voice, "I'll go with you. I can provide psychological therapy for that child."
"Really?" Song Wen warm's eyes instantly turned red, and she said in a hoarse voice, "Cousin, your visit is the real redemption. Instead of me, Gina's parents would be happier to see you. It's great! Last night, I thought there was no hope, but this morning, I realized that there is hope, this world can still be saved! I'll book your plane ticket now, and we'll meet at the airport."
After hanging up the phone, Song Wen warm's mood remained unsettled for a long time, so she shook with her hand and dialed another number, choking up as soon as she started speaking, "Teacher Fan, I did it, I'm preparing to go to the United States now."
"Yes, I wish you a safe journey."
The young man's gentle voice was the best comfort, instantly warming Song Wen warm's heart that had been repeatedly plunged into cold silence. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Why did they choose to remain silent? Why don't they stand up and fight for their children? Was it my fault, or was it theirs?" This question was like a thorn, making her feel choked up.
Fan Galo calmly said, "No one is at fault, it's just a difference in concepts and customs. Our society lacks tolerance, so silence can offer more protection for the child; their side is more open, so standing up for a fight is the mainstream thinking. But both sides are doing it for the sake of the child, it's not about who's right or wrong."
"I know, that's why I feel even more sad. Do you know how much it hurts? I really wish I could change this society, but after yesterday night's effort, I realized that I can't, one person's power is too small!"
"No, you're wrong." Fan Galo chuckled lightly and said, "One person's power is not insignificant. When you become more tolerant, more peaceful, and more open, this world also gains a bit more peace, tolerance, and openness. When you make yourself better, the whole world is also changing because you are a part of it. When you spread this belief, and make more people become better, the entire world will change along with it. Now, do you still think your efforts are insignificant?"
Unknowingly, tears were flowing down Song Wen warm's face. She vigorously shook her head and said, "No, that's not true. You're right, by improving oneself, you are changing the world. I understand now. Thank you, Teacher Fan!"
"No need to thank me, I knew from the first moment I saw you that you are a courageous person, because your soul shines."
Song Wen warm chuckled through her hoarse voice. Just because of this affirmation, the pain, frustration, self-doubt, and self-denial she had suffered throughout the whole night became insignificant. After hanging up the phone, her heart was filled with courage. She accessed her address book, and dialed the number she had been hesitant to call.
On the other end of the line, seemingly reluctant to communicate with her but fearing she might run wild, after much hesitation, he picked up the phone and impatiently asked, "What's wrong with you again?"
"Big brother, do you remember the last words Grandpa left us before he died?"
Song big brother fell silent.
Song Wen warm continued, "He said: 'Remember, the level of success you want to achieve in the future requires the same level of courage. No matter what difficulties you face, the only thing you can do is to face them head-on, because you are a Song.' Big brother, I have remembered this since I was young, and I have never forgotten it at any moment. Do you want Nini to step onto the world stage? Do you know what she needs first? It's not avoidance, it's not absolute protection, it's legs that won't bend and a spine that can't be broken. Big brother, when you choose to retreat, have you ever asked Nini's opinion? Even when she twisted her toes on stage, she didn't make a sound and kept up with the rhythm, do you think she is so fragile?"
Song Wen warm's tone hastened, "Big brother, if you want to do something for Nini, then let Yu Yuntian go to the United States, I promise not to make any more trouble. Also, apologize to Nini on my behalf, I failed to protect her."
"Is everything okay now? If it is, I'm hanging up." Song big brother ended the conversation without expressing any opinion.
Song Wen warm held the cooling phone, feeling indescribable pain. When she fought for her family, all she received was their indifference and misunderstanding. You couldn't understand this kind of suffering unless you experienced it firsthand.