On a night buzzing like a beehive, a petite silhouette drifted down the street, gold threads of hair leaking from her hood like spilled sunlight. I knew not tying my hair would bite me; I kept tucking runaway strands back like chasing minnows, but the real gut-punch was this—walked out the door and forgot where home even is.
Her stomach answered with a gurgle, like a kettle starting to sing, and the Little Loli almost clawed her hair. Forgot to eat while wandering; I think I only pecked a few bites this morning. She rubbed her flat belly like smoothing a drum skin and peered around like a sparrow on a wire. No food around here? I’m starving… She scowled, stormclouds brewing behind her eyes. I’ve never gone hungry, not once—dammit, how did I fall this low.
Under dim lamps like tired moons, the petite figure huddled in a black hoodie, fists clutching the hem like clinging to a raft, her flawless face brimming with grievance like spring rain. One more minute without food and I’ll cry right here, just watch me.
Outside a baozi shop glowing like a warm lantern, a hooded Little Loli stood perfectly still, a pebble in the stream of traffic; passersby glanced, then slid on, the hood’s shadow hiding gold hair and a doll-perfect face.
Baozi, heh—my favorite—big, soft buns, juicy and tender… The words sounded wrong, like a joke slipping in sideways, and she drooled as her eyes flashed gold like coins in sunlight. The Little Loli’s pale, tiny hands pushed the door, a white moth into the light.
Welcome, these are tonight’s best-sell— The clerk’s voice tripped, each syllable snagging like thread on a thorn, as the face under the hood hit like moonrise over snow. The Little Loli tiptoed, chin lifted like a sprout seeking sun, starry eyes firing a point-blank volley, and her syrup-sweet voice landed the crit: Hi, could I have one baozi? The double strike—cute eyes and lethal voice—KO’d the clerk on the spot.
Right away! The clerk’s smile bloomed like a peony, as if serving the Little Loli were a festival honor. A-Fang, bring baozi! What, delivery? Quit yapping and bring a few, move! She spun back, cradling buns like warm clouds. So sorry for the wait—any extras are on me; you only pay for one.
Thanks. The Little Loli paid, took the bun, and tossed a sugar-sweet smile over her shoulder like a tossed flower, then lowered her head and left. What a rare, adorable Little Loli; swapping a few buns for that smile is pure profit, the clerk leered to himself, drifting into daydreams like steam into night air.
Chomp—so good, like a hot spring in winter—pure ambrosia. The Little Loli nibbled in tiny bites like a squirrel, and without noticing, the bun was gone.
Happiness unlocked. She patted her slightly rounded belly like tapping a drum and glowed inside. Hunger solved; how do I get home, though? So annoying, so annoying. She raked her hair, impatience crackling like dry straw.
Follow the thread of memory back. I think it’s this way. She eyed a sign like a pointing finger, then walked with her head down, a leaf riding the current.
People thinned out like retreating tide; maybe it’s late already? Blast it, I left without the one thing that matters—my phone. So dumb it hurts. She squatted, clutching her head like a hedgehog curling up, forgetting one fatal fact: a Little Loli alone at midnight is bait on a hook.
Boss, see that? A little girl up ahead, yeah, the hooded one, carrying a bag—how ’bout we grab her and then… Thug A snickered, words greasy as smoke, to a man in sunglasses at night. The boss nodded, a peacock in the dark. We’ll tail her a bit; if it’s clear, we move. Why sunglasses at night? Because I’m the boss—gotta look different.
Boss is wise, boss is wise, the lackeys chirped, a flock echoing their crow.
Home seems right ahead; I know this corner—where that creepy uncle bugged me. Turn here and I’m home—yes! The Little Loli hopped like a sparrow, but plans lose to sudden squalls.
Hey, little sister, where you headed? Our boss’s been waiting a long time, heh-heh. Three, four shadows darted in like wolves, circling the Little Loli and closing the ring.
Who are you, what do you want! Panic hit first, a cold plunge; only then did Wu Hao register danger. In the shuffle, the hood slipped like a fallen veil, and gold hair fanned out like sunlight over water; the little face, pure as carved jade, lay bare to the night.
Every thug froze, eyes snagged like fish on a hook. Such a beauty—jackpot. Grab her fast; the boss will shower us after this, Thug A hissed, greed glittering like broken glass.
Wu Hao’s heart lurched, a bird hitting a window; this body was a Little Loli—zero fight power. Damn you, what do you want—take me home to warm your bed? The Little Loli snapped, cheeks flushing pink like peach blossom.
Kekeke, that’s right—we’ll snatch you to warm beds. What can you do, pretty thing? Thug A grinned, and the others smirked like hyenas scenting meat.
Brothers, please don’t— I haven’t seen my parents all day; if I don’t go back tonight, they’ll worry. Her eyes welled, two clear springs ready to spill. Hmph, no use selling cute; you’re ours tonight. Grab her—we move. One thug scooped the Little Loli up like lifting a porcelain doll. Don’t struggle, little miss, or that pretty face will get all blotchy from tears.
This is bad. Wait for a gap—run, or call the cops if I can. Resignation dulled the edges like fog, and Wu Hao let himself be carried, planning with clenched teeth.
