The three were talking, while Old Master Blackās face over there grew heavier and more serious as he was making a call.
After hanging up, Old Master Black looked over at the three who were chatting and laughing, almost unsure of how to interrupt them.
Old Master Blackās gaze lingered on Jane Sampsonās smiling face for a few seconds, before saying nothing at all, slowly making his way back to the sofa, his back straight and stiff as he sat down.
The Great General snuggled up to him, and Old Master Black reached out to stroke the Great Generalās head, his movements somewhat sluggish.
After a long time, Old Master Black finally called out to the three who were speaking over there.
"Jane, itās very late, you should go rest. Rest well so your body can recover quickly," Old Master Black tried to sound as natural as possible.
Jane Sampson didnāt notice anything amiss with Old Master Black and cheerfully replied, "I know, grandfather." Then, she wished Old Master Black good night and skipped upstairs to sleep.
She was still happy inside that her grandfather forgot to remind Aunt to give her hot milk, and she could skip drinking milk tonight.
"Iām going to sleep too; I think my eyes might go blind tomorrow," Peter Gingery yawned repeatedly and returned to his room.
The living room was left with just Old Master Black and Brooke Black.
"Dad, you should also rest soon," Brooke Black said, "I still have some things to arrange, and after Iām done, Iāll take a rest too."
Old Master Black nodded, "Arrange things first, and then come to my room; I have something to discuss with you."
Brooke Black was busy preparing to make a phone call, so she didnāt notice the serious expression that had passed on Old Master Blackās face. She replied okay and went next to make her call with the mobile phone.
Old Master Black returned alone to his room.
His room displayed a Black Family photo.
The children were gathered standing around him, each of them, including himself, with particularly joyful smiles on their faces.
This photo was taken with a camera by Jane Sampson in the Black Family courtyard; she set it for timed filming and rushed to James Blackās side, who instinctively reached out to wrap his arm around her waist.
In the photo, James Black was looking down at Jane Sampson, his gaze gentle, while Jane was looking at the lens with a scissor hand gesture, playful and cute. She unconsciously leaned towards James, and from such details, it was clear that the coupleās affection was genuinely strong.
"Dad, Iām coming in."
Outside the door, Brooke Blackās knock pulled Old Master Black back from the photo memories.
Brooke Black entered and saw Old Master Black holding the family photo, gazing at it.
"Dad, you said earlier you needed me for something?" Brooke Black walked over, looked down at the photo in Old Master Blackās hand, and smiled, "Why the sudden interest in this photo? Oh, didnāt Dad call just now to ask about James Blackās progress? How is his situation now? How much longer until he returns?"
Old Master Black stared at the photo in silence for a long time and didnāt immediately answer Brookeās question.
For a long, long time, the silence was so prolonged that Brookeās heart was tense with anticipation until she finally heard Old Master Black speak slowly.
"James Black is missing."
Each word was as if weighed with thousands of tons, making it difficult for Old Master Black to utter.
"Heās been missing since that evening Jane returned, and up to now, weāre still unable to contact him," Old Master Blackās voice was heavy, "Itās been two whole days."