To help build rapport, she played jump rope with the kids.

Then she sat with a few of the more traumatized little girls and drew pictures to soothe them.

Finally, she went to find the “leader” again—he was just as withdrawn.

“Ah Miao, can’t you say at least one word to me?”

Since she brought them back, the boy hadn’t spoken a single word. Even his name, Zeng Miao, had to be pried from the other kids.

This couldn’t go on. He was eating and sleeping well, but clearly depressed—and if it got serious, it might lead to…

“You know I’m not a bad person,” Hongyi half-knelt in front of him, forcing herself to be patient. “It’s fine if you don’t talk to me, but at least talk to the others, okay? I asked around—no one’s heard you say a word in over a week.”

Zeng Miao looked up at her briefly but said nothing, sitting silently in the doorway like a statue.

“You’ll hurt yourself bottling everything up.” Hongyi sighed and reached out to touch his head—he slapped her hand away.

A loud bang came from the front yard. Hongyi rolled her eyes and shouted, “A-Tian! Stop kicking the door!”

Each child had their own trauma and coping methods—Zeng Miao chose silence, while A-Tian kicked doors when bored.

It quieted for a moment.

Then suddenly, the sound of multiple footsteps approached, mingled with frightened screams from the younger girls. Hongyi immediately turned around, alarmed.

Madam Qin rushed in, face pale. “Miss… th-they’re…”

Several men entered the courtyard at once, all wearing the same rough hemp robes. They didn’t touch anyone, only took positions around the perimeter, standing silently.

Hongyi drew a sharp breath.

The thought she least wanted to consider kept surging up, making her heartbeat thunder.

She held her breath and waited.

Then, finally, someone stepped through the courtyard gate.

A dark red cloak glimmered under the sunlight, its somber hue oppressive. The faint gleam of the black armor beneath struck terror in her heart.

Under her transfixed gaze, he stepped through the second gate into the inner courtyard.