“Kiddo, has anyone ever told you that if you need help, you should have a better attitude about it?” Wang Xiaoke said, looking at him helplessly.

“But big sister, you’re so pretty. You’ll definitely take me with you, right?” The little boy bit his finger, putting on an adorably pitiful expression.

Wow, this little guy could change his attitude faster than flipping a page. Who on earth raised such a crafty little kid? He was as clever as a monkey.

Wang Xiaoke couldn’t bear to leave such a tiny child behind, so she resigned herself to the situation.

“Alright, little one, tell me about yourself. What’s your name? Where do you live?” Wang Xiaoke squatted down, resting her chin on her hand as she examined him.

The boy blinked his big eyes and looked at her warily. “Are you asking for my name because you like me?”

He stepped back two paces, raising his chubby little hands into a defensive posture. “Let me tell you first, I’m not interested in aunties like you. Don’t even think about hitting on me. I only like fair, cute little girls.”

What kind of logic does this kid have? Wang Xiaoke rolled her eyes, looking to the sky for patience. “I’m not desperate enough to develop feelings for a child. You can rest assured about that.”

“But my brother said that anyone making excuses to approach me must have ulterior motives. If you don’t like me, then are you planning to kidnap me because I’m cute?”

The boy frowned in deep thought, answering his own question before she could respond. “No, that doesn’t make sense. If you wanted to kidnap me, you wouldn’t ask for my name. Are you asking for my name so you can blackmail my grandpa for money?”

“Wow, kiddo, your imagination is something else! It’s a pity you’re not writing detective novels,” Wang Xiaoke said, cold sweat forming on her forehead. She couldn’t imagine what kind of family could raise such a theatrical child. She figured the “brother” he mentioned was probably just as peculiar.

Feeling a slight headache coming on, Wang Xiaoke rubbed her temples and patiently asked, “Alright, why don’t you tell me how you got lost?”

The boy pouted, propping his chin on his hands as he thought for a moment. “Hmm… I was walking, and then suddenly, Grandpa disappeared.”

His words hit Wang Xiaoke like a splash of cold water.

Dusting off her clothes, she stood up, took his chubby little hand in hers, and said helplessly, “Fine. I’ll take you to the police station. It’s dangerous out here, so don’t wander around.”

“Our house is nearby. I don’t want to go to the police station,” the little boy protested stubbornly, standing his ground with a pout.

Wang Xiaoke felt utterly defeated. Changing her approach, she asked, “Do you remember the way home? Or maybe your exact address?”

The boy widened his innocent eyes and shook his head.

“How about this? You stick with me for now. If you see something familiar, let me know, and I’ll try to help you find your grandpa.”

This time, he didn’t object. So, the two of them—one big and one small—began wandering the area together.

Although Nanqiao Village was remote, its scenery was breathtaking. Everywhere they looked, lush greenery filled the landscape, vibrant and full of life. The saying “a more serene sound amid the chirping birds” perfectly described the picturesque surroundings.

After walking a short distance, they arrived at a fork in the road. Already directionally challenged, Wang Xiaoke hesitated as she looked at the two paths ahead.

Despite now having a little “tagalong,” she still found the scenery uplifting and refreshing.

“Wait a second,” the boy suddenly called out, pointing to a large rock by the side of the road. He hesitated and said, “I think… I came from that direction earlier.”