Red Light

Past Pieces

Lan Wangji had waited roughly thirty minutes before the police cars had pulled away with their angry cargo of Wen Chao's men. From the whispers in the crowd, he gathered the cops had shown up, marched into the brothel and then marched out with half-naked swearing men. No one seemed to know what had triggered the raid but the laughs that had erupted from time to time as they watched the process gave their opinion of it.

He had gone to his car as soon as it was no longer blocked in and headed out to the hospital. During a particularly long light, he sent a quick 'OMW' to Nie Huaisang and Jiang Cheng. He still felt slightly guilty for worrying them but it had been worth it to take that leap. Another wild grin crept across his face as if exploring unknown territory.

As he drove, he considered the bag in the passenger seat. He knew the blanket was in it but he didn't know what else it contained. What if it was something that wasn't good for A'Yuan? While he would never dispose of the boy's belongings, it was appropriate to check them. Just in case.

Pulling into the hospital parking lot, he actually paused long enough to look at himself in the rear view mirror. Cobwebs adorned his hair. There was a smudge of something on his jaw. And a good size scrape on his cheek. As is the way of these things, when he saw it, it began to sting.

He scruffed through his hair and removed all the cobwebs he could feel. He'd wash his face and take care of his cheek when he got back to the room. Opening the bag, he gently removed the blanket in case there were items wrapped in it. A small bottle of inexpensive floral perfume tumbled on to the seat. That would explain the soft, pleasant scent emanating from the blanket.

Peering in to the bag, he saw a small stuffed pillow that looked like a daikon radish maybe with a smiling face embroidered on it, several match box cars and an Ultraman figure that probably came in a child's meal from a fast food place. There were also two envelopes. He debated for several moments on whether he should open them. Wei Ying had accepted the role of Wei Yuan's father but, after SiSi calling him 'Wen Yuan', there might be information Wei Ying was not ready for in his current condition. He decided he would look it over and then decide.

The first envelope was a larger one. Inside, carefully placed between cardboard salvaged from a cereal box, were pictures. A small, chubby-cheeked A'Yuan eating a cupcake with frosting all over his smiling face. Another of him as an infant in the arms of a woman smiling with love and pride at her son. Lan Wangji assumed she was A'Yuan's mother, Yang Fenju. She was a pretty woman. Wei Yuan had her smile. Of the handful of photos, the most current picture was of the two of them. Yang Fenju was behind A'Yuan with her chin resting on his shoulder, her arms wrapped lovingly around him. He looked maybe six or seven. Both were smiling at who ever was taking the picture.

The years as a prostitute had taken a toll on her by the most recent photo. She looked tired, used up, in the picture. Lan Wangji had no idea what had led Yang Fenju to become a prostitute much less stay as one but she had loved her son. That was obvious. It must have been painful for her to know she hadn't been able to protect him.

The second envelope was a used one from an electricity bill. Inside was a birth certificate. He opened it with trepidation. The boy was named Wen Yuan at birth but there was no father listed on the birth certificate. Had she hoped Wen Chao would go easier on the boy if she told him the child was his? There was no way to know unless maybe SiSi was able to divulge that information. It might be worth while to attempt to communicate with her. Meet in a less dangerous location for both of them.

Lan Wangji let out a loud sigh of relief. There was nothing directly associated with Wen Chao in the trash bag. He felt much better knowing what was in the bundle was acceptable and most likely wouldn't trigger either Wei Ying or Wei Yuan. He hadn't felt comfortable with the idea of hiding information from Wei Ying but, if it was necessary for his well being, Lan Wangji would do it.