579: Chapter 574 Energy running out, picked up a little girl?

The second task card was found beneath the pier of a wooden bridge.

Task Two: Little Architect.

Task Content: Use dead branches and fallen leaves from the woods to build a sturdy 'home for small animals.' Score: 15 points.

This task was somewhat difficult for many parents.

But for Shen Yan, it was merely a miniature version of engineering.

He gathered materials with Youyou, teaching her how to use triangles to construct the most stable support structure.

And how to layer wide fallen leaves to create a roof that could block the rain.

Ten minutes later, an exquisite and sturdy little wooden house appeared in a clearing in the woods.

Passing parents and children cast looks of amazement.

They moved through the forest like a highly efficient special operations team.

Identifying plants, skipping stones across the water, and even working together to help an elderly person whose wheelchair had accidentally gotten stuck in the mud.

Task cards were completed one after another.

Youyou’s small face was constantly adorned with a proud and happy smile.

When they finished the fifth task, Youyou’s stomach let out a loud 'grumble.'

She touched her little belly and looked at Shen Yan.

'Daddy, my energy is almost used up,' she said.

Shen Yan smiled.

'Roger that, Commander. Let’s go get resupplied.'

He took Youyou’s hand and walked toward a spot he had noticed earlier.

It was an open lawn, next to a clear stream, with a giant oak tree providing perfect shade.

This was the most ideal picnic spot in the entire park.

But when they reached the oak tree, they found someone already there.

A little girl in a blue dress was sitting alone on the grass.

In front of her was an overturned picnic basket.

Cookie crumbs and fruit were scattered all over the ground.

The little girl's shoulders hitched and twitched, and her suppressed crying was heartbreaking.

Youyou stopped in her tracks.

She recognized the little girl.

'It’s Anqi!'

She let go of Shen Yan's hand and ran quickly toward her.

'Anqi, what’s wrong?'

Youyou squatted down in front of the little girl and asked softly.

'Why are you crying?'

The little girl named Anqi looked up, her eyes red like a rabbit’s, with tears still clinging to her face.

'Youyou...'

Seeing her good friend, her mouth drooped, and she cried even harder.

'My... my lunch... it all spilled...'

Anqi pointed at the mess on the ground and sobbed.

'The sandwiches my mom made for me... and the little bunny apple... they’re all gone...'

'Just now... just now a big dog ran over, and I got scared and couldn’t hold on tight...'

Youyou looked at the food on the ground, then at the crying Anqi, and for a moment didn't know what to do.

She turned back and shot Shen Yan a look asking for help.

Shen Yan walked over.

He didn't speak, but silently took out a wet wipe from his backpack, squatted down, and gently wiped the tears and dirt from Anqi’s face.

His movements were very gentle.

Anqi’s crying gradually subsided a little.

'Don't be afraid,' Shen Yan spoke, his voice steady, carrying a reassuring strength.

'Uncle is here.'

He glanced at the food on the ground; much of it was soiled with dirt and couldn't be eaten.

'Uncle has even better food here.'

He turned and opened his own picnic basket.

The moisture-proof picnic mat imported from Germany was spread out on the grass.

Then, food items were laid out one by one.

Tuna sandwiches, grilled chicken wings, a fruit box, and Youyou’s favorite strawberry cake.

It was a dazzling array, like a small buffet.

'Wow...'

Anqi stopped crying and opened her teary eyes wide.

Youyou also puffed out her little chest proudly.

'Anqi, don't cry anymore!'

She picked up a sandwich and offered it to Anqi.

'The sandwiches my dad makes are the best! Try one!'

Anqi hesitated and glanced at Shen Yan.

Shen Yan nodded gently at her.

Only then did the little girl take the sandwich and cautiously take a bite.

The wheat fragrance of the bread and the savory flavor of the tuna instantly melted in her mouth.

Anqi’s eyes lit up instantly.

Tears still hung on the little girl’s face, but her chewing was very honest.

Food was the best medicine for curing a bad mood.

Especially so for children.

Shen Yan then handed over a box of juice with the straw already inserted.

'Eat slowly, don't choke.'

His voice wasn't loud, but it was very steady.

Anqi took the juice and sipped it slowly, her big eyes secretly observing the unfamiliar uncle in front of her.

This uncle was different from her dad.

He was tall and quiet, but he made her feel very safe.

Youyou, on the side, acted like a little hostess, enthusiastically introducing the food in the basket.

'Anqi, try this little chicken wing next! My dad grilled it, it’s crispy on the outside!'

'And this fruit box, the watermelon is cut out with a little star mold, you know!'

Seeing that Anqi’s mood had completely calmed down and her cheeks had turned rosy because of the food, Shen Yan finally spoke.

His question was direct and clear.

'Anqi, where is your mother?'

Anqi swallowed the sandwich in her mouth and pointed to a fork in the road not far away.

'Mom went to the restroom.'

'She told me to wait for her here and watch our basket.'

A hint of grievance returned to the little girl’s voice.

'But... that big dog suddenly ran over, chased me all the way here, and then the big dog was about to knock over the basket again, so I cried... Mom hasn't come back...'

Shen Yan glanced at the Patek Philippe on his wrist.

About fifteen minutes had passed since they found Anqi.

A trip to the restroom seemed a bit long.

'What is your mother’s name? What is she wearing?'

'My mom is named Li Jing. She’s wearing a white dress today, and she has long hair.'

Anqi’s description was very clear.

Shen Yan nodded and took out his phone.

Without any hesitation, he directly opened the kindergarten WeChat parent group.

The group was lively, with many parents sharing photos of their children finding task cards.

Shen Yan’s fingers tapped rapidly on the screen.

'@ Anqi’s Mom - Li Jing, please reply if you see this. Anqi is with us, location is under the big oak tree by the stream. She is very safe.'

He sent the message.

Then, he waited quietly.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Five minutes passed.

The messages in the group had already scrolled past ninety-nine, and several parents had also @-messaged him, asking if he had found some hidden task.

But the profile picture named 'Anqi’s Mom - Li Jing' never lit up.

Shen Yan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He exited the WeChat group and directly found the homeroom teacher Teacher Wang’s number, dialing it.

The call rang a few times before being answered. The background noise was filled with the clamor of children.

'Hello? Is this Youyou’s dad? Is something wrong?'

'Teacher Wang, I am Shen Yan.'

'I found Anqi, but her mother is missing. I @-messaged her in the parent group, but there was no response.'