Today Tang Zitong brought Yu Meng to the music workshop as usual.
However, as soon as she got there, she received a call from a big boss who wanted to buy an instrument and requested her to deliver it in person, so she left Yu Meng in the workshop. After making sure that Yu Meng would be safe in the workshop, she left.
Unexpectedly, an hour after she left, she received a call from the workshop craftsman, saying that Yu Meng had gone missing. Hearing that, she rushed back to the workshop and searched for Yu Meng around the area several times. After failing to find Yu Meng, Tang Zitong got panicky and called Tang Li for help.
Hearing that, Tang Li hung up the phone and set out for the workshop immediately.
The Tang familyâs musical instrument workshop was in the eastern suburbs of the Imperial Capital. The buildings here all retained the style of the last century. They were made of green bricks and red tiles, and the highest was only two stories. It was where most of the light industries were located.
As soon as Tang Li drove the car to the entrance of the Tang familyâs workshop, Tang Zitong ran up to her anxiously. âFourth Sister, youâre finally here.â
Then, she said to her, âThe craftsmen and I have searched this area. I even asked the patrol officers nearby to help look for her, but she was nowhere to be found.
Tang Li nodded and walked into the workshop.
Tang Zitong quickly followed her. âFourth Sister, can you tell me where Yu Meng went? Iâm just afraid that she might be off the trail and get kidnapped by someone.â
Tang Li did not answer her immediately. She walked to the door and entered.
After entering the door, there was a hall. The hall also worked as a shop where all kinds of traditional instruments were displayed.
The workshop was at the back of the hall. It was a completely different world at the back. In the middle was a large courtyard where many wood and tools were stored. The house was distributed in the shape of a U, and there were many rooms. Each room was dedicated to making a certain kind of instrument.
When Tang Li entered, all the craftsmen and apprentices were gathered in the courtyard. They were surprised to see her. âWhy did Second Miss call Fourth Miss here? Will she be able to find Yu Meng?â
âI heard that Fourth Master Qi and Fourth Miss are about to divorce. Do you guys think that when she comes back, sheâll take over the workshop? When Old Master Tang was still around, he probably wanted her to take over the workshop the most.â âFourth Miss doesnât like these herself and definitely wonât take over. Actually, I prefer Second Miss to be our boss.â
âExactly. Second Miss is a good person. I like her more.â
Tang Zitong cleared her throat, and everyone
Tang Zitong stole a glance at Tang Li. Seeing that she was calm and showed no signs of anger, she heaved a sigh of relief and asked, âFourth Sister, can you tell where Yu Meng went?â
âYes,â Tang Li said. âYu Meng was taken away.â
Tang Zitong was even more anxious. âYu Meng doesnât know anyone here, and the Tang family has never offended anyone. Why did someone take Xiaomeng away? Is she taken away by a human trafficker?â
At this point, her expression changed drastically. âThatâs for sure. Yu Meng is very pretty and very likable. She must be taken away by a human trafficker.â
Her words frightened the group of uncles and aunties in the courtyard. Tang Li looked at Tang Zitong and said, âDonât frighten yourself.â
With that, she walked forward.
Tang Zitong quickly followed her. As she walked, she asked, âCousin, what should we do now? Can you tell who took Yu Meng away? Weâll go save her immediately.â âDonât be anxious.â
Tang Li walked to the reception area in front and took out her phone to send a message. After that, she said to Tang Zitong, âBe patient. When the time comes, someone will bring her back.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
âWho is gonna bring her back?â Tang Zitong sat beside her and looked at her inquisitively. âDid you already ask your husbandâs bodyguards to find and rescue Yu Meng?â
Tang Li was silent for two seconds before she nodded. âSort of.â
With that, she glanced at the time. It was almost eleven oâclock and it was time to eat lunch. âWhere are you guys eating lunch at noon?â
âUm⦠thereâs a cook in the workshop, but you can go out and eat if you want. Thereâs a restaurant not far away.â
âLetâs eat here then, show me the instruments in the workshop later.â Tang Zitong definitely wouldnât mind. âThen Iâll go to the kitchen and ask the cook to prepare more.â With that, she rushed to the kitchen in the back.
Tang Li walked to the place where the instruments were displayed and looked at them casually At first, the Tang family produced high-end instruments. Because the market was quite grim these days, they were now also making low-end instruments, the prices of which ranged from a few hundred to a few thousand yuan.
Even so, there were fewer people learning Imperial instruments and fewer people buying
them.
Tang Li checked out a number of instruments and stopped beside one of the big drums. The surface of the drum was made from high-quality cowhide. However, the surface of this big drum was different from the other big drums. It was dark red like blood.
Tang Li picked up the drum stick beside her and struck it twice. The sound was very strong, and it made people uncomfortable listening to
At that moment, Tang Zitong happened to come out from the kitchen. She walked to Tang Li and said, âMy dad brought this drum back from G Province three years ago. Whether itâs the sound or the quality, itâs not bad, right?â
Tang Li did not answer. Instead, she asked, âSecond Sister, youâve heard of Ah Jie drum,
right?â
At the mention of the Ah Jie drum, Tang Zitong shuddered violently. âFourth Sister, why are you suddenly talking about this? I feel a little creeped out when I hear that.â
With that, her eyes widened, and she immediately hid behind Tang Li. She looked at the drum and asked with a trembling voice, âFourth Sister, is that drum Ah Jie drum?â
Tang Li smiled at her and said, âDonât panic. First Uncle will definitely not bring back an Aj Jie drum. Iâm just asking if youâve heard of it.â
âOf course Iâve heard of it. The drum head of that drum is made of a certain part from the girlsâ body. Itâs said that drums with that drum head sound very shocking when it is played.â âYeahâ¦â
Tang Li put the drum stick back and pointed at the red color on the drum. âThereâs dried blood on this. Get someone to wash it.â
âAh! Ohâ¦â
Tang Zitong immediately turned around and called an apprentice to carry the drum out to wash it.
After lunch, Tang Li and Tang Zitong sat in the hall and waited.
The longer Tang Zitong waited, the more anxious she became. Every now and then, she would ask.
âFourth Sister, has Fourth Brother-in-lawâs bodyguards found Yu Meng?â
âFourth Sister, do you think Fourth Brother-in-lawâs bodyguards can find Yu Meng?â
âFourth Sister, do you think the person who took Yu Meng away will do something to her? She is finally getting better. I am afraid she will relapse after this incident.â
âFourth Sister, Iâm really worried that Yu Meng will become more autistic when she comes back.â
At around three in the afternoon, Tang Li finally said to Tang Zitong who was fidgeting, âSheâs back.â
With that, she stood up and walked out the door.
Tang Zitong quickly followed her.
As expected, soon, a car was parked by the door. Then, a tall man in black got out of the driverâs seat, walked to the back door, opened the door, and carried Yu Meng out.