Chapter 130: The Rabbit Is Gone Again

In the past, Bai Yan would scratch others, but whenever she scratched Jiang Chengyan, she would aim for his neck. This time, however, she went straight for his face. She left three distinct marks on his skin. Yet, Jiang Chengyan didn’t make a sound. Instead, his long, slender fingers gently tugged at the big white rabbit’s ears. The rabbit closed its eyes, looking thoroughly content.

"Didn't you say that our family wouldn't keep any other animals?" Bai Yan stormed up to Jiang Chengyan, looking at him with an expression of utter exasperation.

Jiang Chengyan chuckled. He stood up, carrying the rabbit as he went to fetch a small file. Seeing that he had no intention of putting the rabbit down, Bai Yan rushed in front of him, sulking, "I don't like you holding other rabbits. Get rid of it immediately." She wasn't throwing a tantrum; she was simply stating her wishes directly.

Jiang Chengyan laughed and shook his head. "Let it stay for a couple of days. It’s just a rabbit."

Bai Yan pouted. "But it's female." Perhaps due to her nature as a transformed animal, she could discern the gender of other animals at a glance.

"Even if it’s female, it’s not a person; it’s just an animal," Jiang Chengyan replied with a smile, then carried the rabbit into the house.

Bai Yan stood in the courtyard for a while, wiped her head with her little blanket, and then darted into the house. She packed her small bundle, took all the silver notes and coins she had swindled from Jiang Chengyan, and hurried out.

"Where are you going?" Jiang Chengyan asked, looking up from the rabbit.

"I'm going to the county town to find Mother," Bai Yan replied. She wasn't acting out of anger; she spoke with a calm, matter-of-fact tone. Anyone who truly understood her temperament would know this wasn't a petulant departure, but a genuine intent to seek out Mrs. Zhao.

"Do you know where they are?" Jiang Chengyan asked again.

"I do. I can smell them," Bai Yan explained.

Jiang Chengyan didn't try to stop her; he simply nodded. Watching her scamper away, the man finally set the rabbit down, locked the door, and followed her. He had intended to tease her a little to stir up some sense of territoriality, but the rabbit spirit had bolted, taking every last bit of his money and silver—she hadn't even left him a single copper coin.

The fog was thick. Jiang Chengyan searched back and forth several times, even venturing into the woods, but he could not find a trace of Bai Yan. He called out her name repeatedly, but there was no response.

Thinking that Bai Yan might have gone to the county town to find Mrs. Zhao, Jiang Chengyan rushed there immediately. At the Hengfeng Shop, Father Jiang and Mrs. Zhao were eating in the back courtyard. They were surprised to see him.

"Is the girl feeling better? Your mother and I bought her some nuts; you should take them back." Business at the Hengfeng Carpentry Shop was thriving, and Father Jiang, now more comfortable financially, was generous when it came to buying things for the children.

"Has Bai Yan been here?" Jiang Chengyan asked.

In truth, he had already anticipated the answer. If Bai Yan had come, the couple wouldn't be sitting there eating so quietly; they would certainly have taken her out to a restaurant for a grand meal.

Upon hearing his question, Mrs. Zhao slammed her hand on the table. "What do you mean by that? Have you lost the girl?!"

"You wretch, where is she?" Mrs. Zhao and Father Jiang threw down their chopsticks and hurried out in a panic to look for her.

Jiang Chengyan stood there, his mind in complete turmoil.