My Scheming Little Devil

No need to spend money, without a second word, they sent a few men to accompany them in the search.

Even though the villagers were enthusiastic, Ye Lu still remained on guard, not daring to take out a photo for them to identify.

The group spent the better part of the day searching the forest, but as night fell, they had to leave due to the risk of wolves, leaving Ye Lu both hungry and exhausted. Her hands and feet were cut in many places by the grass and branches, but she ignored the pain, filled with immense disappointment.

They hadn’t found any clues today.

Ling Kong surveyed the vast forest and frowned slightly, comforting her: "We can’t search such a large area in one day. If we keep searching for a few more days, we will find it."

"But isn’t the jungle dangerous at night?" Ye Lu worried. If Third Young Master Jun was really hiding inside, what would he do if he encountered fierce beasts or snakes?

"Surviving in the forest requires skills. I was even thrown into the Amazon jungle by my father for training, where I fought with lions! The jungle is dangerous, but with the right skills, it’s not as dire as you imagine. He is a smart man; he won’t suffer too much. You should have more confidence."

Ye Lu nodded and could only return to the village, where they were staying with a family surnamed Li.

Aunt Li’s son returned from the town market and immediately started grumbling upon hearing about Ye Lu’s search for her missing husband:

"Why are so many people entering the forest these days? A few days ago, a patrol team came asking if anyone had seen an injured stranger leaving the forest, telling us to be on guard and to shoot on sight. And just the other day, Mei’s husband returned from a business trip and got hurt falling down a hillside in the back mountain. These woods are truly bizarre!"

Ye Lu’s expression changed. The patrol team was looking for Third Young Master Jun?

She and Ling Kong exchanged glances, becoming silently cautious.

It was fortunate she didn’t show the photo to these people, otherwise, things could’ve gotten complicated. Though the villagers were simple, they were certainly not fools. They would recognize a fugitive on sight, and if they knew they were dealing with unidentified suspicious people, they wouldn’t hesitate to shoot.

She had seen the gun in the corner of Aunt Li’s house; it was said that everyone here could use guns. The place was in a state of universal conscription, and shooting a suspicious person didn’t lead to charges.

Only after truly understanding the situation did she realize the harsh reality under Sudian’s rule.

If it wasn’t for her obviously pregnant belly, nearly ready to give birth, these villagers probably wouldn’t have trusted her so easily.

They had to be even more careful, especially at night, with Ling Kong sleeping on a mat beneath her bed.

The next day there was still no news, nor the following day, making Ye Lu’s hope fade by the minute. She felt so uncomfortable that she could hardly eat. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"You can’t eat so little when pregnant. Don’t be too sad. Perhaps your husband just got lost, or he left through another place and hasn’t been able to contact you. Relax your mind a bit."

Aunt Li comforted her, and seeing her still downhearted, she added,

"Tonight, at Mei’s house at the top of the village, there’s a night snack and drink gathering to celebrate her husband’s recovery."

After dinner, Ling Kong pulled Ye Lu out: "Let’s join the celebration. If we still can’t find him tomorrow, we’ll leave this place and search elsewhere."

Staying here too long wasn’t good; he feared arousing suspicion.

Ye Lu nodded.

Upon reaching Mei’s house at the head of the village, Mei, a young bride not long married in, was enthusiastic and talkative. Among the group of simple mountain village women, she stood out as especially eye-catching—a beautiful and fiery woman.