Chapter 100: Mist over the Cloth Shop

The morning in Beiping was cool, and Li Ping'an crouched under the eaves of a teahouse, exhaling a puff of white vapor. Opposite them was Lin's Cloth Shop, its floorboards still not removed, and the signboard gleamed in the morning light.

"Sir, add some more hot water?" the assistant said, carrying a large copper kettle over.

Li Ping'an waved a hand, his eyes still fixed on the opposite side. This was already the third day they had been staking out, and they had almost recognized everyone who came in and out of the cloth shop: Fat Accountant, Thin Assistant, the cloth‑carrying Li Ba… but they had not seen a girl like Pingle.

"Strange, indeed," they muttered. "By age, Pingle should be twelve this year, and ought to be helping out in the cloth shop by now."

When the sun rose higher, the cloth shop finally removed its door panel. The old shopkeeper wearing bifocals sauntered out, standing at the doorway to stretch. Li Ping'an noticed that his left hand was missing a little finger—this detail made their heart jump.

The Old Liu who bought Li Ping'an's sister back then was missing a little finger on his left hand!

Li Ping'an sprang to their feet, forgetting to pay for the tea, and rushed toward the opposite side. The assistant shouted from behind, "Sir! Your tea money!"

They couldn't bother to respond, and stormed straight into the cloth shop. The old shopkeeper was about to turn, but Li Ping'an grabbed his shoulder.

"Old Liu?" Li Ping'an's voice tightened.

The old shopkeeper's whole body stiffened, and he slowly turned around. In the instant their eyes met, Li Ping'an saw panic in his gaze.

"You… you must have mistaken me," the old shopkeeper forced calm, "My surname is Lin…"

Li Ping'an added force to their hand: "Four years ago, at Li Family Village in Henan, you bought an eight‑year‑old girl named Pingle from the Li family."

The old shopkeeper's face turned ashen: "You… you are…"

"I am her brother." Li Ping'an stared at him, "Where is my sister?"

The shop fell silent at once. Fat Accountant and Thin Assistant both stopped their work and looked over warily.

The old shopkeeper suddenly laughed: "So you're the big nephew! This isn't a place for talking; please go inside."

Li Ping'an squinted, releasing their grip. They wanted to see what tricks this Old Fox was up to.

Inside, the room was piled with cloth, a strong camphor smell filling the air. The old shopkeeper shut the door and suddenly fell to his knees with a thud!

"Sir Li! I'm sorry!" he slapped his own face repeatedly, "Back then I bought Pingle, but after only half a year… just…"

Li Ping'an's mind tightened: "So what?"

The cloth shop was raided by bandits! The old shopkeeper's face was mournful, "Those damned men robbed my shop, and Pingle… we don't even know where she went!"

Li Ping'an grabbed his collar: "What are you saying?"

"It's true! Absolutely true!" the old shopkeeper trembled, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, "I reported it to the authorities back then; if you go to the County Police Station to check the records, there will definitely be a file!"

Li Ping'an stared at him for a while, then suddenly laughed: "Old Liu, Old Liu, you really performed that act well."

He released his grip and said leisurely: "County Police Station files? In the thirtieth year of the Republic, when the Japanese Soldiers entered the city, the police station burned for a day and a night, and all the files were lost—your lie isn't clever at all."

The old shopkeeper instantly collapsed, limp on the ground.

At that moment, a shout came from outside the door from the Thin Assistant: "Shopkeeper! Someone from the Police Station is here!"

Li Ping'an's eyes sharpened, and they yanked the old shopkeeper: "Did you report it?"

"No! It's not true!" the old shopkeeper shouted, terrified, "Probably the neighbors heard the commotion…"

Before the words finished, the shop's door panel was kicked, booming: "Open the door! The Police Station is investigating!"

Li Ping'an released the old shopkeeper and swiftly scanned the interior. A small window in the back wall was just large enough for one person to pass.

"This won't end today," they whispered, "I'll come find you again."

Having said that, they cleanly flipped through the window and landed on the piles of cloth in the back yard. From the front door came the sound of it being broken, and police shouts rose and fell.

Li Ping'an crouched low and ran through the yard, just as they were about to scale the wall when a faint sound came from the side room—like a girl's sobbing?

