"Master Zhao?"
Zhao Zhiwei was helped up by the arm. When he looked up, he saw Zhao Shiye's face.
He was quite familiar with this face; Master Zhao was a man of great literary talent and a heart devoted to teaching.
He often went to the school to teach the students some lessons.
If we're really talking about it, Zhao Zhiwei is also a student of Master Zhao.
Master Zhao was tall and thin, but he was quite strong. He pulled Zhao Zhiwei up and helped him stand up straight.
He then asked, "Why aren't you in the classroom listening to the lesson? What are you doing out here?"
Zhao Zhiwei wasn't one to talk to everyone he met, but Zhao Shiye's question made his nose tingle, so he recounted the story of Yuan's disappearance.
Master Zhao's face darkened, and he said, "Take me to your house."
Zhao Zhiwei didn't understand why Master Zhao wanted to go to his house and was so concerned about his mother's disappearance.
But he couldn't care less about anything else at the moment. In his desperation, he would try anything, and he wouldn't give up as long as he could grasp at any straw.
Moreover, Master Zhao has worked in the government office for many years, so he might actually be able to solve cases just like the county magistrate!
Thinking of this, Zhao Zhiwei disregarded the pain in his feet and immediately tried to take Zhao Shiye home.
Master Zhao stopped him and said, "Get in the carriage."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Zhiwei saw the carriage parked not far away.
The carriage was much faster than walking, and the two soon arrived at Tianxin Village.
Zhao Zhiwei's house was on the main road, and a horse-drawn carriage could drive directly to his door.
When the villagers saw the horse-drawn carriage stop at Zhao Zhiwei's house, they all looked at it and began to examine it.
Unfortunately, the carriage windows and curtains completely obscured the people inside, making it impossible to see them at all.
A moment later, Zhao Zhiwei got off the carriage.
The villagers' curious gazes gradually turned to disappointment.
Afterwards, Zhao Zhiwei did not go into the house, but stood at the door looking at the carriage.
The villagers' hearts were in their throats again, and they were all wondering if Yuan had been found.
Then, a middle-aged man dressed in green stepped down from the carriage.
The man had a long beard, was tall but not muscular, and looked like a scholar.
The man followed Zhao Zhiwei into the house, and only then did the villagers begin to discuss it.
The men in the family had all gone out to look for someone, while the women sat in front of the house picking vegetables.
Who was that who got off the carriage just now?
"I don't recognize her! Maybe she's Zhiwei's teacher?"
"I don't think so. The teachers in the school wouldn't have time to come to our door."
Besides, Zhiwei's mother just went missing; wouldn't the tutor coming at this time just cause more trouble?
"Sister-in-law, doesn't that person look like Uncle Zhao?"
The woman who was addressed as "sister-in-law" felt a sudden jolt in her heart and forcefully slapped the person who had called her that.
He cursed, "Are you trying to die?! You scared me half to death in broad daylight!"
Uncle Zhao died twenty years ago. You say you saw him? You're possessed!
Anyone would react this way upon hearing that someone has seen someone who died decades ago.
The women sitting together immediately looked at the woman with reproachful eyes.
The woman also felt that she had gone mad. She laughed awkwardly and explained, "Maybe I'm just seeing things. I'm getting old, and my eyes are getting worse and worse."
...
Lu Qiqi returned to the courtyard and sat there, recalling the strange smell of mugwort and the indescribable feeling.
Li Changlong and Zhou Yi searched for someone all night long last night. They took a nap this morning and just woke up.
After finishing breakfast, the two were about to go out to continue helping to find people when they saw Lu Qiqi sitting blankly on a small stool, her right hand supporting her chin.
Li Changlong and Zhou Yi exchanged a glance, then sat down opposite Lu Qiqi in silence.
Hearing footsteps, Lu Qiqi knew it was Li Changlong and Zhou Yi.
After the two sat down, Lu Qiqi asked, "Second Brother, you said your wife is unwell and hasn't been home for several days. Why is that?"
Li Changlong was puzzled. What was the problem?
But he still answered, saying, "If I'm not feeling well, shouldn't I see a doctor? Why am I not home?"
A single word awakens one from a dream.
Yes!
If you're not feeling well, why would you go outside? Besides, the house smells so strongly of mugwort and there's no ventilation. It's no wonder you'd faint if you smelled it for too long.
That room must be really strange.
Lu Qiqi sorted out her thoughts again.
Zhao Zhiwei and Ru Mei had not seen Yuan Shi for the past few days.
As for Yuan's early departure and early return to bed, it was only based on Zhao's father's account; no one had actually seen it with their own eyes.
Furthermore, after leaving Zhao Zhiwei's house, she asked the women in the village, and they said they hadn't seen Yuan Shi go out in the past few days.
Even someone who dislikes going out wouldn't be able to cover themselves up completely, and no one in the entire village ever encountered her.
That's highly suspicious.
Thinking of this, a terrible thought suddenly surged into Lu Qiqi's mind, and she immediately said, "Second brother, come with me to Zhao Zhiwei's house."
On Monday, go find Zhao Xiaodong and ask him to bring some people over.
The three of them left the courtyard and then went their separate ways.
Master Zhao followed Zhao Zhiwei into the house. When Zhao's father saw Master Zhao, his eyes widened in disbelief.
He saw Zhao Shiye's appearance clearly, then quickly turned his gaze to Zhao Zhiwei.
Zhao Zhiwei moved a stool aside to make it easier for Zhao Shiye to sit down, and then poured him a glass of water.
He said, "I have nothing good to offer you at home, and I hope you will not take offense, Master Zhao."
Upon hearing this unfamiliar title, Zhao's father stood still without saying a word.
It was Master Zhao who spoke first, "Brother, where exactly did Fanglan go?"
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