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Wen Xin was missing! Wang Lijuan and Gao Ming arranged for people to search for her. Wen Sheng headed to Gao Ming's hardware store. Gao Ming's store was located at the west entrance of the town market, on the south side of the road. The store was large, with a sign three meters high and ten meters wide, featuring a blue background and white letters that read: "Integrity Hardware and Building Materials Store." Below it was the mobile number of Gao Ming's brother, Gao Liang. Inside, shelves were neatly arranged, stocked with various building materials. Behind the store was Gao Ming's family home, a two-story building with over ten rooms.
Wang Lijuan's shop wasn't far from there. Just a turn to the south on the road would lead right to it. The arcade was also near the west entrance of the market. After walking for a bit, Wen Sheng ran into Gao Liang and hurriedly said, "Brother Gao Liang! Wen Xin is lost!"
Gao Liang remained calm. "I know! Gao Ming has already called me, and I've arranged for people to look for her. Don't worry; you can trust me. If someone goes missing in my territory, that would be a serious matter!"
Gao Liang had significant influence in town; even the local toughs feared him. He had many cousins who were all in business and had money. He dispatched several toughs to guard every entrance of the market. Of course, Wang Lijuan's cousins were also busy; their little sister was precious—who would dare not listen to them?
Wen Sheng's uncle was also active, taking several people to search through various shops. Meanwhile, Wen Sheng anxiously paced in Gao Ming's hardware store. Gao Ming's mother kept comforting him, saying, "Wen Sheng! Don't be too anxious! Have some water first; Gao Liang and his crew are out looking for her. We'll wait here for a call."
In reality, Wen Xin hadn't wandered far at all. After leaving the arcade, she searched around but couldn't find Er Ge. She returned to the arcade looking for Wang Lijuan, only to find that they had just rushed out in a panic. Feeling a bit scared but being a child from a poor family, she didn't cry; instead, she obediently retraced her steps back to wait at the eastern entrance of the market.
She knew many people from her village would come to the market, so she wasn't too afraid. Still, there was a hint of fear in her heart—after all, she was just a child.
Alone at the eastern entrance, she wandered around looking for someone from her village since she didn't know anyone else in town. After waiting for a while, Hua Shan happened to come by with Xue Min and Xue Qiang. Wen Xin approached her and greeted, "Auntie, you're back!"
Hua Shan looked at her curiously and asked, "Wen Xin, why are you alone? Where's your brother?"
Wen Xin replied with a serious face, "I got separated from my brother and can't find him!"
Hua Shan took Wen Xin's hand and smiled, "Why don't you come home with me for now?"
Wen Xin shook her head firmly. "No, if my brother can't find me, he'll be worried. I'll wait here a little longer! Maybe he'll come looking for me soon!"
Hua Shan smiled, "Then let's not wait here any longer with all this traffic. I'll take you to your Uncle Heng's restaurant; you can wait there. Your brother knows your Uncle Heng, and he might just come by to look for you."
Uncle Heng ran a restaurant in the town. He was originally from Reiko's village and was also a senior figure among Wen Sheng's family, being of the same clan. Uncle Heng's restaurant was right at the east end of the road, just a short walk away. It wasn't very big, but it was clean. Above the door hung a sign that read: Chen Heng Restaurant. Wen Sheng often visited Uncle Heng's place to relax. Upon arriving at Uncle Heng's restaurant, Hua Shan made her intentions clear.
"Wen Xin! You've grown so much! I've heard my brother has a daughter; she looks wonderful!" Uncle Heng greeted warmly, then turned to Hua Shan, "Your sister-in-law hasn't eaten yet, right? Why not have something here?"
Hua Shan chuckled, "No, thank you! The car is waiting for us; we should head back. If Wen Sheng doesn't come, just take her home."
Uncle Heng laughed, "He wouldn't dare not show up! If he comes to the market and doesn't stop by to say hello, he'd be looking down on me. If he sees me and doesn't give me a good punch, ha ha!" He gently patted Wen Xin's cheek, "You sit here and watch some TV while I get you something to eat! We can't have Wen Sheng worrying himself sick!"
