Xiao Liyan also quickly left the cave and began searching for Xiao Shida.

Looking at the snow-covered mountains, Xiao Liyan wept, calling out, "Manman? Shida? Xiao Shida?"

Unfortunately, no one responded.

————————

"You solved it?"

"Um"

"Let's leave right now," Qin Jue said, and quickly walked outside.

Cheng Peng followed closely behind and walked outside. After a few steps, Cheng Peng looked at Qin Jue and said, "Let's go our separate ways. I don't want to be stuck with you after the mission is over."

Qin Jue ignored Cheng Peng and quickly left using his light-footed skills.

Only the noisy Liu mansion remained.

"It's been a day. I wonder if Manman still has a fever, or if she's feeling any better. Manman, where are you?"

Xiao Liyan walked through the snow-covered forest, looking ahead helplessly.

Then, as if remembering something, he took out a jade pendant from his pocket. "That's right, Yuansheng Hall."

"Manman and Uncle Hong will definitely go back to Mancheng, to the Yuansheng Hall, in the end. I'll wait for them there."

With that, Xiao Liyan quickly left the woods and went to a nearby village to ask for directions.

That night, Xiao Liyan went into the dilapidated temple to rest. By this time, she was no longer wearing her original clothes, but rather a coarse linen outfit, her hair was disheveled, and her face was covered in dust.

Xiao Liyan found a corner in the dilapidated temple, then sat down, hugging her knees, and couldn't help but wonder how Xiao Shida was doing now.

Without realizing it, Xiao Liyan closed her eyes.

Shortly after Xiao Liyan fell asleep, two boys, around ten years old, entered the dilapidated temple. They were also looking for a sheltered corner when they spotted Xiao Liyan hiding there.

"Big brother, look, there's another doll here!"

"Since this place is already taken by this doll, let's find another spot. What kind of skill is it to fight with a doll for space?"

"I know, brother. Besides, I didn't intend to take the place of this doll."

The two brothers found a place to stay, then started a fire and took out some flatbread from their bundle to eat.

While asleep, Xiao Liyan felt a little warm and tried to move towards the warmer spot, but after a few unsuccessful attempts, she woke up.

Then I watched the two brothers warming themselves by the fire, preparing to go to sleep.

Xiao Liyan glanced at the fire, thinking that she didn't want the two to notice her, so she quietly moved a little closer to the fire.

The two brothers saw through it but didn't say anything.

And so the three of them spent the night in the dilapidated temple.