Anyway, the world is already in chaos, so if they run away together, they might just succeed!
Han Dongdong escaped with her family, and on their journey, she saw He Xiaobao once again.
"Oh, isn’t this the grandson from the third grandmother’s family? Seems like he’s from He Family Village, so young yet so sensible."
"Well, how is this sensible? It’s clearly because he’s been forced to. No child is born sensible!"
"To speak frankly, the third grandmother is biased. Her daughters are almost exhausted by her, even her son-in-law—"
"Keep your voice down, after all, she is a girl from Hanjiaping. If people hear us, they’ll think there’s internal strife in Hanjiaping!"
After hearing the gossip from the old lady and aunt, Han Dongdong formed an impression of He Xiaobao.
Now, being in a dire situation herself and seeing a familiar face, Han Dongdong was very excited and happy.
But, when she inadvertently mentioned Old Lady Han, Han Dongdong quickly realized she had probably said the wrong thing.
Throughout the journey, whether seen with her own eyes or heard with her own ears, the wise Han Dongdong noticed a problem: Old Lady Han, from her own clan, did not seem to be kind to her grandson He Xiaobao!
In the past, Han Dongdong had no direct dealings with He Xiaobao, so Old Lady Han’s relationship with Han Dongdong was of no consequence.
But now—
Han Dongdong wanted to ask He Xiaobao for help, yet she brought up Old Lady Han, who had previously mistreated him?!
Although Han Dongdong was spoiled by her family from a young age, she was not naive or ignorant.
She was wise, innocent, and growing up in a loving environment made her especially kind-hearted.
Occasionally, when she saw Old Lady Han scolding He Xiaobao, she couldn’t help but feel sympathy and thought that once she had the opportunity, she would definitely help this poor child.
Her kind nature allowed her to understand rather than act arrogantly.
Realizing she might have said something wrong, Han Dongdong was anxious and embarrassed, opening her mouth to offer an apology.
But she was afraid that speaking would hurt He Xiaobao again.
Just as Han Dongdong was silently fretting and didn’t know what to do, He Xiaobao spoke, "Han Dongdong? Oh, right, I remember you. You’re from Hanjiaping. Your sixth brother went to repair the riverbank last year, right?"
Han Dongdong’s eyes lit up, and she quickly responded, "Yes! My brother is Han Liulang. He went to repair the riverbank last winter and...didn’t come back."
Han Dongdong is the youngest daughter in the family, with her eldest brother’s eldest son three or four years older than her.
Her sixth brother was closer in age, but still ten years older.
The siblings had a good relationship; her sixth brother always treated her as his most treasured sister.
This sixteen-year-old boy was framed by enemies and forced to work on the riverbank.
Now, his whereabouts are unknown, and their family had to flee, fearing they might be implicated because of her sixth brother.
Ah, just thinking about it brought tears of bitterness.
Han Dongdong couldn’t help but think of her sixth brother.
"Wait here, I, I’ll find something to save you!"
As they were acquaintances, He Xiaobao no longer stayed on guard, he said this and quickly left the trap.
He wandered around the woods and returned with a vine.
"Hold on tight, I’ll pull you up!"
He Xiaobao tossed the vine into the trap, held on tight, and slowly pulled Han Dongdong up.
"He Xiaobao, thank you!"
Finally freed from the pit, Han Dongdong was thrilled and quickly thanked He Xiaobao.
"You’re welcome; we are neighbors and should support each other!"
He Xiaobao waved his hand with a sense of generosity, not thinking it was a big deal.
However, he curiously asked, "How did you end up falling into a trap?"
Moreover, earlier he had heard his mother muttering softly, as if saying the people over there had already left.
Although his mother hadn’t specified "over there," the clever and mature He Xiaobao quickly figured it out.
His mother must have meant the people who fled with the Tian Family, resting previously on the other side of the forest.
And Han Dongdong’s family should have been among that group.
So, Han Dongdong’s family had left, leaving her behind!
This was so strange.
Looking at Han Dongdong, who was well-fed and fair-skinned, her clothes and skirt were stained with dirt and grass, but still, the fabric seemed of good quality.
The style and pattern were new, very suitable for a little girl to wear.