Jiang Qiao couldn't say for sure. These people were after Zhihong, probably because of her. But she couldn't guess what they wanted to do. They might threaten her with her brother or warn her with Gu Zhihong. In any case, she didn't want to see either outcome.

"Zhihong, are you scared?"

Gu Zhihong smiled and shook his head. "I'm not afraid. My sister is so powerful, why should I be afraid of them? If they dare to mess with me, my uncles won't let them off the hook either."

Jiang Qiao nodded in satisfaction. "Don't be afraid. If your sister really isn't here today, remember, you must stay alive. Don't fight them head-on. Just coax them. The only goal is to buy time. If you can find a chance to escape, that would be even better. If not, leave clues so we can come and rescue you."

When we get back, I'll make you a calming meal. We'll go home together tomorrow, and then we'll go to the police station this afternoon—"

As for what to look at, Gu Zhihong knew perfectly well. Having spent so much time with Jiang Qiao and Gu Zhixuan, the child had already figured it out.

Jiang Qiao was genuinely worried about her cousin, so she made noodles for him at noon. It's said that eating noodles can help people who have been frightened, and she couldn't resist the custom.

Gu Zhihong understood. "Sister, I'm really not scared. By the way, can I bring some food for my friends later?"

Jiang Qiao nodded as she put vegetables into the pot. "Okay, of course. It's only right. Get along well with them so they can lend a hand if you ever have any trouble. Look at today, it's proof of that. Others were scared and hid away, but your friends came to help you without hesitation. That's what friendship is all about."

Looking at the lush green vegetables, Gu Zhihong swallowed hard before even taking a bite.

"Sis, let's bring some back when we get back, okay? We can give some to our teachers and the principal. They've been really kind to us."

Jiang Qiao was surprised that her younger cousin was so quick to learn; she hadn't even taught him much, yet the child naturally knew how to do it.

“Okay, anyway, Grandpa and the others planted a lot, and they can’t eat it all. We’ll bring some back later.”

Looking at her younger brother who had grown so much in the past six months, Jiang Qiao couldn't help but feel gratified, always thinking it was related to her feeding him.

While they were eating, Chunming came over. Jiang Qiao hadn't seen him for a while.

"Brother Chunming, come in quickly, you haven't eaten yet, have you? Come, come, have something to eat at our house."

Chunming didn't stand on ceremony with Jiang Qiao. He served the rice and naturally decided to stay and eat there.

While eating, he explained the purpose of his visit: "Qiao'er, my master asked you to prepare some food so he can deliver it to my uncle at the end of the year."

By the way, what brings you today? My master asked me to come and check on you.

Not to mention Jiang Qiao, even Gu Zhihong looked up at Chunming in surprise.

"Brother Chunming, why did your master ask that?"

Chunming patted Gu Zhihong's head. "You still have to ask? Tell me honestly, did you get into a fight today or what? Don't forget, the necklace you're wearing was given to you by my master."

Jiang Qiao was even more confused. "What do you mean? If the other party is in danger after Master Hou gives them something, can he sense it?"

Chunming smiled and shook his head. "It's not that mysterious. My master just happened to be nearby and heard about it from others, but he didn't quite understand what was going on. That's why he asked me to ask you. He guesses that the amazing little girl that others are talking about is most likely you."

What exactly happened?

Jiang Qiao sighed, "Don't even mention it, I've had absolutely the worst luck—"

She told Chunming about what happened at the school gate, "Tell me, if I had been slow, my brother might have gotten into trouble."

"By the way, what exactly is this jade pendant for? If someone uses a sleeping potion to seduce someone, will this jade pendant work?"

Chunming shook his head. "No, it only works when the person is subjected to a gravity attack. So, don't think of this thing as too mysterious. If that were the case, wouldn't my master be almost like a god? Besides, it only works three times. After that, it will naturally be useless."

Jiang Qiao muttered, "I thought it would be for life."

Chunming swallowed the food in his mouth. "It's okay, I'll learn how to do it in the future. I'll carve it for you for free."

Gu Zhihong quickly put two pieces of pickled mushrooms into Chunming's bowl. "Brother Chunming, we're waiting for you. Eat up, my sister's cooking is delicious."

Chunming smiled and said, "That's right. Look at what your sister made. White noodles, that's a fine grain. But it's appropriate to eat this today."

Zhihong, you really need to be careful from now on. Sigh, I guess your sister really got into trouble last time. If I'd known this would happen, I shouldn't have let her go.

Jiang Qiao sighed, "It's too late to say all this. Who knew the enemy would be so well-informed? I thought they had all been captured and no one would know about this. It's really hard to be a good person."

Chunming deeply understood Jiang Qiao's sentiments, as he had been with Jiang Qiao back then.

"Sigh, I reckon there are still enemy agents who haven't been caught yet. Otherwise, why would they be targeting Zhihong? You should talk to the police later. This won't do. We're doing good deeds without expecting anything in return, but we can't let our families take the risk."

"It's a pity I can't transform, otherwise, I could stay by Zhihong's side every day, and I'd see who would dare to mess with him."

Gu Zhihong seized the opportunity, and the little guy looked at Chunming with a smile, "Brother Chunming, I knew you were the best. It's okay, I'm not afraid. With you guys here, let's see who dares to touch me. You'll beat them to death later."

"Alright, let's eat quickly. We still need to go to the police station later to check on things. I wonder how the interrogation is going."

In fact, Jiang Qiao had a worry in her heart: what if it happened again like last time?

Upon seeing Song Zhi, her worries came true: "Oh, someone still gave you money?"

Song Zhi was also quite helpless. No matter how he asked, he got no results. He also investigated the two people, but there was nothing seriously wrong with them.

"It's the same situation you encountered in the capital. You didn't even know who the other person was; you just took the money they gave you."

The problem is that this time, the man didn't say what he was going to do to Zhihong. He just said to drug him and take him to the back mountain, but they didn't know what to do with him afterwards.

Jiang Qiao frowned, feeling troubled. She still didn't know who her opponent was, leaving her with energy but nowhere to use it.

"Third Uncle, have your men investigate recently, and also increase publicity efforts to encourage the public to report violations. If they are true, reward them; I'll cover the prizes."

"What are we going to do about Zhihong? I'm worried that if something goes wrong, I'll feel terrible for my uncle and aunt. They only have this one child left behind, and I doubt even my grandfather could bear it."

At this point, tears welled up in his eyes. Anyone would feel uncomfortable in this situation, especially given their family's unique circumstances. They only have this one son left, and if something happens to Zhihong, Uncle San's lineage will truly be wiped out.