A Maid's Survival Story in a Noble Family Mansion? Rich Landlords Are More Appealing.

She naturally steered the conversation, "A few days ago I had some odd jobs, and I hired a father and son to help me. They were quite honest and hardworking."

Granny Wang listened attentively and nodded.

Chen Wanxing continued, a hint of sympathy appearing on her face: "During a break from work, we chatted and learned that they come to Kaifeng every year during the off-season to search for their daughter who was lost many years ago. They've been searching for her for so many years, it's really not easy. I felt a little bad for them, so I wanted to help them."

She subtly changed the subject, adding a touch of just the right amount of caution befitting someone in charge:

"But as you know, Granny, the world is complicated. Although I am willing to see if I can help them in any way, at least I can pass on any news I hear in the future."

But they are ultimately outsiders, and their background is unclear, so it's not wise to act rashly. Yesterday, I suddenly remembered that I had seen them before when I first came to Xinglong Pawnshop. They were waiting at this very entrance; I wonder if you remember them.

Her words were reasonable and well-intentioned, demonstrating both goodwill and necessary caution, making her appear to be a kind-hearted yet shrewd employer.

Upon hearing this, Granny Wang immediately nodded: "I remember, I remember. You're talking about the Chen family father and son, right? Alas, they are truly pitiful people. They come every year just to find their daughter who sold herself when she was eight years old."

Chen Wanxing picked up the warm water handed to her by the waiter, took a small sip, and only casually asked as she put down the teacup:

"Oh? So it's true? Granny Wang, you've dealt with them before, are those father and son trustworthy?"

Upon hearing this, Granny Wang immediately launched into a long speech, her tone filled with certainty and a touch of melancholy:

"You can rest assured, young lady, this is absolutely true. I've dealt with them several times, and the Chen father and son are honest, simple farmers, not the cunning kind of people."

Speaking of this, I still feel a little guilty. I was at Xinglong Real Estate Brokerage twelve years ago, and his daughter might have been taken in through my hands.

But so many years have passed, and now they're suddenly asking me? I've handled so many girls, how could I possibly remember them all? I even asked some colleagues I knew, but I still haven't heard anything.

Many people in Xinglong Dental Clinic know that they came looking for their daughter. Sigh, their persistence is heartbreaking.

Chen Wanxing listened quietly, her expression unchanged, only nodding slightly: "I see. It seems I was overthinking it."

Her tone carried a perfectly measured hint of pity. "Such persistence is indeed rare. Does the old woman know where their home is? That way, we can have a reference point when searching for them. If there's an opportunity, perhaps we can do our part."

Granny Wang, unsuspecting, simply assumed Chen Wanxing was kind-hearted. After a moment's thought, she replied, "I've heard them mention it; it seems to be from Ruyang County in Runing Prefecture, but I don't know exactly where."

Having obtained the information she wanted, Chen Wanxing did not linger any longer. She rose to take her leave, her demeanor as impeccable as ever. "I understand now. It was just a small matter that troubled you, Granny."

Wang Mama smiled as she saw them off, thinking to herself that although this Miss Chen was young, she was prudent in her actions and had a compassionate heart.

As she stepped out of the brokerage, she stopped and gazed at the bustling street in the distance, the emotions she had just forcibly suppressed surging within her eyes once more.

She's almost certain now that she's the one they're looking for.

Why did she inquire at so many places over the years without any news? It's because when she first entered the old house, she was by the lady's side. She didn't stay in Kaifeng for more than two days before going to the capital with the lady.

Granny Li stood quietly half a step behind her, watching her silent profile, simply waiting silently by her side.

When I returned to the courtyard in Baishi Lane, it was past noon, and the sun was already beginning to set, casting long shadows on the courtyard wall.

Upon opening the door and hearing the noise, Amber, who was doing embroidery in the corridor, and Yunzhu, who was with her, immediately looked up, their eyes filled with undisguised worry.

Chen Wanxing met their gazes, forced a smile, and said calmly, "It's alright, don't worry. I'm a little tired, I want to go back to my room and rest for a while."

Granny Li opened her mouth, wanting to say, "Miss, you should at least have some lunch first," but before she could speak, Amber stopped her with a look.

Amber could see clearly that the weariness and dazedness between Sister Wanxing's brows were not due to physical exhaustion; what she needed most at this moment was probably solitude.

Chen Wanxing didn't say anything more, went straight back to her dormitory, gently closed the door, keeping all the concern outside.

She closed the window, and the room became dark. She walked to the bed, lay down fully clothed, pulled the blanket up to her chin, and closed her eyes.

Chen Wanxing thought she would toss and turn, her mind filled with countless thoughts, but perhaps the ups and downs of the morning had taken a toll on her mental energy, and her consciousness gradually blurred, sinking into a state of chaos.

She had a dream. A dream she thought had long been forgotten, sealed away by the dust of time.

There were no clear faces in the dream, only some vague yet vivid sensations. It was the smell of earth and straw, the shadows of low beams, and the coolness of my palm touching a rough earthenware bowl.

Another voice, thick with local accent, called out with loving concern and anxiety: "Chunlan, my Chunlan!"

Chunlan? Yes, she remembered, in that distant past, in Xiahe Village, Runing Prefecture.

The images and sounds came like a tide, disjointed yet carrying a heavy sense of reality, a rough yet warm feeling that belonged to home.

She awoke with a start, her heart pounding in her chest. The room was dimly lit; it was already evening.

She lay there motionless, the sound of Chunlan from her dream still echoing in her ears.

Those childhood memories that she thought she had long forgotten, or that she, as a time traveler, never truly possessed, were actually buried deep in her mind, only later deliberately or passively ignored by her.

Runing Prefecture, Ruyang County, Xiahe Village. Chunlan, who sold herself at the age of eight.

All the clues, along with the fragments of memories that resurfaced in the dream, finally pieced together perfectly, pointing to a fact she could not deny.

She, Chen Wanxing, is the daughter and sister they have been searching for, the girl who should have been named Chunlan.

Upon confirming this, Chen Wanxing felt a strange sense of calm.

It turns out that she was not a rootless duckweed.

It turns out that there really are people in this world who have never given up on her.