Morning arrived, and Jin San stretched zily, feeling much more refreshed after a good sleep. It seemed a bit noisy outside; Chánchú City was usually very quiet, with not a soul in sight even during the day, but now it was bustling with activity. Jin San quickly got dressed and stepped out of the house.

  Tian Qizi, Wang Xiazi, Song Zhu, and Bai Donggua are dead, each in their own homes, with a three-inch golden lotus shoe in their hands. Jin San couldn't help but gasp. They were alive just st night; they were talking to him, and now, just one night ter... they're dead! Jin San's eyes widened, and he was becoming increasingly confused, wondering what was going on. He recalled the st words he had said to Bai Donggua st night: "Boss Mo is dead. Who do you think will be next?"

  Another desote night, Jin San could no longer count how long he had been away from home, nor did he know how many days and nights he had spent in Chánchú City. He didn't understand why everyone thought he was Bao Mu, nor did he understand how he had become Bao Mu. He picked up the drumstick again and began to examine it repeatedly; he always felt that everything was reted to this drumstick.

  The crying started at that moment, sounding particurly mournful. Without a second thought, Jin San walked out. The cries seemed to come and go, sometimes near, sometimes far, sometimes long, sometimes short. Following the sound, Jin San kept moving forward, turning countless corners, though he couldn't remember how many.

  He just kept searching. Until he saw that person.

  Mei Yiner was a rare beauty, and Jin San had never doubted it. But if you knew she was already dead, you wouldn't feel the same way. Now, she was standing right in front of Jin San.

  "Bao Mu, I feel so lonely in the underworld. I came to find you, boohoo." Mei Yiner was still crying emotionally, but Jin San was so scared he almost wet himself. His first instinct was to run, but... someone was tugging at his clothes, and he trembled as he looked down...

  "Dad, I miss you so much. There's no one to py with me there. I really miss you." Bao Mu looked at Jin San with his innocent eyes.

  "Ah! A ghost!" Jin San screamed in pain, turned around, and ran, but after a few steps, he stopped in his tracks.

  "Dad, I miss you so much. The people there are so boring, so the fish came to find you again," Bao Yu pouted and said in a spoiled manner.

  Jin San fell down.

  Jin San woke up.

  The surroundings were bustling with activity. The restaurant had opened, and diners were listening to tunes, drinking strong liquor, and pying games. Street vendors were shouting loudly to sell their goods, and street performers were showcasing their talents. Passersby were coming and going, some buying small items, some pushing carts, some sightseeing, and some just watching the fun. The bright lights almost illuminated the entire night sky.

  Where is this? Jin San walked while looking at the scenes on both sides, not knowing where he was now.

  "Jin San..." Jin San suddenly stopped in his tracks. He heard someone calling his name and felt surprised. It had been a long time since he heard his name. He remembered that everyone in Frog City called him Baomu, but now he actually heard his familiar name again. Jin San turned around...

  "Mother..." Jin San actually saw his mother.

  "Good child, come here to Mother." Mother gently waved her hand towards Jin San. Her gentle smile used to be Jin San's greatest comfort. Jin San took a step forward and walked over.

  "Mother, is it really you?" Jin San looked at his mother with some excitement, his voice a bit choked.

  "Silly child, who else could it be?" His mother gently reached out and stroked Jin San's face. Jin San closed his eyes in a daze; he missed these hands so much. The warm feeling surged up, and Jin San shed tears of excitement.

  "Silly child, look at you crying again. Come on, Mother will take you to eat something," Mama said, taking Jin San's hand and walking slowly forward until they reached a noodle stall and found a table to sit down.

  "A bowl of noodles, please!" Mother gently called out.

  "Okay, coming right up," the noodle vendor replied.

  "Jin San, Mother misses you so much," Mother said kindly.

  "Mother, I miss you too," Jin San replied, still crying, with tears streaming down his face.

  Mother took a white handkerchief from her pocket and gently wiped Jin San's face, saying, "See, Mother is here now. Mother remembers you love noodles the most, so you must eat more."

  "Okay, thank you, Mother," Jin San's eyes never left Mother.

  "After we finish eating, Mother will take you to a pce," Mother said with a slight smile.

  "What pce is this?" Jin San asked happily.

  "You'll find out soon; come on, eat some noodles first." Mother handed the noodles she had just brought to Jin San.

  "Okay, as long as Mother is here, I'm overjoyed." Jin San shed tears again.

  "Silly child, Mother will always be with you." Mother smiled gently again, and Jin San nodded with emotion, lowered his head, and began to eat ravenously.

  Mother did not speak in vain. After Jin San finished eating, she took him to a courtyard.

  The courtyard was filled with various drums of all sizes and types. Jin San stood there in a daze, looking at everything in front of him.

  "Do you like it?" Mother's sweet voice brought Jin San back from his daze.

  "Mother, why are there so many drums?" Jin San asked.

  "Silly child, didn't you love pying with drums the most?" Mother replied.

  "I... I think I liked them..." Jin San fell into a state of confusion again.

  "Mother once bought you many drums; do you remember?"

  "I think... I remember... it was... a rattle drum." Jin San was desperately trying to recall.

  A hint of barely noticeable excitement appeared in Mother's eyes, but she quickly returned to her gentle tone, "Yes, there was a rattle drum. Do you remember what Mother told you?"

  "What did you say?" Jin San lowered his head, lost in thought. Mother didn't say anything more, quietly waiting for his response.

  "What did you say?" Jin San started pulling at his hair, struggling to think.

  "Think slowly, my child; I believe you will remember my words," the mother comforted.

  "I..." Jin San suddenly looked up and said, "It seems you mentioned something about a drum." Jin San paused again.

  "What did I say?" the mother asked anxiously.

  "It seems you said the drum has something important..." Jin San started pulling at his hair again.

  "Yes, I said the drum has something important. Where is that thing? Do you remember how I told you?"

  "I think I remember, but I also think I don't. I... I can't recall," Jin San squatted down, holding his head.

  "You must remember! You have to remember!"

  Jin San looked up in surprise and said, "Mom, why are you so fierce?"

  "I'm... I'm not fierce; I'm just anxious. If you can remember my words, I will be happy," the mother returned to her gentle demeanor.

  Jin San was still looking at his mother when he suddenly stood up and said, "Who are you? You're not my mother; my mother died a long time ago! Where am I? Why does my head feel so dizzy? Where is this?"

  Something suddenly hit the back of Jin San's head heavily, and then he knew nothing.

  "He still remembers; he will definitely be able to recall." The st voice was heard at the moment Jin San fainted.