"Why have the neighbors become so strange today?" Madam Xie shifted the load from one shoulder to another, turned around, looked at their retreating figures, and murmured to herself.
Xuexue's heart skipped a beat. Could something have happened at home? Was it Chuner?
"Mother, let's hurry back home."
With that thought, Xuexue left a word, left Madam Xie behind, and started running home as fast as she could, alone.
"Hey! Xuexue, you girl, run slower," Madam Xie's call came from behind.
With her mind full of worry for her sister, Xuexue paid no heed and kept running swiftly.
"Chuner, Chuner, your mother and sister are back. Come out quickly," Xuexue shouted loudly as soon as she entered the Mo family's courtyard.
"Oh! After wandering about all day, you finally decide to come back?" Auntie Sun, her face caked with makeup, was wearing a gaudy dress, laughing and whispering with Mo Xiaoqiang gleefully at one side, looking triumphant.
