Chapter 508 Really Awkward

"Knock, knock, knock..." There was a knock on the door.

Chu Liushi pursed her lips, feeling that her old man was particularly 'naive'. Forget about the clan leader, even in the village, there were already rumors circulating. If it weren't for their tight-lipped secrecy, things would have been much noisier by now.

It was also because of the recent decree from the imperial court and the nervousness of the Song family that they dared not spread the news.

However, the county was only so big, and with many people in the village, it was still a question of whether they could keep it a secret for long.

Chu Liushi felt that as time passed, there would definitely be gossip, which was not uncommon in the village.

Without saying much to him, since someone had come to their door, there must be something urgent.

She walked to the door, where Wang Pozi was standing outside.

"What's the matter?" Chu Liushi asked.

"The people from the main family have come." Wang Pozi said.

Chu Liushi sighed and glanced back at her old man who was still in the mood to smoke tobacco. When Chu Zhiwen came out, he heard the news and felt extremely embarrassed. Unable to help but mutter, "It might just be about something else."

"Stop grumbling. Let's go to the main family together now." After all, he was the clan leader and he had to give some face.

Chu Zhiwen could only follow along, especially since his wife didn't seem to be in a good mood.

When they arrived at Chu Yonghua's house.

Chu Liushi immediately saw Cao Shi sitting at the head, with a cold expression on her face.

This was not surprising to her at all. Since the last conflict between Cao Shi and Ye Muyu, followed by the incident with the eldest lady of the Cao family, Cao Shi had not had much contact with the third room for a long time and their relationship had become even more distant.

However, this was only wishful thinking on Cao Shi's part.

Chu Yonghua wasn't going to cut ties with the third room just because of one person.

Because of this, Cao Shi had been having a hard time at home lately. Not only did Chu Yonghua warn her not to have too much contact with her natal family, the Cao family, but even Chu An, who had always respected her, stood on his father's side and disagreed with her actions.

Cao Shi disliked everyone in the third room. Now that she had heard some rumors, she deliberately stayed in the hall to listen. She wanted to hear about the scandals of the third room and take pleasure in their misfortune!

"Big Brother, Ah An." Chu Zhiwen entered the hall first and sat down on the nearby stool.

Chu Yonghua nodded in response.

Chu Liushi followed behind and smiled slightly at Cao Shi. "Big Brother, I don't know what's going on today. Even the usually reclusive eldest sister-in-law has come out. What's going on at home?"

Chu Yonghua was reminded by her, and instantly realized that there was some discord between the two families.

Chu Liushi might not want his wife to stay here.

How could Cao Shi not know that Chu Liushi was deliberately saying this? She glared at Chu Liushi and said coldly, "Naturally, it concerns a major family matter. Even though I am the clan leader's wife, I will not be selfish and ignore everything."

Chu Zhiwen, seeing that his wife clearly didn't want Cao Shi to stay, thought of Cao Shi's habit of gossiping. He pondered for a moment and said, "Big Brother, if it's a serious private matter, it's better to let the eldest sister-in-law go back first. Her habit of not keeping secrets and not listening to advice is not good. It's better to avoid making mistakes and being embarrassed later."

Silence fell upon the room.

Even Chu Liushi hadn't expected her old man to speak so simply and directly.

Cao Shi glared at him.

Chu Yonghua and Chu An instantly felt extremely awkward.

This was a fact and they couldn't deny it.

The reason why everyone else wasn't here was because they felt it was better for fewer people to know about the matter.

Next Chapter ▶▶

 Chapter 507 Things Aren't So Simple

These days, she hadn't paid attention to Chu Qingxiang and Zhang anymore.

She turned a blind eye to the frequent outings of the mother and daughter.

As for her eldest son Chu Lin, after asking for her opinion, he also remained silent and didn't stop the mother and daughter from going out.

As for Song Lu, he had visited on the second day to explain the matter and assure that he had no connection with the Wang family, clarifying the details of their interaction.

After Chu Heng had instructed Luchuan to inform the main family of this matter, and seeing that Song Lu was willing to voluntarily explain everything without, Zhang  and Chu Zhiwen's anger eased slightly.

However, they still didn't approve of Chu Qingxiang marrying Song Lu.

Although Song Lu insisted on marrying Chu Qingxiang and didn't care much about the power and wealth of the Wang family, there was already a conflict between Zhang and the elders of the Wang family.

If Qingxiang married into the Wang family, it was inevitable that Huang Shi would not be happy.

Although breaking off the engagement would affect their reputation somewhat, with the generous savings of the Chu family nowadays, adding a bit more dowry, they could still find a good family for her.

Chu Liushi could see that although Huang Shi was weak-willed, she was easily influenced and had no opinions of her own. She trusted her daughter and sister-in-law implicitly.

Even if that girl named Song Qing got married, she would still come back to her parents' home in the future.

Every time she came back, she would influence Huang Shi, and over time it would be difficult to resolve the conflict between Qingxiang and her future mother-in-law.

This made Chu Liushi suddenly think of her own relationship with Ye Muyu back then.

Even she hadn't managed her relationship with Ye Muyu well, and Qingxiang might suffer even more grievances than Ye Muyu did, or even more.

Chu Liushi felt a headache coming on and couldn't help but wonder if their family had bad feng shui. Why did every girl involved with a scholar have to face such conflicts?

"May the Buddha bless our family with peace and joy, and may conflicts be resolved..." That afternoon, Chu Liushi bought incense from the street near the school and made a wish in front of the family's shrine.

When Chu Zhiwen came back in the evening carrying a hoe and saw the smoke-filled the main hall, he was puzzled. "Wife, what are you doing? Is today a special day?"

"I'm praying to the gods and Buddhas, hoping that the chaotic matters in our family will be resolved soon." Chu Liushi said earnestly.

Chu Zhiwen was full of question marks. "Are you talking about Qingxiang's marriage?"

"Shouldn't you be praying for a good marriage? The Buddha and Bodhisattva don't handle marriage matters."

"What do you know? The Buddha and Bodhisattva are all-powerful, and they can certainly help."

Chu Liushi patted her mouth and said she had offended the Buddha.

Chu Zhiwen chuckled, not entirely approving of his wife's behavior but he didn't say much. If he did, his wife would get angry.

"Aren't you not in a hurry? Let Qingxiang make her own choice. Anyway, as her grandparents, we've already reminded her. If she insists on marrying, we can't stop her from pursuing her own happiness."

Chu Liushi gave him a sideways glance. "You're so carefree. I'm worried that this marriage might change, affecting the other girls in the family."

"Second and third rooms still have two young girls who haven't been engaged yet. In another two or three years, they'll be of marriageable age."

"You said it would be two or three years later. Besides, in five years, the two girls will still be young. By then, the impact of Qingxiang's marriage will have passed."

"I'm talking about Second son and Third son's families." Chu Liushi rolled her eyes.

Chu Zhiwen felt a bit awkward and cleared his throat. "We haven't seen anyone from the clan coming over these days."

Next Chapter ▶▶

  Chapter 9: Let’s Bathe Together

Duke Qing turned to Zhan Yuan.

Zhan Yuan immediately stepped forward, “Your Highness.”

Duke Qing nodded and pointed to the two children, “Take them back to the inn first.”

Regardless of everything else, treating their injuries and getting something to eat was the most important thing.

As for the origins of the so-called sister? He wasn’t like Feng Xuanrui, a child who would easily bring someone home. But given that she was a pitiful child, it was best to take care of her first.

Duke Qing finished speaking, snapped his fingers, and a sleek, valiant warhorse appeared from the darkness. 

