novelraw Chapter 381: The Children Are Missing
Chapter 381: The Children Are Missing
"Duo Er, look at how high that person is spitting fire."
Man Er held Duo Er tightly, pointing at the person on stage with an excited expression.
This performance was even more thrilling than the juggling they saw in the provincial city last year.
"The fire is so high, amazing." Even though Duo Er lived in Black Dragon Pond Town, this was her first time attending a lantern festival with adults, and she was even more excited than Man Er when she saw the fire-spitting performance.
"I want to go back and tell Mother."
Another ball of flame shot into the air, and Duo Er clapped her hands in delight.
Xiao Long and Yaozu stood closely by Man Er, tiptoeing and remembering Tong Huaqiong’s instructions. As the boys of the family, they had the duty to protect the two girls.
Especially in such crowded places, they must guard against kidnappers.
"Xiao Long, look over there, they’re starting to walk on the tightrope."
Yaozu pointed upwards.
A fine tightrope was pulled across the stage, and the acrobat, as light as a sparrow, leapt onto it.
As he walked along the tightrope, he spewed fire from his mouth.
"Awesome!"
"Awesome!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
A sea of people were captivated, their eyes shifting from the lanterns to the acrobat in the air.
Tong Huaqiong and Old Mrs. Huang stood among the crowd, equally astounded.
In her previous life, she had only seen acrobats on TV during the Spring Festival Gala; the real-life experience was incomparable.
If she wasn’t bound by her status as a widow with children and grandchildren, Tong Huaqiong would have squeezed to the front to watch, cheering for the performers like it was a concert.
Tong Huaqiong’s eyes drifted to Man Er, Xiao Long, Yaozu, and Duo Er.
The four kids were happily jumping around.
Initially, Tong Huaqiong was worried about the crowd and wanted Su Chengmin to bring the kids closer to her. But seeing their joyful faces, she couldn’t bear to do it.
With so many adults and so many eyes watching the four kids, they wouldn’t get lost.
Another cheer erupted as the tightrope walker released a cloud of smoke from his mouth.
Tong Huaqiong admired the performance above.
Lowering her gaze again, she realized the kids were gone.
"Lai Fu, Lai Fu," Tong Huaqiong called out.
Su Chengmin was nearby, boasting to Gu Taohua about his tightrope walking skills, quickly turning his head upon hearing Tong Huaqiong.
"Man Er, Xiao Long, they’re gone," Tong Huaqiong gestured forward.
Su Chengmin’s head buzzed with panic; Xiao Long absolutely could not be lost.
Su Chengmin darted into the crowd.
Gu Jingzhe rushed over to help Su Chengmin push forward.
Old Mrs. Huang’s heart skipped a beat, comforting Tong Huaqiong, "Manager Tong, don’t worry, they were just here, surely just squeezed into the middle. We can’t see them from outside."
Her words didn’t soothe Tong Huaqiong; anxiety rose within her, forcing her to move forward, ignoring Old Mrs. Huang.
None of the four kids could be lost.
Tong Huaqiong wished, like Old Mrs. Huang said, that they had merely been squeezed into a corner.
She hoped Su Chengmin and Gu Jingzhe would bring the kids out.
But soon, Tong Huaqiong was disappointed.
Su Chengmin and Gu Jingzhe searched the crowd without spotting the children.
"Let’s split up and search," Tong Huaqiong decided quickly, instructing Gu Jingzhe and Su Chengmin, "Taohua and I will search the crowd, you two head to quiet alleys."
Gu Jingzhe and Su Chengmin went to nearby dark alleys.
Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua immersed themselves in the crowd.
Lu Zhaozhao wanted to join the search but was held back by Tong Huaqiong; having come from the provincial city, she too was a target for kidnappers.
Old Mrs. Huang sent her maids to join the search, meanwhile loudly calling her son for discussion.
Huang Yuanwai, Lu Zhaoyang, and Huang Jingshan were terrified upon hearing about the missing Gu Family children.
Huang Yuanwai was utterly regretful, knowing Tong Manager came to enjoy the festival for Lu Zhaoyang and Huang Jingshan.
Now that Tong Manager’s children were missing, any hopes of marriage would be dashed if not found.
Lu Zhaoyang looked composed, leading the official through the situation.
The official gathered the street’s officers, splitting them: some controlled the acrobatics troupe, others searched for the children.
This year, County Magistrate Liu issued a strict command to ensure the lantern festival goers’ safety.
They patrolled all night, believing nothing had happened until four children went missing when it was almost over.
It was an obvious kidnapping case.
Every officer wished to catch the kidnappers.
Tong Huaqiong and Gu Taohua searched the crowd but saw no sign of the children, arriving at the meeting point only to find Gu Jingzhe and Su Chengmin hadn’t returned, filling Tong Huaqiong with dread.
Determined, Tong Huaqiong returned to the spot where the kids had been, kneeling to search carefully.
Suddenly, she found the velvet flower Man Er wore on her head on the ground.
Tong Huaqiong picked it up, suspecting the kidnappers had taken the children.
Man Er, usually smart, deliberately dropped the flower.
Tong Huaqiong squeezed through the crowd holding the flower, already hearing officials instructing people not to wander. Lu Zhaoyang and Huang Yuanwai approached, informing her that the officials shut down Yan Guan Town entrances for inspections.
...
"Uncle Fat, where are you taking us in the carriage? To the provincial city? That’s great! It’s so great you’re taking us to the city – I begged Dad several times, but he refused to take me."
The four children were packed into the carriage by the fat and thin kidnappers.
Man Er hugged the crying Duo Er, her face full of innocence and eyes filled with longing.
She looked as happy as a pigeon escaping its cage.
Inside the carriage, the fat, thin kidnappers, and Mrs. Jiang exchanged glances.
This girl was truly innocent, almost foolishly innocent.
She thought they were good people.
Innocence was good.
The old woman was right: from their clothes alone, these four kids were clearly from affluent families.
The older girl and boy especially looked fair and beautiful, sure to fetch a good price.
Because the children were delicate-skinned, they weren’t bound and gagged, fearing they might ruin their value.
But the older, incredibly handsome boy didn’t seem as naive as the little girl, glaring fiercely and struggling silently, even biting the thin kidnappers’ hand.
The thin kidnapper’s hand bled; furious, he raised a hand to hit Xiao Long.
Man Er shielded Xiao Long, sweetly saying, "Uncle, don’t hit him, my brother is mute. He’s scared, but he listens to me the most."
She squeezed Xiao Long’s hand, continuing, "Uncle is taking us to the city to play, be good."
Labeled mute, Xiao Long’s face turned livid with anger.
The three kidnappers felt it a pity; otherwise, a boy of his quality would be sought after by outfits in Shengjing.
But being mute had its advantages; at least he wouldn’t scream for help.
In their hands were four kids: the older girl was foolishly simple, the other girl afraid into silence, the younger boy sobbing while sucking candy from his pocket, sticky with syrup and seeming not the brightest.