The Gaze of the Radio Girl (GL) - Chapter 12

In Xue Ran’s understanding, Wu Lele was face-blind.

To maintain basic social interactions, she had her own unique way of identifying people.

Method one: “Role” naming, like class monitor, sports captain, English teacher, or old Mr. Biology.

Method two: “Image” naming, like calling the tall, dark Hu Lei a chocolate pole.

Method three: Categorizing individuals with codes, like Class 6 Senior Year 3’s other members as Classmate A, Classmate B, Classmate C…

In Wu Lele’s mental map, people were like the cast list at the end of a drama, with key figures at the top, and others named for convenience.

Yet Tao Tao and the Deep Space Witch were among the few at the top, granted exclusive names.

This was the main reason Xue Ran envied the Deep Space Witch.

Later, she thought, her closeness to Wu Lele was just Tao Tao’s coercion and incentives. She’d done her part as a good person without losing much, so dwelling on it seemed petty. Whenever jealousy flared, she consoled herself: Whatever, just a classmate.

Until Wu Lele called her name in the dark.

“…Xue… Ran?”

Not class monitor, not tied to the Deep Space Witch, but her full name, Xue Ran, Class Monitor Xue Ran.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

Looking at the rolling fire extinguisher and scattered glass, Xue Ran tightened her arms, feeling like she was losing it.

Many things could drive her mad—the layered bruises on Wu Lele’s shoulders, the cigarette burns along her waist. Not asking didn’t mean she wasn’t curious.

Using the excuse of taking her home, she wanted to see for herself, and the answer was glaringly obvious.

—Your hair’s grown long. Looks nice, just like your mom’s.

The moment the door closed, the surging smoke reminded her of Wu Lele’s scars.

Wu Haosen’s voice was so gentle, yet laced with subtle threats and intense control.

Wu Lele could never stand up to him.

She stood at the door for a while, hearing no sound inside.

Maybe she was overthinking?

Or perhaps Wu Lele didn’t want her to know.

That night, she slept in Xue Lin’s room.

The radio stayed on all night, but she got nothing—not even the usual problem-solving session vanished into the darkness.

She had a sinking feeling things were heading toward danger.

She recalled Wu Lele’s refusal to show her legs, even cutting her pants; the two bucks saved by getting off a stop early; the nonexistent phone; and the radio as her only link to the outside.

She decided if Wu Lele didn’t send word by morning, she’d storm over.

The message came abruptly.

Xue Ran, just finished in the bathroom, heard Wu Lele’s hoarse voice—she was still doing problems?

Ignoring the hospital reminder, she kept going.

What was going on?

Even the Deep Space Witch’s words didn’t work anymore?

A nightmare-like crash came, Wu Haosen’s roar cut off by a screech.

The connection ended.

Xue Ran froze, heart pounding.

—Beep beep beep beep—beep—beep—beep beep beep.

—Beep beep beep beep—beep—beep—beep beep beep.

—Beep beep beep beep—beep…

Translated: S·O·S.

Wu Lele was calling for help…

Xue Ran grabbed her keys and phone, rushing out.

Damn it, she shouldn’t have left yesterday!

She called a Didi, but every route was jammed, the nearest car ten minutes away… damn holidays!

She gave up, sprinting to the subway.

Her mind raced.

Her opponent was an adult man, Wu Lele’s family. She couldn’t win in strength or bl00d ties—she needed help.

She thought of Xue Lin first.

But Xue Lin didn’t know Wu Lele. Wu Lele was shy with strangers—what if it backfired?

What about Tao Tao?

Running, she dialed Tao Tao.

Tao Tao, still asleep, was jolted awake: “Wu Lele’s in danger. I’m heading to her place.”

As head teacher, Tao Tao likely knew the most about Wu Lele’s family.

No need for more words, Tao Tao ordered: “I’m coming. Call the police now and wait at the complex gate. Don’t act alone until me and the police arrive.”

By distance and timing, Xue Ran would get there first.

Was Tao Tao saying to stand by while Wu Lele was hurt?

“But!”

“Ran, if you’re alone, that kid will forget herself.”

…

Axe, scissors, scattered hair.

Xue Ran stood in front of Wu Lele, her slim back shielding her from Wu Haosen’s threat.

In her eyes, she saw the red gash on Wu Lele’s neck and her bewildered expression.

Wu Lele was like a ragdoll, discarded by an immature adult.

Two police officers rushed in.

Thanks to Xue Ran’s recklessness, Wu Haosen had stumbled and was now shakily standing.

He said: “I was just cutting my daughter’s hair. What’s this? You’re policing haircuts now? That’s a wide reach.”

Tao Tao: “What about the cut on Lele’s neck?”

“Kid’s clumsy, scratched herself. Some medicine’ll fix it.”

Tao Tao pointed at the chaotic, terrifying bedroom and door: “Cutting hair needs smashing doors? Chopping computers?”

“I said, the kid’s naughty, didn’t want a haircut. I had no choice.”

This wasn’t Tao Tao’s first clash with Wu Haosen. He was practiced, feigning innocence, smooth-talking—quite the effort.

Xue Ran glared at him, cutting in coldly: “Lele’s mine. I’m taking her.”

Wu Haosen’s innocent mask cracked.

That was his sore spot.

Xue Ran held Wu Lele’s head, covering her ears, hiding her face in her shoulder, continuing: “From now on, she lives with me. You don’t touch her.”