The horse nuzzled Duke Qing gently, and he patted its neck dismissively, “Alright, take them back.”

Zhan Yuan responded softly and lifted Feng Xuanrui and Suisui onto the horse.

The warhorse was strong and tall, so carrying the two children was easy. However, they needed to be kept safe, as falling off might cause injury.

Thinking of this, Zhan Yuan lowered his voice as much as possible, “Hold on tight, don’t fall off. We need to get back quickly and treat your injuries.”

Seeing the children nod obediently, Zhan Yuan felt a soft spot in his heart. He thought: perhaps it was rare for this young master from the Qi family to be so obedient.

Zhan Yuan led the horse back to the inn at a brisk pace. 

A doctor had accompanied them, and once they returned, the doctor examined them first.

Upon discovering that Feng Xuanrui’s ankle was severely sprained and swollen, the doctor was shocked. 

“Oh dear, what happened? How did you twist it so badly? Let me see, don’t move around, don’t move!”

“Little master, if you keep moving, it’ll leave a lasting problem. I won’t be able to handle it!”

…

Physician Liu was very talkative, and Feng Xuanrui covered his ears quietly.

Despite his disheveled appearance, he was determined to take a bath first.

Physician Liu couldn’t argue with him, and after a careful examination found no wounds, reluctantly agreed, “Be careful, don’t put weight on that leg.”

“A simple wash will do!”

…

Feng Xuanrui’s bath was straightforward, but Qing Shan and Qing Shui were terrified. They feared the young master would come back by himself, so they sent some men out to search. The two of them waited anxiously at the inn.

Seeing Feng Xuanrui return, they nearly clung to his legs and cried.

Now that Feng Xuanrui wanted a bath, they were very attentive and busy.

However, it was a bit more complicated with Suisui.

There were no maidservants at the inn.

Duke Qing was here on official business, and his entourage consisted only of deputy generals and attendants. Feng Xuanrui had quietly followed, and it wasn’t until they had traveled over a hundred miles from the city that Duke Qing discovered this additional “troublemaker” in his party.

Sending them back? That would delay matters.

So, he had to bring them along.

Feng Xuanrui’s party included only four guards and Physician Liu with his two apprentices. 

For Suisui, a little girl, it wouldn’t be appropriate to have these men bathe her, would it?

Zhan Yuan found several guards, but they ran away quickly when they heard the task. Finally, Physician Liu heard about it and rolled his eyes, “This isn’t anything special; it’s up to me!”

Zhan Yuan: ?

This wasn’t the attitude he had when facing the Sixth Young Master!

Physician Liu, being an old man, saw only two types of people: the sick and the healthy. 

So, in the end, Physician Liu was the one who bathed Suisui.

At first, Suisui was unwilling.

Of course, it wasn’t because of the gender difference; Suisui was still too young to understand such things.

Mainly, she was reluctant to be separated from Feng Xuanrui. Among these people, the only one she was familiar with was her brother.

Others...

Even though she didn’t sense any malice, she was scared!

The system understood this more clearly. Rather than just fearing separation from Feng Xuanrui, Suisui was more afraid of being abandoned again.

Feng Xuanrui, still a child, didn’t understand this but was heartbroken seeing Suisui’s tears. 

He comforted her and, after seeing her smile through her tears, decisively declared, “Let’s bathe together!”

Zhan Yuan: ???

No, Young Master, you’re already ten years old! You’re not as small as a little girl to bathe together!

Though the Daxia dynasty was open-minded and didn’t have strict gender separation rules, having children of different ages bathe together seemed excessive.

Zhan Yuan had his concerns but didn’t know how to say it.

In the end, Physician Liu came up with a solution: “How about this—two tubs, you bathe next to each other, but with a screen in between. Suisui is a girl, and it might be embarrassing for her if you stare.”

Feng Xuanrui reluctantly agreed to this arrangement. After comforting Suisui again and seeing her smile, they finally separated.

After all the commotion, Feng Xuanrui finally settled into a small bathtub, letting out a contented sigh.

Thinking back on the day’s events, it was quite thrilling!

Meanwhile, Suisui was undressing next to him, curiously eyeing the steaming wooden tub.

She had never bathed in hot water before—at least not in her memory.

During the New Year, her cousins were bathed in a broken wooden tub by her aunt, washing off the year’s grime.

But Suisui had never had such a bath; even the dirty water used by her cousins wasn’t given to her.

Suisui had to use cold water for a simple wipe and only bathed in the river when it was warmer.

Now she could have a hot bath?

Suisui bit her lip, unable to believe it.

Physician Liu had initially planned for Suisui to bathe herself under his supervision. While doctors might not differentiate between genders, considering Suisui had just encountered bandits, she might have reservations or fears about adult men.

To take care of the child’s feelings, Physician Liu decided to be extra considerate.

However, when Suisui removed her beggar-like clothes, revealing her scarred and bruised body, Physician Liu was stunned.

Seeing the little girl cautiously ask, “Is this water for me?”

Physician Liu’s heart ached, as if soaked in vinegar. He wished he could slap himself for his earlier thoughts.

How could someone be so cruel to such a young child?

Suisui’s left arm was a dark purple from bruises, indicating recent injuries. 

Such cruelty to a child?

Physician Liu was infuriated and jumped up on the spot!

**(End of Chapter)**

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 8: His Highness, Duke Qing

Upon hearing the bandits’ words, Feng Xuanrui wanted to scream at the top of his lungs, “It’s just me alone—don’t mess around!”

But before he could shout, someone roughly dragged Suisui out of the chicken coop.

At this point, the Fourth Brother and his gang had relit their torches. Earlier, they had extinguished them to lure out any hidden people by pretending to leave. Now that they had caught someone, the torches were lit again.

The firelight illuminated the desolate courtyard.

The Fifth Brother, who was closest to Suisui, noticed immediately, “Hey, it’s a girl!”

Seeing this, he couldn’t help but laugh, “Hey, it’s a girl!”

The Fourth Brother, initially scrutinizing Feng Xuanrui’s clothes, had figured this was likely a young master from a wealthy family. Such a person was more valuable alive, as he might bring a substantial ransom.

Hearing the Fifth Brother’s comment, the Fourth Brother glared at Suisui and then grinned, “This is a windfall! We can sell this little one at the brothel for a good price.”

Standing nearby, the Seventh Brother looked at Suisui, rubbed his chin, and suggested in a low voice, “How about we have some fun first?”

As he spoke, he lewdly loosened his belt.

Suisui didn’t understand their conversation, but she felt the cold malice from them. Realizing this, she instinctively clung to Feng Xuanrui’s sleeve and huddled closer to him, her head bowed, afraid to look up.

Feng Xuanrui, still a child and lacking any education on such matters, sensed that the bandits had ill intentions towards Suisui. However, he didn’t understand the full extent of their malicious intent.

Noting Suisui’s fear, he hoarsely reassured her, “Suisui, don’t be afraid. Brother is here.”

His voice carried a whimper, revealing his own fear.

When the Seventh Brother made his suggestion, the Fourth Brother sneered, “You’re always thinking too much.”

It seemed they weren’t opposed to the idea after all.

The Seventh Brother, with a lecherous smile, unfastened his belt completely and approached Suisui.

Feng Xuanrui instinctively blocked the path, not wanting this revolting bandit near his sister.

The Seventh Brother was about to taunt, “Even a little kid knows how to be a hero?”

But before he could finish, a sharp sound pierced the night. The bandits didn’t even have time to react as a cold killing intent struck them.

