Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Searching for Wei Shan

They had to find their daughter, but where could they even begin to look?

There was no turning back now. Having come this far, the Wei Family didn’t dare announce Wei Shan’s "disappearance."

If the Zhao Family found out they had been duped with a substitute, the marriage between the two families would be off!

The Wei Family could only search in secret.

First, they checked the homes of all the classmates and friends Wei Shan usually spent time with, but they couldn’t find her.

Wei Guojun suggested searching the mountains.

Lotus Village had many mountains, but none of them were very high. Villagers went up them every day to chop wood or hunt. Even if something had really happened to Wei Shan on a mountain, a villager would have found and rescued her.

But it was a desperate situation, so Wei Shuan still prepared to lead his two sons up the mountain to search.

Wei Qing volunteered to go with the three men.

However, before leaving, she deliberately changed into one of Wei Shan’s jackets and applied bright red lipstick.

Ever since receiving the lipstick as a gift from Wei Qing, Wei Shan had worn it every time she went out.

When Wei Shan first started wearing lipstick, the people of Lotus Village had gossiped, but they eventually got used to it.

By wearing lipstick and Wei Shan’s jacket, Wei Qing was clearly trying to continue her impersonation of Wei Shan.

Liu Sufen stared at her, her gaze as sharp as a poisoned blade. "What are you trying to do, dressing up like Xiao Shan?!"

Wei Qing calmly replied, "If something has happened to Xiao Shan, everyone can just blame it on me. I’ll be her cover."

Hearing this, the three Wei men—father and sons—all thought her plan was very considerate. They agreed to let Wei Qing, in the guise of Wei Shan, accompany them up the mountain.

Once they were on the mountain, Wei Qing suggested they split up. She and Wei the Second, Wei Guoliang, would search from the west toward the North Slope. Wei Shuan and Eldest Wei, Wei Guojun, would search from the south toward the east.

The three men agreed to her suggestion, and they went their separate ways.

Wei Qing and Wei Guoliang soon arrived at the North Slope.

Looking at the cave entrance not far ahead, Wei Qing said calmly to Wei Guoliang, "Let’s check inside the cave."

Wei Guoliang gazed at the cave, a nostalgic look on his simple face. "When we were kids, Big Brother used to bring me and Xiao Shan to play in this cave all the time."

Wei Qing replied, "That’s right. Second Brother, don’t worry too much. Xiao Shan will be fine."

As they spoke, the two of them arrived at the mouth of the cave.

Staring at the gloomy entrance, which gaped like the maw of a giant beast, the events of that night flooded Wei Qing’s mind, and her heart began to pound like thunder.

"Xiao Shan! Xiao Shan!"

It was too dark inside the cave, so Wei Guoliang didn’t go in. He just stood at the entrance and shouted into the darkness.

After shouting several times with no response, Wei Guoliang said to Wei Qing in disappointment, "Let’s go. Xiao Shan isn’t here."

"Mm."

Wei Qing calmly followed Wei Guoliang onward, but her palms and back were slick with a layer of sweat.

Although bringing Wei Guoliang to the cave was risky, now that they had searched it today, the Wei Family wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

Looking back at the receding cave entrance, a sinister smile of relief spread across Wei Qing’s face.

The Wei Family searched for two whole days but still couldn’t find Wei Shan.

With the Zhao Family’s bridal procession set for the next day, there wasn’t a trace of joy on the Wei Family’s faces. Instead, they were shrouded in gloom.

Liu Sufen was especially distraught; she seemed to have aged several years.

"Where the hell did that damn girl go? She’s been gone for so many days."

The anger from the past two days was gone from her tone, replaced only by deep worry and unease.

It was obvious she had realized that something terrible might have happened to her daughter.

She was either kidnapped or murdered.

Venting her frustration, she got up and pounded on Wei Shuan’s chest several times. "Our own daughter is missing, and you’re just sitting here? What the fuck are you doing? Think of something, quickly!"

