“Wife Master!”
Nian Jiaojiao glanced at him before turning to leave.
A flicker of loss crossed Yu Chuan’s eyes. At this moment, Nan Qing also said, “If Wife Master can bring Older Brother back this time, Nan Qing will repay you with boundless gratitude!”
Nian Jiaojiao’s steps halted. She waved her hand and continued to walk forward.
…
Qinghe Mountain.
Outer perimeter.
The outer perimeter of Shanshui Mountain was surrounded by small hills. Although the trees here were dense, they were not tall; rather, they were mostly short shrubs.
It was late autumn, and Nian Jiaojiao had not encountered any animals along the way.
Fortunately, there were still two hours until nightfall. Although the sun had already dipped halfway below the horizon, the light was enough to clearly see the scene in the forest.
After walking for half an hour, Big Brother Zhang reminded her softly, “Nian Niangzi, we are about to enter the inner perimeter. Please keep close to my steps and proceed quietly.”
Nian Jiaojiao nodded.
She noticed that Big Brother Zhang’s movements were very agile. As he advanced, he leaned forward, moving like a wary leopard.
As they went deeper, the dry leaves on the ground piled up thicker and thicker. If one stepped on them carelessly, their entire foot might sink in, causing a great commotion.
Nian Jiaojiao observed that Big Brother Zhang tried to avoid areas with accumulated dry leaves, using the stones by the roadside as footholds.
Thus, she quickly adjusted her steps and followed his pace.
After another half hour of silent progress, Big Brother Zhang stopped beside a towering ancient tree, his expression grave. “We’re here. It’s this place.”
The two hid their figures behind the large tree. Nian Jiaojiao cautiously poked her head out with Big Brother Zhang.
They saw more than a dozen wolves poised around a cave. Smoke was continuously rising from within the cave, deterring the wolves from easily rushing in.
Nian Jiaojiao and Big Brother Zhang exchanged a look, seeing the surprise in each other’s eyes.
Xuan Yi was alive!
Clearly, Xuan Yi had stumbled upon this cave amidst the wolves’ watchful gazes.
The experienced Xuan Yi immediately thought on his feet and started a fire inside to ward off the wild wolves.
Nian Jiaojiao watched the wolves hover, reluctant to leave, as if waiting for the person in the cave to relax and the flames to extinguish before they would immediately charge in and tear the person to shreds.
For a moment, she was also at a loss.
What to do?
The person was found, but with so many wolves, she and Big Brother Zhang couldn’t defeat them!
As nightfall drew nearer, Nian Jiaojiao grew increasingly anxious.
Night was not friendly to them humans.
Conversely, the wild wolves thrived in the darkness.
Their chances of escaping alive would become even slimmer.
Nian Jiaojiao tugged at Big Brother Zhang’s sleeve, pointing behind them and to her mouth, signaling that they should retreat further.
After they had moved away from the danger zone, Nian Jiaojiao said, “Big Brother Zhang, waiting like this is not a solution. How about this, you go find the villagers for reinforcements, and I’ll watch here.”
Big Brother Zhang could not think of any other way and knew this was the only option. He said solemnly, “Then you must hold on. I’ll be back as quickly as possible.”
…
Qinghe Village.
“Mother, I just ran into Nian Da Bao.”
Nian Zhenzhen entered Nian Mu’s room, not mentioning that she had gone to find Nian Jiaojiao herself, claiming it was a chance encounter.
Nian Mu’s lips were pressed into a thin line.
She had always known that her two daughters did not get along.
Seeing that Nian Mu remained silent, Nian Zhenzhen pouted aggrievedly and said, “Mother, Nian Da Bao said you gave her the money meant for my brushes and ink…”
Nian Zhenzhen observed Nian Mu’s expression. She could not discern anything from her calm demeanor. Reluctantly, she shook Nian Mu’s arm and pouted, “Mother, she’s not part of our family anymore, why are you still giving her money? Don’t you remember how she treated Fifth Sister before?”
Nian Mu hesitated. “Zhenzhen, your fourth sister needs the money… Didn’t I tell you I’d buy your brushes and ink? How about this, tomorrow, first thing in the morning, I’ll buy them for you!”
Nian Zhenzhen was displeased. Was this about brushes and ink? It seemed Mother still couldn’t let go of Nian Da Bao!
Thinking this, Nian Zhenzhen couldn’t help but say to Nian Mu, “Mother, do you know what Nian Da Bao used the money for?”
Nian Mu opened her mouth but closed it again. She wanted to say that Nian Jiaojiao wanted to study, but even though she believed the girl was aiming for a better future, she knew that if the villagers found out, they would mock her. Therefore, she had kept silent in front of Nian Zhenzhen.
Seeing Nian Mu’s silence, Nian Zhenzhen put on a look of disappointment, as if her efforts were in vain. “Now that Nian Da Bao has money, she’s going out to eat, drink, and gamble again!”
Nian Mu was startled and said dryly, “Well, Zhenzhen, I think you’re misunderstanding. Your fourth sister wouldn’t…”
Upon hearing this, Nian Zhenzhen released Nian Mu’s arm, stamped her feet twice, interrupting her mother. “Mother! Why are you like this? You’re always favoring Nian Da Bao! She told me herself!”
Nian Zhenzhen spoke without thinking. She had only intended to test Nian Mu, but as she spoke, the conversation took a different turn.
As expected, Nian Mu immediately retorted, “That’s impossible!”
Nian Mu was thinking that Jiaojiao had already taken the exam, so how could she spend money on gambling? But Zhenzhen said…
As Nian Mu pondered, her gaze towards Nian Zhenzhen became uncertain.
Sensing Nian Mu’s gaze, Nian Zhenzhen, her face flushed red, shouted at her mother, “Mother! You only favor Nian Da Bao! I, I hate you!”
With that, she ran out of the room. As soon as she stepped out, she saw her fifth sister sitting in a wheelchair, her face pale.
Nian Zhenzhen felt a pang of guilt. “Fifth, Fifth Sister, did you hear everything?”
Nian Xiaomei ignored Nian Zhenzhen, turned her wheelchair, and left. Nian Zhenzhen quickly chased after her.
“Fifth Sister! Fifth Sister~ Wait for me.”
Nian Xiaomei stopped the movement of her wheelchair and turned to Nian Zhenzhen with reddened eyes. “Mother really gave that woman money?”
Nian Zhenzhen could only nod.
“She harmed me like this, and Mother is still giving her money to eat and have fun?” Nian Xiaomei’s voice began to tremble.
Nian Zhenzhen’s lips quivered, but she couldn’t explain. After all, Nian Da Bao never got money without spending it recklessly.
Thinking this, Nian Zhenzhen convinced herself and said more at ease to Nian Xiaomei, “Yes, Mother is a bit biased. Alas… Actually, there are some things I haven’t told Mother, for fear of upsetting her… Do you know how Nian Da Bao treated me when I ran into her today?”
Nian Xiaomei shook her head.
Nian Zhenzhen continued, “She even threatened me! If I hadn’t thought quickly and run, I might have suffered her wicked hand too!”
Nian Xiaomei’s eyes widened in disbelief. “She, how dare she!?”
Nian Zhenzhen stepped forward and patted Nian Xiaomei’s shoulder, empathizing, “How dare she? She also said that since no one was around, it served me right to be killed. Didn’t no one do anything to her when she pushed you into the water before!”