Among the three, the most alert was the Fourth Brother. Yet, he didn’t react in time. A single arrow pierced his forehead, killing him instantly.

The Fourth Brother tried to widen his eyes to see the attacker, but before he could, his two companions had already fallen.

The Seventh Brother’s pants had fallen down, exposing his blackened shins, but he would never have the chance to pull them up again.

The Fourth Brother wanted to shout, “Do you know who I am?” but his voice was stuck in his throat, and before he could say anything, he followed his two brothers into death.

The events unfolded too suddenly.

Feng Xuanrui even thought about stepping up if the bandits intended to kill Suisui. His father had taught him that as a man, he should bear responsibility and protect women and children during danger.

Suisui was so small; he had to protect her!

Feng Xuanrui was terrified, his legs feeling weak, but he stood firm and shielded Suisui.

He thought he was prepared to die, only to find the bandits had been killed first?

The three bandits had met their end with the same method—an arrow through the forehead!

Seeing the precision and lethal intent of the archery, Feng Xuanrui was stunned. Then, he immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, “Duke Qing!!”

Duke Qing, who had hurriedly arrived with his men, didn’t expect to encounter Feng Xuanrui here. When he heard the shout, he doubted his ears.

But when Duke Qing rushed over and saw Feng Xuanrui’s miserable state, his brows furrowed in concern, “What are you doing here? Where are the guards? Where’s Qing Shan and Qing Shui?”

Feng Xuanrui had not cried when encountering wolves on the mountain, nor when he stumbled down the mountain, nor when facing the cold, deadly intent of the bandits. But now, seeing Duke Qing, the steadfast young boy finally broke down, sobbing, “Waaah… Duke Qing, I’m so miserable!”

Seeing his dirty and pitiful nephew, Duke Qing crouched down, draping his outer robe over him, his face full of disapproval, “I told you not to run around!”

When Duke Qing noticed Suisui, who was hiding behind him, his brows furrowed even more, “Xiao Liu, what’s going on with her?”

Hearing Duke Qing’s question about Suisui, Feng Xuanrui wiped his tears hurriedly, ignoring his own plight, and loudly said, “Duke Qing, this is my sister, Suisui. Isn’t she adorable?”

Duke Qing: ?

With her dirty face and the blood stains, she looked more like a beggar.

Adorable?

Duke Qing was at a loss for words.

Seeing Duke Qing’s disapproval, Feng Xuanrui immediately puffed up his chest, like a protective hen, and defiantly argued, “Suisui is just temporarily dirty. Once cleaned up, she’ll be soft and sweet, especially cute!”

He ended with a huffy snort, mimicking the bandit’s disdain, though his childish attempt at a snort sounded far more endearing.

The soldiers, Zhan Gao and Zhan Yuan, behind Duke Qing couldn’t help but turn away, trying not to laugh.

Feng Xuanrui, ignoring them, continued to defend Suisui to Duke Qing, “You’re just jealous I have a sister. Look at her—how is she not adorable?”

He struggled to get up, pulling Suisui closer, and gently lifted her face for Duke Qing to see, “Look, isn’t she pretty?”

After asking, he proudly raised his head, “Hehe, she’s my sister!”

At this moment, Suisui was not just dirty. Her face was smeared with blood, and she had a wound on her forehead, which was quite frightening.

Duke Qing couldn’t see the cuteness through the dirt and injuries, but he knew that the children were in distress and needed to see a doctor immediately. 

However, his current task was to track and deal with the bandits. His men had gone into the village to handle the situation, and Duke Qing needed to stay behind to get results, either capturing or killing the bandits.

Only when everything was settled would he be able to return.

But the condition of the two children couldn’t wait.

Realizing this, Duke Qing’s brows furrowed even more.

**This uncle is a bit stern.**

— Suisui’s Journal

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Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 234: Gaining Another Uncle (2)

Niu Shi looked at her husband in astonishment, clearly not expecting him to suggest splitting the family. Mo Erni'er, who had remained silent, also raised her head to look at her father, her face showing an incredulous surprise.

The Mo Wu couple, who had remained silent all along, also looked at their second brother with a mixture of astonishment and fright.

"What? What did you say?" Hong Shi's cloudy old eyes stared at Mo Yonglu, thinking she had misheard. "What did you say? Say it again!"

Mo Yonglu closed his eyes briefly and then reopened them with determination on his face. "Mother, I want to—"

*Smack!*

Before the word 'separate' could leave his lips, a sudden slap landed on Mo Yonglu's face. It seemed not enough, as the old Mo followed up with another heavy slap, glaring at his second son with a dark expression. "Do you dare to say that again?"

The two slaps were so heavy that Mo Yonglu's ears were buzzing, making it hard for him to hear what the old Mo was saying. He just repeated mechanically, "I want to split the family."

*Smack!* Enraged, the old Mo delivered another heavy slap. "I'm still alive, and you want to split the family? Dream on!"

Blood trickled down from the corner of Mo Yonglu's mouth as he stared at his father with a determined gaze, refusing to back down. "Father, forgive your unfilial son. Either split the family or sell both of us from the second family."

Hearing this, the old Mo was so furious that he nearly fell over. He raised his foot and kicked violently, cursing as he kicked, "Want to split the family? Want to split the family? I'll teach you, you unfilial brat!"

Mo Yonglu was kicked to the ground, not dodging or resisting, hoping that after his father vented his anger, he would agree to his request, or at least not sell Mo Erni'er.

"You old lunatic, are you trying to kill your second son?!"

Seeing her son being beaten, Hong Shi forgot her anger and rushed up to grab the old Mo, trying to stop him from hitting people.

The old Mo was stronger than Hong Shi to begin with, and in his rage, she was no match for him. Unable to hold him back, Mo Yonglu took several more kicks.

Seeing her husband about to be beaten to death, Mo Niushi panicked and quickly stood up to intervene.

But she didn't dare to pull the old Mo, nor did she have the courage to throw herself onto Mo Yonglu to shield him from the blows. Seeing the eldest couple still standing dumbfounded, she couldn't help but scold, "Are you both dead? Hurry up and come help!"

The eldest couple snapped out of their daze and hurried forward to pull the old Mo away from Mo Yonglu, who was still being kicked and beaten.

Exhausted from the beating and being pulled by several people, the old Mo finally ran out of strength. He panted heavily and pointed at Mo Yonglu, cursing, "If you want to split the family, wait until I'm dead! You unfilial child, I raised you for so many years, and this is how you repay your parents? If I knew this, I should've strangled you at birth."

Mo Yonglu had been kicked and beaten for a good while now, and he was in pain all over. He struggled to sit up and knelt on the ground again, pleading, "Father, please don't sell Erni'er. No matter what, she's still your son's own daughter. I beg you, Father."

The old Mo was about to kick him again, but was stopped by Mo Yongfu. "Father, if you keep hitting him, your second son will be beaten to death!"

"Even better! It'll save me from this unfilial child!" The old Mo was furious and hadn't forgotten to save face for himself. "Your mother made the decision to sell Erni'er. She's not sending her to her death, is she? We have nothing at home. Your sister is old enough to marry, but if we can't come up with a dowry, who will want them? Selling Erni'er to a wealthy family as a maid, at worst, she won't go hungry with us. You trying to stop me now isn't for her own good; you're just causing harm to her!"

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 252: Tearful Plea

Bai Muyao couldn't understand, so she stopped thinking altogether.

"Muyao, what happened to your face?" Under the scorching sun, Xu Aiqin suddenly noticed a clear palm print on her daughter's right cheek and immediately guessed what had happened, "Did Ou Yan hit you when I wasn't there?"

