Rebirth: Splendid Marriage in the 80s Chapter 2728 - 2664: Empty and Desolate

That individual could be Qingshuang, or perhaps Shi Xiaoching. Of course, it's also possible it's another stranger bearing the same name. Nevertheless, her heart rate did quicken slightly.

Regarding Chen Zhu, she held very little expectation before encountering her, a consequence of her past life experiences, knowing Chen Zhu to be an irresponsible mother. Having lived for so many years as if parentless, she had long abandoned any hopes for such a maternal figure.

However, for Shi Xiaoching, she harbored a bit more optimism. After all, Shi Xiaoching was a woman favored by the Sixth Young Master Jiang, and she believed the Sixth Young Master's discernment couldn't possibly be that poor. Furthermore, if that painting was indeed Shi Xiaoching's creation, then she was at least an artist. Perhaps her talent for painting was inherited from Shi Xiaoching?

But then, why was Qingshuang's painting in Ye Wanqing's possession? Shouldn't the question be, why did Deng Qingjiang acquire it? Luofeng Town is clearly so distant from the Capital City. Could it be that the painting was purchased by someone else, and subsequently ended up in Deng Qingjiang's hands? At present, that seems to be the sole plausible explanation.

"Xiao Chiang, we're nearly there. See the house up ahead? Look." Luo Yongsheng gestured forward. Jiang Xiao immediately cast her gaze over and indeed observed a house in a classical style, featuring gray-white walls and a prominent gate adorned with stone carvings.

"Something seems amiss?" Guan Tiezhu's tone abruptly shifted. Jiang Xiao had also noticed it. Her heart suddenly clenched. That's right, something was definitely wrong! On the visible section of the wall, a patch of gray and black marred the surface. The grayish-black hue suggested the passage of a fire.

Could it be that the Hongfeng Welfare Institute had been consumed by a fire? "Let's speed up." With only this short distance remaining, Jiang Xiao's anxiety grew palpable. Guan Tiezhu increased their speed slightly, guiding the car directly towards the entrance.

The moment the car halted, Jiang Xiao promptly opened her door and exited, striding towards the entrance in a few swift paces. Upon witnessing the scene before her, her heart plummeted. From the other side, the door hadn't been clearly visible, but now she saw it—this door was hanging precariously, appearing dilapidated and unstable, certainly not presenting as a place where people could reside.

Guan Tiezhu and Luo Yongsheng approached as well. Upon observing the state of the door, they exchanged glances, both looking at Jiang Xiao with concern. Jiang Xiao made no attempt to conceal her purpose, directly informing them she was searching for her biological mother, who might be residing at Luofeng Institute. Although Jiang Xiao hadn't outwardly displayed it before, they could still discern her unusual excitement and anticipation, subtly tinged with hope. But now, it appeared the Luofeng Institute was uninhabited?

"I'll go in and check." Guan Tiezhu stated, stepping forward to knock. However, Jiang Xiao preceded him, reaching out to push the door open. With her push, the partially attached door panel crashed inward with a loud bang, sending a plume of dust into the air. The sound echoed with a hollow sense of desolation. No response came from within.

Jiang Xiao's expression turned grim as she stepped inside. The courtyard was desolate, marked by remnants of black burn marks and scattered pieces of furniture. Two maple trees were indeed present in the yard, if they could still be termed as such. These two trees were entirely charred, standing like stark black wooden pillars, intensifying the courtyard's loneliness. The yard was not extensive, encircling the house in a configuration resembling the Chinese character '品'.