Chapter 76: New Year

Two days passed without incident.

On New Year's Eve of the first lunar month, the entire Dragon City was immersed in a festive atmosphere. The sound of firecrackers had been echoing throughout the city since after 1 PM and continued into the deep night without stopping.

Around 8 PM, the Su family set up a running feast in their courtyard. The whole family gathered together, either huddling close to watch the local Chinese television's New Year's Eve program, or playing cards and chatting in small groups.

Su Tianyu drank some wine and ate some dumplings with Second Uncle, chatting until after 9 PM, when the latter finally felt tired and went back to his room to rest.

In the courtyard, Third Sister Su Miaomiao, like a little girl, waved and called out: "Come on, Dog Six, let's go set off fireworks!"

"You all go ahead, I've had a bit too much to drink," Su Tianyu replied in low spirits, waving his hand.

"Oh come on, it's New Year's, let's have some fun together. Don't just sit here thinking about An Qiqi. If you love her, be brave and pursue her," Su Miaomiao walked over and forcibly pulled up Su Tianyu, along with the rather lazy Big Brother and Second Brother, then led a group of children outside the courtyard.

This New Year, Second Uncle had prepared an especially large amount of New Year goods - just fireworks and firecrackers alone filled four large cardboard boxes. A group of twenty-something-year-olds, leading a bunch of children, excitedly arranged the fireworks and firecrackers in rows at the front door.

Su Tianyu stood at the entrance, lighting a cigarette.

"Why do you look a bit unhappy today?" Su Tiannan casually asked.

"Hehe, I'm not unhappy," Su Tianyu replied softly, slightly tipsy from drinking. "I just thought of Daxiong. On New Year's Eve like this, ah..."

"Why are you thinking about him?" Zhang Hao interjected from the side. "His own family doesn't care about him, we're not related by blood or marriage, what help can we offer? Ah, this is fate. During New Year's, we shouldn't worry about others."

Su Tianyu slowly nodded, not saying anything more.

"Sizzle!"

Not far away, Su Tianbei, emboldened by alcohol, lit four or five boxes of fireworks at once and ran to a distance with Third Sister to watch.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh...!"

The brilliant fireworks rose into the sky, flashing in the darkness, spreading their radiance.

"The fireworks we bought this year are beautiful!" Su Miaomiao watched the bursting fireworks in the sky with her hands behind her back, saying excitedly: "Next year we'll work hard, try to rent a small island for our family to spend New Year's."

As everyone looked up at the brilliant sky, Daxiong appeared alone in the alley at the street corner. He was filthy all over, hands in his pockets as he gazed at Third Sister, a slight smile appearing on his face.

When the fireworks were exhausted and the Su family returned to the courtyard laughing and talking, Daxiong withdrew his gaze from Su Tianyu, wiped his face with his wrist, and slowly disappeared alone into the darkness.

......

Early the next morning, the first day of the lunar year.

Su Tianyu, Su Tiannan, and Su Tianbei drove the family's small truck, loaded with various gifts, and began visiting homes.

They first went to Yu Mingyuan's and Wang Daolin's homes, then to some connections within the Management Council and their circle, and finally arrived at the Bai family home.

"Uncle Bai, Happy New Year!"

Su Tianyu and his brothers carried gifts as they entered the Bai family compound, greeting Bai Dabiao.

"Hehe, very good!" Bai Dabiao stood in the courtyard with his hands behind his back, quite happy to see the Su family members. "Ah, did Old Su send you over?"

"Yes, my dad said since it's New Year's, we younger generation should come see you," Su Tiannan stepped forward with the gifts.

"Come, sit inside," Bai Dabiao beckoned.

As everyone walked inside, Bai Hongbo asked Su Tianyu: "I heard Daxiong didn't go home. Where do you think he could have gone?"

"Don't know," Su Tianyu shook his head.

"Ah, this kid is just a bit reckless," Bai Hongbo, usually sharp-tongued, was actually concerned about that fool. "His sentence wouldn't have been too heavy, why did he need to escape? Now if he's caught, the sentence will definitely be increased."

"Yeah."

"Damn it, it's hard being a good person!" Bai Hongbo couldn't help but sigh.

At this moment, neither Su Tianyu nor Bai Hongbo could really understand why Daxiong had chosen to break out and escape, because no one could put themselves in Daxiong's position and feel everything he had experienced.

In the Bai family's main hall, the old master Bai sat in his chair and called out very generously: "We have guests at home, prepare food, we'll have some drinks later."

"No need, Uncle Bai, we still need to go to the Kong family later," Su Tiannan politely declined.

"Oh come on, there are still so many days left in the first month, what's wrong with going another day?" Bai Dabiao said decisively. "Since you've come to visit, you must eat at our home!"

Although Bai Dabiao was sharp-tongued, bad-tempered, and often exchanged curses and insults with Su Zhengcai, his personality was still quite warm and genuine.

......

Three days.

Daxiong had been on the run for exactly three days. During this time, his days must have been difficult, but Tang Baiqing and Old Yang were clearly in an even worse situation.

Around 6 PM in the evening.

Near Tongjiang Street in Zha'nan District, Old Yang, wearing casual clothes, stood with four police officers beside a garbage dump, saying to a construction site watchman: "You have surveillance cameras all around this site, right?"

"All around, front and back gates also have security guards and wolf dogs. Officer, don't worry. Although we're on holiday, if anyone sneaks in, we'll definitely discover them. The management here is very proper," the watchman replied politely.

Old Yang handed over Daxiong's photo: "Take another look. If you discover this person, notify us immediately."

"Rest assured, if we find him, we'll definitely call the police," the other person looked at the photo and nodded. "I've memorized his face."

"Alright, that's it then."

With that, Old Yang left with his people.

"Brother Yang, it's New Year's period now, police units in all districts are on rotating holiday. Even if we issued a coordination notice, nobody's going to search the streets for a fugitive for you," a police officer following behind Old Yang said. "This person won't go home either. If he goes into hiding somewhere, or simply leaves the city area, where can we catch him?"

"All checkpoints have been notified. If he dares to run out, there's a good chance he'll be caught," Old Yang said as he walked. "This person is intellectually disabled and has no anti-detection experience. Most importantly, he has no money and no friend circle, it's too difficult for him to escape. I judge that he's probably somewhere familiar in Zha'nan District, he won't go far."

"That's possible," the officer agreed.

"Let's go back first, I need to find Tang Baiqing," Old Yang replied tiredly as he got into the car.

"Ring ring!"

Just then, the phone rang.

......

In the living village outside the district, at Liang Feng's home.

"Brother Black, yes, the one who found me is a childhood friend, we grew up together, very reliable," Liang Feng said in a low voice. "Yes, the kidnapping job in Zone Five, I think the price is quite good, and the situation in the old triangle area is also quite chaotic, easy for us to slip away. Yes, it's just that the timing is a bit urgent. If we're going to take it, we need to leave by the fifth."

On the phone, the man was silent for a long time before asking: "Where are you?"

"I'm at home. What's wrong, Brother Black?"

"At home?" the man suddenly said. "Send me a family photo to see."

Liang Feng was stunned.