Chapter 38: Missing 1
At Bai Pavilion, Chief Bai was reviewing scrolls when a servant rushed in.
"Master, an old woman is outside asking to see you."
Chief Bai didn’t look up. "And why would I waste my time?"
The servant bowed. "She said... it’s about Lin Xu."
At once, Chief Bai’s hand stilled. "Bring her in."
The doors opened and an old woman in worn clothes stepped forward. She bowed low. "Chief Bai."
His eyes swept over her with disgust. "A peasant dares stand before me? Speak. Why are you here?"
She lifted her head, hatred flashing in her eyes. "Because you and I want the same thing, to destroy Lin Xu. That woman ruined my daughter’s life. When I heard she had crossed your family too, I came to join hands."
Aunt Lu explained, she was on her way back home when she heard some gossips from the markets.
According to them, servants from the Bai family had warned them strictly not to seek anything at all from Lin Xu and she was shocked to know why.
She did more digging and finally she was able to find out that Lin Xu had even dared to cross the Bai family.
It gave her joy immediately, she would do anything to have someone as powerful as the Bai family to help destroy Lin Xu once and for all.
Chief Bai gave a cold laugh. "You’re nothing but dirt. The only reason I let you speak is because I hate Lin Xu. So tell me, do you actually have a way to crush her? Or are you just here to bluff?"
Aunt Lu’s lips twisted into a bitter smile. "I have a way. A plan that will end Lin Xu once and for all."
Chief Bai’s eyes narrowed. "Then let’s hear it."
"The plan is simple and involves something, or should I say someone, who she cares about the most."
"And who might that be?"
"Who else than her own ’Children’.."
---
Lin Xu and Mo Ying got ready and took the boys to their new school.
It was like a mid-boarding school where they would go every week and come back only on the weekends.
"All the payments have been done. The boys would be given their uniforms and rooms, so do not worry Mrs. Mo, everything will be taken care of," the teacher said as Lin Xu nodded.
Sadly, she turned to her boys as she hugged them tightly, "Mo Yuen, take good care of your brother, okay? Mo Ying will come and visit you guys every three days to give you food and papers. So be good."
"Don’t worry Mama, I’ll take good care of myself and Bao Bao."
"Mama, I’ll take care of Yuen too!" Bao Bao shouted as Lin Xu laughed.
Handing over their things to their matron, Lin Xu said, "Their clothes, food, feeding fee and papers and inks are all there... Nothing is missing, if anything happens then feel free to inform me. My house is not that far."
"Yes Ma’am. C’mon boys, say goodbye to your parents now..." he said as he led Mo Ying and Mo Yuen inside before the door closed.
With them gone, Lin Xu just sighed as Mo Ying walked towards her, "Don’t forget that it was your idea to take them to school. Don’t start crying, it’s not like they would be gone forever."
"If that’s your way of consoling someone, you really need to improve." Saying that she turned around and left as Mo Ying followed behind her.
---
Two days later, the academy grounds were calm when an old woman appeared at the gates.
One of the matrons stepped forward. "Who are you, and what business do you have here?"
Aunt Lu bowed, her face showing false kindness. "I’m here to see my little grandkids. It’s been too long, and I miss them dearly."
The matrons exchanged wary looks, whispering to one another before deciding to call the boys. Soon, Mo Yuen and Bao Bao were brought out.
"Do you know this woman?" one of the matrons asked.
The boys froze, staring at Aunt Lu. They remembered her cruel face, the one who always mistreated their mother. Bao Bao’s lips parted, ready to shout, "She’s a bad person—"
But Aunt Lu quickly interrupted, her voice honeyed. "Oh, my sweet grandsons, don’t be shy. I came here to take you on a little sweet treat break. Cakes, candies... everything children love."
She said as she walked closer to them. They stepped back slowly, "I know you are upset with me because of how I treated your mother in the past but we are both over it. Now we are even good friends. She was the one who gave me permission to come and see you guys, otherwise how would I have known you both were now in the academy."
Mo Yuen and Bao Bao hesitated, glancing at each other. Their stomachs tugged at the mention of sweets, and for a moment, they let their guard down.
"Yuen, she does have a point. Mama didn’t tell anyone else apart from Aunt Yan and Uncle Fuhan."
The matrons, convinced by Aunt Lu’s gentle tone, nodded. "Very well, but don’t be late returning them."
"Of course not," Aunt Lu said with a smile. She took the boys by the hand and led them outside the academy gates.
Once out of sight, Mo Yuen tilted his head. "Grandma, where are you taking us first? The sweet shop?"
Aunt Lu’s lips curled into a twisted smile. Her eyes gleamed coldly. "Sweet shop? No... Capture them!"
At her command, several men suddenly appeared from the shadows. Before the boys could react, rough hands grabbed them.
"Let us go!" Mo Yuen shouted, kicking furiously. Bao Bao screamed, his fists pounding against the men’s arms.
But the men were stronger. A sharp strike to the back of their necks silenced their cries. Within moments, both boys went limp, unconscious in their captors’ arms.
Aunt Lu watched with satisfaction, her cruel laughter echoing. "Lin Xu... let’s see how you smile now."
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