Their steps halted. The police had already rushed into the back yard, leaving no time for a thorough check. They had to roll over the wall and land in the neighboring alley.

From beyond the wall came a police officer's curse: "Damn it! That kid got away!"

Li Ping'an leaned against the wall, catching their breath. That crying just now… could it have been Pingle?

They paced around the alley a few times, confirming no one was following, then returned to the rented courtyard. Upon entering, something felt wrong—the latch had been moved!

Li Ping'an silently drew their gun, slipped sideways into the house.

The house was empty, but a corner of the bedding was lifted. The iron box hidden there was gone!

He muttered a curse. "That trick of luring the tiger away from the mountain is really slick!"

Just as he was fuming, a knock came from outside the door: "Sir Li? Are you there?"

It was the landlord's voice. Li Ping'an put away the gun and opened the crack in the door.

The landlord forced a smile and handed over a cloth bag: "Someone just delivered it, saying it was yours that was left behind."

Li Ping'an took the cloth bag, feeling its weight. Opening it, it was the iron box, with everything inside unchanged. A note was taped to the lid:

"Sir Li, today's incident was a pure misunderstanding. Meet at Taoran Pavilion at dawn tomorrow. Come alone, otherwise my sister's safety cannot be guaranteed."

There was no signature; the handwriting was crooked, as if written with the left hand.

Li Ping'an squeezed the note, fingertips turning white. What a clever Old Fox, turning the tables!

He didn't close his eyes all night, his mind repeatedly pondering: If Old Liu really had kidnapped Pingle, why wait until now to blackmail? If it wasn't a kidnapping, why stage this act?

At dawn, he tidied up, slung the gun to his lower back, and tucked a dagger into his boot. Before leaving, he also slipped a hand grenade from his pocket—a souvenir seized when assaulting a Japanese Soldiers outpost, which he had never dared to use.

Taoran Pavilion was still shrouded in morning mist. Li Ping'an saw from afar a figure standing inside the pavilion, whose build resembled Old Liu.

He walked slowly forward, hand on his waist. About ten steps away, he suddenly sensed something wrong—the person was too short!

"Here?" the person turned, and it was the Thin Assistant!

Li Ping'an frowned: "Where is Old Liu?"

The Thin Assistant smiled: "The shopkeeper had an urgent matter, so he asked me to deliver a message." He handed over a cloth bag, "These are items for my sister."

Inside the cloth bag was a small floral jacket, faded from washing, with a character embroidered on the cuff. Li Ping'an recognized the garment—Pingle had been wearing it when she was taken!

His eyes welled up, but he forced himself to stay calm: "Where is my sister?"

The Thin Assistant pointed behind the pavilion: "She is waiting there for you." Then, lowering his voice, he added, "The shopkeeper asked me to give you this message: the events of those years have hidden circumstances; you must first agree not to use force before you can see her."

Li Ping'an stared at him for a while, then suddenly laughed: "Fine. As long as my sister is safe, everything is negotiable."

The Thin Assistant visibly relaxed: "Then, please, go ahead on your side."

Two people walked one after the other toward the back of the pavilion. Li Ping'an noticed the assistant's right hand constantly tucked in his lap, likely gripping a weapon.

They passed a reed marsh, and a dilapidated thatched hut came into view. The thin assistant stopped at the door: "Your sister is inside."

Li Ping'an's hand paused on the door. Inside, a faint breathing could be heard… but it was too heavy, not like a girl's.

He whirled around, his waist‑level gun already pressed against the thin assistant's forehead: "Who's inside?"

The thin assistant trembled with fear: "Y‑yes, it's your sister…"

Pull the trigger! If you don't tell the truth, I'll blow your brains out!

The thin assistant fell to his knees with a thud: "Master Li, spare me! Inside… it's Biao Ge's men…"

Before he finished speaking, the thatched hut door burst open and three knife‑wielding men rushed out. The leader sneered: "Li Ping'an! Biao Ge sent us to give you a gift!"

Li Ping'an kicked the assistant over, sidestepped the incoming slash, and a gunshot rang out, startling a flock of waterbirds.

