It wouldn't be easy to spirit away a living person without a trace.
Strangely, however, there were no footprints or signs of any vehicle left on the ground.
This meant that whoever had abducted Zhu Yunfei was cunning, or possibly it was a group effort, deliberately erasing all traces.
Although Ling Junye was anxious and worried to the point of losing his composure, he wasn't entirely without thought.
He immediately accessed the surveillance footage from the only main road nearby, checking for suspicious vehicles, and also searched other areas for potential hiding places.
But in this desolate wilderness, apart from a dilapidated temple, there were no other structures.
Moreover, the surveillance footage from two sections of the main road showed vehicles passing directly by without stopping, ruling out any suspects.
This meant that it was highly probable that the person had not yet been taken out of the area and was still near the mountain villa.
However, the mountain terrain was extremely complex, overgrown with weeds and trees, making it difficult to find someone hidden anywhere.
Furthermore, there was no evidence to prove that Zhu Yunfei had been abducted.
The police believed that Zhu Yunfei, being unfamiliar with the mountain terrain, had gotten lost.
The mountain was so intricate, such a vast area, densely packed with bushes and forests, where it was hard to even find footing. If she had accidentally fallen into a corner, she might not be found.
The search was still ongoing, and such a large-scale operation could not be completely kept under wraps.
Because Zhu Yunfei's identity was not simple, it attracted widespread attention, and the news had gone viral online, impossible to suppress.
Various speculations emerged, including murder, kidnapping, and getting lost. Even more bizarrely, some claimed she was blocked by ghosts.
…
Xia Wantang stayed at the Ling family's home, accompanying the two elders.
Ling Yucheng had not returned by nightfall, and there was no news from him.
Old Mrs. Ling sighed intermittently as she looked out at the darkening sky.
It had been a day and a night. The autumn nights brought a sharp drop in temperature, with heavy dew. How could they not worry?
"Grandma, you and Grandpa should go rest!" Xia Wantang felt distressed seeing them.
Now that Ling Yucheng and Ling Junye were out searching, her task was to take good care of the two elders.
"Let's wait a little longer," Old Mrs. Ling shook her head and walked to the window.
The warm yellow light from the room spilled out the window, casting a small pool of light.
The view was an endless darkness, like a beast baring its fangs.
The wind outside the window was strong, whistling in, sending shivers down one's spine.
"Grandma, you'll catch a cold."
Xia Wantang stepped forward to close the window and then supported Old Mrs. Ling's wrist.
Tears welled up in Old Mrs. Ling's aged eyes, and she choked out, "Do you think your mother is very cold? Is she hungry?"
Having spent decades together, they were already like family.
Xia Wantang dared not imagine, her own eyes turning red.
Old Mrs. Ling continued, "I heard some fortune tellers are very effective, they can accurately predict directions. We'll go ask for your mother's fortune tomorrow."
"This old superstition again," Old Master Ling, standing behind her, his face darkened, clearly not believing in such things.
Old Mrs. Ling's voice became much softer, filled with weariness, "We have to try anything, even a dead horse."
Xia Wantang looked silently out the window. She didn't know if the fortune teller was effective, but indeed, many things were inexplicable by science.
"Last time your grandfather was seriously ill, I secretly went to have his fortune told. They said he would have a scare but no real danger."
Old Mrs. Ling whispered into Xia Wantang's ear, as if to prove that such things might have some accuracy.
As she spoke, a servant came to report, "Old Madam, Miss Situ is here."
Old Mrs. Ling turned her gaze to the newcomer and said, "Let her in!"
However, she muttered to herself, Why would she come at such a late hour?
Xia Wantang helped her sit on the sofa when Situ Jing walked in.
Her eyes were red, and her expression was full of sorrow.
"Grandpa Ling, Grandma Ling."
"Ah, sit down first. Ou Ma, bring some tea." Old Mrs. Ling had no smile on her face; she simply couldn't muster one.
Situ Jing sat down beside them and then looked at Xia Wantang, greeting her, "Sister-in-law."
Xia Wantang nodded gently, her expression composed.
Yet, facing a woman who liked her husband, she couldn't help but feel a little awkward.
"I heard Aunt Ling is missing, so I came specifically to see..."
Before she could finish speaking, she began to cry, her face filled with worry and urgency.
Hearing her crying, Xia Wantang felt a wave of irritation. Why was she crying so much?
Old Mrs. Ling also showed a hint of impatience, even disgust, in her eyes.
She wondered inwardly, wasn't this girl usually quite sensible? How could she be so foolish now?
Seeing that all three were looking at her in silence, Situ Jing lowered her head, wiped her tears, and suppressed her sobs, a flicker of embarrassment in her eyes.
"I, I was just worried about Aunt Ling."
Old Mrs. Ling's attitude became much colder. She said indifferently, "Thank you for your concern, coming all the way here so late."
Hearing these polite words, Situ Jing gritted her teeth in annoyance.
So this was how they treated her now? They used to be so close.
It was all because of this Xia Wantang.
Ever since she arrived, everything had changed. If only she were gone, everything could go back to the way it was.
"Aunt Ling has always been very good to me since I was a child, treating me like her own daughter. It's only right that I come to see her."
Old Mrs. Ling remained silent. Past events were in the past. Now that the children had grown up, they should have some sense of propriety.
For instance, Xin Yue had grown up in the Ling family since she was young. Why didn't she constantly bring up the past?
Once or twice might be understandable, but with repeated occurrences, Old Mrs. Ling had become somewhat annoyed with Situ Jing.
Not to mention Situ Jing, even the changes in the other members of the Situ family were irritating.
Even if a marriage couldn't be finalized, shouldn't there still be goodwill? Must they become enemies just because the engagement was off?
No one responded to her, and Situ Jing's one-woman show was somewhat awkward.
She lowered her head, her eyes filled with even greater resentment, but as she looked up, her expression returned to normal.
"The incident has happened. Grandpa Ling and Grandma Ling, you must take care of yourselves. Otherwise, Aunt Ling will be very sad when she returns."
Old Master Ling stared intently into the distance, drinking his tea as if to himself, while Xia Wantang showed no intention of joining the conversation.
Only then did Old Mrs. Ling's expression soften considerably, "We will. You are a thoughtful child."
After a brief polite exchange, Situ Jing got up to leave.
She wasn't foolish; how could she not sense the change in the Ling family's attitude towards her?
She left the Ling residence.
Her expression turned dark and profound, her sinister gaze sending chills down one's spine.
She walked into the night, her dark gray clothes blending seamlessly with the darkness.
Halfway, she paused, turned back to gaze at the brilliantly lit Ling residence, and the hidden gloom in her eyes surged forth, making her look extremely frightening.