Chapter Four: Return to the Mu Family

Sitting quietly to the side, Mu Qin assumed the girl was reluctant to leave the orphanage director and her little friends, and perhaps felt nervous about the new environment. She reached out to gently stroke the girl's head, soothing her, “Don’t be afraid. From now on, I’ll take good care of you.”

The girl was startled by these words, gazing at the woman in surprise before a bright gleam of delight rose in her eyes. A shy blush spread across her cheeks as she nodded obediently.

“Good girl, it’s a long way yet. If you’re tired, you can sleep for a while.”

“All right, Auntie.” The girl replied softly, stifling a delicate yawn before closing her eyes. Yet in her heart, she was thinking about how Mo Ziyan would react when he found out; it would surely be a sight to see. What a pity she couldn’t witness it herself. She wondered what it would be like if they met again in the future?

The thought made her look forward to that day, a sweet smile lingering on her lips.

Back at the orphanage, Mo Ziyan, in high spirits, went to find the girl, only to discover she was nowhere to be found. The director told him that his little angel had been taken away. Stunned, he stared at the director in disbelief, muttering, “Gone?”

“Jiujiu, gone…”

“Why did she leave me behind? She promised she’d always be with me.”

“Why was I the last to know?”

He screamed hysterically, unable to accept the truth that his girl was gone, that he would once again be alone, that his warmth had vanished… vanished…

It was all their fault, he thought, that he and Jiujiu had missed each other—because of them…

Mo Ziyan had always been indifferent and unfeeling toward the world due to his childhood, but once he cared about someone or something, his attachment bordered on obsession.

That night, the group of children who had bullied Mo Ziyan were beaten severely, left with bruised and swollen faces. No one knew who the attacker was; only that Mo Ziyan had disappeared, and no one knew where he had gone.

In a quiet mountain forest, a beautiful detached villa appeared, exuding both romance and dignity. White stucco walls paired with pale red tiles, a series of arches and corridors, clean lines and symmetry that did not sacrifice gravitas—the careful division of space and precise layout made clear the Mu family’s standing in the capital.

Next to it was another villa, similar in style, and not far off, several more could be seen—clearly, this was a wealthy district.

After getting out of the car, the girl stood obediently to one side, clutching the hem of her dress and making no attempt to wander.

Seeing her so well-behaved, Mu Qin’s heart melted. She took the girl’s soft little hand and led her gently toward the villa. Unexpectedly, at the entrance stood a butler, an elderly housekeeper, and two maids on either side.

“Madam has returned,” the butler bowed in greeting. Mu Qin nodded in response.

The girl followed quietly, her eyes full of curiosity as she subtly took in her surroundings—nothing seemed to have changed. Entering the living room, she saw a middle-aged man and a boy of about eleven staring straight at her.

The man had sharp brows and deep-set eyes, as piercing as a hawk’s in the night, his presence commanding. Perhaps due to years of illness, his face was rather pale. The boy sitting beside him on the sofa had a fair, delicate face and enchanting dark eyes. His pointed nose and thin lips radiated elegance—this was Uncle Mu and Brother Zichen. Though excitement bubbled inside her, on the surface she only looked at them with timid curiosity, unable to understand why they were gazing at her so intently.

Worried that the two might frighten the little girl, Mu Qin promptly reassured her, “Jiujiu, don’t be afraid. This is Uncle Mu and Brother Zichen. They will take good care of you as well.” Turning to the man, she added, “Junze, this is the child I mentioned to you—Jiujiu.”

Mu Junze regarded the girl with delight and satisfaction. He felt that even if he were to leave this world now, he would have no regrets. His health had been declining for years, and he had always longed for a soft, sweet daughter. Now, unexpectedly, such a lovely girl had entered his life. It was a blessing.

Though she was not his biological child, he would treat her as his own. After all, who could say—perhaps one day she would become his daughter-in-law.

The more he thought about it, the more possible it seemed—after all, they were childhood companions.

“Good child…” Tears glistened in the eyes of this grown man. He reached out, hand trembling, wanting to touch the girl’s head, but hesitated for fear of frightening her.

The girl looked at him, her heart aching. Uncle Mu, who loved and cherished her, was still here for now, but would not live much longer. She resolved to cure him, to let him find happiness with Aunt Mu.

Jiujiu called out to her system silently: System, can you check Uncle Mu’s condition? Can he be cured?

The system answered: Yes, I have the medicine here. He should recover in a little over a year.

Joy filled her heart, though she kept her expression neutral—there was still a role to play.

Though she didn’t understand why the man before her was so emotional, she wanted to comfort him. She reached out and hugged him, her little head barely visible, and in a soft, childish voice, said, “Uncle…”

“Ah, yes, yes, good girl.” Mu Junze, comforted by her gesture, felt a warmth bloom in his heart, as if the softest part of him had been gently touched. He held her tightly.

“Zichen, this is your little sister Jiujiu. Her parents have passed away and there’s no one to care for her. Let’s take good care of her, all right?” He lightly took the boy’s hand and brought him to the girl.

The boy looked down at the soft, much smaller girl and thought she was adorable—fair, tender, like a little bunny. A shy, sweet smile spread across his face, as if he carried a little sun within him; his eyes curved like crescent moons, and the dimples in his cheeks made people want to poke them.

He remembered how devastated he was when his grandmother died. “Little Jiujiu is so pitiful. I must take good care of her from now on,” he promised himself.

Stepping forward, the boy gently patted her head. “Be good, Jiujiu. From now on, consider this your home.”

“Thank you, Brother Zichen!” she replied softly.

Knowing it wasn’t the time to say much—their relationship was still new—she tugged at Mu Qin’s hand, tilted her head, and said in a small, sleepy voice, “Auntie, Jiujiu is a little tired…” She yawned, trying hard to keep her eyes open, but her eyelids still drooped.

Everyone looked on at the irresistibly cute girl. Her lashes were long and dense, framing her bright, dewy eyes, which seemed shrouded in mist, stirring tender affection in their hearts.

Mu Junze’s heart instantly melted. He quickly told Mu Qin to take her to her room, which had been prepared the moment they heard the news. He just hoped their precious girl would like it.

Mu Qin knelt down and scooped the girl into her arms. She was so soft and light, like a ball of cotton candy, that Mu Qin hardly dared to hold her too tightly, for fear of squeezing her. The girl wrapped herself around her neck, nuzzling and snuggling like a kitten, then found a comfortable position and obediently closed her eyes to sleep.

The two watching nearby felt an itch in their hearts, both wanting to hold her themselves, but knowing there would be plenty of time for that in the future. For now, it was enough to let her rest.

Mu Qin carried the girl upstairs, opened a door on the second floor, and gently laid her on the bed, covering her with a blanket.