Rebirth: A Cinderella's Counterattack

Chapter 37: Chapter 37: The Disappearance of Luo Qianqian (Part 1)

Luo Qianqian, Luo Shufan, and He Wenyu had split into two groups these past few days. Luo Shufan and He Wenyu thought of ”Luo Shenyao” but there was no time to produce a batch yet. However, ”Fragrance Comes” was still feasible, although they couldn’t go to the high school entrance anymore due to the fight last time, and Luo’s Mom had strictly forbidden them from going to the train station after she found out. But now it was summer vacation, and there were many children attending interest classes, mostly picked up by their grandparents who were willing to spend money on their grandchildren.

So they followed the morning rush to buy pig’s feet and chicken feet, took some to the Youth Palace where He’s father was during the midday, and brought some more in the evening; they would go home with He’s father after selling them all. They were quite happy earning money; at least they didn’t need to ask their mother for money to buy a popsicle.

Meanwhile, Luo Qianqian stayed at home, studying the map for several days to familiarize herself with the environment around their new house, figuring out where selling something would be profitable and not cause trouble.

After having lunch with her brother and Xiao Yu at noon, she took the messenger bag that Mother He had made, packed with notebooks and a couple of coins, and went out to do field research.

”Come back early, don’t wander too far, I’ll save a pig’s foot for you tonight, but if you come back late, you won’t get any,” Luo Shufan thought his sister was good in every way, it was just that she was too stubborn. He had suggested she sell pig’s feet with Xiao Yu, but she insisted that he didn’t understand what she really needed to investigate and staunchly refused his kind offer. If Xiao Yu’s home was not less than three kilometers from the community, he wouldn’t care what his sister said and would never let her go alone.

When He Wenyu wanted to accompany her, she even said that following her would mean no good food and it would be very tiring. He Wenyu could only sell pig’s feet with him—He Wenyu handled the packing while he did the calculations, and they cooperated quite enjoyably.

Luo Qianqian walked down the street she had become familiar with over the past few days; people hustled and bustled, seemingly to avoid staying in the sunlight for too long and turning into dried figures. Luo Qianqian looked at her long-sleeve shirt and felt even more fondness for her godmother. Her godmother had bought her this ice silk long-sleeve shirt that did not feel hot even sticking to the body. She wore a sun hat that Luo Shufan had dug out from his childhood keepsakes.

”Luo Qianqian?” A low and unfamiliar voice came from behind Luo Qianqian. She instinctively turned around, only to see three burly men wearing sunglasses and face masks. Feeling something was wrong, she turned and ran.

Unfortunately, although she was aware of the danger, her physical strength was no match for them, and she was quickly caught. A towel was shoved over her face, and she knew nothing after that.

”Strange, who would send a letter to dad? And they asked us to hand it over directly. How odd,” said He Wenyu as he and Luo Shufan had just arrived at the Youth Palace entrance with delicious ”Fragrance Comes” brand pig’s feet and chicken feet when a woman with chocolate-colored curly hair and sunglasses approached them, told them to give the letter to He Jun, and then left.

”Haha, I guess it’s because godfather’s charm is too great; it must be a love letter from someone who doesn’t know godfather is already married,” Luo Shufan joked as he watched the woman walk away. Yet, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

”Then I won’t give it to dad, hmph, someone wants to steal my dad,” He Wenyu said, folding the envelope and tucking it into his pocket.

Luo Shufan covered his mouth to conceal a snicker and said, ”Look at you being petty. I’ll tell Qianqian when she comes back.”

”No no, I forbid you. If you tell Qianqian, I won’t save any pig’s feet for her; I’ll sell them all!” He Wenyu stood with his hands on his hips, his head tilted back, displaying some of He’s father’s commanding presence.

Luo Shufan looked at He Wenyu’s petulant demeanor, chuckled, and ruffled his hair, saying, ”What’s the fuss? We’ve already kept our share at home. Thinking of keeping some aside and then bringing them back and forth is tiring not just for you but for me as well.”

