Su Shuochi returned to the courtyard on Xiangyang Street and immediately called his home in the Imperial City, but no one answered.
He was baffled. 'Jiaojiao should be home from school by now!'
He then called the Gu Family. This time, the call connected after just one ring.
"Hello? Is that Shuo Ci?" Grandpa Gu's hearty voice came from the other end of the line.
Su Shuochi paused for a moment. "Hello, Grandpa. It's Shuo Ci. I was wondering, is Jiaojiao over at your place?"
"Ah, Shuo Ci. The Si Family picked Jiaojiao up after school to give Elder Si his acupuncture treatment. She asked me to wait for your call and tell you she'll be home after she's done. Have you eaten yet, Shuo Ci?"
"Thank you, Grandpa. I haven't eaten yet. I'll call home to talk to Jiaojiao after dinner."
"Okay, sounds good. I'm going to hang up and eat now." It was clear that Grandpa Gu had been specifically waiting for his call.
