The next day.
Liu Yutong arranged for someone to help Gao Min complete the hospital discharge procedures. Gao Min was relatively fortunate, having only suffered scrapes and bruises without any bone fractures. After a comprehensive check-up confirmed she was fine, she was cleared to leave the hospital.
Moreover, she had work waiting for her to handle... or more accurately, credit waiting to be claimed.
First, the hit-and-run driver who had fled had been apprehended. This wasn't particularly surprising, as Liu Yutong had already put in a word with Gu Yebai and his associates.
With the combined efforts of a strong police force and members of the Wanlong Hui in pursuit, the driver had no chance of escape.
Once caught, he was temporarily held in a makeshift holding area next to the hospital morgue. Like Master Jiu, he confessed voluntarily and provided related evidence.
Just like that, Gao Min found herself somewhat bewilderingly bestowed with the title of a people's police officer who had "bravely sustained injuries and made meritorious contributions to solving the case." Upon returning, she was guaranteed at least a Third-Class Merit, possibly even a Second-Class Merit.
If not for her young age and short time on the force, the accumulated credit from her merits alone would be more than enough for a promotion to District Bureau Chief.
Having resolved the matters concerning Gao Min, Liu Yutong, along with Yaya, prepared to bid her final farewell to Yaya's father before returning to Mingzhu City.
Back in Mingzhu City, a backlog of matters awaited her attention: the imminent opening of the first Wanlong Shopping Plaza, the Series B financing for Wanhui Youxuan, the school anniversary event, and so on.
She wouldn't have any free time in the short term.
After breakfast, Liu Yutong picked up Yaya, who had spent the night at a hotel, and first went to the cemetery to pay respects to Yaya's parents. Since Yaya's family essentially had no contact with relatives, there was no need for a formal memorial service; everything was kept simple.
In the cemetery, a gentle breeze whispered by.
Liu Yutong held Yaya's hand as they stood before a newly erected tombstone.
"Yaya, say goodbye to your mom and dad."
Yaya clutched a rabbit plush toy in her arms, a birthday gift from her father.
Then she earnestly bid farewell to her parents.
"Daddy, Mommy, Yaya is here. I brought the little bunny Daddy bought for me too. It's been bathed and smells nice."
"Mommy, look, I've memorized Sister Tongtong's phone number, 158... umm... I'm still memorizing the rest."
"Daddy, I brushed my teeth by myself at the hotel yesterday, I didn't ask Sister for help... I want to be a brave child, so Yaya hasn't cried these past few days..."
"I'll tell you a secret, Sister bought me a new schoolbag, a pink one, because I'm going to school in Mingzhu City."
"I'll also eat well, drink milk every day, and when I grow up, Yaya can come see you by myself."
"......."
After saying her goodbyes, Liu Yutong took her hand and turned to leave. Only then did the tears Yaya had been holding back well up and spill over. She waved her little hand towards the tombstone behind them.
"Goodbye, Daddy. Goodbye, Mommy..."
............
Yaya's home was located in an old six-story residential complex in a somewhat suburban area of Danan City. It was an old house left by Yaya's grandparents, later passed down to her father. Although it only had two bedrooms and a living room, it was worth several hundred thousand yuan nowadays.
Of course, the house hadn't been worth much in the past due to its relatively remote location. If not for the rising property prices in recent years, Yaya's father might have sold it long ago to pay off debts.
However, this area had development potential in the future. Old residential complexes like theirs were likely candidates for demolition and redevelopment, in which case compensation of several million yuan wouldn't be a problem.
As Liu Yutong led Yaya to the foot of their building, they ran into the neighbor auntie from apartment 502 across the hall.
"Hello, Granny!"
"Yaya, you're back?"
This neighbor auntie was the kind-hearted one who had taken Yaya to the scene of her father's accident a few days prior. In truth, she had regretted it afterward—how could she have taken a child to such a scene?
Fortunately, the child had good fortune and was taken in by a wealthy person.
Liu Yutong also politely expressed her thanks: "Auntie, thank you for always looking after Yaya."
"Ah, it's nothing. Yaya is like my own granddaughter. Her father was busy with work, so I was often the one picking her up from and dropping her off at kindergarten. This child is so sensible; every time I brought her back, she'd fish out a little candy from her pocket that her teacher had given her as a reward for me..."
Halfway through, the auntie suddenly realized: "Are you here to pack up their things?"
Liu Yutong nodded: "Yes, I plan to take Yaya back to Mingzhu City."
Although reluctant to see Yaya go, the auntie knew this was the best outcome for her. She then warmly led them upstairs.
"Come on, come on upstairs first. Yaya's home is 501. Their lock is a bit old too; you have to lift it up a little to turn it open..."
"Oh, do you need help packing? I have large woven bags and cardboard boxes at home..."
Liu Yutong shook her head: "Thank you, Auntie, but that won't be necessary. I brought some people with me."
Only then did the auntie notice the seven or eight figures in black who had appeared behind them at some point.
"Well... just call if you need anything. Yaya, you must come visit Granny when you're on holiday, okay?"
Yaya nodded vigorously: "I will miss Granny. When I learn how to write, I'll write letters to Granny."
"Good, good..."
The auntie turned away, wiping her eyes. "Then Granny won't disturb your packing. Just knock if you need help, alright?"
Liu Yutong thanked her again: "We appreciate your trouble!"
After the exchange, Liu Yutong took Yaya, opened the door, and entered the apartment.
Having been unoccupied for several days, a thin layer of dust had settled in the rooms, lending a sense of quiet desolation.
Yaya hugged her rabbit plush tightly, her big eyes looking around the familiar yet somehow strange home. She whispered, "Sister, the house is a little dirty."
"It's okay, we'll clean it up."
Liu Yutong patted her head and said to the Wanlong Hui members behind her, "Be gentle. Focus on packing Yaya's and her parents' photos, albums, Yaya's certificates of merit, and items of sentimental value. Leave the furniture and other large items as they are."
"Yes, Young Miss!"
Everyone immediately set to work, dividing tasks and beginning to pack.
Liu Yutong sat on the sofa with Yaya, flipping through a photo album filled mostly with pictures of Yaya growing up—from her hundred-day photos to her first birthday, everything was there. As they looked and chatted, their laughter grew louder.
Not long after, Yun Cheng and Ma Da arrived.
They had come to say goodbye to Liu Yutong.
One was about to head to BS Province, the other was going abroad.
