Chapter 116 Disappearance

Chapter 116: Missing

Bai Xiuyu boarded the small boat only to find her son had followed her. She raised an eyebrow. "Why aren't you with Sister Xiaofeng?"

Gao Ruiyang dropped down and said, "Oh, it's just you and Aunt Shen here. I was worried."

Bai Xiuyu laughed. "What's there to worry about? Aunt Shen and I know how to swim."

Shen Linyue, however, paused and glanced at him. "Did you come here on your own?"

Gao Ruiyang shook his head honestly. "No, Brother Yue just told me to come and keep you company."

Shen Linyue's expression became unreadable. She turned to look at the man leisurely sitting on the boat with her daughter, then closed her eyes briefly.

Bai Xiuyu, hearing this, instantly understood what was going on. She rolled her eyes obviously. "You fool!"

Gao Ruiyang was baffled.

He looked utterly confused and a little wronged. What had he done? How had he suddenly become a fool?

Meanwhile, on the other boat, Yue Lingchuan had been on his best behavior ever since boarding. Combined with the quiet boatman, the atmosphere between them was noticeably quieter compared to the cheerful laughter from the other boats.

Shen Qingye casually gazed around, her elbow resting lazily on the side of the boat while her fingers dangled over the water, idly flicking the lake's surface now and then. Her posture was relaxed, her brows smooth and untroubled. Today, she was wearing a jade-green dress that made her fair skin look even paler, standing out vividly against the backdrop of soft pink blossoms.

Yue Lingchuan glanced at her once, then again.

Shen Qingye seemed engrossed in playing with the water, oblivious to his gaze.

But just as he looked over once more, a sudden splash hit him square in the face—

Yue Lingchuan froze.

The cool lake water dripped down his face, dampening a stray lock of hair on his forehead. Even his long eyelashes were dotted with tiny droplets.

When he lifted his gaze, the perpetrator was leaning against the side of the boat, smiling at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes—like a little fox who had gotten away with mischief.

Yue Lingchuan blinked, letting the water droplets slide down his thick lashes. "Splashing me?"

Shen Qingye arched a brow, defiant. "You can stare at me, but I can't splash you back?"

Yue Lingchuan was temporarily at a loss for words, though not the least bit guilty. After a long silence, he simply said, "Then keep splashing."

I'll keep looking.

Shen Qingye somehow understood his meaning and was rendered speechless by his boldness. For a moment, she didn’t know how to respond, so she turned away without another word.

Yue Lingchuan, however, made no attempt to hide his gaze, staring at her openly with burning intensity.

Shen Qingye wanted to ignore him, but with him sitting right beside her and his gaze so intense, how could she possibly pretend he wasn’t there?

She focused on the lotus leaves and flowers floating on the water, determined not to acknowledge him. But after a moment, she felt she was getting the short end. Meeting his unwavering gaze again, her ears turned red with a mix of embarrassment and irritation. In retaliation, she flicked another splash of water at him.

Yue Lingchuan didn’t flinch, his expression amused and indulgent.

After splashing him twice, Shen Qingye started to feel childish, so she decided to let him look—it’s not like it cost her anything.

But just as she turned away and before she could get comfortable, an icy splash hit her back—

Someone had splashed her!

Shen Qingye whirled around, staring at Yue Lingchuan in shock. His handsome face twisted in panic as he yelled in protest:

"It wasn't me!"

Shen Qingye finally realized that the direction from which the water had come wasn't coming from Yue Lingchuan's position.

Suddenly realizing, she glanced sideways and indeed saw Gao Ruiyang's boat had somehow drifted close by. When she looked over, he flashed a toothy grin, plunged both hands into the water, and sent a huge splash her way—

Caught off guard, Shen Qingye was completely soaked.

Gao Ruiyang shouted gleefully, "Sis, water fight!"

Shen Qingye…

Yue Lingchuan…

Bai Xiuyu, watching her clueless son interrupt the couple: …

Only Shen Linyue let out a slow smile.

Water droplets slid down her cheeks, and wet strands of hair clung to her face. Shen Qingye closed her eyes and drew a deep breath.

She growled through clenched teeth: "Gao—Rui—yang—"

Gao Ruiyang's grin froze abruptly as he finally realized his mistake. But before he could react, Shen Qingye was already retaliating!

And it wasn't just her—even Yue Lingchuan joined in to help.

Hopelessly outnumbered, Gao Ruiyang howled as they pelted him with water, whining in protest, "You started it! I just wanted to join in! How is this fair?!"

"No fair! Two against one!"

"Save me!"

"Aunt Shen, Xiao Feng Sis is bullying me! She's bullying me!"

The two older women dodged left and right, initially unwilling to get involved. But the lake water was indiscriminate, inevitably splashing them by accident. Back and forth, the two mothers eventually got caught up in the fun and joined the water fight.

By the end, before the boats even reached shore, the entire group was completely soaked.

Bai Xiuyu was the first to call it quits, panting heavily and declaring she needed a break. Only then did the most enthusiastic fighters stop, sitting quietly in the boats to admire the lake scenery.

