Zhang Yuanyuan slumped limply in Zhang Munan's arms. She was such a tiny little thing, so soft that it made his heart ache. Beside them, Zhang Zhenwei also frowned, looking displeased.
Such a fine banquet had turned into this mess.
The news had spread like wildfire on the trending searches. It was hard not to be worried.
It must be the Chu family!
Zhang Munan gently stroked the little one's head. "Be a good girl, Yuanyuan. If you don't like it here, Uncle will take you home, okay?"
"Um... okay..."
Yuanyuan replied obediently. Her small hands wrapped tightly around Zhang Munan's neck. She rubbed her head against him, and her soft hair tickled his neck.
She was just like a little kitten.
But this little kitten's voice was hoarse.
"Uncle..."
"Hey, sweetheart. Uncle's here. Don't be scared. We won't do such things anymore. You're here to enjoy life at home. Why bother with those things!"
"Um... Yuanyuan's not scared..." The little one sniffled and hugged him even tighter. Her chubby face pressed against his neck. "Uncle, the mother of the little ghost doesn't want her... She's so pitiful..."
Zhang Munan stiffened. He suddenly understood why the always strong little Yuanyuan had been in a low mood.
"Sigh..."
Zhang Munan exchanged a look with Zhang Zhenwei. He took off his coat and covered the little one with it. Then he carried her away from the banquet hall.
The night breeze outside the hotel was slightly cool. It blew across the little one's face, smearing her tears on Zhang Munan's neck.
Zhang Munan carried her into the car. The environment was much quieter and warmer.
"Sweetheart." Zhang Munan held Yuanyuan's face and made her sit upright on his lap. He looked into her tear - filled eyes seriously. "Uncle knows that Grandpa showed you what happened to our family before when he brought you back. Even though you know where Mom and Dad are, you still feel sad, right?"
Zhang Yuanyuan pouted and nodded while sniffling.
"Uncle, I'm sorry. I wasn't a good girl."
Even at this moment, she was still blaming herself for not being good.
What an angel!
Zhang Munan pinched her cheek and gently wiped away her tears. "Yuanyuan is a good girl. You're just a child. It's normal for children to cry and throw tantrums. It's normal to be unhappy."
"Listen to Uncle. Mom and Dad didn't abandon you. They love you very much. They've just gone to another place and can't be by your side to take care of you. That's why Uncle and Grandpa are here."
"We'll carry Mom and Dad's love and make up for the five years you've missed."
"Will you give Uncle a chance to love you?"
After all, children are just children. No matter how amazing they are, their little hearts are still fragile and sensitive.
Yuanyuan had been studying hard for the first five years of her life and rarely had the chance to be sad.
In the past, she could only watch other kids in the village playing together and listen to their parents calling them home.
Whenever that happened, Yuanyuan would bury her head and hold her pen, repeating various talismans over and over again.
Or she would hold a sword and practice, or soak in a medicinal bath...
She had the best handwriting, the best cultivation skills, and a well - known reputation. When her master took her to meet other Taoists, everyone had to address her as "Master".
But Yuanyuan was just a little baby.
She didn't like being called a little Taoist priest or Master. She wanted to be like other kids, with someone calling her home for dinner...
Zhang Munan booped her nose and said softly, "Okay, baby?"
"Okay! Yuanyuan is willing!" Yuanyuan nodded vigorously, and her thick nasal voice was hard to hide.
Zhang Munan held out his pinky finger in front of her. "Let's pinky - promise. From now on, you can act coquettishly and throw tantrums at Uncle. Uncle will try his best to satisfy whatever you want!"
"Okay!" Yuanyuan broke into a smile through her tears and hooked her finger with Uncle's. "Pinky - promise. We won't go back on our word for a hundred years!"
This simple and childish phrase was common among other kids, but as a little Taoist, Yuanyuan always valued her words as law. This was the first time she had made a pure, child - like promise!
Her eyes sparkled like a galaxy.
Zhang Munan hugged her into his arms and coaxed her softly over and over again. Soon, the little one was exhausted and fell asleep soundly in his arms.
When Zhang Zhenwei opened the car door, he only saw Yuanyuan's chubby sleeping face. His eyes softened with love.
"Is the little girl okay? Was she scared by what happened tonight?"
"No." Zhang Munan briefly told him what had happened and added, "Dad, I'm telling you in advance. I'm not going to get married in the future. Yuanyuan is my own daughter. I won't think about my personal matters until she grows up."
Rarely, Zhang Zhenwei just let out a long sigh and didn't argue.
The car started and passed by an oncoming vehicle.
A child's head was sticking out of the window of the oncoming car. His originally listless eyes suddenly lit up when he saw a sleeping doll in the Zhang family's car.
"Dad, we seem to be late. Miss Yuanyuan of the Zhang family has already gone back."
"What?! We're just a little late. What's the hurry, old man Zhang! We've made a wasted trip!"
Two different voices rang out one after another, and their words were scattered by the sudden cool night wind.
The child's eyes never left the Zhang family's car.
...
Twenty minutes later.
At the Zhang family's mansion.
Zhang Haomiao rushed back in a hurry. As soon as he got out of the car, he ran straight into the house. He waited for a long time before the three of them arrived. He was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Back? How's it going?"
"Shh!!"
Zhang Munan quickly stopped Zhang Haomiao from asking. He gave him a disdainful look.
With just that look, Zhang Haomiao noticed Yuanyuan sleeping in his arms. Her cherry - like lips were slightly parted as she breathed, and there seemed to be a little drool dripping from the corner of her mouth.
She looked so cute.
Zhang Haomiao quickly quieted down. Just as he was about to reach out and touch her, Zhang Munan slapped his hand hard. Then, without waiting for him to react, he carried the child straight into the bedroom.
"Little brother!"
Zhang Haomiao frowned. His gentle face wrinkled with displeasure, but he nervously followed him in.
The little one was gently placed in the bed by Zhang Munan. He covered her with the quilt. She smacked her lips, turned over steadily, and the flesh on her cheeks puffed up.
She was extremely cute.
Just as Zhang Munan was about to go find a towel to wash Yuanyuan's face, his fourth brother rushed into the bathroom first. After a while, he came out, elbowed the little brother aside, and squatted beside Yuanyuan's bed to gently wipe her little face.
The dirt on her face gradually disappeared, revealing her fair face. Zhang Haomiao's heart melted.
What a cute baby.
She was truly his sister's child...
His eyes were filled with tenderness. He took out his phone and secretly took a picture of the little one sleeping. Then he tucked the quilt around Yuanyuan and finally let out a long sigh of relief. He dragged the little brother back to the living room.
When the door closed softly, the long eyelashes of the sleeping little one in the quilt trembled slightly, and her breathing became a bit heavier.
Outside the window, the cold moonlight shone through the glass into the room, illuminating the dim room.
Several invisible shadows lightly stepped on the moonlight and floated to the head of Yuanyuan's bed. They hovered around her.