Wei Shuan staggered back and forth like a wooden post under her blows, his stubbled face a mask of helplessness and despair.

"Let’s report it to the police. Only the police can help us find Xiao Shan now."

The brothers, Wei Guojun and Wei Guoliang, agreed with this proposal.

Immediately, Wei Guojun called to Wei Guoliang, "Let’s go. We’re going to the town police station to file a report right now."

Wei Qing’s heart skipped a beat. She quickly said, "Eldest Brother, Second Brother, don’t be rash! Tomorrow is Xiao Shan and Jingyang’s wedding day. If the Zhao Family finds out she’s missing, the wedding will be off."

She had barely finished speaking when Liu Sufen slapped her across the face.

"Something’s happened to Xiao Shan, and you’re still worried about the wedding? What are you plotting?!"

Wei Qing clutched her stinging cheek, not angry at all. Inwardly, she was mocking Liu Sufen.

’Taking a few slaps from you in exchange for your daughter’s life... worth it.’

"Uncle, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, of course it would be great if we can find Xiao Shan. But if we can’t, have you thought about what you’ll do then?"

The three Wei men fell silent.

These past few days, they had been frantically searching for their daughter and sister and hadn’t had the mind to think about anything else.

"The other day, Jingyang told me that after they get married, his family will transfer Xiao Shan’s household registration to the city and arrange a city job for her."

Hearing Wei Qing’s words, the Wei Family wanted to cry but had no tears left.

A city household registration and a city job were indeed a life-changing fortune for their family.

But their daughter and sister was gone. How could the wedding possibly go on?

"Uncle, Eldest Brother, Second Brother, I have a plan that will give us the best of both worlds. It won’t delay the wedding with the Zhao Family, and we can still look for Xiao Shan."

Wei Shuan asked hastily, "What is it?"

Wei Qing took a deep breath. "Tomorrow, I will marry Zhao Jingyang in Xiao Shan’s place. As for the police, you can tell them that *I* am the one who ran away from home and ask them to help find me."

"As for the Zhao Family, I’ll use the excuse that I’m on my period to avoid consummating the marriage with Zhao Jingyang. I’ll stall while we get the marriage certificate. If we successfully find Xiao Shan, I’ll switch back with her."

Bai Chunyan asked, "What if Xiao Shan can’t be found?"

The moment she finished asking, she received a slap from Liu Sufen.

"What kind of goddamn bullshit is that? If something really happens to Xiao Shan, it’ll be because a jinx like you cursed her!"

Bai Chunyan was filled with shame and anger, but she didn’t dare talk back to Liu Sufen at a time like this. She could only swallow her grievances.

In her heart, Wei Qing knew that Wei Shan would never be coming back in this lifetime, but she still consoled the Wei Family, saying:

"With the police on the case, they’ll definitely be able to find Xiao Shan."

Seeing the Wei Family remain silent, Wei Qing didn’t rush them.

Her plan was so meticulous and perfect; the Wei Family wouldn’t refuse.

’In the face of self-interest, familial love always takes a backseat. She knew this all too well.’

"No, I don’t agree."

Liu Sufen’s angry shout broke the Wei Family’s silence.

Wei Qing looked at Liu Sufen with a mixture of contempt and pity.

In her eyes, Liu Sufen’s objection was as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

’Once Wei Shan marries into the Zhao family, she would definitely provide immense help to the two brothers, Wei Guojun and Wei Guoliang. Besides, Wei Guoliang wasn’t even married yet. She believed the three men would make the right choice.’

Just as she was thinking this, she heard Wei Shuan say in a heavy voice, "I don’t agree to this either. We should have reported it to the police the day the Zhao Family came with the betrothal gifts. Maybe Xiao Shan would have been found by now."

At this, Wei Shuan looked at his two sons, his eyes brimming with tears. "It’s all our fault. We can’t keep making mistakes, or we’ll really never find Xiao Shan!"

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