Chapter 173: Broadcast

Although the announcer’s English wasn’t fluent enough to hold a conversation with a native speaker, it was sufficient for addressing an 11-year-old girl.

As the announcer’s clear and melodious voice echoed through the mall in English, Takeshima Shinobu, seated in the broadcast room, felt her anxiety ease slightly.

During a pause in the announcements, the announcer poured her a cup of tea. “Please don’t worry too much. This happens often, and we usually find them quickly.”

“Thank you,” Takeshima Shinobu replied absentmindedly, her eyes vacant.

She deeply regretted taking Amy out of the children’s section. If she hadn’t, they wouldn’t have gotten separated. If Amy couldn’t be found, she had no idea what she would do.

Overwhelmed by guilt and fear, Takeshima Shinobu’s thoughts spiraled into despair until she finally broke down in tears again.

Thankfully, Amy was already 11 years old. Otherwise, seeing Takeshima Shinobu so distraught, the announcer might have mistaken her for an unwed mother searching for her missing child.

Meanwhile, Kazumi was also doing her best to search for the missing Amy.

To locate the little girl her brother cared so much about, the usually reserved Kazumi began patrolling the area, asking nearby shoppers for any clues.

Fifteen minutes later, she had searched two entire floors but still found no sign of Amy. Occasionally, she could hear the English announcements echoing through the mall, indicating that Takeshima Shinobu hadn’t had any luck either.

Could Amy have already left the mall?

The thought made Kazumi worry even more. If Amy had indeed gone outside, a beautiful little girl who didn’t speak the local language would be in great danger without an adult accompanying her.

Despite her growing concern, Kazumi couldn’t think of a better solution. For now, she decided to return to the second floor and start her search again from the beginning.

Contrary to Kazumi’s fears, Amy was still inside the mall, hiding in a secluded corner. However, she wasn’t alone.

A middle-aged man in his forties stood before her. He wasn’t someone Amy knew.

After confirming no one was paying attention to them, the man smiled at the little girl and said, “Good kids listen to adults. Be a good girl and let Uncle take you to your mom.”

Amy didn’t respond. She simply shrank into the corner, her eyes wide with fear as she stared at him.

Seeing her trembling like a frightened little animal only excited the man further. He had never seen such a beautiful little girl. Even if he had to use force, he was determined to take her away. To others, she would just look like a child throwing a tantrum.

“Come on, Uncle will take you to your mom now. Let’s go,” he said as he reached out to grab her small arm.

As soon as he touched her, Amy struggled with all her might to break free. Although she didn’t know what the man wanted, her natural ability to sense emotions and distinguish good from evil made her instinctively afraid of him.

“You’re being naughty again. Come with me now, or Daddy won’t bring you here next time,” the man said loudly, noticing a middle-aged woman glancing in their direction.

After the nosy middle-aged woman walked away, the man wasted no time. He forcefully pulled the huddled little girl to her feet.

The girl screamed and struggled harder, her voice in English. Hearing this, the man felt more at ease—this way, he didn’t have to worry about being questioned by others.

“If I had known you’d be so naughty, I wouldn’t have brought you here. Just wait until we get home—I’ll teach you a lesson!” he shouted loudly, intentionally raising his voice as he tried to lift her up.

He planned to take her to the mall’s parking lot and shove her into his car. The thought filled him with such excitement that he felt a shiver run through his body.

Just then, a hand silently rested on his shoulder.

A clear and calm young man’s voice came from behind. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Hearing the voice, the little girl froze for a moment before crying out excitedly, “Lei!”

The man turned his head to see who was speaking, unaware of the girl’s reaction. When he realized it was a young man who was clearly too young to be the girl’s father, he let out an awkward laugh and said, “Don’t misunderstand—she’s my daughter. She’s just throwing a tantrum, so I’m taking her home.”

“Is that so? Funny, because her father passed away two years ago. Don’t you dare lay your filthy hands on her again!”

Lei Yin’s hand, which had been resting on the man’s shoulder, suddenly gripped his neck. With one powerful motion, he shoved the man backward.

The force slammed the man against the wall with a loud thud. He felt an excruciating pain throughout his body, as if his bones were breaking, and let out a scream he couldn’t suppress.

The noise of the impact and his screams drew the attention of everyone nearby.

Blinded by rage, Lei Yin didn’t stop there. He grabbed the man by the neck and threw him across the floor. Hearing the man’s screams wasn’t enough to vent his fury—he wanted him to suffer.

The man flew three meters away, landing near a fruit stand. Countless apples spilled from the overturned stand, scattering across the floor. Several middle-aged women near the stand screamed in fright, adding to the chaos.

Despite his overwhelming anger, Lei Yin’s training allowed him to maintain clarity of thought. This instinctual control had become second nature to him. Though he wanted to kill the man on the spot, the growing crowd of onlookers made him realize this wasn’t the right moment.

Suppressing his rage, he walked over and lifted the man off the ground with ease.

“Don’t let me see your disgusting face again. Now get lost!” he snarled before throwing the man back onto the floor.

Though his entire body ached, the man scrambled to his feet and fled toward the exit as fast as he could, practically crawling away.

Lei Yin turned back to Amy and asked in the calmest voice he could muster, “You okay, kiddo?”

“Lei!” The little girl burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.

“It’s okay now. Let’s go.” Lei Yin picked her up and gently comforted her.

Amy said nothing, clinging tightly to his neck.

He let out a small sigh of relief. Thankfully, she wasn’t frightened by his earlier outburst.

When they reached the second floor, Lei Yin noticed several mall security guards with walkie-talkies heading up to the third floor, where the commotion had occurred moments ago.

Without lingering, Lei Yin continued carrying the girl toward the broadcast room.