Lin He, wanting to help Da Bao out of a tight spot, suddenly recalled an incident in Qinghe County and spoke up, "Father, I met a rather strange person in Qinghe County. He looked strikingly similar to you, as if cast from the same mold. Father, besides your elder brother and third brother, do you have any other siblings?"

"No, in our family, there are just the three of us brothers," Er Niu asked, puzzled.

"Then that's quite odd. That person truly looks too much like you, and even his voice is similar. If there's no connection between you, it’s a remarkably rare coincidence. I feel like something isn't quite right," Lin He said.

"What's not right? It's just a resemblance. There are countless people who look alike in this world. You, child, just overthink things too much," said Mrs. Huang dismissively.

"Father, do you remember how our Third Uncle passed away?" Lin He suddenly asked.

"Your Third Uncle? He went up to the mountains to hunt and never came back," Er Niu replied.

"Did none of you go into the mountains to search, or at least check?" Lin He inquired.

"Your Third Uncle was the best hunter in the village. If he went into the mountains and couldn't return, who among us would dare to venture in? Your father did intend to go look, but I forbade him. Third Uncle said he saw a bear on the mountain and went to hunt it, so he must have been eaten by the bear. Your father doesn't know how to hunt; going into the mountains would only mean he’d be swallowed whole without a trace left. I certainly wouldn't let your father go in, or perhaps your father’s life would have been lost too," Mrs. Huang explained.

"Yes, I know nothing, I truly didn't dare enter the mountains. Everyone said the third one was surely dead, so we just helped your Third Aunt hold a simple funeral. Besides, the villagers and some relatives were unwilling to go in, so I naturally couldn't manage anything alone," Er Niu said, sounding guilty about his third brother.

"He'er, why are you asking this? Could you possibly suspect that the person in Qinghe County is our Third Uncle?" Da Bao asked.

"He'er, really? Could it truly be your Third Uncle? If it is your Third Uncle, that would be wonderful. If he didn't die, we truly have heaven to thank," Er Niu asked excitedly after hearing Da Bao.

"Father, don't get agitated. I only have some suspicions in my heart. Don't place too much hope on this matter. Logically, if Third Uncle hadn't died, why wouldn't he come back? With parents above and children below, how could he choose to stay away and not return? It simply doesn't make sense," Lin He soothed Er Niu.

"That's right. If it were the third one, he would certainly know his family was worried about him. Why wouldn't he return? Xiao Jun is already eleven this year, and the third one left six or seven years ago," Er Niu said, letting the hope that had just flared up subside after hearing Lin He's words.

"Mother, Father, don't mention this to anyone else in the family for now. It's just a suspicion I have. I just feel that person resembles Father too much, and I have a feeling that person might be Third Uncle. However, I was too young when Third Uncle left, so I don't remember exactly what he looked like. Father, did Third Uncle look very much like you?" Lin He asked Er Niu.

"Yes, they did. Your grandparents had several children, and the third one and I looked the most alike. We were like that when we were little. It's just that we were a few years apart, so no one would mistake us. He'er, perhaps the person you met really is your Third Uncle," hope flared up again in Er Niu's heart.

"How old is that person? Does he have a family? What does he do in Qinghe County?" Mrs. Huang asked.

Lin He recounted every feature of that person she could remember, and also mentioned that the person had a shop in Qinghe County, but she intentionally omitted the fact that the man had married and had children. If it truly was her Third Uncle, having started a new family elsewhere would be a troublesome situation.

Er Niu became agitated again upon hearing Lin He's description: "He'er, that’s it! It must be your Third Uncle! Your Third Uncle looks exactly as you described. Why don't we go to Qinghe County tomorrow? We'll go together. Child's mother, quickly pack some things for us—we're leaving for Qinghe County tomorrow."

"Father, don't be so hasty. Listen to me first. If it is Third Uncle, since he opened a shop there, he won't just leave. Moreover, you have such a large household here; how can you suddenly leave? Not to mention this place isn't close to Qinghe County, and considering the travel time, if you have to stay there for a few more days, it will take at least half a month. You can't be away from home for that long," Lin He persuaded.

"That's right, husband. Don't just blurt things out. Listen to our daughter. Besides, if it is the third one, he must have his reasons for not returning. Are you planning to drag him back when you go?" Mrs. Huang also chimed in.

"Then what do you suggest we do? If we don't know, fine. But now that we know there is someone who is eight parts certain to be my deceased brother, am I just supposed to sit at home and do nothing?" Er Niu argued.

"Father, how about this? I know Third Uncle, and He'er has been to Qinghe County. My father and I can go to Qinghe County together. I will go see if it's really him. If it is Third Uncle, I will send someone back to notify you to come over. If not, at least we'll get clarity and won't have this matter weighing on our hearts. What do you think?" Da Bao offered a solution.

"Da Bao cannot go! You promised me you would stay home for two days. If someone must go, let your father and He'er go, and you stay here to watch over the household affairs," Mrs. Huang insisted.

"Child's mother, what time is it? Don't keep harping on such small matters. Wouldn't it be the same if Da Bao goes after he returns?" Er Niu countered.

"This is not a small matter! Da Bao's marriage is the biggest event for our family!" Mrs. Huang said unhappily.

"Mother, we aren't saying we'll leave tomorrow. At most, we'll wait two more days before leaving. I promised to stay home for two days, so I will stay home. Does that work for you?" Da Bao said helplessly.

Mrs. Huang nodded, agreeing that this was acceptable. Er Niu also thought this was better—letting Da Bao go first to check. If it wasn't him, he wouldn't have wasted time. However, Er Niu then asked, "Da Bao, what about your pastry shop then? He'er is going with you too. Will it be alright if you're away for so long?"

"It will be fine. The shop assistants and maids are used to the routine. Besides, they are all people we know, and Xiao Jun will be there too. I'll go back and give instructions, and it should not cause any major issues," Da Bao said thoughtfully.

In reality, Da Bao's pastry shop didn't require his constant supervision; even if he were away for a month or two, there wouldn't be any major problems. The accountant and the staff had been personally selected by him and He'er, and they were trustworthy. The maids in the back courtyard were also family members, so there was no need to worry. Plus, Xiao Jun was there. His initial statement was just to placate his mother; he hadn't intended to be so indirect about being able to go himself.

"Then it's settled. Da Bao stays home for two days. After two days, Da Bao and Lin He will set off for Qinghe County. I hope you bring back good news for your father this time," Er Niu said excitedly.