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“The friend I trust has a lot of influence in that area. Besides, San Mao is only a little over one year old, and the other party hasn’t started training him yet. As long as we’re willing to pay, they’ll most likely let him go.”

“So your suggestion now is that in order to save San Mao, we should give the money directly to you?”

Liu Sisi squinted her eyes slightly and looked up at him.

Zuo Xingyu reluctantly stood up, but sat down again after a moment: “The most important issue now is that I don’t know San Mao personally. If we want to find him from the inside, we might need to directly ask someone familiar with him to help us identify him. Because we only have one chance!”

“I’m his mother, let me go. I’m sure I can recognize him!” Liu Zhi’er said eagerly.

“No! Second Sister, you can’t go! That’s too… too dangerous!”

Liu Sisi instinctively refused, even giving Zuo Xingyu a fierce glare as she spoke.

What was Zuo Xingyu up to? She had a natural aversion to him now. It’s hard to deal with such a dark-hearted man. She wouldn’t feel at ease letting her second sister go with him!

“No! I must go. As long as there’s the slightest hope of finding Er Mao and San Mao, I won’t give up!”

Liu Zhi’er had a determined look on her face, then turned to Zuo Xingyu: “Constable Zuo, when do we leave? Do we need to leave now?”

“Second Sister…”

Liu Sisi anxiously tugged Liu Zhi’er’s clothes.

As she looked up, she met Zuo Xingyu’s gaze, and his seemingly amused expression made Liu Sisi’s face feel a bit hot. She immediately glared at him angrily.

Zuo Xingyu’s starry eyes flickered as he stood up, “During the Lunar New Year period, the child should be safe for the time being. You don’t have to worry. Besides, even if we go there, the other party will only release the child after they see the silver leading.”

Zuo Xingyu’s meaning was clear – to save the child, they must first have the money!

“This…”

As soon as silver was mentioned, Liu Zhi’er’s spirits visibly drooped.

That’s a whole 500 taels of silver! Even selling herself wouldn’t cover the cost!

“I said it earlier, we’ll figure out the money issue, but we can’t come up with the silver right now. We still need to gather it. This might take a few days. Xingyu, is it okay to leave in a few days?” Di Yelei asked directly.

Zuo Xingyu’s thin lips were tightly pursed, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes as he heard Di Yelei’s question before coughing lightly.

“I, Zuo Xingyu, will not accept that ill-gotten money.” He glanced at Liu Sisi and continued, “It’s fine! These two days’ delay doesn’t matter. I just returned today and would like to rest for a little while longer before waiting for my friend’s confirmed news. We’ll probably leave after the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. Please make sure you guys are prepared as well.”

As he spoke, Zuo Xingyu picked up a teacup.

Seeing his intention to send them off, Di Yelei naturally stood up and thanked him.

“We are grateful to you for your help, Xingyu. I’ll definitely find time in the future to treat you to some good drinks and catch up on our brotherly bond!”

“No problem, no problem! I’m not helping you just for a couple of drinks!”

Even though he was joking, the corners of Zuo Xingyu’s mouth barely lifted in a smile.

They said their goodbyes to Mother Zuo and left the thatched hut.

Just before leaving, Liu Sisi left some snacks given to her earlier by Ms. Yao.

When she entered the kitchen to boil water earlier, she saw, in just a fleeting moment, a bowl of grains rice with sweet potatoes on the stove!

During the Lunar New Year, Mother Zuo was still eating such food. Times must be tough for the Zuo Family. She thought about leaving some silver, but seeing Zuo Xingyu’s sharp glance, she didn’t take it out in the end.

Zuo Xingyu and Di Yelei walked side-by-side, escorting everyone to the intersection.

“The child is still young and there’s no need to worry about them for now. Even for those selected to be sent to the palace, the selection process won’t start until the early spring of March,” said Zuo Xingyu to Liu Zhi’er.

Liu Zhi’er was, of course, extremely grateful and thanked him before saying goodbye and leaving.

Liu Sisi deliberately slowed her pace and walked last. As she passed Zuo Xingyu, she whispered softly, “At least you have a conscience!”

It was funny how she initially traded conditions with Zuo Xingyu for his help in finding Er Mao and San Mao. Now, Zuo Xingyu appeared as the good guy in Liu Zhi’er’s eyes.

Zuo Xingyu’s gaze darkened, but he didn’t say anything more, watching as the group gradually walked away before turning back to enter the house.

“The few people who came just now, their voices sound familiar. Have I met them before?”

As soon as he walked in, Mother Zuo groped her way out of the room, holding in her hand a large glutinous rice dumpling that Liu Sisi had left behind, even bigger than a fruit plate. She asked Zuo Xingyu about it.

Zuo Xingyu hurriedly went over to help her: “Mother, why have you come out? Have you eaten lunch? I’ll cook for you.”

Mother Zuo grasped Zuo Xingyu’s hand back, her half-blind eyes staring in his direction, a delighted expression on her face.

“I ate already. I’m old and can’t eat much. But why don’t you tell me about the girls that were just here? What did the one with the crisp voice look like?”

Could Mother be talking about Liu Sisi? Zuo Xingyu hesitated for a moment, an inexplicable irritation rising in his heart.

“Which girl?”

“You think you can fool me? I watched you grow up.”

Mother Zuo gently patted Zuo Xingyu’s arm, her face beaming with a bright smile, “On normal days, you’re a quiet, introverted guy, but today you not only talked a lot but also agreed to help others find someone. I heard one of them calling the other girl ‘Second Sister.’ Have you taken a liking to their little sister?”

“Mother! What are you talking about? If others hear this, who knows what they’ll think!”

As if he had been burned, Zuo Xingyu furiously shook off his mother’s hand and unintentionally moved away, only to turn back moments later.

“Mother, please don’t talk nonsense. That… That woman is married! Her husband is the man who was talking before. You mustn’t ruin her boudoir reputation!”

“You mean… the girl you like is already married? Oh dear! Why have all the good girls been taken by others? And they’re married, too! What a pity…”

Mother Zuo pounded her chest and stomped her feet, sighing repeatedly, “Why are you so slow in making a move?”

Zuo Xingyu didn’t say much, but casually grabbed the glutinous rice dumpling and headed to the kitchen.

“Mother, you rest first. I’ll cook the glutinous rice dumplings for you.” After speaking, he disregarded Mother Zuo’s call and practically fled the scene.