Gao Ruiyang had it the worst—double-teamed by the couple and accidentally splashed by his own mother, he was soaked through like he'd fallen in. Shen Qingye wasn't much better, her disheveled hair still dripping, her jade-green dress clinging to her body and outlining her youthful, graceful curves. Yue Lingchuan's gaze flickered over her before he quickly looked away, his Adam's apple bobbing as his heartbeat raced.

Meanwhile, Shen Qingye caught a glimpse of Yue Lingchuan's well-defined abs faintly visible through his translucent white shirt. She coughed lightly and averted her gaze, her mouth going dry.

For a moment, silence fell over everyone.

Only Gao Ruiyang remained oblivious, still whining about how unfairly they'd ganged up on him.

Bai Xiuyu shook her head helplessly at her son's complete lack of awareness.

With everyone soaked, continuing their outing was out of the question, forcing them to cancel their remaining plans.

The group retraced their steps, and when they passed Yue Lingchuan's residence, he didn't stop but insisted on escorting Shen Qingye and the others back home.

At the courtyard gate, Yue Lingchuan hesitated. Shen Linyue glanced at him, understanding he had something to say. Though still somewhat displeased, she held her nose and went inside first.

Bai Xiuyu also dragged her son away, leaving only the two of them in that quiet space.

Shen Qingye looked up and asked, "You're all soaked. You'd better hurry back to wash up and change, or you might catch a cold."

Yue Lingchuan smiled. "I'll go back in a bit."

Shen Qingye said a soft "Oh" and fell silent.

Yue Lingchuan gazed at her, reluctant to leave, and scrambled for something to say: "...Just now, Gao Ruiyang called you 'Xiao Feng Sis.' Is that 'Feng' like the maple tree?"

Shen Qingye froze, her eyes flickering slightly as she met his gaze. "Why would you think it's that 'Feng'?"

Yue Lingchuan replied, "Just a feeling. It seems like that character suits you."

Shen Qingye pursed her lips, holding his gaze for a moment before slowly looking away. "No," she murmured, her eyelids lowering. "It's 'Feng' as in 'the sound of wind.'"

Yue Lingchuan blinked, staring at the top of her head, then nodded. "Alright, I understand."

Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng.

Xiao Feng.

Yue Lingchuan chuckled. "Go back and rest. Wash up. This place will probably get busier tonight."

Shen Qingye nodded before heading inside. At the door, she couldn’t help glancing back at him.

Yue Lingchuan waved. "See you tonight."

Shen Qingye’s eyes crinkled slightly. "See you tonight."

·

She slept until past four in the afternoon, waking up feeling refreshed. Bai Xiuyu, however, still made ginger tea for everyone to drink.

Shen Qingye pinched her nose and gulped it down in one go, the heat making her stick out her tongue.

Shen Linyue teased from beside her, "Like a little puppy."

Shen Qingye grumbled but snuggled closer against her mother for a while. When Gao Ruiyang finally woke up, they all went out for a walk together.

It was sunset, and the golden light covered everything—mountains, water, houses, even the distant trails of smoke curling from chimneys—in a radiant glow. It was an amazing sight.

By afternoon, the temperature had dropped a few degrees, and more people were outside.

As they stepped out, they happened to bump into Qu Peiyun, who was carrying a fishing rod and a bucket. He smiled warmly at them.

Bai Xiuyu greeted him first. "Xiao Qu, been fishing?"

Qu Peiyun nodded. "There’s a pond behind the house. Saw people fishing there yesterday, so I thought I’d give it a try this afternoon. Planning to cook it for dinner."

Bai Xiuyu asked curiously, "Catch anything good?"

Qu Peiyun pushed the bucket toward her, looking embarrassed. "Not really. Just a few small crucian carp after all that time."

Bai Xiuyu said, "Crucian carp makes great soup. That’s a dish right there."

Qu Peiyun chuckled. "Yeah, Jing Jing and her grandma love fish soup. Just right for dinner tonight."

Bai Xiuyu replied, "Alright, we won’t keep you then."

After saying a few more things, Qu Peiyun said goodbye.

Before parting, Bai Xiuyu couldn't help but remark, "Such a considerate and family-oriented man is really hard to find these days."

Shen Qingye also nodded in agreement. Yue Lingchuan, noticing this, had a thoughtful look.

·

They didn't focus too much on the Song family matters. Instead, they stuck to their original plan, walking around the neighborhood. Using what they'd learned beforehand about the scenic spot, they visited a nearby peach orchard and picked some peaches.

The peaches here were exceptionally sweet, tender, and juicy. They ate as they picked, and by the time they all came back with bags, it was nearly six o'clock.

As soon as they entered the lodging area, Shen Qingye noticed something wrong.

Staff members in uniform were rushing about with anxious expressions, as if something serious had happened.

Exchanging puzzled glances, the group wondered what was going on. Yue Lingchuan stopped one of them to ask, and the person replied urgently, "Oh, don't ask now! Someone's gone missing! Our boss is freaking out!"

Frowning, Shen Qingye exchanged a look with Yue Lingchuan, feeling an eerie sense of calm.

It's finally happening.

"Who's missing?" Shen Linyue asked casually, thinking it wasn't their business. But then the person answered:

"Seems like a little girl named Jing Jing, about five or six years old. Her grandmother woke up and couldn't find her, and now everyone's panicking!"

Hearing this, the group was stunned.