"Sister Xiao Wu, I'm back, guga!"
Jiang Lan ran into the courtyard holding Doro's hand and shouted at the top of his lungs.
After a long while, Xiao Wu still had not come out. Jiang Lan looked puzzled.
He found Guga One. "Guga One, where did Sister Xiao Wu go?"
Guga One replied, "Xiao Wu left through the secret passage. She should be back in the Star Dou Great Forest by now. She left a letter in your room and asked you to read it when you returned."
Jiang Lan froze.
Xiao Wu left?
He let go of Doro's hand and trotted into his room.
The room was spotless. The bedding was folded neatly, the window was shut, and a white envelope lay on the table beside a small pile of tangerines.
Jiang Lan climbed onto a chair, reached for the envelope, and opened it.
"Little Guga, by the time you read this, I'll already be gone. I'm going back to the Star Dou Great Forest. Don't come looking for me. It's my home, and I want some time alone."
"I don't know how to face Third Brother anymore. Don't go looking for him, and don't try to settle the score for me. Some things have been evened out."
"Jiang Lan, you're the most amazing kid I've ever met. You're much stronger than me. If anyone bullies you, remember to hit back. Doro, eat fewer tangerines, or you really will get so fat you'll be stuck in a doorway."
"Please look after Rongrong and Zhuqing for me. If you get the chance, come visit the Star Dou Great Forest. I'll treat you to wild berries. Xiao Wu."
At the end of the letter, she had drawn a tiny rabbit's head. The lines were simple, but the rabbit looked full of