readytorunbook Chapter 239 Missing
Chapter 239 Missing
Luo Xiaoran’s persimmon cakes were not ready yet, but there was a happy event in the village!
The village chief is marrying his daughter off!
When Luo Xiaoran heard the news, she was really surprised.
Although Zhang Changzong was very anxious about Zhang Xiuqiao's marriage due to the influence of that bad man An Ruquan, it was really strange that he married his daughter off so suddenly without any rumors before.
"The date is set for three days later. Although it's a bit rushed, it's because Master Gao's mother is seriously ill and wants to see the children get married. I see that Master Gao really likes Xiuqiao, so I agreed to the marriage."
Zhang Changzong came to Luo's house to personally inform him of the news of his daughter's marriage. Luo Xiaoran almost choked on her tea. She wiped the corner of her mouth and couldn't help asking:
"The groom is Master Gao? Is he the Master Gao from Fuyuan County—Gao Liushui?"
"It's him!" Zhang Changzong nodded, his face filled with joy, not only because he finally found a husband for Zhang Xiuqiao, but more because he felt that it was the first time in the village that their farming family could marry a scholarly family.
Three days later, the wedding was held as scheduled, and Luo Xiaoran brought her family to the banquet.
When Luo Xiaoran was adding makeup to Zhang Xiuqiao the day before, she learned that Zhang Xiuqiao sprained her ankle because of Master Gao.
That day, Zhang Xiuqiao came out of Yikang Medical Clinic carrying the ointment made by Du Kongqing and took a small path home, but she always felt that someone was following her and was very scared.
As a result, when she was about to exit the narrow path, someone really called out to Zhang Xiuqiao. This person was Master Gao who had not left yet.
Master Gao believed that it was his fault that Zhang Xiuqiao sprained her ankle, so he took out his purse and said that he would pay for the medical expenses and medicine.
Of course Zhang Xiuqiao refused to accept it, and the exchange of refusals took a lot of time. Finally, Master Gao simply threw his purse on the ground and ran away with his gown.
Zhang Xiuqiao, who had sprained her ankle, naturally couldn't catch up with him, so she had to pick up the purse, take it home and tell her parents about it.
Later, Zhang Changzong made a special trip to Fuyuan County to return Master Gao's purse to him.
Unexpectedly, Master Gao fell in love with Zhang Xiuqiao at first sight. After he returned, he often thought of Zhang Xiuqiao. Later, he felt that Zhang Changzong's act of personally returning the purse was noble, so he soon asked a matchmaker to propose marriage.
As her family and fellow villagers watched, the bright red sedan disappeared around the corner of the smooth, flat lime road, and Zhang Xiuqiao embarked on the next journey of her life.
Zhang Changzong withdrew his reluctant gaze and cheered himself up. After all, there were still many guests at home waiting for him to entertain.
Luo Xiaoran greeted Zhang Changzong in advance and sat with her family in a relatively remote corner to avoid some unnecessary social interactions.
"Didn't Chen'er and Niu Dan go to get the wedding candy? Why haven't they come back yet?"
The dishes on the table were almost served, but the two younger brothers had not returned yet. Qiu Niang looked around, feeling a little anxious.
Luo Xiaoran was also a little puzzled. Weren't Chen'er and Niu Dan looking forward to this wedding banquet? Where were they now?
"Qiuniang, you wait here, so that they won't be unable to find me when they come. I'll go look for me somewhere else, and Kongqing can help me look too."
Du Kongqing and Luo Xiaoran split into two groups, one searched in the courtyard where the banquet was held, and the other searched outside the village chief's house, and then met up at Qiu Niang's table.
After a long time, Qiu Niang waited for Luo Xiaoran and Du Kongqing, both of whom had the same expression on their faces. They both looked extremely anxious.
Luo Xiaoran searched the courtyard thoroughly, even under every table, and checked several rooms in Zhang Changzong's house, but found nothing.
