The Song family had never interacted with the village, so none of them took the gossip to heart.
Shen Yijia obediently did not go to town again. She only brought Tuan Zi and Lin Shao into the mountains every few days.
Tuan Zi had grown up a lot now and often went into the mountains alone. At first, everyone was worried, but when they saw that Tuan Zi knew how to get back to their house safely, they let it be.
Once, Shen Yijia happened to encounter it in the mountains. Ever since then, it wanted to follow Shen Yijia every time she went up the mountain.
Song Jingchen didn’t ask further about Shen Yijia running into the mountains. He only reminded her to come back early every day.
Shen Yijia was baffled. No matter how hard she thought, she probably wouldn’t have thought that Song Jingchen treated her as one of those demons who could fly. He was worried that she wouldn’t come back, so he kept dropping hints and reminding her to come back.
On this day, Shen Yijia came back from the mountain and passed by the An family’s residence. She heard hoarse cries and sobbing.
Shen Yijia stopped in her tracks. Could something have happened to Father An?
At this moment, Madam Li walked out of the An family. Song Jingchen was also there with her.
The latter was expressionless, but Madam Li’s eyes were red. It was obvious that she had cried.
Shen Yijia’s heart skipped a beat. She was worried that Madam Li might have found out the truth. She went over and asked, “Mother, hubby, why are you here?”
Madam Li rubbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief and sighed. “Let’s go home first.”
When they returned home, Shen Yijia realized that something was wrong. Brother Hao and Lin Miaomiao were kneeling in the courtyard, but Sister Huan, who was usually inseparable from them, was nowhere to be seen.
“What’s wrong?” Shen Yijia asked.
Lin Shao saw that his sister was also worried, but he stood quietly at the side.
Madam Li was about to speak, but Song Jingchen spoke first. “Mother, go and check on Sister Huan.”
After Madam Li left, Song Jingchen looked at Brother Hao with a cold expression and said in a low voice, “Explain what you’ve done.”
Brother Hao’s body trembled, and the tears that he had been holding back for a long time flowed down. He choked and said, “I… I brought Sister Huan and Miaomiao to the river to play, causing Sister Huan to fall into the water. I was wrong and should be punished.”
These two children were usually very obedient. It was impossible for them to go to the river to play for no reason. Shen Yijia thought about how she had muttered yesterday that she had not eaten fish for a long time and was able to guess why they went there.
She couldn’t help but ask worriedly, “Where’s Sister Huan? Is she alright?”
Song Jingchen shook his head. “She happened to be saved by Father An, but Father An’s health was poor to begin with. Now…”
Shen Yijia had just heaved a sigh of relief when Song Jingchen’s words raised it again. Everyone in Xiagou Village knew about Father An’s condition. How could he be fine in this cold river?
Brother Hao continued sobbing, and Shen Yijia’s heart ached when she heard it. She gritted her teeth and said, “It’s not Brother Hao’s fault. They went to the river because of me. Husband, if you want to punish someone, punish me.”
Song Jingchen looked at Shen Yijia in disbelief.
Brother Hao interrupted, “No, I brought Sister Huan and Miaomiao there myself.”
“Was it because you heard me say that I wanted to eat fish?” Shen Yijia was helpless. Why was this child so stubborn?
Brother Hao hung his head in silent agreement.
Although she had already guessed it, Shen Yijia still felt relieved after it was confirmed. However, this was not the time to feel touched.
She looked at Song Jingchen and said guiltily, “Husband, why don’t you let them go back to their room first?”