After Qin Mei had taken the medicine, she felt somewhat better, but she kept closely following her big brother.
Whenever Qin Ye moved further away, she was overcome with fear.
Seeing her like this, Qin Ye was in such pain.
"You should go back to sleep for a bit; big brother will make you breakfast."
This should have been a peaceful New Year, but such an incident had occurred, something he had never anticipated.
Qin Mei immediately shook her head, indicating she didnāt want to sleep.
Seeing this, Qin Ye had no choice but to let her keep following him.
Since there was quite a bit of food left over from yesterday, including buns... Qin Ye heated some leftovers and steamed a few more buns.
Considering his little sisterās health, he decided to boil an egg as well.
Qin Mei had a small appetite, and after the scare, she ate even less, only one egg from the plentiful breakfast.
The rest was left for Qin Ye to finish.
Taking into account Qin Meiās illness, he didnāt let her do the dishes or any other housework.
Once everything was cleaned up, he said to Qin Mei, "Meizi, big brother needs to make a trip to town to report to the police. Can you stay at home on your own?"
Upon hearing she would be home alone, Qin Mei was terrified.
Seeing her like this, Qin Ye sighed internally, "Then you come with big brother to town. We can also get you checked out at the health clinic."
When Qin Mei heard this, she quickly shook her head and said weakly, "Iāll be at home."
Qin Ye looked at her, "Can you manage being at home?"
Qin Mei didnāt want to go to town at all; she nodded vigorously and repeated, "At home."
Seeing how frightened she was of going to town, Qin Ye relented to her wish, "Okay then, just stay in your room and make sure to lock the door."
Qin Mei immediately nodded.
After Qin Ye went back to his room to grab some things, he gave Qin Mei a few more instructions in the courtyard before pushing his bicycle out the door.
Once Qin Mei saw her big brother ride away on his bicycle, she quickly closed the main gate and hurried back to her room, securing the door latch...
Qin Ye rode his bicycle straight out of the house without informing the village leaders about the incident.
It wouldāve been pointless anyway.
He rode as fast as he could to the townās police station.
The duty officer was surprised to see him; after all, who shows up on the first day of the New Year?
"Comrade, whatās the matter?"
Qin Ye recounted the early morning events of the previous day, telling them about the two men who came to kidnap him and placed particular emphasis on his sisterās illness, which prevented him from dealing with the two men.
They had escaped, and obviously... there must have been more than two, certainly others involved.
The officer took the matter very seriously upon hearing this.
"Weāll start investigating this right away."
Qin Ye nodded, "Alright, Iāll be heading back then. My little sister was frightened last night, and I donāt feel at ease leaving her alone at home."
"Go ahead, and weāll be over shortly."
"Alright," Qin Ye left the police station.
Unfortunately, there was no quicker way to communicate; otherwise, he would have certainly told his wife.
But upon reflection, it was not so surprising, as his family home was well-builtātruly one of a kind in the village, a clear sign of wealth. If not his house, whose would they rob?
To be honest, they felt no sympathy for the theft at Qin Yeās home.
Itās always the same with people... they might feel some pity for those who are struggling, but once someone from the mire rises up to live a hundred times better than them, envy is sure to rear its ugly head.
Qin Fulin arrived at Qin Yeās house and paused, his eyes glittering at the sight of the bright new courtyard.
He then knocked on the door...
Qin Ye came to open it and frowned immediately upon seeing who it was.
"Qin Ye, I heard there was a thief at your place, is everything okay?"
Qin Ye looked at him, "Nothingās wrong, go back home."
Qin Fulin was not upset by his response, "I came to see how Mei is doing. I heard she got quite a scare; I wanted to check on her."
Qin Yeās gaze grew sharper, "Where did you hear that Mei was frightened?"
Fulin immediately replied, "I guessed. Mei is timid and not well; something like this happening last night, she would certainly be startled. So I wanted to see if sheās alrightāif she is, good..."
Qin Yeās look remained sharp, sizing up the man in front of him, but he could not find anything out of the ordinary.
He withdrew his gaze, "The thief came in the middle of the night; Mei had no idea, how could she have been frightened?"
"Ah!" The concerned expression faded from Fulinās face, "Then thatās good. When I was coming, I was still worried she might have been scared. Seems I was overthinking. Okay then, Iāll head back. If thereās anything you need, just let me know."
After that, he turned and left.
Qin Ye watched his retreating figure thoughtfully...
Due to scant evidence, the police investigation in the village turned up nothing, and with the scant manpower around the New Year... the matter was left unresolved...

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Transmigration: Getting Rich with My Space and Supplies