Chapter 90: Misunderstanding

Captain’s wife Qiao Lanlan knew about Luo Qiao’s schooling, so she quickly said, “Don’t tease Luo Qiao like this. She’s still young and not considering such matters now. Don’t scare her.”

At the Zhao residence, after seeing off the guests and tidying up the courtyard, Zhao Chunli approached Gao Suhua quietly, “Sister-in-law, we haven’t found Xiaomei. Could something have happened?”

Gao Suhua was in the midst of counting the gifts brought by villagers today. She paused instinctively upon hearing this, “What could happen? Xiaomei is not foolish. She must have felt bad about what that girl did. Feeling guilty, she found a place to hide.”

Until everyone who helped bring tables, chairs, and benches into the courtyard had returned, Zhao Xiaomei still hadn’t been seen.

Zhao Xiaoxing walked in and said, “Mom, why haven’t I seen my second sister all this time? Today, my eldest sister just got married, and it’s so unlike her not to help out. It’s one thing to be lazy on ordinary days, but today, she didn’t even offer to help. Isn’t she afraid of ruining her reputation in the village?”

Beside her, Gao Pulin, who was resting, heard the youngest daughter’s words and set down his tea cup. “When did you last see your second sister?”

Zhao Xiaoxing thought for a moment and replied, “I didn’t see my second sister during lunch.”

The youngest Zhao Xiaoyun added, “Around lunchtime, I saw Mom and my second sister going towards the backyard. After that, I haven’t seen her.”

Zhao Pulin checked the sky; it was nearly five o’clock. He got up and walked to the backyard but didn’t see anyone.

He returned to the front house and found Gao Suhua, asking, “Did you send Xiaomei to do something?”

Gao Suhua, feeling a bit guilty, replied, “No, I’ve been busy all day. That stubborn girl must have gone to slack off again. She’ll be back when it gets dark.”

Though she said this aloud, she felt uneasy inside. Could something really have happened?

Ignoring the things in her hands, Zhao Chunli was still tidying up in the kitchen. Gao Suhua ran over to her and said, “Chunli, come out, I need to ask you something.”

The two sisters-in-law went to the backyard, where Gao Suhua asked, “Did you see Luo Qiao go into the backyard?”

Zhao Chunli replied, “Yes, Sister-in-law, I saw her go into the backyard before coming in to tell you. What’s the matter?”

Gao Suhua said, “It’s getting late, and Xiaomei hasn’t come back yet. I’m starting to worry.”

Zhao Chunli chuckled, “Just now you were saying Xiaomei might be slacking off somewhere. Why are you worried now?”

Gao Suhua responded, “If she were slacking off, she should have come back by now. Just now your second brother even asked about her.”

Zhao Chunli and Gao Suhua exchanged glances, both feeling unsettled inside.

Gao Suhua saw Zhao Xiaoyun approaching the backyard and called her over, asking, “Xiaoyun, did you see Luo Qiao come to the banquet at noon?”

Zhao Xiaoyun said, “Yes, she came. She was eating at the table in the utility room.”

Gao Suhua grabbed Zhao Xiaoyun’s shoulder and asked urgently, “Are you sure it was Luo Qiao? You didn’t mistake her for someone else?”

Zhao Xiaoyun looked puzzled, “Of course I’m sure. She was sitting at the table with Captain’s family second sister-in-law Feng.”

Gao Suhua was so shocked she almost couldn’t stand steady, muttering to herself, “Oh no, oh no, what should we do now?”

Zhao Xiaoyun watched her mother acting strangely as if she had gone mad and quickly ran to the front yard shouting, “Dad, come quick! Look at what’s wrong with Mom!”

Zhao Pulin hurried to the backyard. Gao Suhua immediately grabbed his hand and urged urgently, “Quickly, quickly, go to Beipo Village and bring Xiaomei back. Tell them it’s a mistake.”