Chapter Six: The Reinforcement Is Mr. Mouse

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

Mu You heard the sound of something heavy falling.

“There’s a mouse! A mouse here!”

Qi Haoxuan’s voice trembled with fear, and he immediately regretted saying it.

How embarrassing!

He, a strong and upright young man, was actually afraid of a mouse—and scared enough to stumble.

Fortunately, it was very dark here; Youbao couldn’t see it, or else where would his little face hide?

“A mouse? Where is it?”

“I don’t see it at all!”

Mu You’s voice suddenly sounded by Qi Haoxuan’s ear, startling him.

“You… Youbao, how did you find your way here? It’s so dark—can you see where you’re going?”

Qi Haoxuan asked, puzzled.

“My uncle and aunt used to lock me in a small room and never turned on the light at night. It was very dark.”

“I’ve gotten used to staying in dark rooms.”

The girl’s voice was calm, revealing that she had truly grown accustomed to such abuse.

“How could they do this!”

Qi Haoxuan gritted his teeth in anger.

But nearby, another “squeak” made him shut his mouth tightly, afraid to make a sound.

Following the sound, Mu You found the “mouse.”

It was actually a striped mouse.

“Mr. Mouse, are you hungry? This is the basement. Uncle and aunt only store unused things here. There’s no food inside.”

She had just heard the mouse’s complaints.

She knew it had wandered in by accident, seeking food because it was too cold outside.

“Squeak.”

[You understand me?]

[And you’re not afraid of me, nor think I’m dirty?]

The striped mouse was very surprised.

In its memory, even when kept as pets, people often mistook them for rats and chased them away, despite their close relation.

“I’m not afraid, because you haven’t hurt us.”

“My dad once told me that sometimes mice can help people.”

“He also said that all living things have spirits; survival of the fittest governs nature. I shouldn’t interfere too much, but neither should I allow cruelty and killing.”

“I don’t fully understand these words yet, but I will grow up and learn hard!”

Recalling her father’s teachings, Mu You turned into a little chatterbox.

“Squeak.”

[Your dad is really smart! He knows so much!]

“Yes, Daddy is not dumb at all. He’s the smartest dad!”

Hearing the praise, Mu You proudly lifted her little face, as if complimenting her father was also complimenting herself.

“Squeak.”

[Then where is your dad? Why are you and that boy here?]

The striped mouse asked, but sensing Mu You’s mood shift, it quickly changed the subject.

[Ahem… kid, consider yourself lucky—I know a way out of here.]

[Follow me.]

Mu You’s eyes lit up.

“Thank you, Mr. Mouse!”

Qi Haoxuan followed behind Mu You, confused as to why they were following a mouse.

Then he thought, if a mouse could get in, there must be a way out.

“Youbao, you’re amazing!”

Thus, the two successfully left the basement, guided by the mouse.

“Squeak.”

[The basement door is locked, but there’s a small hole leading to the surface—I don’t know who dug it.]

[It’s good you got out safely. You two unlucky souls must be careful not to anger that family again—they’re ruthless.]

[I used to be a pet of theirs, but that little girl cut off my tail and threw it in the trash when I grew too much like a mouse, leaving me to fend for myself.]

The striped mouse sighed and continued.

[Last time, I saw them throw a badly injured man down here—I don’t know if he’s alive or…]

Before finishing, it suddenly darted away like lightning.

“Meow!”

[The fat catch just slipped away.]

A tabby cat appeared.

“Cat!”

Mu You was delighted, as the tabby had led them to the Mu family’s doorstep before disappearing.

“Meow.”

[What are you doing here?]

Before they could answer, the tabby snapped.

[These heartless two-legged beasts—tiger mothers don’t even eat their own cubs, yet they throw their children away again and again!]

Its fur bristled, showing its fury.

“Cat…”

Mu You wanted to explain that this time, her uncle and aunt hadn’t abandoned her.

But they had locked her up, and if not for Mr. Mouse’s kindness, she and Qi Haoxuan might have been trapped to die in the basement.

In the end, Mu You told the tabby everything that had happened.

“Meow.”

[What the heck, a mouse as your savior?]

The tabby generously declared that next time it saw the striped mouse, it might spare it.

[But those two-legged beasts doing such things? Absolutely unforgivable!]

[This cat just can’t swallow this grievance! Kid, don’t worry about anything—stand strong!]

With that, the tabby leapt over the wall and headed to the Mu family home.

It vowed to help Mu You get justice.

“Thank you, Cat.”

Mu You was grateful but worried for the cat’s safety.

“Youbao, why are you talking to cats again?”

Qi Haoxuan approached with a puzzled look.

He thought Mu You was truly amazing, able to get along with all creatures and even talk to them.

“Youbao is just very lonely.”

Mu You dared not reveal her “special ability,” fearing she’d be seen as strange.

Besides, she wanted to protect these kindhearted animals.

“It’s okay, it’s okay—I’ll be your good friend!”

“I’m older; I can be your brother and protect you!”

Qi Haoxuan, already sympathetic and grateful to Mu You, felt his soft heart pierced by these words.

He couldn’t think of anything else.

Listen and see!

Such a pitiful child, so lonely she could only chat with animals to pass the time…

Qi Haoxuan felt tears welling up.

He reached into his pocket for a tissue, only to find it empty.

“Oh no, oh no, oh no!”

“My phone is still in the basement!”

Qi Haoxuan’s face twisted in pain as he wanted to go back to find it.

But the ground was covered with snow, and without markers, they couldn’t find the exit hole.

“Don’t panic. Dad said the more panicked you get, the more confused your mind becomes. Believe in us—we will find it!”

Mu You’s expression was resolute, shedding her earlier timidity.

“Alright, we definitely will!”

Qi Haoxuan was inspired by Mu You’s determination, filled with positive energy.

Meanwhile…

“There’s a signal! The location’s updated!”

A man in black held his computer, tears of joy streaming down his face.

“Where?”

In the darkness, another man’s expression was cold and his voice frosty as an ice chamber.

“The location shows the young master is at the Mu family’s home…”

The man took a deep breath and opened his eyes.

“Go. To the Mu family.”