Half an hour later, in the study at Li Garden.
Li Zishen gripped his phone tightly, indecisive, not knowing whether or not he should make the call.
In the end, he dialed.
So what if Leng Lingxiao was nearby? When had Li Zishen ever been afraid of anyone? Besides, nothing was more important than Tang Xiaowan’s safety.
"Xiao Wan, it’s me, Zishen."
A familiar voice came from the other end of the phone.
"Yeah, I know, what’s up?"
However, Li Zishen didn’t know that at this moment, Tang Xiaowan was sitting on the rooftop taking the call. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelFirｅ.net
Ever since she was little, whenever she encountered something perplexing, she liked to climb high and gaze into the distance, always feeling that as she watched, understanding would dawn on her.
"Have you applied for self-study? How do you feel about it, are you getting used to it?" Li Zishen asked gently.
Word sure got around fast; she already knew about it.
Tang Xiaowan bit her lip lightly and smiled as she replied, "Yeah, it’s quite good. Calling so late, is something the matter?"
It was a direct move to the point, indicating she didn’t want to share personal matters, much less reminisce.
Naturally, Li Zishen understood, so after glancing at the small pig woodcarving, he said sternly, "I just got word that Du Jiahao is one of Shen Shiyi’s people, that’s a group with members spread throughout..."
"I know, I’m the one who let him go."
"Xiao Wan, what did you say? You released Du Jiahao? When did you let him go, last night?"
"Yeah, just after eleven o’clock at night."
It was then that Li Zishen realized he had been deceived by the electronic tone; Du Jiahao hadn’t died at all.
"Sorry, it’s not convenient to say, is there anything else? If not, I’ll hang up now."
"Wait a minute, Xiao Wan, are you unwilling to go to school... to avoid me? Do you know how worried I am about you, how much..."
"Sorry, it’s late, goodbye."
Tang Xiaowan knew nothing about the events that had occurred in the Lai Family these past few days, and therefore couldn’t understand how worried Li Zishen was about her at this moment.
She was a person with a strong sense of boundaries.
If Li Zishen hadn’t harbored feelings of admiration for her, perhaps they could still be friends, but unfortunately, he couldn’t help crossing those boundaries with his concern.
So, she had no choice but to keep her distance.
Just as Li Zishen was still pondering whether Tang Xiaowan had something on her mind or was unhappy, the study door was suddenly knocked.
It was Nanny Chen, looking very flustered.
"Young master, Madam seems a bit off; you better go check on her."
"Isn’t it time for her medication? Where’s Nanny Wu?"
"I don’t know; I haven’t seen her."
Upon hearing this, Li Zishen quickly quickened his pace and eventually started to run.
On the third floor, in the master bedroom, there was Madam Lai holding a wooden box, muttering to herself. Beads of sweat covered her forehead, and her gaze seemed vacant, as if she were mesmerized by something.
"Mom, what’s wrong?" Li Zishen asked, approaching her with concern.
"My son, you’ve come." Madam Lai smiled faintly, clutching the wooden box even tighter.
Li Zishen noticed the pattern on the wooden box, which felt familiar. After a moment of reflection, he suddenly remembered, the pattern was identical to a painting his father, Li Zhenshan, had made when he was still alive.
Lotus leaves, carps, and a twin lotus.
"Mom, did you have a nightmare again?" Li Zishen asked softly.
Madam Lai nodded, her eyes flickering uncertainly, "I... I dreamed of your father, he was very angry, especially angry."
"It’s okay, it was just a dream."
"I remember this box; I remember it," Madam Lai’s voice became somewhat choked up, "She told me, she made it herself during the holidays; it’s very important."
"Mom, I know that box, it’s not lost, it’s in my study," Li Zishen assured, "Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it."
"No, not that one, this one." Madam Lai pointed to the wooden box in her arms, "This is the real box; I’ve seen it before, this is the one, the other is fake."
Li Zishen looked at his mother with confusion, unsure of what to reply.
The one in the study is fake?
At that moment, Nanny Chen hurried in, carrying a glass of water.
"Master, shall we give the madam her medicine?"
Li Zishen nodded and looked at Nanny Chen, asking, "What’s the deal with this box? Why is it in my mother’s possession? Who gave it to her?"
"I don’t know. The madam suddenly said she wanted to return to Bie Yuan and didn’t want to stay in Li Garden anymore."
"Has Nanny Wu been found yet?"
Just as Li Zishen prepared to open the medicine bottle, Madam Lai suddenly burst into tears.
"Xiao Dan, Xiao Dan, where are you?"
In her confusion, she opened the wooden box and saw two small wooden dolls lying inside.
One was a boy, the other a girl.
The base of the boy had the name Zishen carved into it, while beneath the girl was the name Zihan.
"Zishen is me; who is Zihan?"
"Is this a relic left by Yi Xiaodan? When I was young... I always heard my father mention he had lost two small dolls. Could this be what he was referring to?"
"And was my brother’s name also given by her?"
Perhaps it was the loudness of Li Zishen’s voice that spooked her, but Madam Lai became eerily quiet, her whole demeanor suddenly very calm.
At that moment, Nanny Wu suddenly appeared.
"The jewelry box is mine, mine!" 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Nanny Wu said this while forcibly taking the wooden box from Madam Lai’s arms.
This action left Nanny Chen utterly baffled.
Is she really this bold, snatching it openly?
Immediately, Li Zishen gave Nanny Chen a look and then sat down on the sofa.
"Nanny Wu, where did you go just now?"
"Someone called saying... there was a thief in my room, so I went to check."
Li Zishen raised an eyebrow and asked, "Bie Yuan?"
"Yes, but nothing was stolen."
As she concluded, Nanny Wu suddenly bowed her head, unable to meet Li Zishen’s gaze.
She only stole a glance at Madam Lai.
Seeing the bewildered state of Madam Lai, Nanny Wu felt especially guilty and self-reproachful, even though Nanny Chen had already helped her to the bed to rest.
At this moment, she was preparing to take her sedative. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
"This box... Is it yours?" Li Zishen asked, his eyes sharp and questioning.
"Yes, it is... it’s mine."
"Nanny Wu, you’ve been with the Lai family for many years, right? You came here before grandfather married and had children, didn’t you?"
"I’m sorry, Master... I, actually, this wooden box is—I found it. Right, I found it, I didn’t steal it."
"You didn’t say a word to anyone, and you rushed back to Bie Yuan—is it because you were looking for this?"
At these words, Nanny Wu immediately panicked.
When she received the call, she was indeed in a hurry and forgot to leave a message for others.
But she didn’t understand how the wooden box, which was supposed to be locked in her wardrobe at the old house, could end up in Li Garden.
How did it get into the madam’s hands?
Could it be that the madam already knew I had kept Miss Yi’s belongings hidden?
Did the madam have someone bring them here?
"Nanny Wu? Tell me, did she or not?"
"So, are you saying you brought it from Bie Yuan?"
"No, it wasn’t. I couldn’t have brought it here; it’s impossible, not me."
Clearly, Nanny Wu’s words were disjointed and made little sense.
Seeing her grey temples, Li Zishen didn’t want to pressure her too much. After all, she had been very dedicated in caring for his mother, Madam Lai, and his younger brother, Li Zihan, over the years.
"Nanny Wu, why don’t you hand it over to me? As for everything else... take your time to think it through."
Thus, Nanny Wu carefully handed the wooden box over to Li Zishen, her eyes red and tearful, as if she was somewhat reluctant to let it go.