"No..." Bai Muyao lowered her long eyelashes and said in a pitiful tone, "I accidentally bumped into my sister's palm, it's not her fault..."

Xu Aiqin was about to get angry, but then she touched her daughter's face.

"You've suffered unfairly! Don't worry, we'll definitely make Ou Yan bleed in the future, make her provide us with resources and funds. Be patient for now..."

Bai Muyao looked up unexpectedly. What's wrong with her mom? Not only did she not help scold Ouyan, but she also wanted her to endure this humiliation...

She had a swollen face, even if Ouyan really gave her some money and resources, would it make up for the humiliation she endured?

Feeling the sudden one-hundred-and-eighty-degree change in her mother's attitude, Bai Muyao felt even more uncomfortable.

After a while, a familiar figure walked out of the mall entrance.

Bai Zhenhai rushed over and opened an umbrella over Ou Yan's head, trying to please her, "Yan Yan, you finally showed up! Is it hot? Dad just went to the supermarket and bought a parasol, I heard it can prevent sunburn. This brand might not be as good as your QY, but it should be useful!"

Ou Yan gave him a cold glance and didn't stop, continuing to walk forward.

Xu Aiqin also approached, offering the newly bought pastries, "Yan Yan, mom just went to the famous cake shop outside the mall and picked out a few small cakes for you. When you were little, didn't you look forward to mom celebrating your birthday with you? How about we find a place later to make up for it, and celebrate in advance? Your birthday is coming soon..."

"Oh, that's right, I heard there's a petal-themed restaurant nearby. How about we go there? Mom and Dad will sing you a birthday song in advance!"

They tried to please her, one on each side, with smiles on their faces. But Ou Yan didn't stop, continuing to walk forward without even answering them.

"Oh, Yan Yan, Dad just went to a nearby jewelry store and picked out a new necklace for you..."

Initially, Bai Zhenhai was reluctant to bring it out, but since the previous approach didn't work, he had to reluctantly take it out, retrieving a small gift box from his pocket.

"This necklace isn't the old one that Muyao used to wear, nor is it something random. Dad went to that famous jewelry store and specifically chose the letters 'O' and 'Y,' both set with diamonds. It's an early birthday gift for you."

Bai Zhenhai handed the gift box over, smiling even more kindly.

This time, Ou Yan's expression turned completely cold, and she said in a chilly tone, "I won't drop the charges, and I won't cooperate with you."

"Yan Yan, are you saying angry words again?" Bai Zhenhai continued to smile, his demeanor humble to the extreme.

On the side, Xu Aiqin saw this approach fail and started to play the pitiful card, kneeling down and shedding tears like beads falling.

"Yan Yan, Mom has done many wrong things before. I don't know if you can give Mom another chance, let Mom be good to you again?"

"...If I wasn't the founder of QY, if I wasn't a piano prodigy, if I didn't have other connections, would you still be kneeling here asking for my forgiveness?"

Interrupting her, Ou Yan's cold smile deepened, "You're just interested in my value, wanting to gain benefits from me. Don't degrade the identity of a mother, you're not worthy!"

"Yan Yan..." Xu Aiqin didn't expect her to be so sharp now. Just as she was about to say something, she was interrupted again.

"My connection with the Bai family was severed the moment you posted me on the missing persons network! I've repaid the Bai family's upbringing long ago. From childhood to adulthood, I haven't taken a penny from your Bai family. If it weren't for Grandma's sake, the Bai family would have been gone long ago. Do you still have the time to kneel here and ask for my forgiveness?"

Hearing these words, Xu Aiqin's face turned paler with each passing moment, and Bai Zhenhai felt a mixture of emotions, realizing they had offended a financial deity!

It's too late to regret now!

"Now, should I call the security guards to kick you out of the parking lot, or will you leave on your own?"

Unexpectedly, Ouyan had become so indifferent. This parking lot belonged to Chenguang Tiandi, and once the security guards came, they would definitely be kicked out.

Bai Zhenhai hurried forward, trying to please her, "Yan Yan, don't be like this. If Dad had money, he would definitely give it to you. It's just that our family has been through a hard time lately, and your grandmother's illness and hospitalization are costing us money. If you sue Muyao, we really can't afford it."

▶▶After breaking off the engagement, Mr. Si chased his wife to the crematorium!

 Chapter 1006: Are You Going to the Capital Too?

Shu Yu didn't see the scene of the wine bottle being smashed in the end, but Ying Xi happened to turn her head and saw it.

So when the mule cart arrived at Liufang Lane and An Ning got off and entered the house, Ying Xi asked in a low voice, "Miss, should I go and investigate that shopkeeper Qiu?"

Shu Yu thought for a moment, "Sure, go ahead and take care of it. If you find out anything and it's nothing major, come and tell me tomorrow."

"Yes, Miss."

Ying Xi left, and Shu Yu entered the house.

Early the next morning, Ruan Shi and Shu You were ready to set off for the capital.

Zhao Xi had even prepared the horse carriage early and was waiting outside. Seeing this, the old lady pulled Shu You aside to talk.

The old lady was happy that the two of them could be together.

Although she never mentioned it openly and instructed others in the family not to rush Shu You, deep down she hoped that Shu You would like Zhao Xi, and that the two good children in her heart would develop a mutual affection and live happily ever after.

Now that her wish had come true, the old lady felt relieved.

But she still admonished Shu You repeatedly, asking her to maintain some distance before the formal engagement. She also instructed Ruan Shi to keep an eye on the two of them and provide them with appropriate opportunities to be alone, but not for too long, in case something happened.

Ruan Shi nodded repeatedly, indicating that she understood.

The old lady thought that this second daughter-in-law was not very reliable. Who knew that Meng Yunzheng would come over a little while later and say that he was also going to the capital.

The old lady felt relieved upon hearing this.

It was Shu Yu who found it strange instead. "You're going to the capital too?"

"Yes, there's something I need to take care of." Meng Yunzheng lightly pinched her hand when no one was paying attention. "But I'll be traveling with them on this journey."

Once they arrived in the capital, they would each go about their own business.

With many people in the courtyard and Zhao Xi urging them to depart, Shu Yu didn't ask further.

The servants in the Lu family watched as their carriage left Liufang Lane. It was early in the morning, and they had left early. With fast horses and whipping the reins, they would reach the capital as soon as possible.

Before leaving, Zhao Xi said that if things were complicated, they might not be able to return until the third day.

Shu Yu understood. Anyway, she just had to make sure he took care of Ruan Shi and Shu You.

Just as Ruan Shi and the others had left, Ying Xi arrived with Hua Xian.

Shu Yu tidied herself up and prepared to go to Yiren Pavilion to open for business.

After getting on the mule cart, Ying Xi informed her of the information she had gathered.

"Miss, yesterday I went to shopkeeper Qiu's residence and overheard him and the other dismissed assistant from the cloth shop talking. From what I gathered, the owner of the cloth shop is very dissatisfied with him for offending you. Initially, he only requested shopkeeper Qiu to apologize to you and preferably regain the business of Yiren Pavilion. Even if that didn't work, they wanted to repair the relationship between him and you."

Shu Yu leaned against the cart frame and listened. She wasn't surprised by this since shopkeeper Qiu had specifically come to Liufang Lane to find her before.

Ying Xi continued, "But the first time that shopkeeper Qiu tried to find you, he was blocked by Young Master Zhao. Later, when he tried to avoid Young Master Zhao and find you again, you were always busy, so they never had a chance to see you in person. A few days later, the owner of the cloth shop dismissed both shopkeeper Qiu and the assistant."

