Xu Xiu had only been resting for a short while when his phone suddenly rang. He glanced at it and saw that it was the guesthouse owner calling.
Xu Xiu answered the phone immediately, and a very urgent voice came from the other end.
"Mr. Xu... hello... have you seen our Niu Niu?"
"Niu Niu? We just got to the top of the mountain and didn't see her. Isn't she home?"
"He went out early this morning to pick her up, but he didn't come back for lunch and hasn't returned since. We've searched the whole neighborhood, and his mother is crying with worry."
Hearing the boss's anxious voice, Xu Xiu quickly comforted him, "Okay, let's go down the mountain now and search for it all the way back."
"If we don't have it either, then call the police."
"Thank you so much, thank you all."
"You're welcome, boss. We also really like Niu Niu."
After saying that, the other end of the phone hung up hastily. Xiao Ruoyan and Wang Mengqi, who had been listening nearby, were already preparing to pack their things.
Ning Bufan had just returned from the restroom and asked in confusion, "Wait, what are you guys doing? You've only rested for a short while and you're already leaving?"
"Xiao Fan, Niu Niu is missing. We need to go down the mountain to look for her."
"What? Niu Niu is missing? Then what are we packing for? Let's go!"
After saying that, Ning Bufan picked up his backpack, packed some water and snacks, and didn't bother to pack up the tent or anything else.
Xu Xiu also felt that Ning Bufan's words made a lot of sense. Finding people was the priority, so he didn't care about packing up. He just packed up the food and rescue equipment, leaving everything else behind.
Moreover, if you're going to find someone, bringing a tent or something would be a burden.
Xu Xiu had a rescue team in his previous company and had also participated in civilian rescue teams, so he knew some basic skills and common sense.
He led everyone directly to the mountainside and began to search slowly. It was impossible for a little girl to climb halfway up the mountain in just one morning.
Even if something unexpected happens on this side of the mountain, it should be at the foot of the mountain or halfway up the mountain.
The four of them searched and called out as they went, eventually splitting into two groups: Xu Xiu and Xiao Ruoyan on one group, and Ning Bufan and Wang Mengqi on the other.
Based on his previous life's rescue experience, Xu Xiu searched along a fork in the road at the foot of the mountain and found the little flower that Niu Niu had been wearing in her hair the night before.
I think I saw this spot at the foot of the mountain when I was hiking this morning.
Xu Xiu and Xiao Ruoyan walked along the path for a long time without finding anything. Just as Xu Xiu was beginning to doubt whether his guess was wrong...
Xiao Ruoyan tugged at his arm and whispered, "Xiu, did you hear anything?"
"Ruoyan, don't scare me, I'm easily frightened."
"It's not that you're listening carefully."
Xu Xiu calmed down and listened carefully, and sure enough, he found a voice that sounded like a little girl.
The two followed the sound and found a small pit in a clump of grass.
Upon closer inspection, we found Niu Niu sitting in the pit, exhausted and looking drowsy.
Xu Xiu glanced at the depth of the cave entrance, then took out the climbing rope from his backpack, which also contained a small first-aid kit.
Regardless of whether he needs them or not, he bought all the necessary outdoor sports equipment.
I found a tree nearby, tied one end of the rope to it, and then tied the other end to myself. I took the backpack down with me. Inside, besides water and chocolate, there were also compressed biscuits and a first-aid kit. I emptied out everything else.
Xiao Ruoyan took out her phone and found that there was no signal, so she could only watch helplessly.
Xu Xiu slowly made his way into the cave using the climbing rope. Fortunately, the cave was less than 3 meters deep and the bottom was relatively soft with lots of dead leaves and weeds.
He didn't call out to Niu Niu while she was up there, because he was afraid that if he called out to her, she would get more agitated, and if she had any wounds, it would be even more disadvantageous.
Upon reaching the bottom of the cave, Xu Xiu walked up to Niu Niu and gently called to her.
Niu Niu slowly opened her eyes and saw the familiar older brother in front of her. She couldn't help but cry.
Seeing Niu Niu cry so forcefully, Xu Xiu finally felt relieved.
He quickly took out water and chocolate, and jokingly said, "Niu Niu, how did you hide here? I've been looking for you everywhere."
"Big brother, I'm sorry. I wanted to pick some pretty flowers for you and your sister, but I accidentally dropped them here."
Xiao Ruoyan, who was lying at the entrance of the cave, heard Niu Niu's words and her eyes reddened slightly. She hadn't expected that the little girl would go out so early in the morning just to pick flowers for them.
"Does your body hurt anywhere?"
Xu Xiu took out his phone, turned on the flashlight, and began to observe carefully.
He didn't pick Niu Niu up immediately, but observed her first, and then prepared to let Niu Niu stand up and see for herself.
"Big brother, I think I twisted my ankle, it hurts a bit."
Xu Xiu observed that he was not seriously injured, except that his clothes were torn and he had a few minor abrasions.
He took out the first aid kit to treat Niu Niu's wounds, then took out a bruise spray and sprayed it on her sprained ankle.
Fortunately, it was just a slight twist, and no bones were injured.
"Niu Niu, can you stand up by yourself?"
"Big brother, I can do it."
After saying that, Niu Niu stood up immediately, which made her look very brave.
Xu Xiu suddenly longed to have a daughter like that.
He first had Niu Niu put the backpack under her crotch, and then he carried the backpack and Niu Niu on his own back.
Xu Xiu grabbed the climbing rope and climbed out of the cave. Because Niu Niu had difficulty walking, Xu Xiu carried her on his back and walked towards the mountain villa.
Once she stepped out of the alley, her phone got a signal. Xiao Ruoyan quickly contacted Mengqi and then called her boss to tell him that the person had been found.
The owner, his wife, other staff, and tourists all rushed over. The incident touched the hearts of the entire village, and they were all ready to call the police.
Upon seeing the daughter on Xu Xiu's back, the proprietress immediately knelt down. Xu Xiu was already unable to bend over, so Xiao Ruoyan quickly went forward to help him up.
The boss wanted to take his daughter down, but Niu Niu refused, saying she wanted to stay with her older brother, who had told her many stories along the way.
They fed her lots of delicious food, showing no gratitude whatsoever for surviving such a close call.
He simply said, "Mom, my older brother told me that I can't go out alone to play hide-and-seek anymore, and I can't run around in the mountains alone."
"He even said that if I behave, he'll come and take me to the city next time."
Upon hearing what Niu Niu said, everyone turned to look at Xu Xiu.
Some tourists understood that the young man was using psychological suggestion and intervention, not wanting the little girl to suffer any psychological trauma.
After everyone returned to the mountain villa, Niu Niu reluctantly got off Xu Xiu's back. Xu Xiu was also exhausted. Although he had good stamina, he couldn't withstand such a hustle.
After seeing the others off, the boss looked at Xu Xiu gratefully and said, "Mr. Xu, thank you for saving my daughter's life. You don't need to pay for the accommodation this time."
"Just let me know in advance if you want to come anytime, it's all free."
"Boss Liu, that won't do. Business is business, and personal relationships are personal relationships. Besides, Niu Niu was injured while picking flowers for us."
"If I really want to thank you, could you give me a little more of that sesame seed cake? The owner's is so delicious."
The proprietress, listening from the side, felt a little embarrassed.
"Big brother, Niu Niu helped with it too."
"So it was Niu Niu who made it. No wonder it tastes so good."
Xu Xiu looked at Niu Niu with an expression of doting affection.
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