"Let's go. Time to head home."
"Break it up, break it up. We've got work tomorrow."
"Old Liu's rushing home to see his wife, isn't he? If he doesn't get home soon, he'll be kneeling on the washboard."
"Hahaha."
"Bullshit. I'm the boss at home. I go back whenever I damn well please!"
Several men came out of the bar, laughing and joking, when a middle-aged man with a missing front tooth suddenly let out a curious sound.
"Look over there."
"Where did that girl come from? What time is it already? Why's she only entering the village now?"
The men all turned to look, their eyes landing on a red figure.
Their gazes naturally drew Hong Zhuang's attention. She looked back at them with a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
"Little sister, stop hiding. Come on out."
"You're not planning to have these ordinary people throw their lives away, are you?"
At that moment, a man reeking of alcohol walked over. "Miss, where did you come from?"
"I'm the captain of Lantian Village's security team. Anyone coming in from outside has to register with me. Come with me to the team office."
"Captain, I'd like to ask you about someone."
Hong Zhuang smiled sweetly. "I'm looking for my younger sister. Her name is Qing Lian. Do you happen to know her?"
The security captain froze for a moment, then turned around and called to the men behind him, "Do any of you know a girl named Qing Lian?"
"Never heard of her."
"Nope."
The security captain turned back and said, "You heard them, miss. No one knows your sister. What, did she get lost?"
"These are troubled times. Losing someone can be a real problem. Come with me to the office and register your identity