CHAPTER 56: CHAPTER 56: THE CRIME OF GENDER 56

Because these refugees had injured people, the villagers, in their anger, wanted to beat them to death. Now that they’ve calmed down, the village chief and several clan elders have persuaded the agitated villagers to report to the government and let the officials handle these refugees.

During this crisis, no one died thanks to Qin Shuangshuang, which equates to saving the villagers twice.

So now, even though Qin Shuangshuang is a young girl and a female, due to these two incidents, her prestige in the village is no less than that of the village chief.

Everyone, especially the young people, greatly trust Qin Shuangshuang. To show his respect, the village chief plans to let Qin Shuangshuang participate in the handling of these people.

After thinking it over, Qin Shuangshuang still refused. It’s fine to let her deal with these refugees, but the Qin Family are her closest kin. Although they have severed ties, for her to handle it would be awkward. The village chief also noticed her predicament and did not force her to participate.

Actually, whether Qin Shuangshuang participates or not is not important. The village chief’s attitude needs to be expressed; it shows the importance of Qin Shuangshuang and also gives her face, which she naturally appreciates.

Under the leadership of the village chief, the villagers are busy settling the wounded, capturing the Qin Family to expel them from the clan, and reporting to officials to handle the refugees who injured people. Qin Shuangshuang, worried about Mrs. Bai at home and Qin Miao Fang Yaoyao, went straight home.

When Qin Shuangshuang got home, it was already broad daylight. She couldn’t help but yawn widely. After a night of upheaval, she was exhausted. Qin Shuangshuang planned to take a good nap but found that Mrs. Bai and Qin Miao were not at home when she pushed the door open.

Qin Shuangshuang’s heart tightened instantly. She turned around, ready to run out and search, only to turn and see Mrs. Bai and Qin Miao coming back with tense faces.

The moment Qin Shuangshuang saw their expressions, she sensed something might be wrong. She looked around but didn’t see Fang Yaoyao, feeling uneasy, she asked, "Mom, what happened? Why are you and Sister Miaomiao the only ones? Where is Yaoyao?"

Mrs. Bai sat silently on the small stool in the courtyard, her face looking very grim. Qin Miao also looked uneasy and, glancing at Qin Shuangshuang, said worriedly, "Around dawn, when the sounds of fighting in the village had stopped, Yaoyao said she was going out to see what was happening. But as soon as she went out, she disappeared. We’ve searched all around, but there’s no sign of her; we don’t know what happened!"

Fang Yaoyao is missing again! Qin Shuangshuang felt a jolt in her heart, a bad premonition arising. Last time Fang Yaoyao ran away, Qin Shuangshuang was anxious and worried, but she was somewhat reassured because, back then, every family still had rice, and no one was considering cannibalism yet.

But this time is different. Now, in villages other than Qin Family Village, cannibalism is rampant! And because Fang Zhongyi often visited Fang Yaoyao, she had no reason to go to Fang Family Village. So why did she disappear suddenly?

The more Qin Shuangshuang thought about it, the more uneasy she became. She turned back into the house, refilled her empty quiver, grabbed her bow, and headed out. At the same time, she told Mrs. Bai and Qin Miao, "I’ll go to my master’s house to see if Yaoyao went there. Mom, you and Sister Miaomiao stay at home together; don’t separate at all. If you go out, stick together with everyone, remember, never be alone!"

After carefully instructing Mrs. Bai and Qin Miao with a few words, Qin Shuangshuang went out, sprinting directly toward Fang Family Village. But she hadn’t run far before she saw several young wives from the village coming out together to carry water toward the ancestral hall, looking like they were going to cook.

True, after a night of turmoil and such intense activity, the bit of meat stew they ate yesterday couldn’t hold them, it’s time to eat something.

Several young wives saw Qin Shuangshuang rushing out, and they all warmly greeted her.

"Shuangshuang, why in such a hurry? Where are you going?"

"After a whole night of chaos, you should at least eat something before heading out!"

"Yeah, you’re still young; without food, how can you manage? No matter how urgent, do it after you eat."

All of them could see that Qin Shuangshuang seemed about to leave the village and urged her to eat something first. Food was scarce, and everyone was starving; the intention behind their advice was good.

Qin Shuangshuang was extremely anxious and had no mind to wait for food. She quickly explained, "Our Yaoyao is suddenly missing; she might have left our village. I’m worried, so I’m going to look for her now. I’ll eat when I get back!"

As Qin Shuangshuang spoke, she continued walking, and then one of the young wives said, "Yaoyao was called away by a little girl from their village!"

Qin Shuangshuang’s steps halted immediately. She turned back to look at that young wife and asked anxiously, "Sister-in-law Li, what does the girl who called Yaoyao look like? Do you know whose child she is?"

The young wife was taken aback by Qin Shuangshuang’s serious expression and, after thinking carefully, said, "I’ve never seen that little girl before, but I heard Fang Yao call her Xiao Xia. That little girl said something to your Fang Yao. I saw Fang Yao’s face look very bad, and she hurriedly followed the little girl. I don’t know if something happened; didn’t she tell you before she left?"

Qin Shuangshuang shook her head with a grim expression. The bad premonition in her heart grew stronger. The only people who could worry Fang Yaoyao, besides her, Qin Miaobai, were her father, Fang Zhongyi!

But knowing Fang Zhongyi’s abilities, Qin Shuangshuang didn’t believe something could happen to him that would require someone to fetch Fang Yaoyao. Surely, the little girl used Fang Zhongyi to deliberately lure Fang Yaoyao away, and doing such a thing was definitely not well-intentioned!

Feeling flustered, Qin Shuangshuang quickly thanked them and then darted toward Fang Family Village.

The road to Fang Family Village was even more desolate. The large trees on both sides, stripped of bark, had long since withered and died, with no signs of life.

When Qin Shuangshuang arrived at Fang Zhongyi’s house, he was just coming back from the mountain with some insect eggs and ant eggs, intending to distribute them to the villagers of Fang Family Village. Qin Shuangshuang was not unfamiliar with these; after being saved by Fang Zhongyi in her past life, she often ate them.

Regarding a girl’s fear of insects, when you are starving to death, even a bunch of live insects would be eaten without hesitation, and you’d find them incredibly delicious!

Fang Zhongyi was a bit surprised to see Qin Shuangshuang because she hadn’t visited Fang Family Village recently.

"Shuangshuang, why are you here at this time?" Fang Zhongyi said as he looked behind Qin Shuangshuang and then asked, "Where’s Yaoyao? Why didn’t she come back with you?"

Qin Shuangshuang couldn’t spare the time to answer Fang Zhongyi. She quickly searched inside and out but, as expected, didn’t see Fang Yaoyao. Qin Shuangshuang then asked, with a frown, "Master, do you know a girl named Xiao Xia?"