"Thank you, sheriff, for helping us out. Although I still have doubts about the last twenty dollars, we are not unreasonable people. I understand your difficulties. Maintaining the security of a town is not an easy task," Wendy said to the sheriff after Bacchus and his men left.
The latter was amused by the girl's grown-up words. "I am glad that you can understand and cooperate with me, ma 'am. Your father is not so reasonable …"
However, he seemed to realize that he had spilled the beans, and a look of chagrin appeared on the sheriff's face.
"Wait, you know me, and you know my father. How is that possible?" Wendy's eyes widened.
"Your father and I are friends. He loves you very much, and he has shown me your photos several times." The sheriff had to admit it.
"But I have never heard my father mention you."
"Well, maybe it's because each of us has a past that we don't want to talk about."
"What past?" Wendy asked.
"I'm afraid I don't want to talk about it. It means that I don't want others to know about it," the sheriff said.
"Please, my father is missing now. It's probably related to what you said," Wendy said.
"Your father disappeared? When?" The sheriff was stunned.
"I don't know the exact time. Just 15 days ago, he said he had a business to discuss and left home. Mom and I thought it would be the same as usual and he would be back in a few days. That's what he told us. However, it's already past the deadline he promised, but he still hasn't come home."
"So, is that why you came out? Wait, does your mother know you are in Glen Town now? "The sheriff said while glancing at Zhang Heng.
"Mr. Zhang was hired by me to help me find my father. He is also responsible for my safety along the way," Wendy said. "He is an excellent gunman."
"Is that so? Those excellent gunmen I know don't end up well. On the contrary, those who don't carry guns live longer."
"I disagree. If I had a gun, what happened just now wouldn't have happened," Wendy said.
The sheriff smiled and did not refute. Some things were beyond the understanding of young people at his age. He then said sincerely, "You should go home. Your father will handle his own affairs. You just need to wait at home."
"But unfortunately, I'm not the kind of person who would sit at home and wait for something bad to happen and then accept it." Wendy said stubbornly. "If the storm comes, I will walk into it. So, whether you are willing to help me or not, I will continue to search for my father."
"But you are only twelve years old."
"Twelve is old enough, Sheriff."
The sheriff was speechless. After a while, he said, "How about this? I still have some urgent things on hand, and I really can't leave. Give me a week, and I'll find your father for you."
"Thank you for your kindness, but I've been delayed for a long time. I'm afraid I can't wait another week. I think it's better for me to do this myself," Wendy politely but firmly refused.
"With all due respect, Wendy, you're too young to understand this world, especially those … dark corners. You may know a person's face, but you don't know his heart. You can't just drag anyone along with you." The sheriff was straightforward this time.
"Mr. Zhang is a good man. I can see that even without living to your age. But you, Mr. Sheriff, you suddenly appeared and claimed to know my father, but my father has never mentioned you to me. How can I believe what you said?" Wendy paused. "Maybe my father's disappearance has something to do with you."
"What a sharp tongue." The sheriff did not get angry when he was questioned. Instead, he laughed and said, "Matthew has a good daughter. Well, it seems that I can't stop you, ma 'am, but please at least let me give you a ride when you leave tomorrow. You have just offended Cruise. He and his former Ranger friends still have a lot of power in the area."
"Thank you, Sheriff. After I find my father, I will tell him that you helped me out tonight."
…
After what happened, Wendy could no longer continue to inquire about her father's whereabouts in the bar. After bidding farewell to the sheriff, she ordered two apple pies and returned to the hotel with Zhang Heng.
"You should listen to him," Zhang Heng said. "Now it seems that there is a reason behind your father's disappearance. Since he is hiding it from you, he doesn't want you to know."
"If that's the case, you won't get your reward."
"I can still do other bounties to make money," Zhang Heng said calmly. "Also, remember what I said before?"
"You told that guy to never leave the county town if he can?"
"Not that. Earlier, I told you not to get into trouble. You promised me, and that's why I asked you to investigate the bar."
"I didn't get into trouble. I told him that he touched me first," Wendy emphasized.
"Then you turned around and took out your knife, intending to stab him to death?"
"My father told you that when you are the shortest and the weakest person in the room, you have to be the toughest. That way, others will not dare to mess with you because they know that there is a price to pay."
"Then you were pressed on the table, and your palm was almost cut off." Zhang Heng stopped and looked into Wendy's eyes. "Hey, child, listen. I can't guarantee that I will always appear when you are in danger. You could have come back and asked me to deal with it."
Wendy was silent for a moment and said, "The people in the town don't like our family. My father is often absent, and my mother is illiterate. I am used to solving everything on my own."
"But didn't you pay me to solve these things for you?" Zhang Heng said, "You have to promise me that you will not be so reckless when you encounter such things again. Otherwise, I will send you home."
"There is an agreement between us. You promised to help me find my father," Wendy protested when she heard what he said.
"Yes, the agreement also states that you have to listen to me. So, it means that when I tell you to stop, we have to stop. When I feel that we can't go on anymore, we will go home."
"That's too cunning," Wendy said unhappily. "You are cheating."
"You can understand it that way. Come on, repeat after me now. Sir, I know I was wrong. I will choose other ways to solve the problem in the future."
"…"
"You'd better tell me quickly, or I will leave you with the sheriff. It looks like he is quite interested in sending you home."
"I know I was wrong. I will choose other ways to solve the problem in the future," Wendy turned her neck and whispered reluctantly.
"Very well, I am glad that we have reached a consensus again. Take your apple pie back to your room to eat. We have to get up early tomorrow morning and set off," Zhang Heng said. Zhang Heng said, "Also, I helped you pay the 20 dollars. Put it on your account, and you will pay me when you settle the bill."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
