I froze as two soldiers blocked the alleyway.My heart pounded — what did they want from me?
"I… I didn't do anything wrong… I'm just going to McDonald's to get something to eat," I stammered.
They didn't reply at first — instead they kept comparing something on their phones.Then after confirming, one soldier squatted down and gently patted my head.
At his waist… a pistol glinted.I flinched.
"Kid, don't be afraid," he said softly."Do you know what this is?"
He turned his phone to me —
A picture of a blue-purple jade pendant.
My jade!
"Uncle! That's mine! Please — that is very, very important to me! Can you give it back? Please!"I begged desperately.
The two soldiers exchanged smiles.
"Your name is Xiao Shao? Almost six this year?"I nodded, confused how they knew my name.
One soldier immediately shouted into his radio:
"Notify all squads! Assemble at Sunshine Avenue! We've found the young master!"
I didn't understand any of it.
Within minutes…
Troops marched in.Military police vehicles roared past, blocking intersections.Traffic lights turned red everywhere.Barricades shot up like walls.
Fear took over me.
Why so many soldiers for a child like me?
The crowd grew thicker and thicker — soldiers… and more soldiers.
"The commander is on with General. We found the young master. Awaiting next orders."
"Wrap it up. Let the Su Family handle the rest."
Call disconnected.
The commander whispered:
"The Su Family… truly terrifying. The only male heir returning to Kyoto… what chaos will it cause?"
Suddenly — the roar of a sports car.
A black Maserati screeched to a stop.
A woman stepped out.
Her long legs struck my eyes first.Black uniform hugging a perfect silhouette.Her presence was elegant… commanding… and yet heartbreakingly gentle.
She walked toward me — eyes shimmering with mist.
Beautiful.The most beautiful sister I had ever seen.
"Xiao… come to Sister."
She crouched down… voice trembling.
"Come here… to Su Xinxiong."
I stepped back, nervous."I… I don't have a sister. You must be mistaken."
Her voice softened further:
"I am your sister. You are Su Xiao. Six years ago, a mistake at the hospital switched you. We found out too late. This jade pendant… was a gift from your parents."
She held out the pendant.
My pendant.
Is she… the sister Grandpa mentioned?
I… I have a family? A sister… this beautiful?
The joy hit me like a storm — then embarrassment followed.
I looked at my dirty clothes, my muddy skin.Would she… hate me for being filthy?
Su Xinxiong stood and reached for my hand.
Only then did she notice the little white puppy in my arms.
"Xiao… is this your pet?"
I petted the puppy."No… this is my friend. His name is Xiao Bai."
Her lips curved in a warm smile:
"A white dog called Xiao Bai…Little brother has naming talent."
She held me gently.
"Come home with Sister."
I nodded obediently — but when I saw the luxury car… I hesitated.
What if I make it dirty…?
"Don't be afraid." She leaned down and whispered,"Sister will never despise you. You are my little darling."
Soon, Sister took me to a bathhouse.Bodyguards escorted me in.
Over forty pounds of tiny child…
Yet they scrubbed off enough mud to form a whole pound of dirt.
One soldier collapsed dramatically.
"Who knew dirt could weigh this much…?"
Su Xinxiong stared, bewildered.
"What's wrong with you three? Why are you sweating again? You just showered him."
"In… in the bathroom… it's very stuffy!"All three answered in perfect unison.
(Reality: They had been massaging me like their lives depended on it.)
Then Sister walked over carrying Xiao Bai.
The little dog leapt from her arms — straight into mine.
Warm fur.Warm heart.
I… was no longer alone.