Volume One, Chapter Three: Adoption

The group stood stunned as the doctors asked them to step outside the room. Only then did Mu Yan notice Cha Cha standing by the bedside, wiping away tears.

Forcing out a strained smile, he said, “Cha Cha, why are you here? Didn’t big brother tell you to stay in the room?”

“It was me,” Pei Xingyun replied. “I saw her running out from your ward saying she wanted to find big brother. I guessed she belonged to your family, so I brought her along.”

Pei Xingyun hadn’t expected such a turn of events—the old master of the Gu family had come back from the brink of death!

It was nothing short of a miracle.

Through tear-filled eyes, Cha Cha looked at Mu Yan anxiously, afraid that her brother would be upset with her, and hurriedly explained, “Cha Cha wasn’t disobedient.”

Her voice grew softer: “I overheard someone say that big brother’s grandfather was about to die. I was worried that big brother might be bullied like Cha Cha had been, so I came looking for you.”

Gu Yan fixed his gaze on the little bundle, his expression unreadable. “Where did this little one come from?”

Mu Yan recounted everything from beginning to end.

Gu Yan glanced at the bandage on Cha Cha’s head. “What happened?”

“Cha Cha must have been abused by her family; she has many wounds,” Mu Yan said, deeply touched that Cha Cha cared so much about her brother.

Since she came, grandpa had come back to life—she was truly their family’s lucky star.

Gu Yan frowned sharply.

Feeling intimidated by this stern-looking uncle, Cha Cha shrank behind Mu Yan.

Gu Yan: “…”

Was he really that scary?

Just then, the doctors came out. The expressions on the world-renowned specialists’ faces were uniformly shocked.

They had never seen such a miracle. If not for the Gu family’s power, they would have lost control long ago.

Seeing the doctors' expressions, Gu Yan understood that the old master was out of danger. His tense body relaxed imperceptibly.

“Mr. Gu, the old master is fine now. You may go in. This is truly a medical miracle!”

Gu Yan nodded in thanks and had the doctors escorted away.

Inside the ward, Gu Chiyi had narrowly escaped death.

Taking a deep breath, he was astonished to find his long-held chest pain had eased, and his breathing was smooth.

He even felt stronger—he believed at this moment he could climb three flights of stairs without gasping for breath.

As his children and grandchildren entered, he propped himself up to speak, but his eyes locked onto the little bundle. Shock flashed in his eyes.

The first person he saw after coming back to life was her—she had held his hand and cried bitterly.

When his consciousness was fading, a childish voice had pleaded, “Grandpa, don’t die.”

Suddenly, he felt as if his body was rejuvenated, bursting with life as if dead wood had sprung to life.

He had never believed in supernatural things, but after passing through the gates of death, whatever the cause, this little child was his lucky star!

---

Just as he was about to speak, he noticed the Pei family present and changed his tone.

Seeing Pei Xingyun, he spoke kindly like a benevolent elder: “Xingyun, how is your sister? Thank you for coming to see me.”

Pei Xingyun quickly waved his hand. “Old master, no need to thank me. I’m just glad to see you well. My sister’s condition is still the same; otherwise, she would have come to visit you herself.”

Though Gu old master appeared kind and gentle, anyone who could command a great family was no simple figure.

Pei Xingyun glanced at the Gu family members, politely excused himself, and left.

Before leaving, he crouched down and patted Cha Cha’s head, giving her a purple glass bead he had bought recently at an auction because it caught his eye and he always carried it with him.

“Cha Cha, come visit uncle when you have time.”

Complex emotions flickered in Pei Xingyun’s eyes. If his little niece were still alive, she would be about this age...

After Pei Xingyun left, the room fell into an eerie silence.

Gu Chiyi recalled the sentimental words he had spoken before his near death, feeling uncomfortable deep inside. He was a decisive man, especially strict with Gu Yan.

“A dying man speaks kindly.”

He had even admitted his mistakes to his son, something that made him lose face.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, he reached out toward the little one hiding behind Mu Yan. “Little one, come here, tell grandpa whose child you are.”

Clutching a glass bead bigger than her fist, Cha Cha blushed shyly. “I don’t have a family.”

Gu Chiyi was surprised, and Mu Yan explained Cha Cha’s situation again.

He had expected the old master to pity the child, but instead, his expression was filled with joy and excitement.

Mu Yan was puzzled.

Suppressing his emotion, Gu Chiyi smiled warmly at Cha Cha. “Cha Cha, would you like to become Mu Yan’s little sister?”

Gu Yan shot a glance at his father’s obsequious smile, then at the little one not even as tall as his knee, and coldly said, “No…”

“Really, grandpa? That’s wonderful! Cha Cha, from now on, you’re my sister!”

Gu Yan’s face darkened. No one had asked if he wanted a daughter.

Cha Cha froze, unsure what to do. Did she really have a family now?

Then a broad smile spread across her face. She liked big brother Mu Yan and was happy to be part of this family!

“Okay!”

Gu Chiyi watched the scene with satisfaction. This little lucky star would belong to their family from now on.

Looking around, he asked, “Where are Nan Xu and Xia Xun?”

Gu Yan frowned and checked his watch. “After learning you woke up, Xia Xun called me to say he and Nan Xu had already left.”

“Since there’s no problem now, I’ll return to the company. You should stay another day in the hospital for observation.”

Gu Chiyi’s refusal was silenced by Gu Yan’s slightly threatening gaze. He sneered inwardly—having a son just like himself.

---

Cha Cha was lifted into the Gu family car. The group departed in a grand procession.

“Hey! I saw that brat!” Liu Cuihua and her group had just arrived at the hospital entrance and saw Cha Cha surrounded by the Gu family’s people as she got into the car.

They rushed forward to stop her. No one knew how they had come to this strange place, but it certainly had something to do with that brat!

For the safety of the Gu family, heavy security surrounded the hospital. As Liu Cuihua and her group appeared, they were immediately targeted.

“What do you want?”

Wang Dazhu was pushed back by a burly, cold-faced man.

She awkwardly said, “Brothers, we’re the family of that little girl inside. If you don’t believe us, just have her come out and see.”

Wang Dazhu bowed and pleaded with the guards.

These men looked imposing and formidable, their aura stronger than even Old Master Li’s bodyguards.

No one knew how that brat had managed to get on good terms with such powerful people.

Wang Dazhu, seeing the guards wouldn’t budge, racked her brains for another plan. Her eyes drifted toward the car that had driven off some distance, and they met Cha Cha’s gaze.

“Hey!”

Startled, Cha Cha quickly pulled her head away from the window, her pupils shrinking sharply.

It was her uncle, aunt, and Jin Bao—they had come too.

She didn’t want to go back! She had her own family now.

Helpless, Cha Cha clutched her clothes, trembling uncontrollably.

Mu Yan, holding Cha Cha, looked puzzled. “What’s wrong outside?”

“Goo goo~”

Mu Yan understood immediately. “You’re hungry, right? It’s okay—we’re almost home. Second brother and third brother are waiting for you.”

Cha Cha’s eyes darted nervously. In a soft, tiny voice, she said, “Okay.”

Gu Yan frowned, watching Cha Cha like a frightened bird.

He glanced back, his expression unreadable.