Do Not Approach

57:  Lulling to Sleep.

The rain kept pouring, each drop fine as thread, carrying a chill that cut through to the bone.

Mu Xiaoxiao had neither her phone nor any money—only a green lotus leaf acting as a hat. How could she withstand such heavy rain? She curled up, shivering uncontrollably. She wanted to find Qin Yi, but had no idea where she'd gone. She considered returning home but knew she couldn't get in.

Is this Heaven's punishment for throwing a tantrum?

She silently begged: As long as Qin Yi returns, opens the door, and lets me into the warmth of our home, I won't hold anything against her.

Meanwhile, Qin Yi had rushed to the hospital, anxiously asking Su Qiuyun if she had seen Mu Xiaoxiao.

Su Qiuyun smiled knowingly. "Didn't she go home with you? Are you two playing hide-and-seek? Why else would you show up here again?"

She had noticed how much Xiaoxiao had brightened since being with Qin Yi. The serious, mature demeanor Xiaoxiao once wore like armor had melted under Qin Yi's care, allowing her youthful energy to shine through.

This was exactly what Su Qiuyun hoped for. She was so excited about Xiaoxiao's transformation that she called Grandma Chu right away. Grandma Chu was delighted, exclaiming, "Bring my future granddaughter-in-law to meet me soon!"

So when Qin Yi asked in a flustered tone, Su Qiuyun thought it was just playful antics between the two.

Qin Yi kept her polite smile for the elder but was inwardly frantic. She sent Liu Wannian to the surveillance room to review footage from the hospital entrance around the time Mu Xiaoxiao left. Just to be sure, she even checked the restroom herself.

Empty.

An hour had passed since Mu Xiaoxiao vanished.

Liu Wannian returned with no findings but did take a phone call. After hanging up, he approached Qin Yi. "YOung Miss, there's nothing on the footage, but—"

Qin Yi cut him off impatiently, her eyes blazing. ["Don't say anything useless right now!"]

Liu Wannian sighed internally.

Thinking hard, Qin Yi snapped, ["Let's go to Zhang Qiao's place."]

Liu hesitated. "But—"

Qin Yi shot him a dark glare, her eyes glinting with barely contained rage.

Liu Wannian: "..."

At Zhang Qiao's house, she was enjoying fried chicken and Korean dramas in her garden, the rain creating a romantic atmosphere. She looked up when she heard a car pull up, and her excitement peaked as Qin Yi stepped out.

"Sister Qin!" Zhang Qiao greeted enthusiastically.

Normally, Qin Yi would at least offer a nod or a small smile in acknowledgment of her adoring fan. But right now, after Mu Xiaoxiao's game of hide-and-seek, Qin Yi's eyes were red with frustration. ["Where is she?"]

Zhang Qiao blinked, confused. "Who?"

Who else could she be looking for?

Zhang Qiao was momentarily stunned by Qin Yi's appearance—those misty black eyes, full of restrained emotion, her slightly parted lips, flushed red like ripe cherries, and the rise and fall of her delicate collarbone as she breathed.

Qin Yi: "..."

You can always count on unreliable friends to be just as unreliable.

After coming up empty at Zhang Qiao's, Qin Yi climbed back into the car, biting her lip as she tried to think.