"Although the official reason given was that irregularities were discovered during the audit, with shopkeeper Qiu misappropriating funds and having unclean hands, both sides knew that the main reason was shopkeeper Qiu's loss of the business from Yiren Pavilion."

"Now, neither shopkeeper Qiu nor the assistant can find any other work."

Next Chapter▶▶

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  Chapter 7: Unexpected Midnight Incident

Having never heard a story before, Suisui sat quietly with her head resting on her knees, her eyes half-closed. The flickering firelight cast a soft glow on her face, making her look both vulnerable and somewhat adorable.

Feng Xuanrui, who had been secretly wiping his tears, couldn’t help but reach out to touch her hair, seeing her in such a sweet, innocent state.

He murmured to himself, grumbling about the poor condition of Suisui’s hair, “What kind of uncle lets his sister’s hair get so unkempt and tangled like weeds?”

How could one fit four hundred thousand children into a pit? To be honest, Suisui didn’t understand the story at all. But she was happy to listen.

Aside from her brother, it had been a long time since anyone had spoken to her with such kindness. Even if she didn’t understand, she wanted to hear more.

However, she was utterly exhausted from the day's events, both physically and mentally. She fell into a deep sleep before Uncle Bai Qi could finish his story.

The system was quite worried about the chilly spring night and the open, drafty space they were in. It feared that they might all fall ill by morning, especially since children’s bodies are so fragile.

But before illness could set in, what arrived was…

An accident!

Feng Xuanrui, in a daze, heard what seemed like screams from outside. He was already sleeping peacefully, and now the noises jolted him awake.

The village, which should have been quiet at night, was filled with screams and cries. 

Something was wrong!

Feng Xuanrui, uneasy, carefully got up and, with his injured leg propped up, peeked outside.

The dilapidated house had no walls left, so Feng Xuanrui could see that the village was ablaze with torches and chaos. People were screaming and shouting.

Bandits!

His first thought was that it must be bandits. His mission with Duke Qing to Qingzhou was to eliminate the increasingly rampant bandits. Could they have arrived now?

Feng Xuanrui wasn’t sure but couldn’t afford to take risks. He didn’t think that this rundown house would be safe from bandits.

What if they searched the house? Running outside was not an option. It was too dark outside, and they didn’t know the way. Plus, with his injured leg, he couldn’t run far.

What to do?

After some thought, Feng Xuanrui decided to hide Suisui first. She was small enough that if hidden well, she might not be found.

As for him? A man must be brave! If they dared to kill, the emperor would send their entire clan to the underworld!

Deciding on this, Feng Xuanrui started to shove Suisui into a corner, saying, “Suisui, remember, don’t make a sound. No matter what you see or hear, stay silent.”

He wanted to tell her that when he returned alive, he would take her home and take care of her. But the words didn’t come out. His mouth was trembling too much, and he couldn’t speak clearly. After all, he was just a ten-year-old child.

Suisui, although she didn’t understand many things, grasped the situation now. She pointed to the half-collapsed chicken coop outside and said, “Brother, let’s hide in the chicken coop. There’s a place inside that can’t be seen from outside.”

To reassure Feng Xuanrui, Suisui quickly added, “Brother, I’m telling the truth! When Big sister and the others tried to hit me, I hid there, and they couldn’t see me!”

But survival was the priority. He hurriedly dealt with the fire, then, with Suisui, crawled into the low chicken coop. They squeezed into visual blind spots on either side of the entrance.

Feng Xuanrui huddled in the corner, tears streaming down his face. He wasn’t crying on purpose but couldn’t help it! 

Though the chicken coop was old and no longer used by chickens, with a faint smell, the young master had never experienced such hardship.

The more he thought about it, the more aggrieved and frightened he felt! The noise and footsteps outside grew closer.

The bandits were coming!

Realizing this, Suisui and Feng Xuanrui both tried to breathe quietly. Feng Xuanrui wasn’t sure if the chicken coop could hide them.

As Feng Xuanrui’s heart pounded in his chest, someone with a torch shone it in their direction. 

The light almost stopped Feng Xuanrui’s heart.

Suisui, who was used to being bullied, had developed ways to protect herself. If she hugged herself tightly and stayed silent, they wouldn’t see her if they didn’t come in!

She had practiced this many times in her village, so she was confident it would work.

The person glanced briefly, and someone behind them joked, “Fourth Brother, what are you checking? Can anyone really hide in that broken chicken coop?”

The person called Fourth Brother scoffed, “Who knows?”

The group of more than ten people rushed through, and the footsteps gradually faded away.

Feng Xuanrui sighed in relief, though he remained worried about Suisui. He softly called, “Suisui?”

Suisui, also sweating in fear, responded quietly, “Brother, I’m here.”

Her response reassured Feng Xuanrui. The two of them took deep breaths to calm down. After a while, Feng Xuanrui whispered, “Suisui, I’ll go out to check first. Don’t move.”

Hearing Suisui’s acknowledgment, Feng Xuanrui dragged his injured leg and crawled outside.

As he emerged, he instinctively looked up and met three pairs of cold, unfeeling eyes.

Feng Xuanrui: …!!!

He wanted to shout, “Suisui, don’t move!” But then realized that shouting would expose her.

Understanding this, Feng Xuanrui bit his lip tightly.

The Fourth Brother, who had spoken earlier, gave him a cold glance and said, “I told you, with the fire still warm inside, they couldn’t have gone far. You didn’t believe me. There’s still one inside. Fifth Brother, go pull them out.”

Next Chapter▶▶

 Chapter 233: Mo Hongshi Sells His Daughter, Gaining Another Uncle (1)

When Mo Yan arrived at the old Mo family's house with the IOU, she never expected to find them in the midst of selling their daughter. The one being sold was none other than Mo Erni'er, who had repeatedly caused trouble for the Mo family.

At this moment, the entrance of the old Mo family's house was crowded with villagers watching the commotion. Under the eaves sat two men and a woman who looked unfamiliar, clearly not from the Luiyang Village. Only after listening to the villagers' discussions did Mo Yan realize that they were the people brought by Hong Shi.

"Mother, no matter how big of a mistake Erni'er has made, she is still your granddaughter. You can't sell her!" Mo Yonglu knelt on the hard ground, clinging to Hong Shi's legs and pleading bitterly.

"Second son, get up! No matter what, today I must sell this little wretch." Hong Shi was determined to sell Mo Erni'er and paid no attention to her son's pleas.

Every time she saw Mo Erni'er now, she remembered the humiliation she suffered at the Mo family's house that day. Not killing her then was already showing great mercy.

At this moment, Niu Shi, tears streaming down her face, rushed over and knelt down in front of Hong Shi, who was dead silent. She prostrated herself:

"Mother, please don't sell Erni'er. She's still a child and doesn't know any better. You can punish her in any way you want, but please don't sell her. Please, I beg you!"

As she spoke, she desperately pressed down on Mo Erni'er's neck and forcefully pushed her head onto the ground. "Erni'er, quickly apologize to your grandmother, promise to be obedient in the future, kowtow quickly, and your grandmother won't sell you."

Mo Erni'er's head was forcefully knocked against the ground, making a loud thumping sound. Soon, her entire forehead turned red, but she remained silent, as if she were just an empty shell without a soul.

"This old woman is at it again, trying to sell her granddaughter. She's truly despicable."

"If she keeps this up, she'll invite retribution upon herself. Oh, wait, didn't her third son get banished? That's retribution right there!"

