Three Days to Save My Dad

It was summer break. I was sprawled on the couch when our old TV suddenly cut to a news report.

“Truck driver Su Jianguo has been placed in criminal detention after fleeing the scene of a late-night collision. The victim remains hospitalized with serious injuries.”

“Preliminary investigations found no surveillance cameras on the stretch of road involved. Dashcam footage is missing, and eyewitness accounts are consistent with the victim’s injuries. The circumstances of the case are largely clear.”

“Unable to endure the online abuse, the driver’s daughter fell from the roof of her residential building early this morning. Attempts to save her were unsuccessful.”

The date in the upper-right corner of the screen was three days from now.

What kind of sick prank was this? Irritated, I switched off the TV.

But a little after seven that evening, Dad came home from work, calling out cheerfully as soon as he stepped inside.

“Xiaonian, where’s your mom? Tell her to make something extra tonight. I landed a big job!”

My mind went blank. The report flashed through it again.

Fleeing the scene of a late-night collision.

I grabbed his arm.

“Dad, don’t take it.”

He stared. “Why not? That’s good money. Why would I turn it down?”

“Just don’t take it.”

Mom poked her head out of the kitchen. “What’s gotten into you now, Xiaonian? Your father’s been driving for twenty years. Does he need you worrying about his work?”

I opened my mouth, but the words caught in my throat.

The things the TV had said were coming true, one by one.

Looking at Dad’s honest, gentle face, I slowly clenched my fists.

“Dad. I’m coming with you.”