At this moment, Wu Yixiu was completely drained, all her strength gone, relying entirely on Huo Xing’Er for support.
"Who came to our house?"
Inside, Zhu Xiuxiu also came out, yawning. Seeing Wu Yixiu, Zhu Xiuxiu hurried over and asked in surprise, "Yixiu, why are you here? Where’s Yanchen? Did you leave him home alone?"
Seeing Zhu Xiuxiu, Wu Yixiu grabbed her hand, her whole body trembling with agitation. "Sob... Xiuxiu! Yanchen is missing! I’ve been searching all the way here, but everyone says they haven’t seen him. What should I do, Xiuxiu?"
Zhu Xiuxiu was completely stunned. A thought flashed through her mind, her calves went weak, and she nearly collapsed. Huo Xing’Er quickly supported her, her mind filled with confusion. Zhou Yanchen’s mother fainted because her own son was missing, but Zhu Xiuxiu merely knew the family. Why did she also look so devastated?
"What’s wrong?" Huo Xing’Er asked Zhu Xiuxiu, puzzled.
Zhu Xiuxiu’s face turned deathly pale as she blamed herself for everything. "It’s all my fault. I completely forgot that Zhou Yanchen also received a red string from that old man!"
"What are you saying?" Huo Xing’Er was dumbfounded. "Why didn’t you say anything last night? If Zhu Xiuxiu had mentioned it then, Zhou Yanchen might have..."
"I... I forgot. Too many things happened yesterday. I... Last night, I was only worried about Xiaosuisui. My heart was in my throat, and it completely slipped my mind!"
"What are you talking about? What red string? What old man? Xiuxiu, what are you all saying? What does this have to do with my Yanchen?" Wu Yixiu, hearing only fragments, was utterly bewildered.
"I’m sorry, Yixiu. It’s my fault; I was negligent," Zhu Xiuxiu said, looking at Wu Yixiu apologetically, her heart aching with guilt.
"Let’s not panic. Come inside first, and then we’ll talk."
Among those present, Huo Xing’Er was the most level-headed. She quickly ushered them inside, poured Wu Yixiu a large bowl of water, and told her to drink it before they continued talking.
"That red string has a special fragrance, a scent that only the Gu Insects trained by child abductors can detect."
"What? Child abductors? Xiuxiu, are you saying that my Yanchen has been taken by child abductors?" Wu Yixiu was completely stunned. Her vision went dark, and she fainted.
"Yixiu! Yixiu! What’s wrong?" Seeing Wu Yixiu faint, Zhu Xiuxiu grew frantic and quickly pinched Wu Yixiu’s philtrum to try and revive her.
Seeing this, Huo Xing’Er turned and left. When she returned, she was leading Ji Youran by the arm, whose earlobes were as red as a cooked duck.
"Second Brother! Quickly, take a look at her! She’s fainted."
Ji Youran’s Medical Skill was excellent. With a single needle, Wu Yixiu regained consciousness.
She looked at Zhu Xiuxiu with resentment. "If you knew that red string was used by child abductors to kidnap children, why didn’t you warn me yesterday? Didn’t you say we were good friends? Is this how you treat your friends?"
Wu Yixiu staggered to her feet, her eyes filled with disappointment as she looked at Zhu Xiuxiu.
"Yixiu, please listen to me. It’s not what you think. I didn’t mean to..."
Seeing the look in Wu Yixiu’s eyes, Zhu Xiuxiu’s heart ached. This newfound friend... was lost to her just like that.
"Where are you going?" Zhu Xiuxiu grabbed Wu Yixiu, who was unsteadily heading out, and asked urgently.
"I’m going to find my son." Wu Yixiu looked at Zhu Xiuxiu coldly and walked out without a backward glance.
Zhu Xiuxiu grabbed her again. She opened her mouth, about to say something, but Wu Yixiu’s frigid gaze made the words die in her throat. Her breath caught, and she instinctively let go.
Turning around, she met Xiaosuisui’s puzzled gaze. "Third Aunt, what are child abductors?"