"Indeed! In the future, the couple from the second family will probably hold a grudge against the parents who sold their daughter!"

The surrounding villagers murmured, even though they didn't like the old Mo family, seeing this scene still made them feel sorry for the Mo Erni'er's family.

Whose family didn't have children? Whose children weren't their flesh and blood? It was okay to scold or punish them, but no one would actually sell their own daughter or granddaughter, unless they were wicked stepmothers or grandmothers.

"Mother—if you're going to sell Erni'er, then sell your son too!" Mo Yonglu, seeing Hong Shi's unmoved expression, felt a surge of despair.

His daughter might not be good, but she was his only daughter from the second family, his own flesh and blood. Even if he didn't care for her as much as his son, he still cherished her. Now, his own mother wanted to sell his daughter. What kind of sin had he committed?!

Hong Shi trembled with anger upon hearing this. "Outrageous! Absolutely outrageous! You ungrateful brat, if you don't get up, then don't ever acknowledge me as your mother again!"

But Mo Yonglu refused to get up. Looking at his daughter and daughter-in-law, both with bruised foreheads, and then at his mother who was determined to sell his daughter, a crazy idea surged in his mind.

This idea kept churning in his mind amidst the thumping sounds of his wife and daughter kowtowing. He looked at Hong Shi and shouted in anguish, "Mother, just separate us from the second family! We won't bother you anymore!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent, followed by a buzzing of private conversations.

"'Children should not divide the family.' Unless the parents actively propose to separate, it's considered highly unfilial to suggest splitting the family publicly like this." Mo Yonglu's proposal to divide the family in public was seen as extremely unfilial by the villagers.

Next Chapter▶▶

  Chapter 251 Donated

"How come wearing a new SK outfit allows you to strut around in Jing City?"

The rich girl laughed even more gorgeously, "Since you're knowledgeable, you should know that this new design is from the most talented designer at SK, the Seeker of the Wind! The price of this outfit, I don't need to say, I'm sure you know it yourself, it's something you can never afford in your lifetime."

The implication was, I can afford to wear such expensive clothes, my status is not something you can afford to mess with!

"I thought you wanted to say something." Ou Yan raised her hand to signal the store attendant to come over, "Tell her, my shoes are dirty, how much is the dry cleaning fee?"

The store attendant carefully examined, "Oh my, these are from QY's custom collection. I've seen them once during internal training, they cost around two million... just for dry cleaning, maintenance costs would be around a hundred thousand, but dry-cleaned shoes don't hold their value. These probably haven't been worn much, so the estimated initial loss is around two hundred thousand."

Two hundred thousand?

The rich girl's face turned ugly.

The clothes she was wearing cost only a little over a million altogether, but she didn't expect this girl's shoes to be even more expensive than her entire outfit!

And it's custom-made...

It's well known that QY's founder, Qingyan, doesn't just take any orders. Those who can get her to customize are all prominent figures!

Could this girl come from a wealthy family?

But why can't I see any brand on her clothes? Could they also be custom-made??

With these thoughts, the rich girl's face became even more unsightly.

The long-haired girl didn't expect to encounter someone even richer than them, she tugged at the rich girl's clothes, "Qianqian, what should we do?"

"Just two hundred thousand, I can afford it." The rich girl opened her handbag, took out a check, wrote the amount, and handed it over with an air of superiority, "Take it."

Ou Yan didn't take it, but told the store attendant beside her, "Help me donate it."

The store attendant, the rich girl, and the long-haired girl were all stunned.

"Write the donor as 'Ignorant Miss Presumptuous.'" After Ou Yan finished speaking, she didn't expect an apology from her, she just turned around and left.

"You..." The rich girl watched her leaving figure, feeling annoyed. Damn it, if it's found out who she is, she'll be in trouble!

The store attendant took the check and immediately made arrangements.

"Qianqian, who was that girl just now? It seems like she comes from quite a wealthy background..."

"In China, is there anyone wealthier than us?" Qianqian tilted her chin arrogantly, obviously not believing it.

"Well, your cousin is now the richest person in the country, and your Li family's status in China is quite prominent!" The long-haired girl suddenly remembered something, "Didn't you say your uncle's long-lost biological daughter was found recently? You haven't picked out the dress for tonight's meeting yet, hurry up and take a look?"

"Yeah." Qianqian replied, turning to the other store attendant beside her, "Is this all the stock you have?"

"We also have a high-end evening gown section, but in terms of price, it's generally unaffordable for ordinary people..."

The store attendant didn't mean any harm, she just told the truth, but it sounded particularly harsh to Qianqian's ears.

"What, do you think our Li family can't afford a dress?" 

Hearing the surname "Li" and looking at the new SK outfit Qianqian was wearing, the store attendant quickly apologized and led her to the high-end evening gown section.

There were very few people shopping here because each one started at twenty million.

Unlike the ordinary evening gowns just now, every piece here was so luxurious that it was hard to look away.

Qianqian was immediately attracted by a beautiful backless evening gown with just one glance, she immediately had it taken down from the mannequin to try it on, feeling satisfied and swiped her card to buy it without hesitation, she was very decisive, as if she was swiping not money, but a string of numbers.

"With this gown, along with the priceless jewelry your family collects, you'll definitely steal the show tonight!" The long-haired girl praised with a smile.

Qianqian smirked, as if it needed to be said?

"I heard that the long-lost girl who grew up in a small town and only recently moved to Jing City, even if you don't wear top luxury tonight, your aura will definitely overshadow hers."

Qianqian wasn't interested in the girl who suddenly claimed to be from their family, but the fact that she didn't share the same bloodline as the Li family made her feel relieved.

Heh, Li Yusha, watch how I deal with you next!

Outside the Chenguang Tiandi.

After being kicked out by the security guards, the Bai family of three did not leave immediately, but hid behind the flower beds, eagerly watching the direction of the exit.

It was midsummer, and it was already 39 degrees outside. Bai Muyao felt like her head was smoking from the heat and couldn't help but swallow her dry throat, "Dad, mom, how long do we have to wait here?"

She felt like she was melting, her whole body was aching from being baked in the sun.

"Be patient, just wait a bit longer." Bai Zhenhai looked at the direction of the exit, couldn't help but analyze, "Yan Yan got full marks in the exam, she's also a piano master, and now she's the founder of QY. She's also connected with the Li family's clothing company. It's said that she has a close relationship with the winner of the design competition, Yin Panpan. Not only that, but Wu You, the CEO of Ouyan Capital, is also very polite to her!"

Bai Zhenhai remembered the last time Ouyan Capital suddenly withdrew its investment and refused to cooperate with the Bai family anymore. He went to invite Wu You to dinner to get a clear answer, only to find out that Wu You was meeting with a very important person.

He personally saw how respectful Wu You was to Ou Yan, even with a hint of humility and flattery...

"Just now, the manager of the mall, Mr. Liu, also said that QY is the most important partner of the Si Group. What does that mean? It means that Yan Yan knows people from the Si Group. Think about it, didn't we see her pick up Mr. Si in person from the hospital last time? These signs indicate that her connections are very extensive, beyond our imagination. Our Bai family has hope!"

Bai Zhenhai secretly vowed in his heart that no matter what method he used later, he must get Ou Yan to help the Bai family through this difficult time!

"She cares the most about Grandma, right? If all else fails, we can stop Grandma's medication as a threat..." Xu Aiqin was fanning herself with her hand, feeling like she was about to faint from the heat. They had been waiting here for half an hour, how much longer did they have to wait!

