Bai Yujing gently shook her head and replied, "My master has assigned me quite a lot of studies recently, so I need to stay up late tonight and won't go back to my room to rest, so as not to disturb your sleep, Madam."
Jiang Huaiyu did not insist, but gently reminded him, "My husband is studying hard, but he must also take care of his health. I hope you will rest early. In that case, I will not disturb you any longer."
After saying this, she turned around and gracefully left the study.
Bai Yujing gazed at her figure, his heart burning with an unbearable torment.
In fact, why should he be bothered by these trivial matters?
They are a married couple, and should stay together forever, spending countless days and nights together. As time goes by, they will gradually become more honest with each other.
Oh, he should have agreed to go back to the room with her earlier. That way, at least he could have held her tightly in his arms.
With her by his side, perhaps he wouldn't be so agitated.
Bai Yujing suddenly threw the book in his hand to the ground in frustration—if he were really in a hurry to finish his studies, he wouldn't have had the time to rush back from the county town. His hurried trip was only because he was worried about her and couldn't wait to return to see her.
...
The next morning, after having breakfast, Jiang Huaiyu set off for the private school. Unexpectedly, she found Xie Wenyin traveling with her.
However, Xie Wenyin remained as cold as ever to her, only exchanging a few words with Feng Yun and Huiyi occasionally.
Jiang Huaiyu stared at her, feeling puzzled and confused.
From last night until this morning, Xie Wenyin seemed to be deliberately avoiding Bai Yujing, and they didn't even appear together at breakfast.
Has she really let go of the past?
If that's the case, it might be a relief for everyone.
Jiang Huaiyu didn't delve any deeper. She walked all the way to the town and entered the private school with Feng Yun and Huiyi. Watching Xie Wenyin's back as she walked away, it seemed that her destination was still the teahouse in the town.
After finishing her studies for the morning, Jiang Huaiyu packed her schoolbag, preparing to head home.
She gazed at the school gate, wondering to herself if Bai Yujing, who hadn't accompanied her this morning, was waiting for her at the gate.
However, after all the other students had left, Bai Yujing still hadn't appeared.
Jiang Huaiyu couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Huiyi seemed to sense her low spirits, gently took her hand, and said tenderly, "Auntie, don't be sad. Even though Uncle isn't here, your brother and I are still here with you."
Jiang Huaiyu smiled slightly, a hint of gratitude flashing in her eyes, "Yes, let's go home."
The three of them stepped out of the private school and onto the town's stone-paved streets.
It was midday, the sun blazing down like a fireball, and the streets were nearly deserted.
Feng Yun and Hui Yi stood on either side of Jiang Huaiyu, like two guards. Feng Yun appeared steady and composed, like a man of advanced age, while Hui Yi moved with light steps, skipping and hopping, like a joyful deer.
Seeing this, Feng Yun couldn't help but tease:
"Naughty rabbit!"
"I'm not a rabbit, brother, you're the silly goose!" Huiyi said, making a funny face as she jumped forward even more energetically.
Jiang Huaiyu was already used to the siblings' bickering; she simply smiled and watched quietly.
Suddenly, a ragged beggar rushed out from the alleyway and, without saying a word, picked up Huiyi and hoisted her high onto his shoulder.
Huiyi was terrified and screamed, "Who are you! Put me down!"
Jiang Huaiyu was also startled by this sudden turn of events, and her heart raced. She hurriedly stopped her, saying, "Hey, what are you doing? Put the child down! If you just want a few copper coins, I'll give them to you!"
But the beggar seemed unmoved. He carried Huiyi, turned around, and ran away.
Jiang Huaiyu was extremely anxious. She didn't know whether the beggar wanted money or had ulterior motives, so she said urgently to Feng Yun, "Feng Yun, hurry back and find someone to help. I'm going to chase after Huiyi right now!"
As the beggar's figure was about to disappear at the end of the alley, she hurriedly quickened her pace and chased after him with all her might.
The streets were deserted, and Jiang Huaiyu had nowhere to turn for help. She followed the beggar's thin figure from a distance, weaving through several winding streets and alleys.
Suddenly, the figure vanished!
Before him were two forked alleyways, neither of which was in sight. Jiang Huaiyu was momentarily lost, unsure which way to chase after them.
She was extremely anxious, and the long journey had left her sweating profusely, which trickled down her forehead and onto her cheeks.
Just then, she seemed to hear the faint sobbing of a child. She lingered for a moment at each of the two alleyways, and found that the crying coming from the alleyway on the right was more real. She guessed that the beggar must have taken Huiyi and fled in this direction.
Once Jiang Huaiyu had made up his mind, he picked up a thick wooden stick at the alley entrance and rushed in.
She rushed through the alley, only to find it was a dead end. In the distance, Huiyi was huddled in a corner, sobbing uncontrollably, while the beggar had vanished without a trace.
Was the beggar just playing a trick on them?
Jiang Huaiyu looked around and, after confirming that no one was there, the tension in her heart gradually eased. Perhaps the beggar was just mentally unstable, but had no malicious intent.
She threw away the wooden stick in her hand, walked briskly towards Huiyi, and coaxed her gently, "Huiyi, don't be afraid, your aunt will take you home!"
Upon hearing her voice, Huiyi immediately stopped crying, wiped away her tears, and ran towards her.
Suddenly, Huiyi's eyes widened as big as saucers.
She pointed excitedly behind Jiang Huaiyu and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Auntie!"
Jiang Huaiyu turned around abruptly, and saw that deep in the alley behind her, an old wooden door on the left suddenly opened, and two masked men in black pounced on her like tigers descending a mountain.
She tried to escape, but it was too late.
One man quickly stuffed her mouth with a tattered rag, while another man tightly bound her with a rough rope. Their movements were swift and efficient; in the blink of an eye, she had disappeared into a sack and was carried away on their shoulders.
She twisted and struggled desperately, but her resistance was futile in the face of the two strong men's strength.
Huiyi was terrified!
Tears streaming down her face, she rushed forward and clung tightly to one of the men's legs, pleading sobbing, "Bad people, please, let my aunt go!"
Despite being filled with fear, a strange courage made her hold on tightly to the other person's leg, refusing to let go, and even being dragged several meters on the muddy ground.
"This little thing is such a hassle."
Jiang Huaiyu was imprisoned in a sack. She tried hard to make out the sounds, and heard only a dull thud, followed by Huiyi's screams and cries echoing in the air.
They actually attacked a child!
Jiang Huaiyu was filled with anger and despair. She wanted to speak, but could only let out a silent groan; she wanted to struggle, but found herself unable to move. She could only desperately twist her body, making violent tremors, hoping they would realize not to hurt Huiyi.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