Uncle Heng fetched a snack for Wen Xin and poured her some water. She munched and sipped while watching TV. Meanwhile, Wen Sheng was frantically searching for her.
Of course, with so many people around, it wasn't long before someone came looking for Uncle Heng. Gao Liang's two cousins burst through the door, flustered. "Uncle Heng! Wen Sheng's sister is missing! Gao Liang sent us out to find her. We're exhausted; could we get some water? She's your niece; how about a free bottle?"
The two were clearly joking; they wouldn't dare cause trouble in Uncle Heng's restaurant since he had a good relationship with Gao Liang. Hearing this made Uncle Heng laugh, "Wen Sheng is quite something! Even Liangzi is worried about this!"
One of the older cousins complained to Uncle Heng like Wang Lijuan would: "It's Wang Lijuan who brought them to the market. She only knows how to play around; she didn't even notice when the child wandered off. She and Gao Ming were busy arguing with us instead of keeping an eye on things! We're off to find her now; we won't stay long—if we see her, we'll send word!" After grabbing their water and paying, they headed for the door.
Wen Xin heard them talking about her! She quickly stood up. At that moment, Uncle Heng called out to them with a smile: "You two don’t run off just yet; Wen Xin is here with me! Isn’t that her?" He pointed at Wen Xin.
"That's her! Wow! You really helped us find her!" The two rushed over to Wen Xin, squatting down to hold her hands. "Call Gao Liang; there's no need to search anymore, heh heh!"
Meanwhile, Uncle Heng dialed Gao Liang: "Liangzi, bring Wen Sheng over! Wen Xin is with me!"
Gao Liang was thrilled upon hearing this: "Wow! Uncle! You're like Song Jiang! We'll be there in no time!" He rushed back into the restaurant with a big smile on his face and exclaimed to Wen Sheng: "Brother! We found your sister!"
Wen Sheng had been tense due to excessive anxiety. Upon hearing that Wen Xin had been found, he relaxed so much that he nearly collapsed onto the ground. Gao Liang came over and pulled him up with a smile, saying, "Brother, what's wrong? Let's go to Uncle Heng's restaurant. I won't lose you." As they walked, Gao Liang made a phone call, telling others they could go home and rest, promising to treat them to a meal later.
Wang Lijuan and Gao Ming were also very happy to hear that Wen Xin had been found. They followed Gao Liang to Uncle Heng's restaurant. Upon entering, they saw Wen Xin standing there. Wang Lijuan rushed over and hugged Wen Xin, bursting into tears. "You scared me to death!"
Wen Xin, her face flushed, hugged Wang Lijuan back. "Sister, don't cry! It's my fault! I shouldn't have run off!" She looked at Wen Sheng with pleading eyes, afraid he would scold her. Wiping Wang Lijuan's tears with her hand, she pleaded with Wen Sheng, "Brother, I'm sorry! I promise I won't run off again! Please don't hit me, okay?"
Wen Sheng looked at her and couldn't help but laugh despite the situation. If Wang Lijuan hadn't been so quick to run after her, he might have actually scolded Wen Xin. Everyone else laughed and chimed in at Wen Sheng, "He wouldn't dare! We want to give him a beating too!"
Wen Xin stepped away from Wang Lijuan and approached Wen Sheng with her head down, apologizing softly, "Er Ge, please don't be angry. It's my fault!"
Wen Sheng tightly embraced Wen Xin. After a moment, he advised her gently, "I'm not angry; just promise me you won't run off again, okay?" He smiled awkwardly through his tears; it wasn't a pretty sight since he never looked good when he smiled anyway.
With Wen Xin found, everyone felt relieved. Gao Liang had mobilized many people in the search for her, and this matter would not be forgotten easily. However, treating Gao Liang to a meal was a must. Uncle Heng would cover the bill since Wen Sheng was his nephew and they were close; he also knew that Wen Sheng didn't have any money.
As they ate and chatted about getting a motorcycle for Wen Hao, it became clear that it would be difficult since Wen Sheng's father was unwilling to step in on the matter.
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