Volume One, Chapter Five: Caught Red-Handed Stealing!

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Gu Muyan and Gu Xiaxun exchanged a glance before rising and running upstairs. Chacha stood frozen, clutching a tissue, when Aunt Wang quickly took it from her and tossed it into the trash bin.

“Aunt Wang, what’s wrong with big brother?”

Aunt Wang sighed, “The second young master was kidnapped when he was a child, which affected his health. In recent years, his condition has worsened.”

She handed Chacha a plush toy, which she fiddled with absentmindedly, though her gaze kept drifting upstairs.

Ye Chen rubbed his nose where the suddenly slammed door had caught him, the sting making his eyes water slightly. Turning, he watched the two Gu brothers dash upstairs.

Shrugging, he said, “Look, I just took his blood pressure and got kicked out. His temper seems to be getting worse.”

“By the way, you two came back together, right? Why did Gu Nanxu suddenly have an episode?”

Gu Xiaxun scratched his head. “I don’t know. It seemed to happen right after he found out grandpa was okay.”

He seemed to recall something. “I got it. Second brother asked the staff downstairs and learned it was because auntie that grandpa ended up in the emergency room.”

Ye Chen and Gu Muyan exchanged looks, both revealing a hint of helplessness.

“That explains it. His mental state has been poor lately. Hearing about all those upsetting things your aunt did, plus worrying about your grandpa—it all piled up and triggered his episode.”

Ye Chen knocked on Gu Nanxu’s door. “I’m heading out now. If you feel bad inside, don’t bottle it up. Smash the stuff in your room if you have to. I left your medicine on the nightstand. Remember to take it.”

Only silence responded. Ye Chen didn’t mind and went downstairs to tell the others, “Let him vent a bit. He hasn’t had a good night’s sleep in a long time. The medicine’s effectiveness is fading, and if this continues, he won’t hold up.”

Concern deepened in Gu Muyan and Gu Xiaxun’s eyes.

After seeing Ye Chen off, the evening had grown late.

Gu Xiaxun had school the next day, so he hurriedly wished Chacha goodnight and went upstairs.

“Chacha, your room is ready. In a few days, we’ll take you to register your household. From then on, you’ll be a true Miss Gu.”

Gu Muyan carried Chacha back to her room, helped her wash up, and patiently taught her, noticing her unfamiliarity with these things.

After tidying up, he laid her gently on the soft bed and patted her lightly. “Big brother needs to find Dad. Can you sleep alone?”

Chacha nodded softly. “I can. Thank you, big brother.”

Gu Muyan affectionately tapped her nose and closed the door.

Listening to his footsteps fade away, Chacha’s wide eyes felt as if she’d been dreaming these past two days.

No more hunger or cold. No more bullying from uncles and aunts. She had a family now.

Thinking of the uncles, aunts, and Jinbao she saw in the car today, Chacha clenched the corner of her blanket, feeling afraid...

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Elsewhere.

Liu Cuihua’s family sat in a lavishly decorated hall, sinking into the soft sofa, eyes wide with astonishment. Whispering, she said, “Wow, this must be real leather.”

A maid approached to pour some tea with graceful manners, though a trace of contempt flickered in her eyes.

She didn’t know why her master had brought this family here. Don’t think she didn’t see it—the couple secretly pocketed quite a few things from the living room, and that brat bossed them around without a shred of manners.

Opposite them on the sofa sat a man in a white shirt and black tie, with gentle features and a tall, graceful figure, radiating a warm aura.

He sipped his tea, then spoke clearly in the living room, “You say that little girl is yours?”

Liu Cuihua quickly nodded. “Yes, that damn kid is ours. I don’t know why that family took her away. We were so worried.”

She slammed her hand on her palm indignantly. “Their henchmen even tried to hit us. There’s no law anymore!”

Then she glanced slyly, flattering, “Luckily for you, or we’d have been badly bullied.”

The man smiled faintly, set down his cup, and the wooden beads on his wrist clacked dully against the table.

“It’s nothing. I just sympathize with how eager you are to get your child back.”

Wang Dazhu’s expression darkened.

He was about to speak when the man seemed to anticipate it and continued, “Since you have nowhere to live, stay in one of my properties for now. Don’t worry, I will make sure your child returns to you.”

Liu Cuihua and Wang Dazhu’s faces brightened unexpectedly. They hadn’t expected such a generous benefactor. This man was clearly wealthy; following him meant comfort and plenty.

They thanked him profusely. Jinbao, however, was drawn to the jade pendant on the man’s chest. Climbing down the sofa, he crept over and reached to grab it.

The man leaned back slightly, his tone suddenly cold. “You can’t have this.”

Jinbao froze at the sudden chill in his voice.

But just as quickly, the tone softened as if it had never changed. “This little jade is for you. Take it and play.”

Jinbao blinked and clutched the jade, then rushed back to Liu Cuihua. After sending the family away, the man rose from the sofa and said with disdain, “Have someone replace everything they’ve stepped or sat on.”

He touched the jade pendant on his chest, then ascended the stairs. The vast villa was brightly lit, yet no light could reach his eyes.

...

Ten minutes later.

Chacha tossed and turned under the covers, poking her head out and sprawling in a star shape, sighing sadly.

“Sigh, why am I hungry again? My head itches too. I ate so much—won’t big brothers want me anymore?”

She rolled twice on the bed before finally giving in, rubbing her belly and whispering, “Don’t cry, tummy. I’ll find something to eat.”

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A small, tangled-haired bundle stealthily peeked from the doorway, tiptoeing down the stairs with a hand on the railing.

Reaching the fridge, the little creature stretched up on tiptoes, trying hard to open the door. After a minute of hopping, it sat down with a thud.

Chacha stared up at the fridge, her little cowlick drooping as if defeated. She was too short to reach the handle.

The little one rested both hands on its chin, face scrunched with worry. Suddenly, a hand appeared above and opened the fridge, handing her an apple.

Oh no! Caught sneaking a snack!

Chacha stood up, tugging nervously at her shirt’s hem, stealing glances at the person before her, then again and again.

That big brother is so handsome!

Gu Nanxu flicked Chacha lightly on the head. “Little thing, you’re drooling.”

Chacha hurriedly wiped her mouth, but no drool came. Her big, watery eyes showed utter confusion.

Gu Nanxu: “...”

After venting, his mood eased somewhat, and hunger struck. He grabbed a snack and settled on the sofa. Just as he finished and planned to stay in the living room a while, he saw a small bundle slip out of the second-floor room, creeping to the fridge and hopping helplessly, face full of despair.

Remembering the message his older brother sent about a new little sister with a head injury and poor health, he rose irritably and handed her an apple.

Seeing the little one blink up at him made him even less patient; he shoved the apple into her hands and headed upstairs.

Chacha blinked in confusion, holding the apple twice as big as her fists. She nibbled it slowly, taking twenty minutes to finish.

She tossed the core into the trash, sighed wearily, and sat on the sofa lost in thought.

Is that second brother? He must have come down hungry to sneak food too.

Unable to reach the fridge, Chacha took a carton of milk from the table, hugged it with both hands, and went upstairs.

Upon reaching the door, she noticed it wasn’t closed. She pushed it open quietly, placed the milk on the nightstand, and tiptoed to leave.

“What are you doing?”