Animal Detective

Chapter 227 - 223: Case Closed, Time Capsule

City People’s Hospital.

When Shen Xin arrived, Wang Qiang was on crutches, politely saying goodbye to the nurses and doctors at the nurses’ station.

"Thank you. I’ll remember you all forever."

Wang Qiang signed, bowing to everyone.

The head nurse hurried over to stop him, ruffling Wang Qiang’s hair. "What a good boy... such a pity..."

She sniffled, her eyes already red-rimmed.

Someone from the welfare home was also there, a female staff member in her thirties surnamed Li. She smiled and greeted Shen Xin when she saw him.

Wang Qiang’s parents still hadn’t been found.

So the plan was to place him in the welfare home for the time being and continue the search later.

The parents of Tang Ziyi, who was also known as Qianqian, had once offered to adopt Wang Qiang.

This was Tang Ziyi’s idea as well. When they were in Li Yihao’s hands, Wang Qiang had often looked out for him.

Upon learning this, Tang Ziyi’s parents were very supportive of their child’s idea.

But Wang Qiang had refused.

The boy still wanted to find his own parents.

When he saw Shen Xin, Wang Qiang’s eyes lit up, and he excitedly came forward, signing.

Shen Xin didn’t really understand, but he could guess what he wanted to say from his expression.

"Looking good. You’ve even put on some weight." Shen Xin also ruffled his short, choppy hair.

He looked much more energetic, and the color had returned to his face.

Dressed in brand-new clothes, he looked no different from any other normal boy.

The head nurse laughed. "Of course! He was entrusted to us, so we had to take good care of him."

Wang Qiang nodded repeatedly, signing. He was probably saying that the nurses had taken special care of him.

Shen Xin nodded, then bent down and asked with a grin, "Happy to be discharged today?"

Wang Qiang nodded.

Shen Xin continued, "Well then, let’s make it a double blessing. I have more good news for you. We think we’ve found your parents."

As soon as he said this, the smile on Wang Qiang’s face suddenly froze.

Everyone present was also stunned.

Teacher Li from the welfare home, after a moment of shock, hurriedly asked, "Officer Shen, you... you’re not joking, are you?"

The head nurse across from them also said urgently, "Exactly! Did you really find them or not?"

Wang Qiang stared fixedly at Shen Xin, his eyes filled with both apprehension and anticipation.

Shen Xin said, "How could I joke about something like this? Just this morning, someone contacted me. They said they saw the missing person video we posted and believe Wang Qiang is the child they lost five years ago."

"I asked for the details. Their child’s name is Wang Shengyu, and he was lost five years ago when he went to the market with his grandmother."

"The child’s mother is named Feng Ling, and the father is Wang Qingcong. Just like in your memory, he’s a big guy, very tall, and drives a truck."

"So I believe there’s a very high probability that they are your parents."

All of Wang Qiang’s remaining memories matched up, but the most reliable method was still a DNA test.

"Then it must be Wang Qiang’s parents! Wang Qiang, you’ve found your mom and dad!" The head nurse hugged Wang Qiang excitedly.

Wang Qiang nodded blankly, completely stunned.

Tang Ziyi and Song Yujia had both found their parents and been taken home. How could Wang Qiang not have felt a pang of envy?

But after all this time, he still hadn’t found his own parents. He had secretly considered many possibilities.

’Maybe my parents don’t want me anymore.’

’Maybe they had another baby, a little brother or sister, and forgot all about me.’

He didn’t want to think of his parents that way, but he knew he had been missing for five years.

Even though he was only nine, he was old enough to understand.

Sometimes, Wang Qiang would think that it might be for the best if his parents had given up looking for him. ’I’m disabled now. What’s the point of going back? I’ll only be a burden to them.’

’It would be better to let them have another child and continue to live happily.’

He subconsciously raised his hand, about to sign, but then immediately stopped. He bit his lip, his expression hesitant.

Shen Xin wasn’t the most perceptive person, but in that moment, he guessed what the boy was thinking.

"Silly kid, what are you thinking all that nonsense for? They’re your parents. They never gave up looking for you all these years."

Early that morning, while on his way to work, Shen Xin had received a call from Wang Qingcong.

On the phone, the man had been so emotional he could barely speak.

His words were filled with self-blame.

He was from Huaiyi in Ju Province. It was a poor area, so to make a living, he drove a truck for work, and his wife also took jobs away from home. They were forced to leave their child at home in the care of his grandmother.

Who would have known the child would get lost.

He was filled with immense self-blame.

But the one who blamed herself even more was the child’s grandmother.

After losing the child, the grandmother fell ill and never recovered. She didn’t last two years before her health failed completely.

Before she died, she clutched her son’s hand and made him promise one thing: that no matter what, he had to find the boy. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to rest in peace.

He became fiercely determined. He bought a truck and drove all over the country, making a living while searching for his son.

The search lasted for more than three years. He braved the elements, but he never once gave up.

After the New Year, they were on a long-haul trip. While resting at a service area at night, they happened to overhear other drivers discussing the matter and learned about the short video Shen Xin had posted.

When they compared the information, it matched their own.

It was late at night, and they were afraid of disturbing Shen Xin’s rest, so they didn’t dare to call. They were in Tongnan and drove through the night to Nanjiang, only contacting Shen Xin this morning.

"So it won’t be long now. Your parents are on their way."

’Judging by the time, they should be arriving soon.’

Wang Qiang nodded blankly, still completely bewildered.

The group of nurses was as festive as if it were the New Year, hugging each other and celebrating. They said it was the best news they could have gotten before the Lantern Festival.

After waiting in the hospital for over half an hour, Shen Xin received a call from Wang Qingcong.

"Let’s go. We’ll wait downstairs. Your mom and dad will be here any second."

Shen Xin led Wang Qiang, and along with the doctors and nurses, a whole crowd of people headed downstairs.