Chapter 104 Missed

Meanwhile, Xu Wenhua jogged all the way to the front of the Shen family's house.

When he saw that the door was closed and locked from the inside, he felt much more at ease—it meant that someone must be home.

So he quickly raised his hand and gently knocked on the vermilion door, and eagerly pressed his ear to the door to listen to the sounds coming from inside.

Only after hearing the noise coming from inside the room did Xu Wenhua's tense face finally relax, replaced by a relieved expression. "Thank goodness I'm home!"

Upon hearing the knock, Shen Zishan slowly walked to the door and gently opened it.

When he saw who was standing outside the door, he couldn't help but show surprise: "Wenhua? What brings you here? Come in and sit down!" He then warmly stepped aside to let Xu Wenhua into the house.

Xu Wenhua stepped into the house, looking around as he asked, "Uncle Chen, are you home alone? Where is everyone else?"

As he spoke, his eyes kept searching for Shen Xiaoxiao's figure in each room.

Shen Zishan replied with a smile, "Your aunt went out to do laundry, and Xiaoxiao and Chuanzi just went up the mountain. So, I'm just tidying up the house by myself."

He then explained to Xu Wenhua in detail the specific movements of each person.

Upon hearing that Shen Xiaoxiao had gone up the mountain, Xu Wenhua became anxious and quickly asked, "They went up the mountain? When did that happen?" His words revealed his eagerness to see Shen Xiaoxiao.

Shen Zishan thought for a moment and then told the truth: "It was only about ten minutes ago. They had just left when you arrived. What a coincidence!"

However, Xu Wenhua did not give up the idea of ​​meeting Shen Xiaoxiao. He said without hesitation, "Then I'll go up the mountain and try my luck to see if I can find them."

"Uncle, this is some food I brought for you. Please accept it." Before he finished speaking, he quickly stuffed the gift he was carrying into Chen Zishan's arms, then turned and ran towards the door like a gust of wind, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

Shen Zishan was about to call out to them, but before he could even utter a word, the man's figure had already shot off like an arrow and disappeared into the distance.

He could only shake his head helplessly and sigh, "Running so fast, there are several intersections on this mountain. Even if we search all the way, we might not be able to find you."

Meanwhile, Xu Wenhua unhesitatingly chose the nearest intersection and went up the mountain. He hurried along the mountain path without looking back.

Shen Junqi spotted Xu Wenhua from a distance and immediately started running after him.

Seeing this, Qian Daniu knew she didn't need to go to the Shen family today, so she turned around and walked towards her own home.

Then look at the two siblings, Shen Xiaoxiao and Shen Xiaochuan. They carried homemade realgar powder and insect repellent powder on their backs and walked confidently straight into the deep mountains.

Xu Wenhua walked alone on the mountain road for a long time, but still couldn't find a trace of the brother and sister.

He felt a little disappointed and had no choice but to go down the mountain with a dejected look on his face.

Unexpectedly, just as they reached the foot of the mountain, they ran into Shen Junqi, who was rushing over.

The two exchanged a glance, and Xu Wenhua simply nodded slightly as a greeting before preparing to walk past her and continue forward.

Shen Junqi was a step faster than him. She swiftly reached out her right hand and grabbed Xu Wenhua's arm.

Xu Wenhua was startled by this sudden action. He quickly came to his senses, turned around, and looked at Shen Junqi with a puzzled expression, asking, "Miss, is there something you need from me?"

Shen Junqi's face was already flushed. She lowered her head, pulled her hands back, and clutched the hem of her clothes tightly. She answered shyly in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz, "I... my name is Shen Junqi."

Xu Wenhua's confusion deepened: "I know, you're Xiaochuan's cousin." He scratched his head, seemingly still not understanding what was going on.

"No, no, no..." Shen Junqi stamped her feet anxiously, waving her hands involuntarily, trying her best to express what she really wanted to say.

"I am indeed their cousin, but that's not what I meant!"

She bit her lip tightly, silently encouraging herself, determined to succeed in confessing her feelings.

Seeing this, Xu Wenhua did not interrupt her, but stood patiently in place, quietly waiting for her to continue her explanation.

As if she had finally made up her mind, Shen Junqi took a deep breath, suddenly closed her eyes, and shouted with all her might, "I like you! I've liked you since the first moment I saw you!"

"I want to be with you and be your wife!" After shouting these words, she seemed to have used up all her courage. Her whole body trembled slightly, and she dared not open her eyes to see Xu Wenhua's expression at that moment.

Xu Wenhua, on the other hand, was completely stunned by this sudden confession.

His eyes widened, his mouth gaped open, and it took him a long time to come to his senses. He waved his hands frantically and stammered, "Um... well, we're not really a good match, are we?"

These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, instantly plunging Shen Junqi, who had been full of anticipation, into an icy abyss. She slowly opened her eyes, tears already welling up in them, about to spill over.

She fought back her tears, choking back sobs as she retorted, "You're not even willing to try to understand me a little better, so how can you so easily say we're not a good match? I think we'd be a perfect match..."

"I'm sorry, I already have someone I like!" Xu Wenhua said, her face flushed. Then, as if burned, she turned and ran away without looking back.

His steps were hurried and rushed, as if he was afraid that if he lingered for even a second longer, he would change his mind.

Shen Junqi stood there blankly, watching Xu Wenhua's rapidly disappearing figure, and finally, tears welled up in her eyes.

She bit her lip and murmured softly, "I won't give up. I'll give you time to get to know me..." Crystalline tears slid down her cheeks and dripped onto the ground, splashing up a small patch of dust.

Xu Wenhua ran all the way back to the Shen family.

He was panting heavily, and his forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

When Shen Zishan saw Xu Wenhua rushing back, he couldn't help but frown and ask, "How is it? Did you not find the person? You ran too fast, kid. I kept calling you from behind but couldn't stop you."

"There are several paths on this mountain. If we don't know which one they took, it'll be too difficult to run into them." Shen Zishan shook his head helplessly and sighed.