Chapter 21: Thought Bai An Had Disappeared

Cui Ju noticed Bai An didn’t respond and knew what she was thinking.

It wasn’t that Cui Ju was being too blunt; it was just that she had already gone through such human nature before.

Although her family used to be landlords, with a bad background, they had fallen into hard times, and Cui Ju had seen others take pleasure in their misfortune, kicking them when they were down.

“Bai An, eat something,” Cui Ju said, raising her chin. “Let’s talk after we finish eating.”

Dazhuang, who had taken another piece of cake, chimed in, “Yeah, eat first, then talk.”

There was so much food that the three of them didn’t finish it all, and quite a bit was left over.

Cui Ju and Dazhuang licked their lips and stared at the remaining snacks, their eyes betraying their hunger.

“Bai An, do you want more?” Dazhuang asked hesitantly. “Can I take some home?”

Cui Ju was also thinking about asking the same, but since the food was so precious, she felt embarrassed to say it out loud.

Bai An was about to say “Of course,” but then suddenly thought that if she gave the food to Cui Ju and Dazhuang, they would take it home, and the matter might eventually be exposed.

Bai An thought for a moment and then said, “I’ll take the leftovers home, but if you want more, you can eat some now.”

Cui Ju quickly shook her head. “I can’t eat any more. I’m so full right now.”

“Me too.” Dazhuang stood up, holding his stomach, and took a few steps. “I haven’t eaten this much in a long time. Bai An, you’re really nice.”

Bai An blinked and began wrapping up the remaining snacks, tightly sealing the bag.

She stood up and looked around the room.

Well, there was nothing in the room, and there was nowhere to hide it.

“Forget it, I won’t take it home,” Bai An said, putting the bag back on the table. “I’ll leave it here. You can come eat it if you want.”

Cui Ju and Dazhuang looked at the spot where Bai An had placed the bag, exchanging glances, both stunned.

Cui Ju hesitated. “Isn’t that too obvious? Just leaving it on the table like this… I’m kind of worried.”

“Yeah, Bai An, just take it home,” Dazhuang said, looking around the room. “Even if no one steals it, maybe some insects or wild dogs will take it.”

Hearing their words, Bai An took the remaining snacks out of the bag and walked up to Cui Ju and Dazhuang.

“Then I’ll bring some back for you, but don’t let anyone else know. This is our secret.”

Cui Ju touched the food in her pocket, feeling a little nervous.

It felt like she was hiding food from others, eating alone.

Dazhuang didn’t think much about it. He just believed that this food was given to him by Bai An, so he did whatever Bai An told him to do.

By the time the bag was empty, Bai An was holding the last chicken claw, staring at Cui Ju and Dazhuang, wondering where to place it.

Cui Ju saw Bai An’s hesitation and raised her hand. “Put it here.”

“But you don’t seem to have anywhere to put it,” Bai An said, handing her the chicken claw. “Where are you going to put it?”

Cui Ju took the chicken claw, thought for a moment, then lifted her shirt.

“Ah!” Dazhuang was startled and took a few steps back, blushing. “What are you doing?”

Cui Ju looked at Dazhuang’s big reaction and said helplessly, “I’m not showing anything.”

Cui Ju lifted her shirt and tucked the chicken claw into the space between her waistband and stomach.

Luckily, the chicken claw was wrapped in something, otherwise, that wouldn’t have worked.

“Bai An, school is starting soon. Do you want to go to school with us?” Cui Ju looked at Bai An and said, “You haven’t gone to school with the other kids before, and some people have already been gossiping behind your back.”

“What gossip?” Dazhuang furrowed his brow. “What did they say?”

Cui Ju ignored him and continued speaking to Bai An. “The kids in the village all go to school, and you’re the only one who hasn’t. I think it’s better if you go, too.”

Bai An lowered her eyes, her fingers absentmindedly fiddling with the edge of her clothes, and she murmured, “I’ll talk to my dad when I get home.”

Cui Ju nodded, but Dazhuang persisted, asking, “What gossip are they saying about Bai An?”

Cui Ju punched him on the arm, warning, “Don’t ask about things you shouldn’t.”

Dazhuang stood beside Bai An, rubbing his arm where he had been hit, and quietly grumbled, “You’re getting more violent.”

“What are you muttering next to Bai An?” Cui Ju raised her fist toward Dazhuang, “Don’t say weird things, got it?”

“Got it.”

Once they were ready, Bai An stood near the thatched hut and looked at the small path not far away.

“Dazhuang, we should have figured it out. Since there’s a thatched hut, there should be a road nearby,” Bai An pointed to the road nearby, “Isn’t there a ready-made road here?”

Dazhuang felt a bit embarrassed and couldn’t bring himself to look at it. “The path we walked earlier was the one my family’s cow led me down. I didn’t notice there was another road.”

“Seems like there’s no hope,” Cui Ju pulled Bai An’s hand and said, “Dazhuang might just be naturally a little slow.”

Bai An turned her head and silently mouthed “idiot” to Dazhuang.

Dazhuang’s face turned bright red, and he chased after them, saying, “It’s just that I didn’t see the road, I’m not an idiot!”

Cui Ju kept teasing him, “Got it, idiot.”

“Cui Ju! You’re so annoying!”

It was almost dark, and Bai An stood at the gate of the yard, feeling somewhat hesitant.

Although she hadn’t done anything wrong, there was still a sense of unease.

“You’re back.”

Bai An turned her head and met Lu Jin’an’s gaze. His dark eyes, reflecting the sunset, seemed to shine faintly.

His hair, which he had meticulously arranged earlier, was now a bit messy. His sharp eyebrows and clear eyes, along with his straight nose and slightly pursed lips, showed that his mood wasn’t great.

He wasn’t wearing a jacket, just a thin shirt with two buttons undone at the collar, revealing his well-defined collarbones. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, exposing his strong, long arms, with veins slightly visible at his wrists.

“Brother,” Bai An called softly.

“Don’t call me ‘brother’ yet,” Lu Jin’an rubbed his temples wearily and helplessly said to Bai An, “Why don’t you listen?”

Bai An wasn’t sure where she had disobeyed, but given the situation, she felt it was better not to say anything.

“Bai An, you’re back.” Wanqing jogged over from a distance and carefully looked at Bai An.

When she saw that Bai An was only a little dirty and had messy hair, her worried heart finally relaxed.

“As long as you’re fine, as long as you’re fine.” Wanqing gently touched Bai An’s cheek and said, “You went out so early this morning and didn’t come back for lunch. I didn’t see you at Cui Ju or Dazhuang’s houses either.”

“The three of you were nowhere to be seen, I thought something had happened to you.”

Lu Jin’an, expressionless, said from the side, “I thought you were going to get lost again.”