Volume 1, Chapter 11: The Little Bun Becomes the Darling of the Family

Ai Xin had originally assumed the sensible Yang family would handle the matter impartially and reprimand Tuan Tuan. To her surprise, their expressions remained filled with nothing but concern and affection.

Eldest brother Yang Chengze asked, "Little sister, did the toy hurt your hand?"

Second brother Yang Qixiu hurriedly pushed forward: "Big brother, let me see first. I’m a doctor; let me check on her."

Yang Suiyi chimed in, "Easy there, Second Brother."

Yang Boyu scoffed, "What a piece of junk toy. It’s poorly made—throw it out immediately!"

Yang Junjie added, "Such garbage of a toy! We should make the manufacturer stop production!"

Yang Chengze picked up the toy airplane from the floor. There was a clear, sharp defect along the rim of the wheels at the bottom. As his hand brushed against it, he felt a slight sting. Understanding immediately, he asked gently, "Little sister, tell Big Brother, why did you throw the toy away?"

Seeing that her family was not blaming her but instead showing such care—so unlike her life in Xiaoxigou—the little toddler answered truthfully: "Big Brother, when Tuan Tuan held the toy, it hurt my hand. It’s not that I don't like the toy Sister gave me."

She had thrown it away because it hurt, not because she was ungrateful.

Yang Chengze held the airplane up for everyone to see, focusing primarily on Ai Xin and Beibei. "My sister doesn't dislike the toy; the toy was sharp and hurt her. Beibei, you are a big girl of six now—don't you have any judgment? Does crying solve anything?"

Before Mother Yang, Ai Zi, passed away, her greatest worry had been her younger sister, Ai Xin. She had entrusted Ai Xin to the Yang family, hoping they would treat her well. Ai Xin and Ai Zi were orphans, and after her sister’s death, Ai Xin had lived with the Yangs. To avoid impropriety, she resided in a separate two-story villa behind the main Yang estate. After Tuan Tuan went missing, she had adopted Beibei, claiming that she couldn't let go of the thought of Tuan Tuan and only wanted to adopt a child to ease her longing. The Yang family, seeing her grief, had agreed. Since then, Ai Xin had lived in the Yang household with Beibei.

Having navigated the business world for years, Yang Chengze’s sharp gaze swept over Ai Xin and Beibei, and he made a significant decision.

Ai Xin’s face darkened, and her voice turned stern: "Beibei, didn't I tell you to protect your little sister and act like a big sister?"

"I... I didn't know the plane was sharp. It didn't hurt when I played with it..." Beibei’s tears fell incessantly, making it difficult for anyone to find the heart to scold her further.

Wan Yunzhi, who had watched Beibei grow up, felt a pang of sympathy and said softly, "Forget it. Beibei didn't do it on purpose, and fortunately, Tuan Tuan is fine. Beibei, be more careful in the future. Tuan Tuan is younger than you; some toys aren't meant for her to touch."

Yang Chengze walked over and opened Tuan Tuan’s hand, letting his parents and father see the needle marks on the toddler’s fingertips clearly. "Tuan Tuan has suffered long-term abuse. Her hands are still marked by needles. With the toy being so hard, it pressed against her skin, and naturally, it would hurt."

His sister wasn't being willful; she was injured. Besides, his sister was allowed to be as delicate as she pleased—if anyone didn't like it, they could keep it to themselves!

Wan Yunzhi clutched Tuan Tuan to her chest, her heart aching at the thought of the suffering her precious granddaughter had endured. Yang Jin chuan looked at the toys scattered around the room, his face filled with fury. He commanded the servants, "Throw all of these away. I will personally select suitable toys for Tuan Tuan. Get rid of these old things so they don't hurt my precious daughter."

Beibei’s eyes widened. Many of those were toys she liked!

Seeing Beibei’s aggrieved expression, Yang Jin chuan added, "Since Beibei likes them, send all these old toys to her place."

Beibei and Ai Xin were stunned. Were they a recycling center? Was everything Tuan Tuan didn't want being dumped on Beibei? It was insulting!

Facing Yang Jin chuan’s arrangement, Ai Xin had to swallow her pride. "Beibei, hurry up and thank your uncle."

Beibei felt suffocated; the taste of a failed scheme was bitter. With red eyes, she looked at Yang Jin chuan, feigning hurt and guilt: "Thank you, Uncle."

Yang Jin chuan took Tuan Tuan into his arms. "Tuan Tuan, Daddy is taking you to eat. After we eat, I’ll have someone bring you new toys, okay?"

Tuan Tuan was hungry, and she didn't want to cause any more trouble for her family, so she nodded obediently. This scene made Yang Chengze feel a bit heavy; it had taken so much for his sister to accept them, and yet she was still acting with such caution—clearly, she was afraid to open her heart completely.

...

Sitting in Yang Jin chuan’s lap, Tuan Tuan stared at the lavish spread on the table, her grape-like eyes wide with astonishment. This was even more extravagant than the New Year! Tuan Tuan was practically drooling.

Yang Jin chuan placed Tuan Tuan in a high chair and brought over the child-friendly meal prepared in the kitchen, placing a bit of everything on her plate. "Tuan Tuan, your hands aren't better yet. Can Daddy feed you?"

Looking into his daughter’s misty, deer-like eyes, he was reminded of his late wife. They were so similar that he couldn't help but lower his voice.

"Tuan Tuan can eat by herself." She was a born foodie, and a foodie’s soul insisted on feeding herself.

The eldest brother walked over with a bowl of steamed egg custard: "Dad, let me feed my sister."

The second brother arrived with a plate of sea shrimp: "Let me do it; my sister loves shrimp."

The third brother wasn't about to be outdone, bringing a plate of ribs: "My sister loves ribs; let me take care of her."

The fourth brother, seeing there was no space left for him, rushed over: "Little sister, try this cupcake. It has very little sugar, perfect for a little treasure like you."

Just as the fifth brother, Yang Junjie, tried to squeeze in, Yang Jin chuan spoke up: "You’ve all been taking care of Tuan Tuan the whole way here. Now you want to compete with me? This is my daughter!"

If he weren't afraid of scaring Tuan Tuan, Yang Jin chuan would have lost his composure long ago. The brothers, realizing their father was in better spirits than he had been in a long time, retreated sullenly, leaving the burden of caring for Tuan Tuan to him. There was no helping it; he was the patriarch, after all.

And so, the glorious task of feeding Tuan Tuan fell to Yang Jin chuan. His thin face could not hide his excitement and tenderness as he picked up a spoon to feed her the red date and millet porridge.

Tuan Tuan sat obediently in her chair, looking adorable with her rosy lips and white teeth. "Thank you, Daddy. The food you feed me is extra delicious."

Hearing his daughter’s soft, milky voice, Yang Jin chuan thought of his late wife. If only Ai Zi were still here—how happy she would be to see their precious daughter had returned. His heart softened even further; he would cherish Tuan Tuan doubly to ensure Ai Zi could rest in peace.

Ai Xin looked at the millet porridge in her own bowl. Even though it was sweet and savory, it tasted like vinegar to her. Yang Jin chuan’s tenderness had belonged to Ai Zi, and now that Ai Zi was dead, it had all gone to Tuan Tuan. How could she not be furious?

Her hand on her lap clenched into a fist. As she lowered her eyes, the jealousy within them surged like a raging sea. *Little brat, just you wait.*

Ai Xin glanced at Beibei, and her hand moved slightly on her lap. Beibei understood instantly: it was time to use her "big treasure" to deal with Tuan Tuan!