Outside, people were still gossiping, but inside the house, a completely different scene unfolded.
Grandma Pei pulled Su Jin onto the sofa. The more she looked at her, the more she liked her, a smile playing between her brows. She loved girls with soft, delicate features—it made her feel like an old mother whose heart was about to melt.
In her life, she had never had a daughter, only two troublesome sons.
And those two sons? Useless—they each had two sons of their own.
Now her eldest grandson was married, and she thought the family might finally have a little girl, only to get two more boys.
It had troubled her endlessly. But unexpectedly, the arrival of little Jin brought her uncontainable joy.
Her two daughters-in-law were wary of her, and even the granddaughters-in-law didn’t communicate much, always busy with work.
So, no matter what, she had to claim little Jin as part of the family—to keep her company. She cherished this girl immensely.
“Xiao Jin, you must be exhausted from the trip. Have some water first; we’ll eat soon.”
“I’m fine, Grandma.”
As they spoke, Pei Yuening interjected, “Grandma, look at her cat—it really knows how to enjoy itself.”
He scratched the little black cat’s fluffy chin. The cat purred happily, lying limp in his arms, its body soft and relaxed.
Grandma Pei, who had intended to talk to Su Jin, couldn’t help laughing at the sight. “Oh my, this little thing really does know how to enjoy itself.”
She then turned to Su Jin. “Having a little pet is nice—it keeps you entertained.”
“Yes, it’s very obedient and quite clever.”
Sun Limei, wiping her wet hands on her apron, came out of the kitchen. “Dinner’s ready. Wash your hands and let’s eat.”
Though she didn’t like her son marrying some wealthy young lady, the girl was now a guest, and both the old master and grandma were welcoming her warmly. Causing a scene would bring her no benefit.
Pei Yuening was the first to leap up. “Great! I’m starving.” He then spoke to the cat in his arms, “Little Black, are you hungry too?”
The little black cat, clearly offended by the ugly name, let out a fierce meow, startling Pei Yuening.
Su Jin quickly explained, “It’s protesting. It doesn’t like being called Little Black—it has a name: Tuan Tuan.”
Grandma Pei chuckled. “Ah, you said it was clever, but I didn’t believe it. Now I see—it truly is. Such a charming little cat.”
No sooner had she spoken than the cat leapt from Pei Yuening’s arms and clung to her leg. Its big round eyes rolled playfully, meowing at her, then it began to roll on the floor.
Grandma Pei laughed until tears streamed down her face, bending to scoop it up in her arms.
The cat pressed its head against her arm. “You little rascal~”
The old master smiled too. “Alright, alright, let’s eat. Xiao Jin must be tired from the trip—let her rest after the meal.”
“Exactly,” Grandma Pei said, holding Su Jin’s hand as they went to wash up.
After washing, the dishes were brought to the table. Grandma Pei used the serving chopsticks to put a piece of braised pork on Su Jin’s plate. “Xiao Jin, try this. Your aunt’s specialty—she makes the best braised pork.”
Su Jin thanked both Grandma Pei and Sun Limei. “Thank you, Grandma. Thank you, Aunt. It smells amazing—it must be delicious.”
Sun Limei smiled. “If you like it, eat more. I’ll go fetch the two children.”
After saying this, she left. Grandma Pei, seeing Su Jin staring at the departing eldest daughter-in-law, smiled. “Don’t worry, let’s eat first.”
The family began eating. Suddenly, Sun Limei ran back in panic, her voice quivering with tears, speaking incoherently. “They’re missing… Wenrui and Wenci are gone… gone. I’ve looked, even at the neighbor, Officer Guo’s house…”
Grandma Pei dropped her chopsticks onto the table with a “clack.” “What!”
Sun Limei was in full panic, her face pale. “While I was cooking, the two children went to see Dogdan at Officer Guo’s. I went to check, and Dogdan said they’d returned long ago—but they never came home.”
The old master suddenly stood, all traces of kindness wiped from his face. “Have you checked everywhere? Every room, every corner?”
Sun Limei shook her head. “No, not at home. But Mother was sitting in the living room all the time. If they had returned, she would have heard.”
Grandma Pei swayed, her face pale. “No… I saw them leave. I even saw them enter Officer Guo’s door. I… sat in the main hall waiting for you all. The brothers didn’t come back.”
Pei Yucheng stood up. “Grandma, Mom, don’t worry. Second Brother and I will check the estate—maybe they’re playing at someone’s house. With the strict security here, they definitely couldn’t have left.”
He gave Pei Yuan’an a glance. The brothers, understanding each other perfectly, immediately set off—one left, one right—asking around the estate.
Pei Yuening couldn’t stay put either and followed to help search.
Everyone believed that in such a heavily guarded estate, the children couldn’t simply go missing.
Sun Limei wept inside, while the others anxiously waited.
Su Jin frowned, shocked that such a thing could happen immediately upon her arrival.
Pei Yucheng returned first. His lips tight, sharp eyes scanning the anxious faces, he shook his head, voice hoarse. “I’ve checked the west and south sides—nothing. Now it’s up to Second Brother and Xiao Ning.”
No sooner had he spoken than urgent footsteps sounded at the door. Pei Yuan’an and Pei Yuening returned, panting heavily, faces grim. “We’ve searched everywhere—no sign. Everyone we asked said they hadn’t seen them.”
The living room went silent instantly.
Sun Limei sobbed uncontrollably. “What do we do? Where could they have gone? How do I explain this to their parents? How could they be gone? Where did they go?”
The Pei elders’ faces were grim, panic rising.
In a heavily guarded military estate… children could go missing?
A terrifying thought crossed everyone’s minds…
Pei Yucheng, unwilling to admit it, knew the facts—the only possible conclusion remained. His eyes sharp as a blade, he said decisively, “Grandfather, the situation is bad. There’s only one possible outcome…”
The old master’s mind immediately went there. He had just recently retired, but his influence remained. His eldest grandson, Pei Yuxi, was at the research institute, and had returned recently saying this was a crucial period for missile research—they needed to take care of the children properly.
Grandfather Pei acted without hesitation, voice commanding and unquestionable. “Quick! Seal all estate exits and immediately report to the military guards!”
“Yes!”
Sun Limei’s face was drained of all color, tears streaming uncontrollably.
Su Jin’s heart leapt in terror. One moment there had been laughter and joy—now…