"You don't understand Yan Yan's personality! The more you threaten her, the more she'll resist you!" Bai Zhenhai finally understood why things went sour for the Bai family after Ou Yan left...

It turns out that Ou Yan was once the Bai family's goddess of wealth!

Bai Muyao was especially unwilling in her heart. Brother Gao Yang spent so much just now and it went straight into that bitch's pocket! It makes her so angry just thinking about it!

The key is, she likes QY so much, but didn't expect that all the styles were designed by Ou Yan, it's too much!

Why?

Why does Ou Yan have so much talent?

Why did she hide it before, and now it's bursting out?

▶▶After breaking off the engagement, Mr. Si chased his wife to the crematorium!

 Chapter 1005: Pretending to be Drunk

Shu Yu frowned, not waiting for her to take a closer look, she heard Deng Shi exclaim, "Isn't that shopkeeper Qiu?"

shopkeeper Qiu??

Shu Yu looked carefully and indeed, aside from the disheveled hair and flushed face, it was indeed shopkeeper Qiu from the cloth shop. What's going on?

shopkeeper Qiu heard his name and waved vigorously, "What shopkeeper Qiu? Who's shopkeeper Qiu? I'm not, I want to buy liquor, hurry up and give it to me."

After speaking, he pulled out a string of copper coins from his pocket and slapped them hard on the counter. "If you don't give it to me, I'll, I'll..."

He looked around, stumbled to the corner, and picked up a chair, ready to smash it against the nearby wine barrel.

Deng Shi widened her eyes, "What are you doing? Put it down, put it down, I'll give you the wine."

Two shop assistants quickly intervened, one grabbing the chair and the other holding his waist, carrying him out.

Deng Shi quickly poured him a drink, and shopkeeper Qiu nodded in satisfaction, carrying the jug of wine and stumbling away.

Deng shook her head and sighed.

Shu Yu looked at the entrance for a while, then turned back and asked, "What's wrong with shopkeeper Qiu?"

Deng Shi didn't know, but one of the shop assistants, Xiao Shu, cleverly replied, "A few days ago, the owner of the cloth shop fired Qiu the shopkeeper, saying that he had embezzled a considerable amount of money from the shop over the years. Considering shopkeeper Qiu's years of service, they didn't report him to the authorities or hold him accountable, but simply kicked him out along with assistant from the shop."

Another shop assistant added, "In the past few days, shopkeeper Qiu has been coming to the wine shop from time to time to drink. Sometimes he gets drunk and doesn't wake up, sometimes he's sober. At first, his family followed him, but now they don't care about him anymore."

"Fortunately, he never specifically asks for any particular type of wine when he comes, so the drinks we give him are not strong."

Deng Shi furrowed her brows, "If he comes sober in the future, don't sell him any more, otherwise if something happens, we'll be blamed."

"Understood."

Deng Shi waved her hand, instructing the two assistants to get back to work, and she walked up to Shu Yu. "Did that startle you just now?"

Shu Yu smiled, "Not at all, just a little unexpected."

Outside, Ah Ning had already called for her, and Shu Yu had delayed for a bit, so she bid farewell to Deng.

"Madam Jiang, you can continue with your work. I'm leaving now."

"Goodbye."

Shu Yu left the liquor shop and got on the mule cart. After the cart moved forward, she lifted the curtain and looked outside.

shopkeeper Qiu hadn't gone far, he had even found a corner to sit down and continue drinking.

Shu Yu sneered. What's the point of running in front of her pretending to be drunk?

shopkeeper Qiu did have the smell of alcohol on him, but it wasn't strong.

From the few times Shu Yu had interacted with him, she knew that he had a good tolerance for alcohol. The drinks the assistants sold him weren't strong enough to make him completely drunk.

Moreover, after he entered the shop, he looked at Deng Shi, looked at the two assistants, looked at other customers, but never looked at her.

She stood there, straight and upright, at the closest position to him, yet he could precisely avoid her gaze. There must be something fishy about being able to get drunk.

What was the meaning of pretending to be a drunkard and walking up to her? Did he want to tell her that he had been fired by the shop owner and had become this destitute and miserable because of her?

Did he want to make her feel guilty or inspire sympathy in her?

Shu Yu smiled and lowered the carriage curtain.

Not far away, shopkeeper Qiu, seeing the cart gradually moving away, finally couldn't hold back anymore and smashed the jug in his hand on the ground.

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  Chapter 6: The God of Death Tells a Story

Suisui had never heard a story before, so she was naturally excited. She nodded obediently and, fearing that the system might not hear her, quickly spoke in her mind.

[Ready, Lele!]

During the day, the system had told Suisui that their communication should be kept within her mind to avoid detection by others. No matter what happened, they must never let anyone know about Lele’s existence! Suisui had solemnly promised.

However, children often forget things and are not always mindful, so they can easily reveal their secrets. For instance, her earlier nodding went unnoticed by Feng Xuanrui, who was turned away, wiping his tears, or he might have been curious.

Of course, the system was reluctant to scold Suisui, but it had to remind her.

[In the future, just speak with Lele in your mind. Don’t nod, or people might see.]

If someone saw, both she and Lala might be in danger!

Suisui kept this in mind. After realizing this, she tried to nod but remembered she shouldn’t and thus pursed her lips tightly, not daring to make a sound.

There were two preserved fruits, and Suisui had only taken a small bite. Seeing Feng Xuanrui secretly crying, Suisui decided to move closer to him.

Feng Xuanrui, still irritated and wondering why his servants hadn’t arrived, felt someone approaching. It was small but warm.

He turned to find Suisui’s dirty little face, her bright eyes, and a piece of preserved fruit being offered to him.

Suisui looked at him eagerly and softly said, “Brother, you eat too.”

Her timid and gentle voice had a magical healing effect. Feng Xuanrui felt his heart soften a bit, wiping his face roughly, and feigning a stern tone, said, “I’m fine. I don’t need to eat. You eat quickly.”

Suisui, undeterred by his words, obediently held out the fruit to him, looking up expectantly.

Feng Xuanrui was indeed hungry, but he wanted to take care of his sister. Previously, preserved fruit was just a treat after taking medicine, but now it was their dinner.

The bitter taste in his heart grew stronger, and Feng Xuanrui felt his eyes well up again.

Oh no! He felt like crying again!

Trying to control himself, he quickly popped the fruit into his mouth, forced down his tears as the sweetness burst in his mouth.

Seeing Feng Xuanrui eating, Suisui smiled happily. “Brother, it’s delicious.”

Proudly, Feng Xuanrui lifted his chin, even his disheveled appearance shone with a bit of brilliance. “Of course, it’s from the palace!”

Afterward, he glanced at his shabby appearance and then at Suisui’s face like a flowered kitten. Swallowing the fruit, he said, “When I take you home, you can have anything you want!”

Home.

The word was alluring, but Suisui no longer had a home. Her uncle and aunt had abandoned her. Even if she had a home, there wouldn’t be such delicious treats. Even if there were, they wouldn’t be given to her. She was a burden, a child without a father, an unwanted existence.

Thinking of this, Suisui lowered her head sadly, hugging her knees tightly and pulling her clothes closer.

But it’s okay.

Suisui comforted herself. She was used to it. Meeting such a kind brother and being cared for so gently, even if just for a day, was enough.

Feng Xuanrui, unfamiliar with the emotions of children, thought Suisui’s lowered head meant she was tired. He gently patted her head. “Sleep. After a good rest, we’ll go home.”

His comforting words soon helped Suisui calm down. In her mind, she whispered to the system, [Lele, let’s listen to a story together.]

