Volume One, Chapter 18: I Have Seen Her

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Clear sunlight filtered through the tangled leaves, passing through the gauze window screen, and spilled onto the pale pink bedside, gradually filling the entire pink room with a dreamlike glow.

On the large bed in the center, there was a rounded curve rising and falling rhythmically with each breath.

The little bundle lay snug under the covers, her cheeks rosy, long eyelashes fluttering occasionally. Her lips murmured softly, as if savoring something delicious in her dreams.

Gu Muyan sat at the edge of the bed, holding a chicken wing wrapped in rice, shaking it teasingly in front of Chacha. The little girl’s nose twitched like a puppy’s.

“…Chicken leg… don’t run away… let me have a bite… just one bite…”

Gu Muyan propped his head with his hand, lying beside Chacha’s bed, a smile playing on his lips. Noticing suspicious moisture at the corner of her mouth, he pulled out a tissue to wipe it.

He chuckled softly, “Such a little foodie.”

Chacha, half-awake, opened her eyes, threw her arms around Gu Muyan’s arm, and sleepily pulled the chicken leg closer, taking a big bite.

Heh heh, smells delicious.

Gu Muyan raised an eyebrow, pinching Chacha’s nose and teasing, “The sun’s already shining on your bottom, and here you are, still lounging in bed, saying you miss your brother — all just to fool me.”

Chacha frowned at the hand’s culprit, her eyes misty. She stretched out her two plump little arms, softly hugging Gu Muyan’s neck, her childish voice coaxing, “Brother~ welcome home~”

Gu Muyan’s heart softened. The affection in his eyes was almost overwhelming.

He freed one hand to support Chacha’s back, lifting her up gently while patting her, “Didn’t you say you wanted to bring cookies to Grandpa today? You little lazybones, Grandpa’s been waiting a long time.”

Right, today was the day to visit Grandpa.

Chacha slowly emerged from her dreams, yawning with a babyish sound. With Gu Muyan’s help, she finished her morning washing.

After a simple breakfast, carrying the little cookies, they got into the car heading to the old family estate.

Gu Muyan closed his eyes to rest after getting in. To ensure Chacha would see him as soon as she opened her eyes, he had hurried back overnight after finishing urgent work, hardly resting at all.

Sensing her brother’s exhaustion, Chacha behaved quietly during the half-hour ride, playing silently by herself.

She gently lifted Gu Muyan’s coffee, her little hands flickering as she dropped a few tiny glowing orbs inside, then sneakily put the cup back.

She had secretly experimented: placing the little light orbs in food improved one’s health and prevented excessive hunger.

But for wounds that needed healing, she still had to personally intervene.

Worried, she looked at her sleeping brother, clenching her tiny fists, as if silently urging the glowing orbs inside the cup to work hard.

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“Young master, miss, we’ve arrived at the old estate.”

Gu Muyan slowly opened his eyes, rubbing his brow. Just as he was about to get out, he saw Chacha clutching his coffee. Thinking she was curious and wanted to taste it, he smiled wryly, “Chacha, you’re still little. You can’t drink this.”

Chacha puckered her lips in defiance.

What’s the big deal? She’s not like a little pig who wants to eat everything, although she did want to try the taste.

But deciding not to argue with her silly big brother, she handed the coffee back to Gu Muyan in a soft voice: “Brother, drink it. Drinking it will make you less tired~”

Gu Muyan was taken aback, then smiled as he took a sip. Perhaps it was Chacha’s comfort that worked—he actually felt less tired, much more refreshed.

Glancing at Chacha’s expectant face, he exclaimed exaggeratedly, “Wow, coffee from Chacha is really different! Brother feels full of energy now. How do you do it?”

Hearing the answer she wanted, Chacha smiled shyly, waving her hand casually, “Oh, it’s nothing really. I just used a little magic.”

She had learned the word “magic” from watching TV. At the time, she was amazed to discover such a thing existed in the world. It thrilled her—she wasn’t a monster after all.

She! Was a magical girl!

Gu Muyan chuckled, shaking his head. Three-year-olds were just at the age to believe in magic. He drained the last of his coffee, then carried Chacha into the house.

Just as he stepped inside, he heard his aunt’s voice, causing him to pause.

“Dad, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have argued with you that day. Please forgive me.”

Gu Xinyue lowered her head, crying and begging for forgiveness. But from Gu Muyan’s vantage point, her face showed no remorse, only concealed resentment.

He instinctively hugged Chacha tighter, about to step in and expose her, when he heard Grandpa sigh:

“Yueyue, when your mother and I lost you, and you suffered in the orphanage, it was our fault.”

“Since you came back, we’ve never let you lack for food or clothing. Whatever you wanted to do, we let you. I just don’t understand why you suddenly changed into someone else, capable of such cruelty. You used to be so kind.”

Gu Xinyue lowered her eyes, full of impatience and resentment.

This old man’s words of apology were hollow. He favored sons over daughters and refused to give her even half the family fortune. Claiming the main branch was too powerful for her to control was just an excuse.

Gu Yan had expelled Gu Wujia and his family, who had been with the Gu family for years, because of some wild girl. She had only disciplined some insolent women—maybe a little harshly at times—but in such a powerful family, money could fix everything. Yet they made a big fuss over her.

Did such an emotional person as Gu Yan really run the Gu family better?

This old man was plainly biased.

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“Dad, I really know I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

“Good morning, Grandpa,” Gu Muyan couldn’t stand it anymore. He stepped inside, waving Chacha’s little hand to greet Grandpa.

His aunt had said those words countless times but continued to act as she pleased, making her detestable.

To divert Grandpa’s attention and prevent him from getting upset, Gu Muyan handed Chacha over to Grandpa’s arms, where their eyes met—big eyes to small.

She instinctively smiled broadly, blinking, and coquettishly said, “Grandpa~ Chacha misses you so much~”

Gu Muyan secretly clicked his tongue. He had no idea what drama Chacha was watching on TV—she used this line on everyone. He thought it was just for him.

Gu Chiyi, who had been deeply troubled, suddenly found himself holding the little bundle. Seeing Chacha’s cute, flattering behavior, he couldn’t help but smile.

“My little lucky star, I’ve been waiting day and night to see you. I thought you’d forgotten me.”

Gu Chiyi said sourly, his face stern.

Chacha scratched her face guiltily. She had gotten addicted to watching TV at home and had indeed forgotten Grandpa.

To silence Grandpa, Chacha hurriedly took out a little bear-shaped cookie and stuffed it into Gu Chiyi’s mouth. “Grandpa, eat this. I made it myself.”

Gu Chiyi bit happily, praising Chacha again and again.

Then he looked toward Gu Xinyue, letting out a barely perceptible sigh before saying to Chacha, “Chacha, this is your aunt. This is your first time meeting her. Say hello to your aunt.”

Chacha looked carefully at Gu Xinyue, then told Grandpa, “I’ve seen Auntie before.”

“Oh? When?”

“Downstairs at Dad’s company. Dad asked someone to invite Auntie out.”

Gu Muyan, puzzled, asked, “Dad asked someone to invite her out?”

Gu Xinyue realized something was wrong and hurried to interrupt, but Chacha innocently said, “Because Auntie said I’m a wild girl and pushed me to the ground, so Dad got angry. He was scary that day—I didn’t even dare to cry.”