TSFLIP Chapter 781

Feng Guang hadn’t expected that answer, and she couldn’t help but let out a laugh. “So, you think I’m pretty, and that’s why you were hiding here to watch me?”

“Uh…” The boy’s eyes darted nervously, looking everywhere except at her.

She found his reaction amusing. Still, she praised him lightly, “Well, at least you’ve got good taste. Don’t sit on the ground—get up.”

The boy glanced at the hand she extended toward him. Her hand was clean and pale, while his, covered in dust from the ground, looked dirty and rough. He hesitated, too embarrassed to take it.

Feng Guang blinked. Since he refused to get up, she simply crouched down to meet his gaze. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Wu Qi…”

Propping her chin on her hand, she smiled curiously. “Wu Qi, huh? I’m Feng Guang.”

“I know who you are… you’re the young miss of the Xia family,” he said cautiously, finally daring to look at her. “Please don’t misunderstand—I wasn’t following you. I saw you once when Master Xia was inspecting his shops. You were with him then.”

The Xia family was the wealthiest in Tong County. Xia Chao, the head of the household, was a man everyone knew by name. Even the county magistrate treated him with a measure of deference.

Feng Guang smiled, her tone light. “Don’t worry, I don’t misunderstand. It’s only natural that people in Tong County know me. But… it’s getting late now. Aren’t you going home?”

The sun was already setting, and the streets were growing quiet. It was dangerous for a child to linger outside—especially with several cases of missing children in recent days.

“I’m heading home now…” Wu Qi scrambled to his feet, glancing shyly at her. “Goodbye, Miss Xia.”

And with that, he turned and ran off in a flustered hurry.

Feng Guang couldn’t help but feel as though she’d just scared him half to death. Hugging the Little Embroidery Ball, she stood and watched the boy’s figure disappear. Just then, a voice called from behind her.

“Miss, so you were here after all!” A ten-year-old girl came running toward her—it was Lianzi, Feng Guang’s personal maid.

Feng Guang turned, heading back toward home. “Why so worked up? It’s not like I was lost.”

“Miss, when you suddenly disappeared, I was worried sick.” Lianzi handed her the candied hawthorn she had gone to buy at Feng Guang’s request. But when she turned around, her mistress was gone.

Feng Guang bit into the sweet and said lazily, “It’s all Little Embroidery Ball’s fault for running off. I chased after her to the riverbank and then forgot the way back.”

It was true—she had come out only because her cat ran too far. And since she rarely had a chance to wander the streets, she’d lost track of time and direction.

Lianzi patted her chest, still shaken. “Thank goodness I found you, Miss. If you’d gone missing, Master would’ve been worried to death.”

“My father?” Feng Guang curled her lips. “He’s probably still holed up in his study thinking about his business deals.”

“Miss…” Lianzi sighed softly.

“Alright, alright, you don’t need to defend him.” Feng Guang smiled and changed the subject. “Now, tell me—what news have you heard this time?”

Though timid by nature, Lianzi had one remarkable talent: she was astonishingly good at gathering information, almost like a professional gossip broker.

“I did hear something, actually,” Lianzi said proudly. “It’s about that murder everyone’s been talking about. I heard the county office has already found some clues.”