"Kong Qing, I'm afraid I can't finish this meal. Please tell the village chief for me that I have no intention of ruining his scene, but Chen'er and Niu Dan haven't shown up yet. I'm really anxious and have to expand the search area outside."
After Luo Xiaoran finished speaking, she and Qiu Niang left the table without waiting for Du Kongqing to agree.
Seeing this, Du Kongqing could no longer sit still. He quickly greeted Zhang Changzong, made up an excuse to get away with it, and then followed him out.
Luo Xiaoran, Qiu Niang and Du Kongqing searched the Luo residence thoroughly. Luo Xiaoran even searched the cellar and the well, but found no one.
When they found the apple orchard, Uncle Xiang and Aunt Ji learned that Luo Xingchen and Niu Dan were missing, and they stamped their feet in anxiety.
Although they did not see the two young masters come to the orchard, Uncle Xiang and Aunt Ji still checked the orchard and the chicken coop carefully just in case.
Sun Qingyuan took Sansi to places he often went to, such as the medicine field, private school, and Yikan Medical Clinic, but found nothing.
Du Kongqing ran to Baobao Mountain to look for him again, and Sun Qingyuan and Sansi followed him.
"If Baobao Mountain is not there, then..." Qiu Niang's eyes drifted towards Dandan River. Now is the flood season, the river water is rising, turbulent and rapid.
The flowing water of the Dandan River was reflected in her pupils. Luo Xiaoran, who should have been the most anxious, was surprisingly calm at this moment. To be precise, she forced herself not to panic.
She usually teaches Chen'er and Niudan about safety, including drowning, fire, abduction prevention...all kinds of dangerous situations she can think of.
There are two dangerous areas in Hexi Village, one is a mountain and the other is a river.
After the experience of falling into the water last year, Luo Xiaoran organized a training camp for her family in midsummer this year.
Therefore, Qiu Niang, Luo Xingchen, Niu Dan and Du Kongqing now all know more or less some swimming skills.
Baobao Mountain is a place that Luo Xiaoran has repeatedly warned not to go there alone. Du Kongqing and Sun Qingyuan will most likely return empty-handed, and there may not even be any signs of anyone going up the mountain.
Luo Xiaoran's temples were throbbing wildly. Chen'er and Niu Dan were not the kind of children who would run around casually. There must be someone causing trouble.
The missing child...
Luo Xiaoran suddenly turned around and ran towards Luo's residence, leaving only a message for Qiu Niang to wait at home, then rode away on her Chouli.
drive--
Luo Xiaoran whipped her horse whip hard and entered the city just a second before the gate was locked. She ignored the shouting and cursing of the soldiers guarding the city behind her and headed straight for Po Wa Lane.
"Zhao Xiaobing, come out!" Luo Xiaoran reined in her horse in front of Zhao Xiaobing's base, a house with wind blowing in from all sides, no ceiling, and good lighting.
No one responded, no one came out.
"Come out!" Luo Xiaoran shouted again.
As dusk fell, a voice came from a corner not far away.
"Stop shouting, they've all been taken away."
Luo Xiaoran pushed the door open and walked in. As expected, there was no one inside. She immediately turned around and walked towards the person who had just spoken.
Half lying against the wall in the corner was an old beggar with disheveled hair and a sour smell. At this moment, he was playing with a purse that looked very familiar to Luo Xiaoran.
Thinking of the bag of money she gave to Zhao Xiaobing to buy information about Xiaochuanzi, Luo Xiaoran said in an almost affirmative tone: "You are a deadbeat."
"Hey!" The old beggar bared his yellow teeth, with a lewd look in his eyes. "It's rare that such a beautiful girl like you knows my name. Do you want to know where Zhao Xiaobing and the others went? As long as you... woo woo woo——"
Before the old man could finish his dirty thoughts, Luo Xiaoran grabbed his neck and tightened her grip.
"If you don't want to die, tell me now!"