The sister-in-law is missing.

After spending tens of thousands to marry her, even if my parents are angry, they can't just let her go.

So, early in the morning, I was pulled up to find someone.

The genius light of dawn, the village is filled with light mist.

A red figure suddenly appeared in front of the abandoned baby tower, vaguely the size of a newborn baby.

I paused, and a wave of fear surged in my heart.

Did I see a ghost?

"It's Xiaoman."

A deep and hoarse voice came from nearby.

It's Aunt Li.

I collected myself and took another look, but there was no red figure, only an old lady with a hunched back.

"Grandma, about what you said earlier—"

"Have you seen any 18-year-old girls in the village?"

Aunt Li's words lingered in my mind.

Yes, why are there no 18-year-old girls in the village?

Thinking carefully, apart from the married wives, there isn't a single adult girl to be found.

When did those girls disappear?

"Child, once the spirit dolls are made, their owners disappear."

I wanted to ask again, but Aunt Li waved her hand.

"The night before you come of age, come to my house secretly, I will help you."

As the coming of age approached, my parents would definitely not allow me to leave secretly.

I could only nod with unease.

Aunt Li walked away slowly, her feet dragging on the ground.

A faint smell of incense lingered in the air.

It's strange, was she here to burn paper at the abandoned baby tower?

But Aunt Li doesn't have any children.

Both inside and outside the village were searched, but there was no sign of my sister-in-law.

My mom scolded and cursed from one end of the village to the other, her words filled with blame and insults towards my sister-in-law.

However, at night, my sister-in-law returned on her own.

She was holding a baby in her arms.

"Oh! How did you, a killer, bring a dead baby back!"

My mom stood at the door, covering her nose, not letting her in.

There was a faint, almost imperceptible smell of decay on my sister-in-law.

"Quick, throw her out, or you can forget about coming home!"

My sister-in-law's face was dirty, but she revealed the baby's head, her tone filled with motherly love.

"Mom, my child is still alive."

I leaned in for a closer look, the baby's complexion was rosy, completely different from the lifeless appearance yesterday.

Could it be that my niece really didn't die?

My mom skeptically checked for a breath, her eyes brightened, and she pulled out a smile, "Quick! Come in! Don't let my granddaughter freeze!"

"Head of the household, quickly prepare something warm for the daughter-in-law!"

Everyone smiled, and even my brother took the initiative to serve a bowl of chicken to my sister-in-law.

Only I saw a faint black mark on the neck of my niece, just like the one on the wooden doll.