Chapter 143: THE CHOICE IS IN YOUR HANDS
Rongquan nodded.
"Are you currently employed?"
"No. I’m between positions at the moment. It’s been approximately seven months since my last job, which was delivery work."
"Are you receiving any form of financial assistance, child support, or housing support?"
"No."
Liu Yan noted this. "And regarding the children’s education—Yilin is 6, correct?"
"Yes."
"She was enrolled in school, but I understand she stopped attending about three months ago?"
"Yes. I wasn’t able to manage the transportation consistently."
"And the other four children are below school age?"
"That’s right."
"When was the last time any of the children received medical attention?"
"I believe it was last year. Yilin had a fever. I don’t recall the others seeing a doctor recently."
"Who provides care for the children when you’re not present?"
"Arang. She assists informally. She’s reliable with them."
Liu Yan acknowledged this and continued.
"Records indicate you left the residence at approximately ten o’clock last night and returned this morning. Can you confirm your whereabouts during that period?"
"I went out. I needed some time to myself."
Guiying interjected, measured but firm. "Mr. Song, you’ve stated you’ve been seeking employment for seven months. Can you provide details on any applications or interviews you’ve attended in the past week? We need to establish that there is a concrete plan in place."
Rongquan looked down. "I had a lead, but it didn’t materialize."
Liu Yan closed her file partially. "Mr. Song, the concern here is stability and safety. Yilin is out of school, and the younger children have been present in the home without consistent adult supervision and without documented medical care. That presents a risk."
She set the file down. "Effective immediately, we will implement daily welfare checks, enroll Yilin back in school and the younger children in the meal assistance program, and require your participation in counseling services beginning this week. These are non-negotiable conditions for the case to remain at this level. If we see sustained improvement over the next four weeks, we will re-evaluate. If not, we will be required to escalate."
Rongquan glanced at Yilin’s hand on his arm and shook his head when asked if he had questions.
Liu Yan stood, exchanged formalities with Guiying and Arang, and departed.
Once the door closed, Wei Ling stated she believed removal would have been the more appropriate course of action. Guiying addressed her directly, then turned to Rongquan and Yilin. "Mr. Song, the social worker has done her part, now it’s time for us to do our part. We will be the ones to provide the qelf services. A new apartment has been prepared and is readily available for you and your family to move in, daily meals will be provided from the social service from our patner meal company, a nearby school was found for Yilin, luckily for you it has its own transportation, all you have to do is to get her ready and take her to the bus stop, uniforms, books and whatnot have all been provided as well. The little ones have also been enrolled in a close by daycare. You can go about your day as long as you ensure you pick your children up by 4pm, please ensure you pick Yilin up from the bus stop at 3pm the safety of your children is in your hands. Daily meals as well as weekly groceries will be provided, please cook healthy lunches for your children, you should be able to afford cute bento lunches boxes for them at least and I think that’s all. And please don’t forget you’ll be watched at all times, at least put in the effort that you love these children or give them up.."
Rongquan didn’t say anything for a while, making Wei Ling scoff.
"I don’t know why someone will have kids they can’t take care of. Since when do whores start families.."
She obviously said this as a murmur but everyone heard it.
Rongquan clenched his fists, he couldn’t refute her words.
"I—i.." Rongquan stammered.
"Why? It’s already disgusting being here already you just had to—"
"Shut up, just shut up... don’t you have any decency?" Guiying frowned, he looked at children and then at his team members.
"Let’s take this outside." He turned to Fangfang. "Can you please watch them for a while.."
The door clicked shut behind Guiying and Wei Ling. The hallway was empty, the office quiet except for the hum of the AC.
Guiying didn’t wait. "Do you have any idea what that does? To them? To him?"
Wei Ling crossed her arms. "He’s the father. He should hear it. Maybe it’ll make him act."
"Shaming a man in front of his children doesn’t make him a better father. It makes him defensive, and it makes the kids afraid." Guiying kept his voice even, but his jaw was tight. "We’re here to assess risk and provide services, not to punish. If you can’t separate the two, you don’t belong on home visits."
Wei Ling’s face flushed. "I’ve been doing this longer than you. I’ve seen cases where ’understanding’ gets kids killed."
"And I’ve seen cases where dignity is the only thing keeping a parent from walking out and never coming back." Guiying stepped closer, lowering his voice further. "We have a plan in place. Daily checks, school, daycare, meals. He’s not walking out today. Don’t give him a reason to tomorrow."
She looked away first. "Fine. I’ll log the visit and leave the rest to you."
Guiying nodded once. "Log the facts. Leave your judgment out of it."
He opened the door and went back inside.
Rongquan was still standing where he’d been left, hands loose at his sides now. Yilin was sitting on the edge of her chair, watching him. The two-year-old had a small toy car in hand, running it slowly across the table.
Guiying’s tone changed the moment the door closed. "Mr. Song."
Rongquan looked up.
"You heard what’s being offered. Apartment, meals, school transport, daycare. Enrollment is already complete. ORF has coordinated with social services, and the move is happening today." He paused. "The truck will be here at 5pm. I need you to start packing now. Only essentials for the kids and yourselves. Anything left will be moved by the team."
Rongquan blinked. "Today?"
"Today." Guiying’s voice didn’t soften. "You’ll be at the new address before 6pm. Daily welfare checks start tomorrow morning. School transport for Yilin is set for 7:30am. Pick-up is at 3pm. The daycare schedule for the younger ones is in the folder on the table. You keep to it."
Rongquan glanced at Yilin’s hand on his arm, then nodded once, slower this time.
Guiying didn’t move away. He waited until Rongquan met his eyes, then spoke low and even.
"You think you’re just failing yourself, right? That if you disappear for a night, it only hurts you."
