Trafford's Trading Club

”I need an explanation!”

Officer Ma spluttered at the policeman when he rushed to the hospital, even though Wang Yuechuan and Lin Feng came along with him.

”Officer Ma, we donʼt know.” The policeman confusedly said, ”We saw her being sent into the emergency room, but later, we were told she went missing!”

Ma Houde gave a start then clapped his hands, ”Missing, in the emergency room?”

The policeman did the same action as Officer Ma and said, ”Missing, in the emergency room.”

Officer Ma wordlessly waved his hands, ”Flew away?”

The policeman also repeated his action and nodded, ”Flew away.”

”What the hell! Why donʼt you tell me she turned into a ghost and went through the wall?”

The policeman hurriedly said, ”Is she really a ghost, Officer Ma? So many staff there didnʼt know how she went missing…”

Ma Houde showed a blank face, ”I donʼt know, what I know is that you wonʼt sleep tonight.”

”Why?”

”To look for her! You idiot!” Ma Houde furiously ordered, ”Notify everyone on duty to find her!”

”Yes, yes...”

As this policeman was about to run out, Ma Houde added, ”Wait a minute. Fully interrogate all the people present at that time.”

…

…

The sun still rose and people still had to face a new day.

”Xiaojun, have you packed all your things?” Uncle Mai loudly said to Mai Xiaojun, who was brushing teeth.

Mai Xiaojun vaguely answered in front of a drain, ”Yes! I have.”

Uncle Mai nodded and massaged his tired waist... He didnʼt sleep well---the sirens from the police officerʼs motorcycles woke him up at midnight. He couldnʼt help but shook his head at their ”professionalism”.

When he walked out of this alley with Mai Xiaojun, he greeted those people he met as usual.

”Excuse me, are you Uncle Mai?”

Suddenly, someone called him.

Uncle Mai turned around and saw a young man in ordinary clothes. He gave off an impression of stillness, it felt like the world became silent as he stood there.

”Who… are you?” Uncle Mai frowned--- he didnʼt find any memories of him.

The young man came over and crouched down with smile, ”Are you Mai Xiaojun?”

Mai Xiaojun nodded, ”But who are you? Are you here to ask my grandfather to pick up garbage?”

The young man smiled, ”Maybe later, but not today... Iʼm here to give you something.”

”Giving Xiaojun something?” Uncle Mai was stunned, ”Who are you?”

The young man stood up and said, ”Well, Uncle Mai. Iʼm a client from a charitable organization.”

”Charitable organization?” Uncle Mai was totally puzzled.

”Yes, a new charitable organization.” The young man showed a card to Uncle Mai, ”Our aim is to give poor children an opportunity to study. And Mai Xiaojun is a lucky child.”

”Are... Are you kidding?” Uncle Mai suspiciously frowned.

Looking at this card, he thought nothing would come for free… Maybe the young man was a swindler, but what he could get from a shabby old man?

”No, the company has been legally registered and it will expand.” The young man lightly said, ”If you donʼt believe, you can go there based on the address... Take his birth certificate and study information, you will get our free help.”

”Real...really?” Uncle Mai was surprised.

”Yes. Heʼs very lucky.” The young man said, ”But we have a small request.”

”I have no money!”

”No, no, no.” The young man smiled, ”You only need to sign a contract to promise that you will spend all these money on his studies. And if the child dies or is unable to continue studying we would hold his guardian accountable.”

”No problem!” Uncle Mai nodded, ”Absolutely no problem!”

The young man added, ”It may not be that much for every semester, but will be enough for all necessary expenses.”

Uncle Mai happily nodded, ”Thatʼs very good. You must have many children to help. How kind you are!”

”Iʼm just entrusted to tell you about it.” The young man shook his head, ”The members of the organization are other people… Well, they are now recruiting people, but it wonʼt be a problem.”

Uncle Mai didnʼt understand what he really wanted to say, he just touched the head of Mai Xiaojun, thinking if one day he had left, how would this child survive…

”This is another thing to give you.” The young man crouched down and handed a bag to Mai Xiaojun, ”It will come in handy one day.”

”Xiaojun, donʼt take things from strangers.” Uncle Mai glared at him. Mai Xiaojun reluctantly gave it back.

Unexpectedly, the young man shook his head and said, ”The person left a message for you.” Then he whispered in Mai Xiaojunʼs ear, ”Donʼt eat too much crunchy wafer. And you will meet your parents some day.”

When Mai Xiaojun raised his head from surprise, the young man had vanished from his sight.

”Well... gone so fast!” Uncle Mai scratched his head and murmured, ”Was he joking?”

Uncle Mai still doubted the kindness of the so-called charitable organization.

”Xiaojun, what did he give you?”

Mai Xiaojun opened the bag and in it was a Xinhua Dictionary in it.

…

After that day, Uncle Mai never saw the young man again. But whenever he collected garbage, he would see the name of the organization--- Gem Flower Fund on the screen. He thought maybe he should go there for a look…

…

…

”Dear customer, please read.” Boss Luo put a sheet of paper in front of Zhao Ru.

This detailed contract was very clear. The money belonged to a legal company and the company would continue.

”Gem Flower Fund... Why this name?”

Looking at the plant on the windowsill, Luo Qiu softly said, ”I just named it that, donʼt you like it?”

”No... no.” Zhao Ru lightly shook her head, ”Itʼs OK. Itʼs OK.”

She suddenly coughed, showing a painful smile. Then she went to the simple but exquisite dresser and sat on the cushion.

Zhao Ru combed her hair, tidied her collar up as usual, and put the light pink lipstick on. Her face became paler, but she didnʼt powder it.

She sat upright and quietly looked at the mirror. The club boss who was half kneeling behind her could also be seen in it.

”What did you see?”

In the mirror, she could not see herself.

”Canʼt you see it?” She lightly answered, ”Lots of… bright... gem flowers.”

She slowly closed her eyes, falling into arms of the club boss with a light smile, which was somehow brightened by the sunlight.

She said before, ”Itʼs small, simple with no more than two hours of sunlight every day...”

She had also said, that this place suited her.