With money, Wang Guozhu could pretend to be freehanded in front of the woman he loved, and enjoy Zhang Xiaohui’s admiring gaze. Her worshipful expression caused Wang Guozhu, who was a male chauvinist, to feel particularly satisfied.
In his years with Zhou Hong, who was a domineering woman, she had never looked at him like that. This lovely feeling caused him to like Zhang Xiaohui even more.
On Zhang Xiaohui’s part, she had received money and some other things from Wang Guozhu. Together with the money and coupons that Gu Qingyao had allowed her to pick up, the days passed swiftly and happily and she had no desire to return home.
The entire brigade was discussing the fact that Zhang Xiaohui had not returned home for three days.
On the fifth day, Zhang Xiaohui was still not back, and everyone in the brigade felt that something was amiss!
When Zhang Xiaohui failed to return by the eighth day, Gu Qingyao pretended to be anxious and purposely made a big show of asking for news from the Zhang family. She asked her dear grandmother if she had news of her mother!
Everyone in the brigade heard of it!
Not only that, Gu Conghua, Wen Ruyu and Gu Qingyao went to the brigade leader, Wang Mingtao’s house, and explained the situation. A woman with a young girl had disappeared for many days, with no news. They were worried.
They also made it clear that they had searched the town, but had found no trace of Zhang Xiaohui.
The entire family had gone to town on the fifth day. Everyone in the brigade had seen them and asked what was going on! The family said that they were worried about their daughter-in-law, and were going to town to look for her.
Now, everyone knew the situation. Zhang Xiaohui had not yet returned after eight days and Wang Mingtao was looking grim!
Because he knew that it was not normal for a woman to suddenly act like that. Within the brigade, rumors were spreading, but they did not dare to gossip too openly.
But as time went by and Zhang Xiaohui still did not return, he would not be able to suppress the rumors any longer!
Gu Conghua said anxiously, “Brigade Leader, my… my daughter-in-law has been gone for so long. In the past, she left for two or three days at the most. She wanted to have fun, so we just let it go. But we have not had news of her for such a long time now, and I’m worried that something might have happened to her?
“Perhaps she has spent all her money or coupons, and was so hungry she fainted somewhere. What should we do? My son did not give us much money when he left. As villagers, we have enough to eat and don’t need much money. My daughter-in-law definitely does not have much cash on hand. She’s somewhere out there… this…
“Brigade leader, can you help us look for her? Our family has tried searching for her, but no one has seen her. I… We can’t help worrying as long as she’s away!”
This matter had become of great interest in the brigade. Many people had seen the entire Gu family seeking out the brigade leader, and they all came over to watch the show!
At that moment, Wang Mingtao was also worried. The truth was that he was inwardly praying that nothing had happened to that Zhang Xiaohui!
This was not some accident, but… his own mistake!
“Alright! Let me get organized and I’ll bring some men to search for her.”
“Ai Ai! Thank you, brigade leader! Thank you, brigade leader!”
Wang Mingtao organized some men and brought them to town to ask for news.
Although they did not find Zhang Xiaohui, two or three people claimed to have seen them. One of them knew Zhang Xiaohui, and was sure that it was her. The other two were not certain, but felt that the description fit the mother and daughter!
“They’re really rich and bought lots of nice things! I saw them buying meat in their new clothes.”
Everyone was mystified by this news. But they did not find Zhang Xiaohui in the town.
Even Gu Qingyao was rather surprised by the results!