On a chilly winter morning, the 6th of January, 2024,
Wang Xiao's world had transford into a cocoon of monotony over the last five days. Inside the confines of his ho, he languished, reading books, browsing the internet, and whiled away the hours.
The winter had tightened its grip, but Wang Xiao's spirits had soared as his injury had fully healed the day before.
As he drifted into slumber last night, a contented smile crossed his face, knowing he could once again venture outside without the threat of Xinyue Zhilan's rebukes.
However, today was different.
He slept alone, puzzled by Wang i's unexplained absence the previous day.
Still, his slumber was serene, for he knew that the days of confinent were behind him.
But the hands of fate had sothing else in store.
Downstairs, Wang Jiarong toiled alongside Xinyue Zhilan, their animated chatter and the clatter of cleaning echoing through the house, signaling the approaching Chinese New Year.
Wang Jiarong, now dressed in a plain top and a short, casual skirt, hurriedly made her way up the stairs to collect everyone's school bags and take them to the laundry.
Each of her siblings lay in slumber, oblivious to her early morning activities.
The weight of her self-imposed responsibilities once again rested upon the eldest sibling.
Rushing through the house, she stopped at Wang Xueying's room to retrieve her school bag. Her final destination was Wang Xiao's room, where he lay undisturbed, without a care for the cold.
With a slight shake of her head, she entered his room, picked up his school bag, and then shivered from the sudden chill in the room. Glancing at the open window, she saw Wang Xiao cocooned in his blanket.
"Doesn't he understand the concept of cold?" she muttered to herself. She walked over to the window, shutting it firmly before moving quietly towards the room's entrance.
She gently closed the door behind her as she headed back to help Xinyue Zhilan.
________
"Did you check the insides?" Xinyue Zhilan inquired, glancing at Wang Jiarong who ca back.
"They should be empty, it's too lightweight," Wang Jiarong.
Xinyue Zhilan shook her head, and reprimanding"Check it properly,"
Wang Jiarong pressed her lips together in protest, the disparity in treatnt was evident, only she gets scolded from her, regardless of it, one by one she started to check the bags of her siblings to confirm it was empty, as it had to washed, and holiday was the best period for it.
While Xinyue Zhilan was organising the laundry, Wang Jiarong was checking the bags one by one, until it was finally the chance of Wang Xiao's.
"??"
With a puzzled expression, Wang Jiarong opened Wang Xiao's school bag, expecting to find it empty like the others.
However, to her astonishnt, her fingers brushed against sothing unusual.
She pulled out a bundle of notes, and her eyes widened in disbelief.
There, in Wang Xiao's bag, was a stash of 4500 yuan worth of currency notes.
Her voice quivered as she called out, "M-Mom, you won't believe this! There's so much money in Wang Xiao's bag!"
Xinyue Zhilan quickly rushed over, her expression shifting from concern to surprise as she saw the money. "Are you sure, Jiarong?"
Wang Jiarong nodded, her mind racing to understand how her younger brother had co into possession of such a sum. "Yes, it's real money. I can't believe it."
The two of them exchanged bewildered glances, their curiosity piqued and a growing sense of intrigue about the unexpected discovery in Wang Xiao's bag.
Xinyue Zhilan's face transford, now wearing a grave expression, as she ordered, "Count it."
Wang Jiarong hesitated for a mont but then started counting the bills ticulously, her fingers trembling with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. With each bill she counted, the shock on her face grew. Finally, with an exhausted sigh, she confird, "It's 4,500 yuan."
"4,500!?" Xinyue Zhilan's face darkened with concern and confusion.
Wang Jiarong couldn't help but ask, her voice filled with worry, "Mom, what's going on?"
Xinyue Zhilan hesitated before she spoke with unease, "... Your father told just a few days ago that he's missing 4,500 yuan from his collections. I don't know if this is the sa money."
A look of realization passed between Wang Jiarong and Xinyue Zhilan. They knew they needed to get to the bottom of this.
Xinyue Zhilan swiftly decided, "Give it to ; I will go and ask Xiao Wang about this." She took the money from Wang Jiarong's hands and turned to go upstairs.
Wang Jiarong couldn't just stay behind, her curiosity and concern driving her forward. She followed her mother as they made their way upstairs, the impending confrontation casting a shadow over their ho.
______
Upstairs, in Wang Xiao's room, an undisturbed tranquility enveloped him as he lay in deep slumber. His room was bathed in the soft morning light seeping through the curtains, creating a serene ambiance.
However, that serenity was about to be shattered. The sound of footsteps on the cold staircase grew louder, drawing nearer to his room.
Xinyue Zhilan and Wang Jiarong entered his room cautiously, both wearing expressions of concern. They approached Wang Xiao's bed with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Xinyue Zhilan gently shook her son awake, his eyelids fluttering open. Confusion and sleepiness clouded his gaze as he looked at his mother and sister.
"Xiao Wang, do you have sothing to tell ?" Xinyue Zhilan's voice was asured but tinged with an undertone of seriousness.
Wang Xiao, still groggy from sleep, blinked a few tis and struggled to comprehend the situation.
The presence of his mother and sister standing over him, combined with their serious expressions, was disconcerting.
"What's going on, Mom?" he mumbled, his voice laced with confusion.
With a deep breath, Xinyue Zhilan raised the bundle of cash and asked, "Do you know anything about this money, 4,500 yuan, to be exact?"
Wang Xiao's eyes widened as he saw the money. His thoughts raced, trying to co up with an explanation for why he had that amount in his possession.
As Wang Xiao's eyes locked onto the money, he quickly attempted to explain, "Mom, that money isn't mine. It's Chen Li's. He asked to keep it safe for him for a while."
His mother and sister exchanged skeptical glances, clearly not convinced by his explanation.
"...."
"...."
Before he could say more, a sudden, crisp slap resounded through the room, leaving Wang Xiao's senses reeling.
He gasped in shock, his cheek stinging from the impact.
Xinyue Zhilan's voice was stern as she spoke, "Don't lie to , Xiao Wang. Your father is missing the exact sa amount of money—4,500 yuan. How do you explain this coincidence?"
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