Disaster Apocalypse: Farming, Family, and My Hidden Secret Space-Chapter 17: Footprint

This area was also trampled messily, but fortunately, this wasn't the place where Jin'er had her accident, so it was alright.

Once the wild mushrooms were gone, everyone stopped and continued walking with Jin'er until she halted near a dead tree close to the slope.

This dead tree was nestled among several large, sturdy trees, with some large rocks exposed on the other side.

Seeing those massive rocks, Jin'er was certain.

"Here it is. This is where I accidentally fell while picking mushrooms on the tree."

Even now, the dead tree was still covered with many mushrooms, some of which were quite large. If Jin'er hadn't spoken up, some of the aunties would have picked them in the morning.

Then Jin'er walked straight to the dead tree, stopping at the spot she had stood before the accident, pushed aside the grass, and revealed a clear line of footprints beside the tree, obviously facing sideways to the dead tree.

With no expression, Jin'er stepped into the footprints. "I was standing right here at the time."

Everyone saw it, and the footprints matched perfectly, leaving no room for doubt.

"Then I felt the vines under my feet move." Jin'er said, swaying her body, which scared Grandma Hua into grabbing her granddaughter and nearly slapping the child's arm.

"Grandma, don't be afraid. I'm holding onto something." Jin'er shook a small tree in her hand, smiling ingratiatingly at her grandma.

"That won't do. What use is such a thin tree?" Grandma Hua glared at Jin'er. The moment earlier had nearly stopped her heart. This mischievous child, when they get back... they'll have to tell her father and discipline her properly.

Grandma Hua patted her chest.

Mrs. Qi was also startled. Holding Hua Xiaocao and standing farther from the daughter than Grandma Hua, she couldn't help glancing harshly at her daughter, thinking about how to discipline the mischievous child when they got back.

"Hehe..." Jin'er chuckled naively at her grandmother, then stepped out of the footprints and squatted down, grabbing the vines that were previously covering the footprint, simulating pulling in various directions several times before stopping.

Jin'er believed that the memory appearing in her mind confirmed Hua Xiaocao was indeed here. The fact that Hua Xiaocao wasn't detected during the incident meant she must have been hiding in a concealed place.

Looking around, the only two places that matched the criteria were behind the boulder and among the trees close to the dead tree.

The fact that she fell down the mountain meant it couldn't have been too far from the dead tree; if it were too far, there wouldn't have been enough force. Jin'er focused her gaze on a rock that leaned closest to the dead tree.

On the other side of the boulder grew a dense acacia tree, making it really hard for anyone approaching to be noticed.

The aunties also followed Jin'er to the boulder, waiting for her next move.

No one noticed Hua Xiaocao's expression growing more panicked. But even if they had, they wouldn't see anything; Hua Xiaocao never dared to look people in the eye.

"It's here. When the accident happened, someone must have been hiding here, pulling the vines beneath my feet, causing me to tumble down the mountain."

Jin'er pushed aside the grass behind the boulder, and Little Four quickly came to help his sister. Everyone was dumbfounded.

No footprints were found. Instead, there were a few holes no larger than an adult's fist, scattered in front of the boulder.

Jin'er didn't expect it either, and her expression showed brief astonishment.

Nobody was happier than Hua Xiaocao. Her expression suddenly relaxed when she saw the holes.

While everyone was in a daze, something suddenly moved at the hole's entrance. A dusty grey creature with long ears poked its head out of one of the holes.

"Wild rabbit!" Little Four, with the sharpest eyes, shouted excitedly, and suddenly pounced toward the hole, scaring the rabbit into quickly retracting its head.

Little Four wasn't one to give up easily. He took out a tool for digging wild greens from his basket and began to dig, with Wang Xiaoxiao eagerly helping on the side.

After the commotion caused by Little Four, everyone turned their gaze back to Jin'er. This whole situation was brought about by Jin'er. If she couldn't find evidence, the girl would have to apologize to Hua Xiaocao, since she had indeed been targeting her.

Jin'er cast a long look at Xiaocao without speaking, but inside she thought that Hua Xiaocao was indeed lucky. Don't think for a moment that she hadn't noticed Hua Xiaocao's body relaxing just now.

But did they think it ended here?

Although the evidence proving her fall was caused by someone was gone, Jin'er was still confident in finding proof of Hua Xiaocao's ill intentions.

She couldn't believe the holes all around here were dug by wild rabbits.

The original sweet little girl was gone, but while they couldn't get revenge under these circumstances, she could at least collect some interest.

Jin'er remained silent, simulating in her mind from which direction Hua Xiaocao would have approached the stone area.

If she wanted to do something bad, she wouldn't have done it openly. It would naturally be as concealed as possible.

Estimating the direction, Jin'er cleared away the grass in several places. The result almost made her want to shut down.

Heavens, what is this about? Have you closed your eyes?

She had indeed found more rabbit holes. Did she stumble into a rabbit warren today? If they didn't catch a few rabbits later, Jin'er would not let it go.

Fortunately, the discovery stopped about twenty feet away, finally uncovering a row of children's footprints, with the soles facing towards the dead tree.

Everyone moved along with Jin'er, as Grandma Hua was present and no one dared make remarks.

Everyone understood—having fallen down a mountain and suffered such a mishap, almost losing their life, anyone would want to get to the bottom of it.

When they really saw a row of children's footprints, everyone's expressions shifted.

Jin'er wasn't wrong. On the day of the accident, someone else had indeed been there.

Why were they so certain? The depth of the footprints was quite similar to the ones Jin'er discovered earlier, obviously made after the rain.

Grandma Hua and Mrs. Qi looked grim upon seeing this, their murderous thoughts simmering when they realized Jin'er's accident wasn't just an accident.

Jin'er didn't say much and stepped into the prints. They were clearly smaller than her feet, stepping out after ensuring everyone saw them clearly.

Jin'er didn't call on Hua Xiaocao at first, instead letting Hua Xiaomao, Meng Daya, and others step in. Naturally, none fit.

Hua Xiaocao took a flustered glance, her heart pounding heavily.

No one knew better than her that these footprints wouldn't need testing, they were hers.

But now, she couldn't refuse. Everyone's eyes were on her, and she was the only child left who hadn't tried them.

"Hua Xiaocao, it's your turn," Jin'er said calmly.

Hua Xiaocao didn't move.

"Xiaocao, quickly give it a try," an aunt shouted, unclear whether out of goodwill or intentionally.

Hua Xiaocao: "..."

Just now, the other children had all tried. She didn't even have the excuse of being targeted.

Grandma Hua stared intently at Hua Xiaocao, the sternness in her gaze making Hua Xiaocao's heart race with anxiety.

But at this moment, she had no choice but to step forward.

Now there was no avoiding it.

Mrs. Qi was already pulling her to the footprints. Her expression was telling her that it would be best if she stepped in willingly; otherwise, she would help.

Xiaocao had no choice but to shakily lift a foot and step onto one of the footprints.

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