"That will depend on the situation when she is found..." Lian Manman said just one sentence and did not elaborate.

Zhang Caiyun got along very well with Lian Manman; they’ve spent quite a bit of time together, hence she knew Lian Manman quite well. Seeing her like this, Zhang Caiyun recognized that Lian Manman probably had a decision made but it was inconvenient to say at the moment, so she refrained from asking further.

During Hai Hour, Lian Shouli, Lian Shouren, and Lian Jizu led two groups searching eastward and southward and returned first. These two groups consisted of people from Thirty Mile Camp, and even villagers from nearby villages. Since they were on foot, they couldn’t go very far. Besides, the weather was extremely cold at night and it wasn’t good to have everyone searching all night.

These two groups did not find Lian Duoduo; they did not even come across any trace of her during their inquiries.

Judging by the route these two groups had searched, everyone had surmised that Lian Duoduo probably didn’t take these two paths.

When these two groups came back, Lian Manman immediately heard the news. Since both groups went to the old family house, Lian Manman instructed Steward Han Zhong to send hot soup and rice over and told Han Zhong to stay at the old house to take good care of everyone. As the villagers helped search for Lian Duoduo, their group accepted this favor.

Old family house

Unlike most elderly people, Lady Zhou sleeps a lot daily. Though she had lain down for half a day, once night fell, she grew sleepy. Since everyone was away searching, the Upper Room only had her, Lady Chiang, and Da Niuniu remaining.

The east wing remained extremely quiet.

As soon as it turned dark, Lady Zhou hurriedly instructed Lady Chiang to light up lamps in both rooms, along with the outer room. Then she stepped outside herself to pick a handy knife from the chopping board in the outer room, returning indoors to place it under her pillow.

Now that it was dark and Old Master had passed away, with Lian Shouren and Lian Jizu not present in the Upper Room, Lady Zhou felt more frightened than usual.

After sitting idly for a while, Lady Zhou grew impatient, wanting to lay out bedding to sleep, but Lady Chiang stopped her.

"Granny, they’ll surely come back once they find her. When the commotion arises, they’ll stir you up as well," Lady Chiang gently persuaded Lady Zhou. "Why not, let’s not undress, just lie on the bed for a bit, saving yourself from unnecessary disturbance."

If everyone came back looking for the girl and found Lady Zhou already asleep, they might think to themselves that Lady Zhou hadn’t cared about her granddaughter’s disappearance at all and, moreover, she had shown disregard for everyone else’s efforts.

Lady Chiang thought this but dared not voice it, choosing instead another reason as a pretext.

Lady Zhou feared, too, that sleeping now would appear inappropriate, hence she surprisingly didn’t act capricious, listened to Lady Chiang’s advice, and lay down fully clothed, cautioning Lady Chiang not to leave.

Lady Chiang knew Lady Zhou was timid, assured her to sleep, promising that she and Da Niuniu would remain in the room with her.

"Granny, shall we prepare some food? Pitch dark, freezing cold weather; it’s not easy for everyone helping us." Lady Chiang consulted Lady Zhou as she hadn’t yet fallen asleep.

"No need to prepare; we’ve got little. Old Fourth’s side surely has it taken care of." Lady Zhou didn’t heed Lady Chiang this time, "It’s their fault they got everyone involved in the commotion. People are here for them, they should be the ones preparing food."

Having spoken, Lady Zhou shut her eyes and went to sleep.

Lady Chiang could only sigh.

By the time everyone returned to the old house from searching for Lian Duoduo, Lady Zhou had already enjoyed a sound sleep. Lady Chiang woke Lady Zhou and placed Da Niuniu by her side, turning to the outer room to boil water for everyone to freshen up.

"Did you find her?" Lady Zhou asked Lian Shouren, Lian Jizu, and Lian Shouli.

"Didn’t find her," they all replied.

"There’s never a moment’s peace," Lady Zhou scoffed, "She’s caused how many bouts of chaos, unsettling the whole family. If she’s lost, she’s lost, saves a lot of worry!"

Since people soon went into the room, Lady Zhou let the topic drop.

Soon, Lian Manman’s side sent over hot soup and rice, and Steward Han Zhong thanked everyone individually, making the room lively as everyone busied themselves, setting the table, arranging chairs, and sitting down for a meal.

Dining tables were set in both the east and west rooms. A special table was set on the bed in the east room just for Lady Zhou.

As soon as the table was set, there was activity in the east wing. Lian Shouyi came out dragging shoes, smelling the aroma of food, and headed into the Upper Room.