Yan Jiaojiao could only nod tearfully, her eyes hazy.
Perhaps it was Yan Jiaojiao's tear-streaked face that unsettled his heart.
Or perhaps it was being in a dream that made Dongfang Cangwu ask so seriously, "Why could you never remember this seat's name before?"
Yan Jiaojiao gave a bitter smile, "Mr. Dongfang, I have always remembered you and your name. It's just that her soul seems to have a restriction, which makes me forget everything related to you repeatedly."
"Who exactly are you? And who is she?" Dongfang Cangwu knitted his brows. Even though dreams differed from reality, it wasn't to this extent of confusion and change.
"I am Yan Jiaojiao, and she is also Yan Jiaojiao," Yan Jiaojiao said with a desolate smile. "My life is not worth it. I only hope that the future Yan Jiaojiao will live this life well for the current Yan Jiaojiao."
Was her mind starting to get confused again? Under Dongfang Cangwu's suspicious gaze, Yan Jiaojiao's body began to slowly fade. The dark wind in the cave blew, and she turned into specks of light that gradually dispersed.
"Mr. Dongfang, I will trouble you in the future."
A ethereal sentence remained in the air, and then there was no more sound.
The light gradually dimmed, and everything in the cave began to collapse and dissipate.
This was Yan Jiaojiao about to wake up. The world in the dream naturally had to disappear.
Dongfang Cangwu lingered no longer. With a wave of his divine sense, he returned to his body.
Yan Jiaojiao, lying on the chaise lounge, felt her eyelashes flutter and her eyes slowly open. The first thing she saw was a fluffy little black dog.
She instantly became clear-headed and, with the grogginess of just waking up, pulled him into her arms. "Xiao Hei, you're still here. I thought you would leave silently like the previous times."
Dongfang Cangwu struggled uncomfortably a few times to no avail, and then gave up.
After the dream just now, he even suspected if Yan Jiaojiao had schizophrenia, possessing two spiritual consciences in one person.
No, perhaps three, four...
Yan Jiaojiao had no idea of the little black dog's internal monologue. She simply held the uncooperative him tightly and petted him.
The sky was almost bright. Yan Jiaojiao, having played enough, couldn't help but look at the child on the bed, and began to worry about how to settle him.
Chen Wenyu would definitely not give up looking for Tong'er, and coupled with Yan Zhengfeng's return to the manor today, Yan Jiaojiao had to find a way to move Tong'er as soon as possible.
She couldn't keep relying on Xiao Hei to set up a barrier for Tong'er and hide in the dark.
There was a slight sound from the courtyard. It was Rong'er, who had woken up early and started her chores.
In the Yan family, this was a maid's duty. She had to wake up earlier than her masters every day and prepare everything their masters needed for the day.
Yan Jiaojiao thought for a moment. In her memory, although Rong'er was orphaned, she had a brother who had settled down in Kunyang City, working odd jobs to make a living. She then thought of temporarily placing Tong'er with Rong'er's brother.
Therefore, Yan Jiaojiao, holding Xiao Hei, pushed open the door and walked out.
Rong'er saw that she was also up and immediately trotted over. She then glanced into the room at the child still asleep before saying, "Eldest Miss, you are up today. I will fetch water for you immediately."
Yan Jiaojiao said, "No rush, Rong'er. I want to ask for your help. Can you put that child at your brother's home for a few days?"
Although Rong'er didn't know the child's origins, she had seen the situation last night and guessed that Madam Chen was looking for him. A hint of hesitation appeared on her face, unsure if she should involve her brother in this mess.
"Only a few days. When it's time for the selection of disciples for the Ge Nan Academy, I will bring Tong'er with me," Yan Jiaojiao had already made up her mind to rescue Tong'er, so she naturally had to take him away. The journey to Ge Nan Academy was long, and she would surely find a place to entrust Tong'er to.
In any case, keeping Tong'er away from the Yan family was the primary principle.
Rong'er also understood that if Tong'er were caught, he would have a terrible fate. Finally, she nodded, "Alright, I can persuade my brother to keep Tong'er for a few days. But can we freely take the child out?"
Yan Jiaojiao smiled and looked down to tickle the ear of the little black dog in her arms. "Yes, you don't need to worry. Our Xiao Hei is a mascot."
Rong'er was puzzled, but then she saw the little black dog bite Yan Jiaojiao's finger. This harmless bite made Yan Jiaojiao laugh again.
Breakfast today was eaten behind closed doors. Yan Jiaojiao coaxed Tong'er and tricked him into agreeing to play outside for a few days before returning. Only then did Tong'er happily pick up a steamed bun and eat.
After breakfast, the news that Yan Zhengfeng would arrive at the manor by noon also came.
Yan Jiaojiao knew that his return would make things even more troublesome. She urgently arranged for Rong'er to go home for a visit.
At this time, Chen Wenyu and her group were busy searching the entire manor and courtyard for Tong'er. The steward was too preoccupied to deal with such trivial matters. It was Yan Jiaojiao herself who personally led Rong'er to him, so he readily approved a few days for Rong'er to leave the manor to visit her family.
Unlike last time, Yan Jiaojiao specifically sent someone to fetch a carriage to the courtyard entrance. Then, she led Rong'er out of the manor.
Rong'er sat in the carriage, looking confused. She looked at Yan Jiaojiao, then quietly asked, "Eldest Miss, didn't you say you were bringing Tong'er? Where is he?"
Yan Jiaojiao closed her eyes to rest. "Shh, you just need to be quiet."
Rong'er was now used to her mistress finding her too talkative, so she sat back down.
The carriage slowly drove into the street. The scenery on the street gradually became more prosperous. Rong'er couldn't help but lift a corner of the carriage curtain to look outside.
On the street, someone was performing with monkeys. They were showing a monkey jumping through a fire hoop.
The burning fire hoop emitted intense heat, and the flames flickered, looking very frightening. Despite undergoing repeated training, the monkey still dared not move recklessly as it squatted on the ground, its eyes revealing fear and panic.
The carriage slowed down due to the crowd, giving Rong'er enough time to watch in detail.
The surrounding crowd hissed when the monkey remained still for a long time. The monkey performer, impatient, swung his whip. The monkey let out a terrified scream and dodged several times but still couldn't escape the constantly swinging whip. Forced to comply, it had no choice but to jump into the fire hoop!
With a "sizzle," the fire hoop scorched the monkey's fur. The monkey jumped through, and the crowd cheered, throwing copper coins into the basin on the ground. The monkey performer also laughed, waving his whip and whipping it even harder. The monkey had to repeatedly jump through the fire hoop, and the air was filled with the smell of burnt hair.
Suddenly, the rope tied around the monkey's neck actually burned through! While everyone was stunned, they saw the monkey leap, kick over the basin full of copper coins, and then dart out of the crowd at high speed. The crowd screamed and rushed in a panic. The monkey took advantage of the chaos and ran away, leaving behind an infuriated and penniless monkey performer.
"Serves him right!" Rong'er, having had her fill of the excitement, spat in the direction of the monkey performer. She lowered the curtain and turned back, only to see Yan Jiaojiao also open her eyes, looking at her, and beside her, Tong'er was sitting there, holding Xiao Hei!
Rong'er couldn't help but exclaim, "Ah! When did Tong'er get into the carriage?"