Such a handsome boy, yet he's a mute.
Hearing the whispers of passersby.
A human trafficker, his eyes glinting sneakily, fixed on the boy and quietly followed him.
Not long after.
Zhan Xiaoli carefully took out the portrait he held in his embrace.
The portrait unfolded, and the woman's appearance was instantly revealed.
This was his mother.
A trace of longing and obsession flickered in his eyes; he was determined to find his mother.
"Child, are you looking for someone? Shall I help you find them? There's no one in the capital I don't know! You look familiar, the woman in your portrait. Let me have a good look, and perhaps I can remember who she is."
The human trafficker approached Zhan Xiaoli with a smiling face.
Zhan Xiaoli remained expressionless. Upon hearing that the man knew his mother from the portrait, he was about to eagerly step forward.
Suddenly.
He heard the human trafficker's thoughts.
'This little brat is so fair and tender, he'll fetch a good price! And he's a mute! Holding a portrait, he must have gotten lost from his family. Children from wealthy families are different! If I sell him to a pleasure house, he might go for several hundred taels. I won't have to worry for the next few years!'
Although the human trafficker was envisioning his profitable future, his face displayed the amiable smile of a helpful elder, "Child, trust your uncle, your mother is as beautiful as a celestial being. I know where she is."
Zhan Xiaoli's starry eyes narrowed coldly, his lips pressed together, giving off an aura of aloofness. Despite his young age, he possessed a commanding presence.
The human trafficker's heart skipped a beat. Why did this child suddenly look so intimidating?
He stared directly into the boy's eyes, as if able to see through his thoughts.
How could this be possible!
"Uncle knows you can't speak, but it's alright, don't be afraid!" The human trafficker stepped closer, reaching out as if to take Zhan Xiaoli's hand.
But in his heart, he thought, 'Just knock this little mute out! Hahaha, a fortune is coming my way!'
Zhan Xiaoli coldly turned around, intending to leave.
How could the human trafficker let a duck that was about to land in his mouth fly away?
He immediately revealed his true colors, "You little mute still want to run?! None of the children I've set my sights on have ever escaped!"
Upon hearing this, Zhan Xiaoli showed no fear, his expression remaining cold as he turned back.
Just as the human trafficker's hand was about to grab him.
As he was about to activate a hidden weapon on his hand.
Suddenly, a stray dog passing by the road lunged and bit the human trafficker's thigh!
The human trafficker yelped, "Ah! Get away, get away! Where did this stray dog come from?! Is it mad?! It's biting me!"
"Ah! It hurts so much! I'm going to kill you! I'll skin you alive!"
But the dog clung on as if rabid, refusing to let go no matter how much he kicked.
Zhan Xiaoli furrowed his brow, looking at the dog and then at the human trafficker.
This time, he heard no inner thoughts. The human trafficker was now being completely honest with his actions.
"It hurts so much! Damn dog! Get off!" the human trafficker shouted. He belatedly remembered the dagger he carried, usually used to scare children, and now it seemed to have found its purpose. He drew the dagger and was about to stab the dog.
Normally, a stray dog would have run away upon seeing a knife.
However, the dog seemed truly mad, continuing its relentless bite.
Just as his knife was about to strike the dog, the dog suddenly let go and lay on the ground, whimpering softly, appearing terrified.
"I'll skin you alive!" The human trafficker reached out to grab the dog lying on the ground.
At this moment, a childish giggle was heard, "Uncle trafficker, we meet again! Why are you bullying people again! You didn't keep your promise."