Volume 1, Chapter 20: Save It!

Meixiang shook her head, looking troubled. "The butler told me that before the young miss went missing, the house was always filled with laughter. But ever since she disappeared, the old mistress’s mental state deteriorated terribly. Whenever she saw the master, she would scold him."

Meixiang still found it hard to believe when she recalled what she had accidentally overheard back then; how could anyone say such things to their own child?

That day, she had been about to go in to collect the dishes when she saw the old mistress smash a cup fiercely against Gu Yan, who was kneeling on the floor, and roar, "Why wasn't it you who was kidnapped back then!"

Meixiang sighed, "Perhaps the old mistress truly broke the master's heart."

Chacha felt a pang of sympathy for her father. It turned out that her father, like her, was a child who had never been cherished. She decided that from now on, she would release more little light orbs to show her father extra love.

"Meow..."

Huh?

"Sister Meixiang, did you hear a kitten?"

Meixiang leaned in to listen carefully, then shook her head. "No, I didn't. You must have misheard, Young Miss."

"Meow-meow..."

Chacha stood up, her little face serious. She pricked up her ears and followed the sound. "I heard it. It’s crying for help."

With that, Chacha began to run on her short legs. Mimi said it was in so much pain, so much pain it felt like it was dying! She had to find it quickly!

"Hey, Chacha, wait for me!" Meixiang hurried to catch up.

As they ran, they stepped outside the main gate. Meixiang, breathing heavily, grabbed Chacha. "Young Miss, there's no one out here; let's go back. The old master will be worried soon."

She hadn't expected this little dumpling to be so fast on her short legs—she had almost lost her. She would never forgive herself if she lost her again!

Chacha blinked and explained urgently, "But I really heard Mimi crying."

Why was it gone now that they were out here? Chacha looked around, her eyes suddenly widening, and she exclaimed with delight, "Found it!"

Meixiang looked over and was secretly amazed; there was indeed a cat lying in the grass by the side of the road.

Chacha gently picked up the little white cat. Seeing its eyes closed and blood trickling from its nose and mouth, her eyes misted over, and bean-sized tears began to fall. She didn't stop releasing little light orbs into its body.

*I'm sorry, Mimi. I came too late.*

Meixiang was also startled by the cat's wretched state, and seeing Chacha crying so heartbreakingly, she hurriedly said, "Young Miss, let's go find the master and the others. This kitten needs a pet hospital."

That led to the scene that just unfolded.

Chacha’s eyes were still damp. All along the way, she had been channeling her little light orbs into it, but she hadn't eaten dinner yet today, and the light orbs looked weak and couldn't heal it completely. Mimi needed a hospital.

"Brother, Grandfather, please save it."

When her aunt beat her in the woodshed, she had also been in so much pain—pain so intense it felt like she was dying, just like this little white cat. But she had been saved by her brother, and she hoped Mimi could be saved too.

Seeing the little dumpling’s eyes swollen from crying, the two men were pained to their hearts. They immediately told the driver to ready the car and sped toward the pet hospital.

After a frantic ordeal, the doctor told them the little kitten was blessed with great fortune. It had nearly died several times during surgery, but to everyone's surprise, its will to live was incredibly strong. It had pulled through—truly a miracle of life.

Chacha didn't understand the doctor's talk about "liver function" or "blood cells," but she understood that Mimi was going to be okay. She let out a sigh of relief and revealed a sweet smile. She had saved Mimi, too!

Chacha watched the little white cat in the medical box without blinking, whispering, "Mimi, I hope you grow up quickly."

"Meow~" As if responding to Chacha, Mimi opened its golden pupils and let out a tiny cry.

"Gurgle~~"

Chacha covered her stomach, troubled. She had given all her little light orbs to Mimi. She was so hungry now that her heart felt like it was fluttering. Chacha furrowed her little bun-like face and poked Gu Muyan shyly. "Brother, can we eat dinner now?"

She added a clumsily squeezed "wink," something she had learned from TV. Whenever those handsome brothers did that, she would be completely enchanted.

"Pfft." Gu Muyan couldn't help but laugh, and Gu Chiyi chuckled heartily as well.

Chacha was a kind child, and she had been so worried about this cat today. Leaving Mimi at the hospital for continued treatment, Gu Chiyi waved his hand and decided to take Chacha for a grand feast.

Chunchang Banquet.

The three of them wound their way through the city, eventually stopping in front of a vermilion gate. Gu Chiyi knocked rhythmically. As the door opened, Chacha was instantly stunned.

Inside was a whole new world. A two-story pavilion stood in the center, and the courtyard was filled with various orchids and grasses. Winter plum blossoms were in full bloom, and a faint fragrance lingered throughout the space. A shallow stream divided the grounds, and the sound of someone singing in the soft, melodic dialect of the south drifted into their ears, touching the soul.

From every angle, it didn't look like a restaurant, but rather an elegant garden meant for scholars to compose poetry while floating wine cups down a stream.

Gu Chiyi looked at his two grandchildren, who were staring in awe, with a look of secret pride. "Tell Old Qian that I've brought my grandson and granddaughter to eat today. Have him arrange something delicious. My little granddaughter here is a real foodie."

Bai Jiu, dressed in a white velvet cheongsam, smiled faintly. "Gu, you’ve come at just the right time. Old Qian happens to be in the kitchen ready to show off his skills. Your granddaughter is in for a treat."

"He's cooking himself? Then we truly are lucky, hahahaha!"

"Please, this way."

After following Bai Jiu to a private room on the second floor, Gu Muyan finally dared to ask in a low voice, "Grandfather, what is this place? I've never heard of it."

Chacha was busy gnawing on a peach blossom pastry, her mouth covered in flaky crust, her eyes squinted in delight. *This pastry is just too delicious!*

Gu Chiyi poured a cup of water for Chacha to prevent her from choking and said calmly, "It’s normal that you haven't heard of it. This is a shop your Grandpa Qian opened himself. It’s only open to old friends and customers like us; he’s never advertised it outside."

Gu Muyan understood. It seemed that the orchids his grandfather often brought home must have been transplanted from here.

"Who is Grandpa Qian?" Chacha asked curiously amidst her busy snacking. Based on the peach blossom pastry alone, her favorability toward Grandpa Qian had already skyrocketed.

Gu Chiyi stroked his non-existent beard, a look of nostalgia in his eyes. "There are four great families in the capital: Gu, Pei, Qian, and Lu. Your Grandpa Qian is the head of the Qian family. Back when the country was undergoing reform, we expanded our family territories together. We were so young and full of spirit back then."

He then shook his head. "Now, it's all the world of you young people."

"That's for sure. We old relics should step down and enjoy our later years. Children and grandchildren have their own fortunes; if we worry less, we might even live a few years longer."

A deep, bold voice, resonant like a bell, rang out from outside the door.

Chacha opened her big, round eyes and looked over with curiosity.