Volume 1, Chapter 12: Tuan Tuan Returns, and Trouble Befalls the Yang Family

After finishing their meal, Aixin and Beibei did not leave the room.

Aixin approached Tuantuan, gently holding her small hand, her voice filled with tenderness. “Tuantuan, let Auntie have a good look at you. Poor child, so thin—you’ve really suffered.”

Tuantuan felt uneasy whenever Aixin came close.

It was as if invisible thorns had grown all over Aixin’s body, and whenever she approached, the thorns pricked her, leaving wounds everywhere.

The little one was too young to describe this feeling.

Instinctively, she took a step back, keeping her distance from Aixin.

Tuantuan’s reaction made Aixin think the child was deliberately acting this way.

With so many eyes from the Yang family watching her, wasn’t Tuantuan intentionally signaling that she disliked her?

Aixin was frustrated but held back her anger.

“Tuantuan, Auntie knew you were coming back and specially picked out a gift for you. Take a look and see if you like it.”

Aixin pulled a bracelet from her pocket. It was neither gold nor jade, adorned with colorful patterns, but the design was hard to discern.

She took Tuantuan’s hand, trying to fasten the bracelet onto her wrist.

Tuantuan pulled her hand away. “Tuantuan can’t accept gifts from others.”

That was not the behavior of a well-behaved child.

“How can I be ‘others’? I’m your aunt. When your mother was alive, she treated me very well. Now that she’s gone, of course I want to treat you even better.”

Tuantuan shook her head again. “Thank you, but Tuantuan doesn’t want it.”

Yang Dad frowned deeply, pained by his daughter’s expression.

He strode forward and held Tuantuan in his arms. “Aixin, Tuantuan doesn’t like it. Why are you forcing her to wear it?”

“Sis-in-law, I... I just wanted to help Tuantuan put it on,” Aixin replied.

“She said she doesn’t like it. Didn’t you hear her?”

Yang Jinchuan’s reproachful tone made it sound as if Aixin were deaf.

Aixin was speechless.

“It’s my fault. Tuantuan just came back and isn’t familiar with us yet. I’ll leave the bracelet on the table. Jinchuan, remember to take it to her room.”

Yang Jinchuan nodded and carried Tuantuan outside. “Tuantuan, after you’ve eaten, Daddy will take you for a walk to help with digestion, okay?”

“Okay.”

Tuantuan’s health had improved somewhat but she was still weak.

Having their daughter back after such a long time, Yang Dad’s eyes were glued to her, as if trying to make up for the lost years.

Aixin lowered her head and saw the bracelet on the table.

She hadn’t succeeded—now it was up to Beibei.

Beibei caught Aixin’s glance, smiled, and ran off.

---

At the same time, Yang Chengze’s phone rang.

Secretary Li Ge was frantic, like an ant on a hot pan. “President, it’s bad news! Our cooperation deal has been hijacked!”

“What?” Yang Chengze showed shock.

He had personally overseen the entire process and was just about to sign the contract.

How could problems arise at such a critical moment?

“Not only that, President, there’s been a stabbing incident in the Yang family’s shopping mall. Rumors are spreading that the mall is haunted... the losses are severe...”

Yang Chengze was speechless.

The living room was silent, so everyone clearly overheard the conversation between Yang Chengze and Li Ge.

Aixin’s expression was unlike the others’ shocked looks.

Because she already knew all this.

The Yang family’s fortune would decline steadily due to Tuantuan’s return.

Only when Tuantuan left would the Yang family’s fortunes recover.

A servant’s hand trembled as she was clearing the dishes and accidentally broke a bowl.

She hurried to clean up and whispered to Wan Yunzhi, “Madam, could it be because of Miss Tuantuan? She just returned, and now the Yang family that was going smoothly is hit with trouble…”

Two years ago, it was the same—Tuantuan was born, and one misfortune after another befell the Yang family.

After Aizi’s death and Tuantuan’s disappearance, the family’s fortunes strangely improved.

Hence, many outside the family whispered that Tuantuan was a jinx reincarnate.

Some even claimed Tuantuan wasn’t missing but that the Yang family had cruelly killed their own daughter.

Wan Yunzhi glared at the servant. “What era is this? Spreading such superstitions! Tuantuan is my granddaughter, my precious granddaughter!”

Old Master Yang was also not superstitious. His voice was strong and filled with warning: “If anyone dares to spread nonsense outside, they will bear the consequences!”

The servant was frightened and quickly tidied the dishes before retreating to the kitchen.

At this moment, Aixin softly said, “Aunt Wan, don’t overthink it. Maybe it’s just coincidence. Tuantuan just came back, and the company has problems—too coincidental. They say after twice, there can’t be a third time. Could the Yang family really suffer again because of Tuantuan’s return?”

No sooner had she spoken than Yang Chengze’s phone rang again.

“President, bad news! The land we invested in has been requisitioned by higher authorities. We can’t build villas there anymore...”

Yang Chengze was stunned.

Yang Nanqiao, Wan Yunzhi, and the five older brothers were all shocked.

So was Tuantuan really a jinx?

No!

Tuantuan was their sister!

How could she be a jinx!

Yang Chengze, a domineering business tycoon, quickly adjusted his mindset and remained calm. “Understood.”

After hanging up, he grabbed his car keys and headed out. “Grandpa, Grandma, I’m going back to the company for a while.”

With such a serious matter, he had to go back and check things out.

Before leaving, Yang Chengze went outside to check on the little one.

The toddler was strolling in the garden, greeting the flowers and trees as if she understood their language.

Seeing Yang Chengze approach, the little girl smiled, revealing dimples. Her large eyes, purple like grapes, sparkled like precious gems, emitting a dazzling glow.

How could such a soft and adorable child be a jinx?

Damn that jinx!

She was clearly a precious little bundle of joy!

“Tuantuan, I’m going out for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Be good at home. If you miss your big brother, call him, alright?”

Tuantuan spread her arms and hugged Yang Chengze, obedient and sweet. “Okay, big brother. Be safe on the road.”

Seeing the worry etched between his brows, Tuantuan reached out and gently brushed it away.

There, the dark aura was gone.

“All right, goodbye, Tuantuan.”

“Goodbye, big brother!”

Yang Chengze walked over to Yang Jinchuan and quietly told him everything that had happened today.

At that moment, Beibei came over, taking Tuantuan by the hand to show her some flowers nearby.

“Little sister Tuantuan, I found a super pretty flower. Let me take you to see it. I’ll hold your hand, hand in hand, because we’re good friends now.”

Beibei’s skin was darker, but her delicate features made her look like an innocent little girl.

This was the first time a child had proactively invited her to play, and Tuantuan’s heart stirred.

Was she finally going to have a friend?

The little one tentatively reached out and accepted Beibei’s friendly gesture.

“Little sister Tuantuan, don’t be afraid. I’m your sister. From now on, we’re good friends. Don’t you want to be friends with me?”

But as her hand was clasped by Beibei, Tuantuan sensed something was wrong.

The tiny beauty inside the pendant was terrified, her long hair standing on end as if electrocuted.

[Little one, quickly! Let go of her hand!]

Something terrible was about to happen!