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The little girl's features were not fully developed yet, but she had big eyes and a slightly prominent nose, bearing some resemblance to Lu Ming.
I had just heard about Lu Ming having a child at the last gathering. He was about the same age as Wang Nan, and now he already had a child in elementary school. I couldn't describe the shock I felt at that moment.
Perhaps it was a bittersweet jealousy, realizing that others had what I could not attain.
Dong Lu put her phone away and spoke casually, "Now that you've seen her clearly, just bring the child to the company. I have to go on a business trip later, and they won't be able to manage, so I'll trouble you with this."
"Sister Lu, isn't that a bit inappropriate? After all, I'm a stranger. Lu Zong's daughter wouldn't just come with me."
This was my instinctive concern, especially with the frequent news about young children being abducted. Being mistaken for someone who traffics children would be troublesome.
"It won't happen," Dong Lu paused before continuing, "The teacher has been notified; you can just go pick her up."
"Why?" I asked in confusion. "That seems very unsafe."
As soon as I finished speaking, Dong Lu looked at me with a meaningful gaze. The fast food in front of her was only half-eaten. She elegantly took out a napkin to wipe her mouth and then said softly, "Xiao Jun, worrying about the world's troubles isn't good. Don't worry; everything will be fine."
From Dong Lu's brief explanation, I speculated that Lu Ming and his daughter might have experienced emotional turmoil due to his divorce. I didn't know who Lu Ming's ex-wife was or why they divorced.
But I thought that his daughter probably hadn't received much love.
"Alright then, I'll get back to work," Dong Lu said as she stood up. Just as she was about to leave, she paused as if realizing something: "Call Lu Shuang."
After Dong Lu left, I realized that I hadn't agreed or disagreed with her. From her demeanor, it seemed she was determined to have me go. After all, I was just an idle drifter at the moment; going along wouldn't hurt.
I spent the afternoon back at the hotel and left at four o'clock to avoid traffic. When I arrived at the school, classes hadn't let out yet, but there were already a few parents waiting outside. They didn't know each other but started chatting out of boredom while waiting.
Most of them mentioned how there were many human traffickers around these days and how several young children had gone missing recently. Parents stood outside in the cold winter waiting but felt reassured as long as their children were safe.
I heard them talking about the trivial matters of children, and suddenly I found happiness in their ordinary stories. A few years ago, before I got married, I had imagined a family with Wang Xu. I envisioned having a son and a daughter with him, imagining myself standing in the cold winter waiting for the kids to come home from school, complaining about the weather yet feeling content.
I thought it would come naturally, but that was just my assumption.
Not long after, the school bell rang, and after a few minutes, a few students trickled out. Afraid of missing my child, I could only stand at the door anxiously waiting, even though Dong Lu said the teacher would always bring her out.
But I still felt uneasy, scanning each young face until the crowd of students thinned out again, and then I finally saw Lu Shuang being led out by the teacher.
It was my first time meeting Lu Ming's child. When our eyes met, I felt a bit awkward. I explained my purpose to the teacher, who nodded and handed Lu Shuang over to me.
"Shuangshuang, let's go home with Auntie today. Be careful on the way. Goodbye, Shuangshuang," the teacher said warmly while waving at Lu Shuang.
Lu Shuang seemed a bit indifferent; she waved her small hand and replied, "Goodbye, Teacher Liao."
After the teacher left, it was just me and Lu Shuang. I hadn't practiced being alone with a small child yet and didn't know what to say at first. Instead, it was Lu Shuang who lifted her little head to look at me.
"Are you taking me home?"
"No, I'm taking you to your dad's company."
"Which company?"
"The one on Nanjing Road."
"Okay."
Lu Shuang was easier to interact with than I had imagined. Once we got into the taxi, she quietly looked out the window. I wasn't sure what she was looking at or thinking about.
Arriving at the bottom of the building, Lu Shuang seemed to know better than I did how to get to the office. As we reached the entrance, I made eye contact with Zhang Xiao Ai. I awkwardly smiled at her, and after a complex look in her eyes, she managed a forced smile before looking down at Lu Shuang, who then broke into a genuine smile and greeted her.
Lu Shuang didn't react much and walked straight inside. I felt relieved after watching her enter with her small backpack and planned to call Dong Lu to report in. Unexpectedly, Lu Shuang turned around again and stood in front of me, looking up at me.
On the other end of the phone, Dong Lu answered, "Xiao Jun, what's up?"
Her tone sounded a bit busy.
"I've picked up Lu Shuang and brought her to the office. I'll be leaving now."
"Thanks for your help," Dong Lu replied.
"Are you not going to keep me company?" Lu Shuang asked as she stood in front of me.
"What?"
Lu Shuang raised her small hand and grabbed my dangling right hand finger. She asked if I would accompany her, leaving me unable to refuse.
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