The system had been waiting for a long time and was displeased that Feng Xuanrui had stolen the spotlight. Hearing Suisui’s request, it quickly responded with affection.

[Alright, I’m coming!~]

The system clicked to randomly select a storyteller, and three seconds later, a figure appeared in Suisui’s consciousness.

Upon seeing the figure’s details, the system felt its vision darken.

Warlord—Bai Qi.

No way?

Wasn’t this supposed to be a children’s story channel?

Bai Qi telling a children’s story?

Was this a ghost story?

Suisui didn’t know who Bai Qi was. She only saw a tall and imposing uncle who looked even larger and more formidable than the strongest uncle in her village. His gaze was intimidating and filled with a fearsome light.

Suisui, feeling more scared, hugged herself tighter.

Seeing this, the system felt a pang of sympathy.

[Suisui, don’t be afraid. He won’t hurt you. He is... Uncle Bai Qi, here to tell you a story today.]

The system thought: Fortunately, their system has protective mechanisms. Even if the grand figures don’t want to, they can’t say anything too harsh.

After all, the system does appropriate shielding!

However, the God of Death didn’t look too pleased.

The system had to remind Bai Qi of the rules once again. Storytelling rewards were considerable, with benefits accumulating for oneself, one’s family, and future generations.

Though each amount of merit might be small, it adds up!

Bai Qi, who had definitely read the system rules, was prepared. However, he hadn’t expected the children to be so young. He had to adapt his prepared story accordingly.

Clearing his throat, Bai Qi began in a deep voice.

[Today, Uncle will tell you a story: How to fit four hundred thousand little friends into a pit.]

System: ???

**Uncle Bai Qi is very gentle.**

**—Suisui’s Journal**

**If you like it, please add to favorites and cast your votes!**

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  Chapter 4: Brother Will Take You Down the Mountain

"Smell better?"

Hearing Feng Xuanrui's comment, Suisui, who was trying to comfort him, blinked and looked confused. After a moment, she realized that lying in the chicken coop all morning had left her smelling less than pleasant. She was used to it, but it seemed that her brother was not.

Feeling a rare sense of embarrassment, Suisui awkwardly pulled her head back from where it had been resting near Feng Xuanrui's foot.

Seeing the girl's actions, Feng Xuanrui felt regretful. "Why did I say that? Damn my mouth!" 

Feng Xuanrui tried to salvage the situation, "Suisui, actually, you don't smell too bad."

This statement left both Feng Xuanrui and Suisui, along with the system, in an awkward silence.

After a long pause, Feng Xuanrui broke the silence, "Suisui, is your full name really Suisui? What is your family name?"

Realizing his mistake, Feng Xuanrui wanted to correct himself. Suisui had said she had no parents; why ask about her family name?

Before he could rectify it, Suisui responded with a puzzled nod, "Yes, it's Suisui. My aunt said it's better to be '碎' (shattered), so they call me Suisui. Sometimes they also call me Suixia."

Not "Suisui," but "Shattered"? Who gives a child such a name?

Feng Xuanrui had heard of the saying that "common names are easy to raise," but that usually related to names involving strong animals. In the capital, families avoided using characters like "瓶" (bottle) or "镜" (mirror) in names, fearing they might be fragile and the child might not thrive.

Feng Xuanrui grew even angrier, his delicate face puffed up in indignation. Suisui, puzzled, tilted her head and looked at him.

Seeing her clean eyes, Feng Xuanrui decided it was better not to burden her with such thoughts. He would let those people in the capital handle their own issues when he returned.

After a moment of contemplation, Feng Xuanrui cleared his throat and said solemnly, "Suisui, don't listen to your aunt's nonsense. She’s ignorant and only spouts rubbish. Your name means 'eternally youthful,' as in the years passing by happily without sorrow. Do you remember?"

Feng Xuanrui’s explanation was beyond Suisui’s understanding. She tried hard to process his words but still struggled. Nevertheless, she nodded obediently, though her confidence was lacking, "I... didn’t remember everything, brother. Please don’t think Suisui is dumb. I’ll try hard to remember."

The repeated “brother” made Feng Xuanrui feel emotionally overwhelmed. He raised his hand, his dislike evident, but he couldn’t help but gently pat Suisui’s dry, unevenly cut hair. "It’s alright. The days are long, and I’ll teach you slowly."

Looking at the weather, Feng Xuanrui sighed, "But Suisui, we need to figure out how to leave this place."

Suisui also realized the urgency and her face turned serious, "Yes, there are wolves in the back mountain. We’re too small and might not be enough to satisfy them."

Hearing this, Feng Xuanrui scoffed, "Wolves? What’s so scary about them? I even killed one last autumn; it's no big deal..."

Before he could finish, rustling sounds came from the nearby bushes, cutting off his words. 

Suisui turned pale with fear. Her face was already covered in bloodstains and dirt, making her look pitiful and even more so when her face turned white.

Just as Feng Xuanrui was about to speak, Suisui suddenly moved in front of him, spreading her weak arms and saying in a low, trembling voice, "Brother, Suisui will protect you. You go first!"

Her voice was quivering, and her legs were so weak she could barely stand.

Feng Xuanrui, though scared himself, was touched and helpless seeing Suisui's tiny frame blocking him. At only ten years old, he knew that a gentleman should not let a girl protect him. When danger approached, it should be his duty to protect her!

Feng Xuanrui steeled himself, reminding himself that he had faced wolves before and had nothing to fear.

But his weak foot, which ached with every movement, made his expression worsen.

Not hearing any movement behind them, Suisui anxiously called out, "Brother?"

Her soft voice calmed Feng Xuanrui’s internal turmoil. He took a deep breath and responded, "I’m here."

Whether to comfort Suisui or encourage himself, Feng Xuanrui continued, "Suisui, I’m here."

Suisui felt reassured by his words, though her original intention was to block the danger so her brother could escape. Aside from Lele, who sang lullabies to her and gently called her "baby," Suisui had never met anyone as kind.

Such a gentle person… she needed to protect him!

Determined, Suisui’s resolve strengthened, and her voice steadied, "Brother, you go quickly. I can hold them off. I do a lot of work and have plenty of strength!"

Hearing this, Feng Xuanrui rolled his eyes, "With your small frame, you wouldn’t even be able to handle a wolf bite."

The system was infuriated, but Suisui considered his words and nodded, "So, brother, you need to run quickly!"

Feng Xuanrui, not willing to give up, gathered nearby stones and branches, preparing to defend himself despite his injured foot.

Suisui was still blocking the way!

Feng Xuanrui thought, what a good little sister. So why would her uncle’s family be so wicked as to not want such a child?

He grumbled, "When I get back to the capital, I’ll crush them together with the stones!"

His words were mumbled and unclear, and Suisui didn’t catch them.

After some rustling in the bushes, a wild chicken emerged. It looked at the two of them with disdain and then sauntered away.

The children: ...

The false alarm didn’t make them feel relieved but rather made them more aware of the dangers of the mountain. 

You never know if the rustling bushes hide a wild chicken or a wolf.

Seeing the small branches around him were too inadequate, Feng Xuanrui asked Suisui to help collect more. Suisui, drenched in sweat and with her thin clothes now soaked, had no shoes and her delicate feet were marked with scars.

Watching her, Feng Xuanrui felt a pang of sadness. He took off his outer garment and draped it over Suisui. "Put this on, gather the branches, and I’ll take you down the mountain."

**To all the dear readers, if you like it, don’t forget to collect and show some love~**

**(End of Chapter)**

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