Chapter 46: Zhou Yanchen Has Disappeared

Yanchen’s mother initially didn’t pay much attention. She looked around the house for a bit, thinking he had gone to play at a neighbor’s house.

However, on second thought, ever since her husband joined the army, she and her son had been bullied by her in-laws, and the village children, emboldened by his father’s absence, bullied her son even more.

Therefore, after they moved to the foot of White Cloud Mountain, her son, aside from studying and practicing his writing, usually didn’t go to other people’s houses to play.

Where on earth did this child go?

Yanchen’s mother muttered to herself. Suddenly, she recalled Xiaosuisui and Zhu Xiuxiu, who had visited yesterday.

Could he have gone to play with that little girl?

Yanchen’s mother wondered. With this thought, she first went to cook lunch, thinking that by the time it was ready, her son would probably be back.

However, after she finished cooking and had even eaten her own meal, Zhou Yanchen still hadn’t returned. Yanchen’s mother grew anxious. She locked the door and began going from house to house in the village, asking about him, all the way until she reached the Ji Family’s residence.

By this time, the Ji Family had just finished their lunch. Xiaosuisui was watching Huo Xing’Er fiddle with her compass.

"You little girl," Huo Xing’Er said, "you’ve been studying with your eldest uncle all morning and you’re not tired at all. Still so energetic!"

Huo Xing’Er stopped to tweak Xiaosuisui’s little nose. This was Huo Xing’Er’s favorite thing to do since Xiaosuisui had come to the Ji Family!

It felt wonderful.

"It’s fun!" Xiaosuisui exclaimed, staring at the compass in Huo Xing’Er’s hand, her own hands itching to touch it.

I really want to try it!

"Hee hee! Auntie, Suisui wants to play!" she said, practically drooling.

"If you want to play with one, then read this book until you know it well. Afterward, Auntie will give you one!" Huo Xing’Er said, handing her a book. It was a book about the mutual generation and overcoming of the five elements.

Xiaosuisui had tried to memorize it so much that her head was throbbing.

Watching her straining yet determined little expression, the corners of Huo Xing’Er’s mouth lifted involuntarily.

Suddenly, there was a frantic knock at the door.

"Who would be visiting at this time?" Huo Xing’Er mumbled.

"I’ll go open the door!" Xiaosuisui cried, tossing the book on the five elements aside and quickly running out.

Huo Xing’Er swiftly followed, grabbing her by the collar. "Slow down! Be careful, it might be a bad person."

Huo Xing’Er positioned Xiaosuisui behind her before she opened the door.

Outside stood a young woman in washed-out, pale garments. Her hair was held up by a wooden hairpin and looked somewhat disheveled from her hurried journey.

"Who are you?" Huo Xing’Er asked, not recognizing the woman before her.

"Auntie Zhou!" Xiaosuisui’s head popped out from behind Huo Xing’Er. She called out cheerfully, about to run forward.

Huo Xing’Er quickly grabbed her collar again. "You know her?"

Xiaosuisui nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes! She’s Auntie Zhou from the Zhou Family, Brother Yanchen’s mom!"

Hearing that this was the mother of the Zhou Family boy who had given them a duck as a return gift, Huo Xing’Er let down her guard and gestured for her to enter.

"So, it’s Sister-in-law Zhou. Please, come in and talk! It’s hot outside," Huo Xing’Er said.

"No need, young lady," Wu Yixiu said anxiously. "I just wanted to ask if my Yanchen came to your house today."

"Brother Yanchen didn’t come to our house!" Xiaosuisui blinked. After she spoke, she saw Wu Yixiu’s body suddenly go limp.

"He... he didn’t come! Then where could he have gone?" Wu Yixiu stammered.

"Careful!" Huo Xing’Er quickly supported her. "What’s wrong?" she asked hurriedly. "Is your child missing? Did he say he was coming to our house?"

Xiaosuisui also stared at Wu Yixiu, her large eyes wide.

Did Brother Yanchen come to our house? Great, I’d have a playmate!