On a chilly winter morning, the 6th of January, 2024,


    Wang Xiao''s world had transformed into a cocoon of monotony over thest five days. Inside the confines of his home, henguished, reading books, browsing the inte, and whiled away the hours.


    The winter had tightened its grip, but Wang Xiao''s spirits had soared as his injury had fully healed the day before.


    As he drifted into slumberst night, a contented smile crossed his face, knowing he could once again venture outside without the threat of Xinyue Zhn''s rebukes.


    However, today was different.


    He slept alone, puzzled by Wang Mei''s unexined absence the previous day.


    Still, his slumber was serene, for he knew that the days of confinement were behind him.


    But the hands of fate had something else in store.


    Downstairs, Wang Jiarong toiled alongside Xinyue Zhn, their animated chatter and the tter of cleaning echoing through the house, signaling the approaching Chinese New Year.


    Wang Jiarong, now dressed in a in top and a short, casual skirt, hurriedly made her way up the stairs to collect everyone''s school bags and take them to theundry.


    Each of her siblingsy in slumber, oblivious to her early morning activities.


    The weight of her self-imposed responsibilities once again rested upon the eldest sibling.


    Rushing through the house, she stopped at Wang Xueying''s room to retrieve her school bag. Her final destination was Wang Xiao''s room, where hey undisturbed, without a care for the cold.


    With a slight shake of her head, she entered his room, picked up his school bag, and then shivered from the sudden chill in the room. ncing at the open window, she saw Wang Xiao cocooned in his nket.


    "Doesn''t he understand the concept of cold?" she muttered to herself. She walked over to the window, shutting it firmly before moving quietly towards the room''s entrance.


    She gently closed the door behind her as she headed back to help Xinyue Zhn.


    ________


    "Did you check the insides?" Xinyue Zhn inquired, ncing at Wang Jiarong who came back.


    "They should be empty, it''s too lightweight," Wang Jiarong.


    Xinyue Zhn shook her head, and reprimanding"Check it properly,"


    Wang Jiarong pressed her lips together in protest, the disparity in treatment was evident, only she gets scolded from her, regardless of it, one by one she started to check the bags of her siblings to confirm it was empty, as it had to washed, and holiday was the best period for it.


    While Xinyue Zhn was organising theundry, Wang Jiarong was checking the bags one by one, until it was finally the chance of Wang Xiao''s.


    "??"


    With a puzzled expression, Wang Jiarong opened Wang Xiao''s school bag, expecting to find it empty like the others.


    However, to her astonishment, her fingers brushed against something unusual.


    She pulled out a bundle of notes, and her eyes widened in disbelief.


    There, in Wang Xiao''s bag, was a stash of 4500 yuan worth of currency notes.


    Her voice quivered as she called out, "M-Mom, you won''t believe this! There''s so much money in Wang Xiao''s bag!"


    Xinyue Zhn quickly rushed over, her expression shifting from concern to surprise as she saw the money. "Are you sure, Jiarong?"


    Wang Jiarong nodded, her mind racing to understand how her younger brother hade into possession of such a sum. "Yes, it''s real money. I can''t believe it."


    The two of them exchanged bewildered nces, their curiosity piqued and a growing sense of intrigue about the unexpected discovery in Wang Xiao''s bag.


    Xinyue Zhn''s face transformed, now wearing a grave expression, as she ordered, "Count it."


    Wang Jiarong hesitated for a moment but then started counting the bills meticulously, her fingers trembling with a mixture of curiosity and anxiety. With each bill she counted, the shock on her face grew. Finally, with an exhausted sigh, she confirmed, "It''s 4,500 yuan."


    "4,500!?" Xinyue Zhn''s face darkened with concern and confusion.


    Wang Jiarong couldn''t help but ask, her voice filled with worry, "Mom, what''s going on?"


    Xinyue Zhn hesitated before she spoke with unease, "... Your father told me just a few days ago that he''s missing 4,500 yuan from his collections. I don''t know if this is the same money."


    A look of realization passed between Wang Jiarong and Xinyue Zhn. They knew they needed to get to the bottom of this.


    Xinyue Zhn swiftly decided, "Give it to me; I will go and ask Xiao Wang about this." She took the money from Wang Jiarong''s hands and turned to go upstairs.


    Wang Jiarong couldn''t just stay behind, her curiosity and concern driving her forward. She followed her mother as they made their way upstairs, the impending confrontation casting a shadow over their home.


    ______


    Upstairs, in Wang Xiao''s room, an undisturbed tranquility enveloped him as hey in deep slumber. His room was bathed in the soft morning light seeping through the curtains, creating a serene ambiance.


    However, that serenity was about to be shattered. The sound of footsteps on the cold staircase grew louder, drawing nearer to his room.


    Xinyue Zhn and Wang Jiarong entered his room cautiously, both wearing expressions of concern. They approached Wang Xiao''s bed with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.


    Xinyue Zhn gently shook her son awake, his eyelids fluttering open. Confusion and sleepiness clouded his gaze as he looked at his mother and sister.


    "Xiao Wang, do you have something to tell me?" Xinyue Zhn''s voice was measured but tinged with an undertone of seriousness.


    Wang Xiao, still groggy from sleep, blinked a few times and struggled toprehend the situation.


    The presence of his mother and sister standing over him,bined with their serious expressions, was disconcerting.


    "What''s going on, Mom?" he mumbled, his voiceced with confusion.


    With a deep breath, Xinyue Zhn raised the bundle of cash and asked, "Do you know anything about this money, 4,500 yuan, to be exact?"


    Wang Xiao''s eyes widened as he saw the money. His thoughts raced, trying toe up with an exnation for why he had that amount in his possession.


    As Wang Xiao''s eyes locked onto the money, he quickly attempted to exin, "Mom, that money isn''t mine. It''s Chen Li''s. He asked me to keep it safe for him for a while."


    His mother and sister exchanged skeptical nces, clearly not convinced by his exnation.


    "...."


    "...."


    Before he could say more, a sudden, crisp p resounded through the room, leaving Wang Xiao''s senses reeling.


    He gasped in shock, his cheek stinging from the impact.


    Xinyue Zhn''s voice was stern as she spoke, "Don''t lie to me, Xiao Wang. Your father is missing the exact same amount of money—4,500 yuan. How do you exin this coincidence?"