“Kid,” Wu Haosen stepped closer, “who are you to her? Got bl00d ties? Everyone knows daughters live with family, not classmates.”

“Then I’ll make Lele my family.”

“You… what?”

“I said,” Xue Ran spoke deliberately, “I’ll make Lele my family.”

Wu Haosen froze, stroking his sparse hair, pacing.

“Heh, family,” he mocked. “One after another, ‘family’ pops out of nowhere, then runs off. What are you? What are you!”

His mood swung—gentle one moment, vicious the next, unpredictable.

Still chuckling, he lunged, grabbing the axe and charging at Xue Ran.

Xue Ran was scared but had no choice.

She’d taken a risk to expose the devil’s true nature.

She trusted the two officers were brave and fast enough.

Unexpectedly, Wu Lele was faster.

Perhaps knowing Wu Haosen’s ways or predicting his move, she struggled in Xue Ran’s arms, reaching out.

In the chaos, she grabbed the scissors.

Holding the red handle, she faced Wu Haosen, one arm clutching Xue Ran, pressing her tightly to her chest, shielding her.

“Don’t touch her!”

Wu Lele’s scream was hysterical.

“You can’t touch her!”

Wu Haosen froze.

In that moment’s hesitation, the officers pinned him down.

Hysterical Wu Lele held on tight.

Xue Ran’s ear pressed to her chest, hearing her heart pound.

—Thump—thump—thump.

So frail, trembling all over, yet so desperate to protect her.

Why, Lele?

The one you should protect is yourself.

In that moment, Xue Ran understood why Tao Tao said, “That kid will forget herself.”

Wu Lele always seemed to forget herself, something Xue Ran should’ve known.

After all, she was the fool who’d keep running on the track without a care.

Her loose sleeve slid down from the movement, revealing a gruesome scar at her elbow.

The officers’ breath hitched; Tao Tao turned away, pained.

Xue Ran gently looked up, hugging Wu Lele’s pale face. Her cold fingers brushed her shoulder, smoothing the sleeve’s wrinkles.

The sleeve fell, covering the scar with Xue Ran’s touch.

She took Wu Lele’s trembling right hand, removing the bloodied scissors.

Clang, they hit the floor.

Xue Ran whispered: “Lele, come home with me.”

“…Home?”

Wu Lele looked around, dazed, as if waking from a dream.

“Yeah, our home.”

Xue Ran fixed her hair, brushed off dust, and wiped the bl00d from her neck with a handkerchief.

Watching Wu Lele, Wu Haosen, before being taken away, suddenly wept, wailing: “Lele, you don’t want Dad anymore?”

Wu Lele looked at him, lost.

“Lele, Daddy loves you. Don’t abandon Daddy, okay?”

“Lele, they’re gonna lock Daddy up. Tell the police uncles we were just cutting hair, okay? Lele, okay?”

“Lele, speak! If you don’t, you’ll never see Daddy again. I’m your only family…”

Xue Ran used her shoulder to block Wu Lele’s view, covering her ears again.

Officer: “Got a lot to say, huh? Say it back at the station.”

Another turned to Tao Tao: “Teacher Tao, a word.”

“Okay.”

They stepped outside. Xue Ran, still covering Wu Lele’s ears, stood quietly, eavesdropping.

“This might sound harsh, but take the kid for an injury report first—all injuries… You know what I mean…”

“…Understood.”

“Then we’ll need a statement… Best to contact a lawyer, women’s and children’s services, the juvenile protection center… This guy… not his first time, right?”

“Yeah… the last was less than six months ago.”

“Prepare yourselves, it won’t be easy…”

“Understood… Thank you.”

The broken pieces finally connected.

Was this why Wu Lele transferred?

How laughable, Xue Ran thought, staring at an old water stain on the ceiling. What good was transferring? In the end, Wu Lele bore it alone.

…No, it did some good, at least—it let them meet.

“Ran…”

Xue Ran looked down, finding Wu Lele watching her.

“Ran, did I do wrong?”

Xue Ran frowned.

Sure enough, Wu Haosen got to her again—using bl00d ties and sweet words to emotionally trap his child.

The kinder the kid, the easier they fell to such manipulation, unable to escape, even blaming themselves more.

“Lele, you didn’t do wrong. It’s not your fault.” Xue Ran stroked her hair. “You did great.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah, really, you’re amazing.”

When everything was handled, it was late.

In Tao Tao’s car, Wu Lele, having taken fever medicine, slept on Xue Ran’s shoulder, clutching her backpack tightly.

Tao Tao asked Xue Ran: “Your family’s okay with this?”

“Yeah, Xue Lin’s almost done with college. They’re bummed about less parenting fun. Now I brought them a new kid.”

“…Alright, contact me if anything comes up.”

“Will do.”

“Lele, we’re home.”

Xue Ran gently shook Wu Lele awake, opening the car door.

Still half-asleep, Wu Lele let Xue Ran lead her.

At 2 a.m., the Xue family’s courtyard was brightly lit.

Seeing Tao Tao’s car, Xue Haichao and Lin Ran rushed over, eager to see the new kid.

They were too enthusiastic. Wu Lele, fully awake, shrank behind Xue Ran.

But Wu Lele was polite, despite her shyness, greeting softly: “Hello, Uncle, Auntie.”

Xue Haichao and Lin Ran beamed: “Lele, welcome to our family.”

Lele froze, then smiled shyly: “Yeah…”

“Let’s go,” Xue Ran took her hand, “to my room.”