When Aunt Luo returned home this morning, she saw several men dressed as government officials guarding the entrance to Wang Xiuxiu's house.
She inquired around and found out that Xiuxiu had been targeted by bad people, and she was immediately very anxious.
Just as Aunt Luo was pacing anxiously, Songsong jumped over the threshold and ran in carrying a small bag.
Noticing something tugging at her trouser leg, Aunt Luo looked down, grabbed Songsong, and exclaimed in surprise, "Songsong! How is Xiuxiu now?"
She quickly realized she had asked the wrong person, because Songsong couldn't answer her at all and could only stare blankly.
Songsong showed her his back, and Aunt Luo seemed to understand something.
She hurriedly pulled out the letter, then suddenly realized, "Was it...was it Xiuxiu who sent you to deliver this letter to me?"
"I'm so anxious! Songsong, go back and tell Xiuxiu that I'm going to the academy to find Youge'er right now!"
After saying that, she turned around without hesitation and hurriedly ran out the door.
Meanwhile, Songsong, standing to the side, opened her mouth...
Seeing Songsong return with his empty schoolbag, Wang Xiuxiu finally felt a little relieved.
Brother Luo will understand what she means once he knows.
Now, only he and Qi Ming can save him from this predicament.
Wang Xiuxiu stood by the window, staring at the narrow opening outside, her anxiety growing stronger.
"Let's wait a little longer. Perhaps Brother Luo is trying to find a solution, or perhaps Qi Ming is already on his way..."
Time passed by, and the sky gradually darkened, but there was still no movement outside.
Wang Xiuxiu's heart sank, and she began to doubt whether her plan had gone wrong.
Was the letter not delivered? Or are Brother Luo and Qi Ming unwilling to get involved...?
The more you think about it, the more fear and anxiety you feel.
Du Rengou's threat weighed on her heart like a boulder, making it hard for her to breathe.
She couldn't imagine how she would deal with the situation if Brother Luo and Qi Ming didn't come.
Left with no other choice, she could only continue to encourage herself: "It's alright, it's alright. Brother Luo is kind, wise, and intelligent, and Qi Ming is brave and righteous. If they find out what's going on, they certainly won't stand idly by..."
She kept repeating these words, as if doing so would give her more courage.
However, waves of fear surged within her, threatening to overwhelm her.
As night fell, Wang Xiuxiu sat on the edge of the bed, clutching the hairpin tightly in her hand, staring blankly at something.
---
In the middle of the night, several shouts of "Fire! Fire!" broke the silence of the night, waking all the residents of Nanshu Lane.
Flames shot into the sky, illuminating half the heavens, and thick smoke billowed, throwing the alley into chaos.
People rushed out of their homes, some carrying buckets of water, others holding children, looking around in panic.
Wang Xiuxiu was also awakened by the sudden commotion. She gripped the hairpin in her hand tightly and pulled the sleeping Songsong into her arms.
Suddenly, a few faint knocks sounded on the window, startling her so much that she almost screamed.
Wang Xiuxiu held her breath, listening intently to the sounds outside the window, until a familiar voice came softly: "Xiuxiu... Xiuxiu..."
"Brother Luo! I'm here!" Wang Xiuxiu replied in a low voice, a surge of indescribable excitement and reassurance welling up inside her.
Fearing that Du Rengou might climb through the window at night, Wang Xiuxiu specially reinforced the window from the inside.
At this moment, she used both her hands and feet to move away the wooden boards and debris blocking the window.
Seeing that she was safe and sound, Luo Qiyou outside the window breathed a sigh of relief. "Xiuxiu, come out quickly! We don't have much time left!"
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, first handing Songsong out the window, and then carefully climbing out herself.
Luo Qiyou steadily supported her and asked in a low voice, "Xiuxiu, are you alright? Did Du Rengou do anything to you?"
Wang Xiuxiu shook her head. "It's alright. Du Ren was afraid I would try to kill myself, so he didn't dare to do anything to me."
A flash of anger crossed Luo Qiyou's eyes, but he quickly suppressed his emotions. "That's good. Qi Ming set a fire in front, which temporarily lured away the officials in the backyard. Let's go now!"
Wang Xiuxiu nodded, hugged Songsong tightly, and followed behind Luo Qiyou.
Under the cover of darkness, the two quickly ran towards the other end of the alley.
The firelight and noise gradually faded away, and their footsteps sounded particularly clear in the quiet alley.
After running for a while, Luo Qiyou suddenly stopped and whispered, "There are patrol officers ahead. Let's take a detour."
The three of them walked through a narrow alley and around several low houses before finally arriving at a secluded corner.
"We'll hide here for now, and I'll send you out of the city when the city gates open first thing tomorrow morning."
---
Luo Qiyou settled Wang Xiuxiu at a relative's house in the countryside. It was a remote but quiet village surrounded by green mountains and sparsely populated, making it a good place to hide.
After settling Wang Xiuxiu and Songsong in, Luo Qiyou took advantage of the night and returned to the academy with Qi Ming, who was hiding in the city.
Throughout the journey, Qi Ming remained frowning.
He hesitated several times before finally speaking, "Qi You, why won't you let me go see Xiu Xiu? Won't she be scared by herself? Can't we stay with her for a few more days?"
Luo Qiyou glanced at him, his tone steady but with a hint of seriousness: "Xiuxiu has run away. No matter how stupid Du Rengou is, he will eventually find out about us. If we visit her frequently, it will only expose her hiding place. The best way now is to pretend nothing is wrong and make it impossible for Du Rengou to find out."
After saying that, he gently patted Qi Ming's shoulder, his tone softening: "Don't worry, Xiu Xiu's hiding place is very secure. My relative is a reliable person and will never leak the news. After a while, when Du Ren Gou can't find Xiu Xiu's whereabouts, he will naturally give up the search. At that time, we will arrange for Xiu Xiu to leave Yongzhou. Only when there is plenty of space will she be truly safe."
Qi Ming was not relieved by this; instead, he became even more frustrated.
He hung his head, his voice so low it was almost inaudible: "Does that mean I'll never see Xiuxiu again..."
Seeing his expression, Luo Qiyou couldn't help but smile, his tone teasing: "Don't be so pessimistic. We'll meet again someday. And even if Xiuxiu leaves here, she'll never forget us."
Qi Ming shook his head, a struggle on his face, "No...that's not what I meant..."
Seeing his unusual expression, Luo Qiyou felt a pang of anxiety and asked, "What's wrong? Just say what you want to say, don't beat around the bush."
After hesitating for a while, Qi Ming finally mustered up his courage, raised his head and said seriously, "Qi You, as you know, my mother only gave birth to the three of us brothers. I don't have a sister. Actually... I've always regarded Xiu Xiu as my own sister. If we meet again in the future, could you please ask Xiu Xiu for me? I want to recognize her as my adopted sister!"
Luo Qiyou was taken aback for a moment, then smiled, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "So that's what you meant! Okay, I'll definitely ask for you when I have the chance!"
Qi Ming scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Whether she likes it or not, as long as she's doing well, I'll be content."
Back at the academy, Luo Qiyou patted Qi Ming on the shoulder and said solemnly, "Qiming, we must be careful during this time. We must not let Du Rengou find any fault with us. Xiuxiu's safety depends on us."
Qi Ming nodded heavily, his eyes full of determination: "Don't worry, I understand. Even for Xiu Xiu's sake, I will be extra careful."
Meanwhile, Wang Xiuxiu, far away in the countryside, was standing by the window, watching the slowly rising sun, silently thinking, "Brother Luo, Qiming, thank you... I will be fine, and wait for the day we meet again."
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