The Amusing Adventures of a Directionally Challenged Dad and Daughter

A rare hint of joy flashed across the man's face, but thinking of the vastness of the mountains, he grew somewhat anxious.

Nevertheless, he didn’t dwell on it too much and motioned for his subordinates to follow him into the hills.

As they passed a small valley, he was startled to see the entire area fenced off.

The night before had been too dark for him to notice, and he had assumed only the entrance was enclosed.

Who ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍would have thought someone had encircled the whole valley? Was it to keep people out or wild beasts?

Without lingering, he pressed onward with his men, eager to find the jade pendant and return to seek forgiveness from the woman he loved.

Meanwhile, Old Gu Six toiled in the fields, huffing and puffing, while Chang'an weeded the vegetable patch—her crops grew slower than the weeds.

They lived a simple, rustic life of farming at home.

The man searching for the pendant in the mountains seemed cursed with misfortune—a month had passed, and he still hadn’t found the person he sought.

His frustration mounted, and even the surrounding trees and flowers drew his ire.

One subordinate ventured, "Young Master, could that man have lied to you? Maybe he found the pendant himself and made up this story about someone else to avoid returning it?"

The man hesitated, considering the possibility. "Let’s keep looking. If we still find nothing, we’ll go back and confront him."

"Yes, sir."

For five or six more days, they combed the mountains until, on the verge of giving up, they encountered a firewood gatherer.

The man wanted to ask for directions but found himself at a loss—how should he phrase it?

The pendant had been picked up by a woman, but would she have told anyone? Unlikely.

He needed to ask about a woman, yet he didn’t know her name or appearance.

It was like wanting directions without knowing the destination—how could he even begin?

The young firewood gatherer noticed them staring and, receiving no explanation, finally asked, "Are you lost?"

The man shook his head. "No, we’re looking for someone."

The boy’s eyes lit up. "Are you here for Miss Jian?"

He was thoroughly sick of that girl—always crying as if she’d suffered some great injustice in their home.

His third brother doted on her unconditionally, and every bit of good food went to her. He hadn’t tasted meat in ages—even the wild game his brothers hunted ended up on her plate, while he was scolded for wanting a sip of broth.

When would this torment end?

At last, his suffering seemed over.

The boy grinned. "You’re here for Miss Jian, right? She’s at our house. I’ll take you to her."

The man nodded subtly, deciding to follow and assess the situation.

After a half-hour walk, they reached the Zhang household. The boy was the fourth son, fifteen-year-old Zhang Xiaoshuan.

Nearly a dozen families lived in this area, yet the man had somehow missed it entirely in his month-long search.

Before even stepping into the yard, the boy called out, "Miss Jian! Miss Jian! Your family’s come for you!"

The Zhangs were all out working in the fields, leaving the house empty.

Hearing the commotion, Jian rushed out—only to freeze at the sight of strangers. She didn’t recognize them, and a nervous flutter seized her, though she couldn’t say why.

Too thrilled at the prospect of her departure, Xiao Shuan missed her unease.

"Miss Jian, I met them while gathering firewood, so I brought them back."

Jian stammered, "Xiao Shuan, I don’t know them. They’re not my family."

"Huh? But they said they were looking for someone. Maybe your family sent them?" Xiao Shuan clung to this hope.

The man stepped forward with a courteous bow, his voice gentle. "Do not be alarmed, miss. I merely wish to ask you something."

"W-what is it, sir?" Jian’s cheeks flushed. This nobleman—handsome, refined, draped in fine silk and surrounded by attendants—outshone even Zhang Congming.

"Might you have found a jade pendant on the beach? It holds great importance to me. If you have it, I would be deeply grateful for its return."

Sometimes, a handsome face worked just as well as a pretty one.

"I—I do have it. Let me fetch it for you to see if it’s yours."

Jian hurried back inside, retrieving the pendant from beneath her pillow before returning to the courtyard.

The man recognized it instantly—the faint scratch left by his beloved’s hand when she carved it for him.

Clutching it, he nearly wept with relief. "Thank you, thank you, miss."

Then, recalling something, he added, "I heard you were searching for your family?"

Jian nodded shyly. "Yes. I was washed ashore and saved by Elder Brother Zhang and his family."

"Where is your home? I could arrange an escort."

"Luocheng County. I am the eldest daughter of the He Family."

"The He Family? The cloth merchants?"

"Yes! Do you know my father?"

"Indeed. The Chen Family has done business with yours. If you’ll permit me, we’re passing through Luocheng County and would be honored to take you home."

Jian nodded eagerly, afraid he might change his mind.

She’d had enough of mountain life—poor food, restless nights, endless chores.

In gratitude for Xiao Shuan’s help, the man gave him a silver ingot before departing with Jian and his men, never looking back.

Jian didn’t bother saying goodbye to the Zhangs, and Xiao Shuan, delighted by both her departure and his reward, didn’t think to remind her.

When the Zhang brothers returned from the fields, their beloved was gone.

"Little Brother, why didn’t you call me from the fields?"

"Yeah! What if that man was dangerous? You might’ve doomed Miss Jian!"

Elder Brother Zhang stood silent, staring blankly at her empty room.

Xiao Shuan rolled his eyes, handing the silver to Granny Zhang. "She left on her own—couldn’t wait to go."

"Enough. What’s done is done." Granny Zhang felt a pang—she’d once hoped Jian would marry her eldest son. Now, after all they’d fed her, the girl hadn’t even bid farewell.

Elder Brother Zhang suffered most—his beloved was gone without a final glance.

The man hurried down the mountain, leaving Old Gu Six undisturbed.

Chang'an and Old Gu Six were at home, figuring out how to make fishing nets. The boat was already in the water—might as well take it out for a spin, right?