Zhao Xiaohua made calming soup for Zhao Xiaoshu, watched him drink it, and finally felt at ease.
"Second brother has always been sharp-tongued. Don’t take his words to heart. You haven’t seen how anxious he was at the time." Zhao Xiaohua said.
"I won’t take it to heart. I know you’re all genuinely good to me, and I’ll always remember that."
"Oh, we’re family. Isn’t it natural to be good to you? You’re good to us too! Saying it so seriously like that makes me a bit embarrassed." Zhao Xiaohua felt somewhat uneasy, because she wasn’t really nice to Xiaoshu before.
It was after mom brought him back and treated him well that the family slowly became good to him.
Xiaoshu is sincere at heart and doesn’t hold grudges.
"I’ll be even better to you in the future," Zhao Xiaohua promised.
"Now, go rest. The calming soup makes you sleepy. After a nap, maybe mom will be back." Zhao Xiaohua said in a relaxed tone.
"I’ll head back to my room now. If you need anything, just call me." Zhao Xiaohua kindly closed the door for Zhao Xiaoshu as she left.
Originally intending to go straight back to her room, when Zhao Xiaohua reached Zhao Dahe’s door, she knocked.
Zhao Dahe thought Zhao Xiaohua was about to continue the topic of lecturing Zhao Xiaoshu, so he wore a sullen face.
"Second brother, I was really scared just now."
The words Zhao Dahe was about to use to retort were swallowed back down.
"Anyway, the person is back now, so stop worrying." Zhao Dahe said, "It was just an accident."
"Thank you, second brother." Zhao Xiaohua said earnestly.
"Zhao Xiaohua, you’re acting strange; I’m not used to it." Zhao Dahe said awkwardly.
"Second brother, you..." Zhao Xiaohua stamped her feet.
"Alright, hurry back to your room and rest. My leg isn’t broken, but it is injured. I’ve walked so much that it’s hurting, and I need to apply the ointment mom prepared for me," Zhao Dahe said.
"Will it be okay?" Zhao Xiaohua was anxious.
Second brother is about to take his exams. What happens if something unexpected occurs?
"Once I apply the ointment and rest overnight, it’ll be fine." Zhao Dahe reassured.
"If you feel uncomfortable, let me know. No need to be shy." Zhao Xiaohua reminded.
Zhao Xiaohua woke up very early.
With mom not around, she felt uneasy comfortably waiting for Sister Su Ye to cook.
She had to get up to help.
Su Ye was already busy in the kitchen, with Wen Nuan starting the fire.
Zhao Xiaohua hurriedly took over the fire-starting task, allowing Wen Nuan to assist Su Ye.
They prepared congee, pancakes, steamed egg cakes, pickled vegetable strips, and sliced braised meat.
The three of them worked together to make a fairly abundant breakfast.
As everyone gradually got up for breakfast, Zhao Xiaohua helped set up the food and noticed Zhao Xiaoshu hadn’t come. She went to call him.
Perhaps the calming soup she prepared was particularly potent; otherwise, why hadn’t Xiaoshu, who usually wakes up early, risen yet?
Zhao Xiaohua knocked on the door, but there was no response inside.
She called out, but still no answer.
With a push, the door opened.
The quilt on the bed was neatly folded; the room was empty.
Zhao Xiaohua found a piece of paper on the table, with the words "Do not seek" written.
It was in Zhao Xiaoshu’s handwriting.
Upon checking, both his suitcase and book box were gone.
"Second brother, Xiaoshu is missing." Zhao Xiaohua cried while running into the dining room, holding the note Zhao Xiaoshu left.
Zhao Dahe had just sat down, and upon hearing Zhao Xiaohua’s words, he stood up abruptly, surprised.
"What do you mean? Speak clearly, who is missing?" Zhao Dahe asked.
Yue Sihai and the others also looked towards Zhao Xiaohua, puzzled, since he had returned yesterday.
"There’s no one in the room, the quilt is neatly folded, and his suitcase and book box are gone. The table has a note with just two words, ’Do not seek.’" Zhao Xiaohua reported.
Zhao Dahe took the note from Zhao Xiaohua. It was indeed in Zhao Xiaoshu’s handwriting.
Written cleanly and orderly, clearly done in a composed state.
Everything was gone, so he obviously left prepared.
Zhao Dahe placed the note on the dining table and rushed to the door.
This house has no back door; one can only leave through the front door, which is guarded at night.
However, the guards definitely stated that no one left all night.
If he didn’t leave through the front door, then he must have climbed over the wall.
With Zhao Xiaoshu’s height and strength, perhaps he could climb the wall without startling anyone. But if he carried things while climbing, it would be impossible to remain undetected without help.
Zhao Dahe was almost certain someone helped Zhao Xiaoshu leave.
Moreover, it was with Zhao Xiaoshu’s consent.
In other words, Zhao Xiaoshu left voluntarily.
However, Zhao Dahe couldn’t understand why Zhao Xiaoshu would suddenly leave.
Clearly, something happened during the time he went missing yesterday. Read full story at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢~𝔫𝔢𝔱
Whatever happened was the reason for his departure.
He purposely returned, likely to avoid Zhao Xiaohua feeling guilty.
Also, to say goodbye to everyone.
Indeed, Zhao Dahe consulted Mr. Wang, who confirmed that Xiaoshu spoke to him last night, mostly thanking him for his teachings.
"I thought he sounded a bit strange when he talked to me yesterday..." Zhao Xiaohua murmured. "But why did he have to leave? Mom hasn’t returned yet. When she comes back and finds Xiaoshu gone, she’ll surely be heartbroken."
This really puzzled Zhao Dahe as well.
But at least there is one thing: his voluntary departure indicates he is safe.
"Alright, let’s eat," Zhao Dahe suggested.
Zhao Xiaohua reluctantly ate a little, while Zhao Dahe reassured everyone and took Zhao Xiaohua back to her room.
"Don’t be sad. Xiaoshu left on his own, not because he’s lost or in danger. He’s always been very determined, and if he left, he must have his reasons. As for why he didn’t speak about it, I can’t understand that either. But I know he wasn’t lost yesterday. He returned likely because he realized he had gone out with you, and if he disappeared without a word, you’d be sad and guilty. That’s why he chose to come back, took his things, and left us a note—a farewell," Zhao Dahe gently explained to Zhao Xiaohua.
"But why did he leave? We’re family. If there’s something, can’t it be said openly? Even if he must leave, isn’t it better to clearly talk it over first?"
"Maybe there’s a reason he couldn’t mention." Zhao Dahe replied.
Zhao Xiaohua cried loudly, and Zhao Dahe’s head buzzed painfully.
"Second brother, do you think he’ll come back?" Zhao Xiaohua sobbed, "Could there be some danger in what he couldn’t say?"
"I don’t know." Zhao Dahe admitted honestly.
He genuinely didn’t know, otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Zhao Xiaoshu go.
Now look at it, mom has only been gone for a few days, and he’s managed to let his younger brother leave home.