Does Biao Ge really not fear death? He snorted coldly, raised his hand, and shot one man down.

The other two tried to flee, but Li Ping'an wouldn't let them. He swept one's legs with a hooking kick, tripping him, and pinned the other to a tree with a thrown knife.

In the blink of an eye, all three men lay on the ground. Li Ping'an grabbed the assistant by the collar: "Speak! Where is Old Liu?"

The assistant wet his pants: "In… in the cloth shop's cellar… Biao Ge's men went there too…"

Li Ping'an's heart sank. "Damn Biao, actually colluding with Old Liu!"

He tossed the assistant aside and sprinted back to town. Arriving at the cloth shop, the shutters were already barred, inside silent.

Li Ping'an went around to the rear, scaled the wall, and as soon as he landed he heard arguing from the cellar.

"...'No money, no hostage!' That was Biao's voice."

Old Liu was arguing: "We agreed on two hundred dollars—why are you hiking the price now?"

Damn it! Three of my brothers fell at Li Ping'an's hands—this extra hundred is compensation!

Li Ping'an crept up to the cellar entrance. Through a crack he saw Biao pointing his gun at Old Liu, with a bound girl beside him—the very girl who had been crying in the side room yesterday!

The girl looked about twelve or thirteen, her brows and eyes bearing a faint resemblance to their mother. Li Ping'an's heart pounded—could this really be Ping Le?

Just then Biao suddenly ripped the cloth gag from the girl's mouth: "Call your brother out! Or I'll blow this old man away!"

The girl's voice shook: "I… I don't know Li Ping'an…"

Li Ping'an blinked. That voice… wasn't Ping Le's!

Old Liu suddenly shouted: "Master Li! Don't mind me! This girl isn't Ping Le—Ping Le was already…"

A gunshot rang out. Old Liu clutched his chest and collapsed.

Li Ping'an kicked the cellar door open, raised his hand and fired two shots, knocking down Biao's men. Biao reacted instantly, yanking the girl in front of him as a shield.

Stay back! Or I'll kill her!' Biao snarled.

The cellar's dim oil lamp flickered. Li Ping'an suddenly noticed a birthmark on the girl's neck—identical to Ping Le's!

Ping Le?! He cried out in disbelief.

The girl jerked her head up, tears spilling: "Master Li…"

Biao laughed hysterically: "You never expected this, Li Ping'an! Your sister has actually been…"

Before he could finish, the girl suddenly lowered her head and sank her teeth into Biao's arm! He winced and loosened his grip, and Li Ping'an seized the moment to shoot him in the shoulder.

In the chaos, the girl lunged toward the fallen Old Liu:

Li Ping'an froze. "Father?"

Old Liu, breathing his last, grabbed the girl's hand: "Su Ya… Father sorry to you… sorry to Master Li… He looked at Li Ping'an again: 'Years ago, bandits raided the cloth shop… my daughter was defiled and died… I lost my mind… I left your sister behind as a replacement…"

Liu Suya burst into tears: "Father, stop saying that…"

Li Ping'an felt as if struck by lightning. So this girl is both Ping Le and not Ping Le?

Biao struggled to rise, but Li Ping'an stepped on his chest: "How did you two get together?"

Biao coughed up blood and chuckled: "Old Liu owed me a gambling debt… he said he'd use your sister as collateral… heh… Li Ping'an, you'll never find your real sister…"

Li Ping'an pulled the trigger.

The gunshot echoed in the cellar for a long time.

He looked at the embracing father and daughter, his feelings a tangled mix.

Liu Suya suddenly dropped to her knees and kowtowed: "Master Li! My father deserves punishment for his wrongs; please let me see him off on his final journey…"

Li Ping'an let out a long sigh, holstered his gun, walked over to Old Liu and squatted down: "Where exactly is my sister?"

Old Liu's gaze unfocused, his lips moved. Li Ping'an leaned in to hear, catching only a few words: "... sold to a wealthy household… surname…"

Before he could finish, his head lolled to the side and he breathed his last.

Liu Suya fell upon the corpse and wept bitterly.

Li Ping'an stood where he was, staring at the girl, his mind a blank void.

Four years of searching, and this is what it came to.

Real Ping Le, where exactly are you?