Chapter Seven: The Doll Incident

"It's alright, Uncle, I'm fine," the girl said, her brow furrowed with a trace of urgency in her voice, her eyes sincerely fixed on Mu Junwei.

Seeing her like this, Mu Junwei felt a wave of pity—what a considerate child. Yet his own daughter...

"I don't need your fake concern," muttered Mu Tian as she spun around and fled, leaving her meal untouched.

Mu Junwei was so angry his liver ached. The contrast stung—his own daughter wasn't even half as sensible as another's. Look at her: yelling at the table, storming off mid-meal, bullying her little sister—was this the behavior of a proper young lady? Who had taught her?

The others at the table tried to comfort him, murmuring things like, "She's still just a child," smoothing over the awkwardness. All he could do was sit back down, fuming, and force himself to finish eating, resolving that he would have to discipline her when they got home—he couldn't indulge her any longer.

The girl beside him glanced nervously and guilessly at Brother Zichen, guilt and worry written all over her face. Aunt Mu and Uncle Mu had taken her in out of kindness, and yet...

Tian Tian had run off without eating because of her...

After spending so much time with the girl, Mu Zichen understood her thoughts perfectly; he knew exactly what she was thinking. He gently patted her head, giving her a reassuring look.

"So easily flustered—no wonder the heroine later uses her as a target," thought Mu Tingye, who had been quietly observing everything from the sidelines.

His dislike for his elder brother's child only deepened; she had never respected him as an elder, and even now had no sense of propriety.

He wiped his mouth elegantly, his cold gaze lingering on his nephew's attentive care for the little girl. It was novel to see—this boy had always butted heads with him, yet outwardly kept up appearances; usually indifferent to everyone, and now showing such gentleness to this little girl. Clearly, she occupied a special place in his heart.

This young girl must have something extraordinary about her.

His scrutinizing gaze settled on the girl opposite him, nibbling obediently on the shrimp his nephew had peeled for her, cheeks puffed out, her two apple-red spots making her look every bit like a little hamster feasting.

Quite adorable.

...

And so a not-so-pleasant meal came to an end.

Afterwards, the girl was yawning. That was the trouble with children: eat their fill and they just want to sleep, like raising a pig...

Seeing his mother busy entertaining guests, Mu Zichen scooped up sleepy little Jiujiu in his arms and carried her upstairs for her afternoon nap.

When he laid her on the bed, he found the little one already fast asleep, her half-open mouth like a budding flower. He kissed his little sister's cheek, careful not to disturb her, and quietly left for his own room to study.

The girl slept deeply and peacefully. Stretching lazily, she pondered for a moment before deciding to take her beloved doll and find her brother.

How could she pick a fight without her doll?

Sure enough, as she opened the door, she found Mu Tian standing resentfully in front of her own room.

Surprise flickered in her eyes, but she quickly smiled softly. "Tian Tian."

"Hmph, spare me your fake sweetness. I can't stand you!" Mu Tian sneered, but when her eyes landed on the doll in the girl's arms, they lit up with a flash of envy and resentment: Such a beautiful doll, and I don't even have one. Why should she?

Jiujiu thought to herself, "Well, what a coincidence. I've disliked you since my last life..."

Evidently startled by her words, the girl's eyes reddened. "Tian Tian, I'm sorry, I don't know why you..."

Mu Tian cut her off sharply, "There is one way you can make me stop hating you—unless..."

"Unless what?" the girl asked anxiously.

"Unless you give me your doll. Otherwise, I'll hate you forever." Mu Tian lifted her chin, her confidence and arrogance making it clear she fully expected the doll would soon be hers.

"No, I can't," the girl exclaimed, clutching the doll tighter to her chest.

This was a gift from Brother Zichen—how could she give it to you? What a joke! Wishful thinking.

The system piped up secretly, "How do you know it was from Mu Zichen?"

Jiujiu raised an eyebrow, "Aunt Mu told me in secret. It's the first gift Brother Zichen ever gave me."

The system felt a pang of sympathy for her—Mu Zichen had never given her a single gift in her previous life...

"What did you say?" Mu Tian couldn't believe the girl refused her, her disbelief turning to fury. At home, she got whatever she wanted, and now this brat wouldn't even hand over a doll? She hated her more than ever!

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. If she couldn't have it, then neither could the other girl—so be it!

Seizing her chance, she lunged for the doll. The girl, frightened to tears, still refused to let go, holding the doll in a desperate grip.

Seeing the resistance, Mu Tian used all her strength, cursing as she wrestled for the doll.

A loud rip startled them both. Mu Tian, seeing the doll torn, immediately let go, her expression innocent. "You broke it yourself, you know."

For a moment, the girl was stunned. Broken? Just like that?

Her lips trembled, tears threatening to spill. She tried to piece the doll together with her small hands, but failed. Her little body shook violently as she hugged the doll and began to sob.

She had no intention of holding back now; letting her emotions build, she ran off in tears to find Brother Zichen.

A gentle, lovely, and fragile child—everyone was bound to favor her.

"Brother Zichen..." Her voice was soft, tinged with the quaver of recent tears, damp and pitiful.

Her nose and eyes were red, tears clinging to her lashes, ready to fall—a truly heartbreaking sight.

As soon as she saw Mu Zichen, she flung herself into his arms, clinging tightly to his neck, hiding her face and refusing to speak. Mu Zichen had no idea what had happened, only hearing the faint, tearful voice from his arms, each note like a feather brushing his heart. The girl's body trembled with sobs, and his heart ached for her.

"Sweet Jiujiu, what's wrong?" he asked gently.

"My doll... it's broken..." the girl sobbed, her misty eyes looking up at him.

Mu Zichen knew how much she loved the doll he'd given her; of course she'd be sad if it was ruined. But how did it break?

Glancing behind her, he saw Mu Tian's guilty, shifty gaze and guessed at once—Mu Tian must have tried to snatch the doll and broke it.

Mu Tian—the name sounds sweet and cute, but she was anything but. Spoiled, domineering, unreasonable. How could gentle little Jiujiu stand up to her? His dislike for Mu Tian deepened.

"There, there, Jiujiu—don't cry. I'll buy you a new one," he comforted her softly.

"No, hic—this was the first gift you ever gave me, hic—it must be kept safe..." she stammered between hiccups, sniffing her little nose, looking unbearably pitiful and sweet.

Hearing that, Mu Zichen's heart trembled, an inexplicable emotion rising within him. But there was no time to think; he quickly reassured her, "Jiujiu, I'll buy you an even better one in the future, don't be afraid!"

"Really? Then Jiujiu will be even better to you, Brother Zichen!" She clenched her little fists in earnest, her wide, innocent eyes sparkling, a sweet and lovable smile lighting her face.

The system muttered, "Jiujiu, that Mu Tian is so unbearable!"

Jiujiu replied, "If she weren't, how could she serve as my sidekick? Heh."

"Oh right, Brother Zichen, can I sleep with you tonight? I'm scared..." she looked up at him, her little face full of distress.