”Right, let’s hustle and sell them. I heard that the little shop over there just got new fruit-flavored popsicles. If we hurry, Qianqian can have some when we get home.”

”You’re right.”

Luo Shufan and He Wenyu bought popsicles sufficient for six people and two bottles of cold water before He’s father got off work and sat waiting at the entrance of the Youth Palace with everything stowed in an empty cooler.

He’s father didn’t bother himself with the children’s business affairs, and he wouldn’t be all smiles if they were making a loss. Right after work, he went to see his daughter and godson sitting on the steps with an insulated box, and playfully said, ”Fellow bosses, business seems good, huh? He might not be much, but could he treat you bosses to some popsicles?”

”Dad, you’re here! Hurry, hurry, let’s go home, the popsicles are almost melting.” He Wenyu, seeing his father, immediately sprang up and pulled on He’s father.

Luo Shufan stood up as well, holding the insulated box with one hand and dusting off his pants, ”Godfather, we already bought the popsicles. They’re in the box. Xiao Yu has been hurrying us to go home because he’s worried they’ll melt.”

”Alright, alright, did you buy some for mom and Qhianqian as well?” He’s father, amused by his daughter’s anxious demeanor, thought to himself that it was good he came out early. If he had been late, would his daughter have already taken the popsicles and gone home?

”We got them, let’s hurry.”

He’s father took the insulated box from Luo Shufan’s arms. Luo Shufan, still a bit startled, blushed and said thank you. The three of them hastened home at a pace much faster than usual.

”Mom, Qhianqian, come out for popsicles!” As He’s father opened the door, He Wenyu kicked off her shoes and rushed to the usual spot where Luo Qianqian would wait for her, but there was no one there.

”Xiao Yu, you’re back? Qhianqian hasn’t come back yet. Come quickly and help me peel these onions.” Mother He poked her head out of the kitchen and waved to the bustling He Wenyu.

”Qhianqian hasn’t come back?” Luo Shufan furrowed his brow, his expression growing more serious. Qhianqian normally came home about half an hour before them these past few days. Had something held her up? Then he said, ”Godfather, godmother, I’ll go look for Qhianqian. It’s getting late and she still isn’t home.”

”Mm, okay, come back soon. Godmother made tomato beef stew today, Qhianqian’s favorite. If you don’t come back soon, Xiao Yu might drink it all,” Mother He’s voice chuckled from the kitchen.

”Mom! ...”

What was said afterward, Luo Shufan didn’t catch as he grew even more worried about whether his sister was playing somewhere, having lost track of time, or if something had happened to her. He resolved to scold her properly once he saw her to teach her a lesson, as her promise of coming home early was ignored. Luo Shufan followed the route Luo Qianqian had mentioned, his internal anxiety evident in the sweat on his forehead and the panic in his eyes.

Luo Qianqian! Wait till I catch you; I’ll spank you! Luo Shufan thought fiercely while he anxiously looked around.

”What are you looking for, young friend?” asked an old grandmother who was watering the plants and removing pests in the courtyard of the building next door.

Luo Shufan paused, smacked his head, and replied, ”Hello, granny. Have you seen a four or five-year-old little girl? She’s wearing a white coat, about this tall, and wearing a black hat.” Luo Shufan gestured to his waist, a spot that always got itchy whenever his sister hugged him.

”Little girl? Black hat? Young man, take a look, is that the hat hanging over there on the railing?” The old lady pointed to the courtyard railing not far ahead, and Luo Shufan followed her finger.

Familiar hat! Luo Shufan’s face turned pale instantly, he looked towards the road, but saw no traces of blood. He had been careless! No matter how mature, his sister was just a five-year-old child, and as her brother, how could he let her wander off by herself? Where on earth had his sister gone? Luo Shufan felt his mind in turmoil.