Chapter Forty-Two: Searching for Liao Shuxia

His words immediately made the other three anxious.

“That can’t be. Father is so skilled—what could possibly happen to him?” Lin Beitao forced a smile. “Even if ten or eight people came at him, they probably wouldn’t be able to defeat him.”

Despite these words, Lin Sangqian still felt deeply uneasy. No matter how good Lin Hongda was at fighting, he couldn’t guard against people who played dirty tricks. But they were only selling handkerchiefs at their stall—who would want to harm them?

Suddenly, Lin Sangqian recalled the man who had snatched her meat pie before. That man had been severely punished by Lin Hongda. Perhaps he harbored resentment and had always been looking for a chance to take revenge.

“Let’s go look for them,” Lin Wenyen suggested.

“Alright!”

After notifying Yang Shi, they quickly left the Fortune Abounds Restaurant and headed toward the spot where Lin Sangqian and the others had set up their stall.

On the way, Lin Sangqian nearly tripped and fell, but Lin Wenyen caught her in time.

“Are you alright, little sister?” Lin Yanbei asked anxiously.

“I’m fine, just…”

“Little sister is just too worried about mother,” Lin Beitao interjected.

Lin Sangqian nodded. This body was simply too frail; her legs had gone weak from sheer nervousness.

“Climb on, little sister—I’ll carry you,” Lin Wenyen immediately turned his back to her and bent down.

This was no time for hesitation, so Lin Sangqian climbed onto his back and let him carry her forward.

Unexpectedly, just as they were about to arrive, they ran into Lin Hongda and Di Qing.

“Father!” Lin Sangqian jumped down from Lin Wenyen’s back, and the four siblings hurried over.

“We waited for ages but didn’t see you cross over. Where’s Mother?” Lin Sangqian asked.

“Let’s talk as we walk,” Lin Hongda wiped the sweat from his forehead, his face dark and grim.

Seeing this, Lin Sangqian’s heart sank heavily.

It seemed something had indeed happened.

As they walked, Lin Hongda recounted what had transpired.

Lin Sangqian was so angry she almost fumed from every orifice.

So it really was him! She hadn’t expected that man to stir up trouble again, and this time, to even target her mother!

When they returned to the place where they’d set up their stall, Liao Shuxia was nowhere to be seen.

Lin Hongda found someone to ask and learned that Liao Shuxia had chased after them as they ran.

“Damn it!” Lin Hongda punched a tree nearby, sending a flurry of leaves cascading down and startling Di Qing.

Clearly, this man possessed some skill.

At this moment, Lin Hongda was filled with regret.

It was all his fault! He’d been so focused on chasing Guo Da that he hadn’t noticed Liao Shuxia behind them!

“So, Mother was really taken by someone?” Lin Beitao’s face turned pale with fear. “What do we do now? Mother—she won’t be harmed, will she?”

Seeing Di Qing nearby, he hurried over and pleaded, “You’re an officer, right? Please save my mother!”

“Calm down first,” Di Qing said with a frown. “The problem now is that we don’t know who took your mother or where she is. Our only option is to make Guo Da talk. But…”

If Guo Da stubbornly refused to confess, they would be at a loss.

“Why don’t you come back to the yamen with me and question Guo Da?” Di Qing suggested.

“There’s no time,” Lin Sangqian said.

By the time they reached the yamen, forced the truth out of Guo Da, and set off in pursuit, it was very likely that Liao Shuxia would already be…

Her heart ached dully, but she forced herself to remain calm and analyze the situation. “Anyone who can do this sort of thing with Guo Da can’t be a good person. Sir, do you recall anyone who’s both notorious for wrongdoing and close to Guo Da?”

Di Qing looked at her in surprise.

If it were any ordinary girl, upon hearing that her mother had been abducted, she would surely have burst into tears by now.

But this young woman was extraordinary…

But now wasn’t the time for such thoughts. Di Qing searched his memory and said, “There is someone—Wang Dameng. He often got into fights, sometimes so badly he’d be bedridden for days. I remember seeing him once drinking with Guo Da.”

“It’s probably him!” Lin Sangqian said. “Do you know where he lives?”

“I remember—it’s a place called Andong Lane, but I don’t know the exact house.”

Lin Sangqian thought for a moment, then said, “Let’s split up. Eldest brother, you take second and third brother to the yamen, explain the situation, and see if you can get anything out of Guo Da. Father and I will go with this officer to Andong Lane.”

“Alright!” Lin Wenyen nodded. “You must be careful.”

“Don’t worry.”

…

The three of them arrived at Andong Lane, stood at the entrance, and gazed at house after house, feeling troubled.

With so many homes, searching each one would be a laborious task.

Di Qing pondered, then said, “I’ll ask a nearby household if they know which one is Wang Dameng’s.”

“Thank you,” Lin Hongda replied, his face pale but still managing to maintain his composure.

Lin Sangqian gently squeezed her father’s hand.

Mother would surely be alright. Heaven had favored their family, granting the three of them a second chance in this world—how could fate allow harm to befall Liao Shuxia now?

However… even if Liao Shuxia was safe this time, she would never let Guo Da and Wang Dameng off the hook!

Di Qing approached the nearest house, raised his hand, and knocked on the door.

“Who is it?” came a woman’s voice from inside.

Lin Sangqian felt the voice was familiar, but for a moment she couldn’t place it.

“Official business. Please open the door,” Di Qing said sternly.

“Oh dear, Officer, what brings you to our house? We’re an honest family—we haven’t done anything wrong…” the woman muttered as she opened the door, and upon seeing her face, Lin Sangqian cried out, “Aunt Niu!”

No wonder the voice sounded familiar—it was Aunt Niu’s house.

“Why, girl, what brings you here?” Aunt Niu was delighted to see her.

“This isn’t the time for a chat. Aunt Niu, do you know someone named Wang Dameng?” Lin Sangqian quickly asked.

Aunt Niu paused, then said, “Dameng? What do you want with him?”

“You know him?” Lin Hongda asked at once.

“He’s my younger brother on my mother’s side. He lives here in Andong Lane,” Aunt Niu replied, glancing nervously at Di Qing in his official garb. “Has Dameng gotten into trouble again?”

“Aunt Niu, please take us to him right away!” Lin Sangqian urged.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Aunt Niu nodded and led them down the lane.

They hadn’t gone far before she stopped at a house. “Dameng lives here—after our parents died, he’s been here alone.”

Just then, they heard a woman’s cry from inside.

Lin Hongda’s face changed instantly.

Lin Sangqian clenched her fists. “That’s Mother’s voice!”

“Shuxia!” Lin Hongda roared, kicking the door open and rushing inside.