Time shifted back a little.
Jinhua ran back home in a frenzy, "Dad, Mom, something terrible has happened. I, I... Sister, oh my, she..."
Jinhua spoke breathlessly, deliberately avoiding the main point.
The eldest sister, Jiaoyang, was extremely anxious, "What happened to my third sister? Just spit it out clearly."
The whole family gathered around to inquire.
Jinhua purposefully dallied, appearing hesitant to speak.
Lamei nearly jumped with impatience, "What happened to your third sister? Just say it quickly!"
Suddenly, Jinhua began to falter, "I, I... don't know how to say it." She paused, seeming to make a great decision, "Ah, I saw her, she and Hechuan snuck into the haystack at the entrance of the village."
Silence fell all around.
Neighbors who had come to visit stopped at the doorway to listen, wearing expressions of disbelief.
"Impossible, right?"
"Qiaoqiao is so decent."
