Volume One, Chapter 16: You're Too Ugly; Tuan Tuan Doesn't Want to Play with You

After Gu Hongwen took Gu Jinghuai away, Yang Nanqiao began urging Yang Jinchuan to get back to work.

“Yang Jinchuan, now that Tuan Tuan has been found, are you really going to leave all the company matters to Chengze? You need to step up and act like a responsible father.”

Yang Chengze chimed in, “Yeah, Dad, you should return to the company. After all that’s happened, you need to be there in person to investigate who has such deep reach that it extends into our Yang family!”

The old master continued, “Second son, you should go back to the hospital; your patients are still waiting for you. Third son, it’s time to return to filming; the crew needs you. Fourth son, you still have classes, don’t you? And fifth son, if you don’t study harder, sixth brother will surpass you soon.”

With everything arranged, the old man pulled Tuan Tuan close. “From now on, the responsibility of taking care of Tuan Tuan will fall on us, your old folks. You all focus on your own work without worry.”

The father and brothers exchanged bewildered looks.

Grandpa’s mind was remarkably quick!

Was this the same frail old man who always complained of headaches and relied on medicine to survive?

Wan Yunzhi smiled warmly and nodded, “Yes, yes, I’m the best at taking care of people.”

The father and brothers were even more confused.

Yet, the pressing matter was still to thoroughly investigate Ai Zi’s situation. Yang Jinchuan straightened up, determined to resolve the issue swiftly.

Thus, the brothers were reluctantly sent out to work.

The eldest brother, the domineering CEO, followed Yang Jinchuan back to the company; the second brother, the doctor, returned to the hospital; the popular third brother had business engagements; the fourth and fifth brothers still had school.

Reluctantly, they all left.

Yang Jinchuan held his daughter, fully embodying the image of a loving father. “Tuan Tuan, Dad will come back as soon as he finishes everything. You be good and stay with Grandpa and Grandma, alright?”

“Okay! Tuan Tuan will be good,” the little one said, planting a sweet kiss on Yang Jinchuan, her adorable demeanor making it hard to let go.

The eldest brother scooped up little Tuan Tuan. “Big brother will be back soon. Do you want roast duck? I’ll bring you some when I return.”

At the mention of roast duck, Tuan Tuan’s eyes sparkled. “Thank you, big brother.”

The second brother came over, holding Tuan Tuan and giving a few words of advice. The third, fourth, and fifth brothers tried to join in, but the old master promptly shooed them away.

“If you have so much energy, why don’t you go have a child yourselves? You brothers always make me so frustrated. Especially you, Chengze, since you love kids so much, I’ll arrange a blind date for you tomorrow, get you married by next month. Work hard, and you’ll be holding a baby by this time next year!”

At the mention of marriage and blind dates, the brothers scattered like they were being chased by wild beasts.

Once they were gone, the house instantly fell silent.

Wan Yunzhi took little Tuan Tuan’s hand, speaking kindly, “Tuan Tuan, Grandma will take you to the garden to see the flowers. How does that sound?”

Since Tuan Tuan had just returned, she seized the chance to show her around the estate and let her get familiar with the environment.

“Okay,” the little one replied, curious about the dark aura hovering over the upper grounds of the estate.

Tuan Tuan followed Wan Yunzhi outside, with the old master close behind.

The two elders strolled through the garden, hand in hand with the child.

It was an early spring afternoon, the sun warm and gentle; the garden bloomed with many flowers, the sky was blue with white clouds drifting by, and a soft breeze carried the faint scent of blossoms.

Dressed in a bright yellow cotton jacket, Tuan Tuan hopped joyfully across the lawn. The bunny ears on her hat bounced with her every move, painting a picturesque scene.

From a nearby tall building, Beibei watched this scene with cheeks puffed out in frustration.

“Mom, look at that little brat! She’s acting cute again right in front of Grandpa and Grandma!”

After suffering a serious blow, Ai Xin’s health was still fragile, her complexion pale.

She pulled a shard from her pocket and slipped it into Beibei’s hand, whispering in her ear.

“Do you know what to do now?”

Beibei’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly. “I know, I know.”

She hurried downstairs and joined the lawn, clutching a fluffy doll.

“Little sister Tuan Tuan, this is a new doll my mom bought for me. I’ll give it to you.”

Tuan Tuan looked at the delicate cloth doll but didn’t reach out. “Tuan Tuan can’t take it. Good children don’t accept things from others.”

Beibei was momentarily stunned, then smiled sweetly. “How can I be ‘others’? I’m your sister! Sisters give gifts to their little sisters, so of course you can take it.”

Tuan Tuan shook her head. “Dad bought me so many toys. I have one, two…”

She lifted a finger, but soon realized she couldn’t count them all.

Looking up, she said seriously, “There are so many, Tuan Tuan can’t keep track.”

Beibei clutched the doll, jealousy welling up inside her.

The Yang family had never loved her like this.

So what if there was no blood relation? She’d lived under their roof for two years, closer than family in many ways.

Yet these people were heartless. Now that the real child had returned, they ignored her.

Hmph, this family was truly cold and cruel!

Holding the doll with a smile, Beibei extended her hand. “Tuan Tuan, come play over there with me. There’s a playground, and it’s so much fun.”

Tuan Tuan looked up and noticed the dark aura seemed to be coming from the direction of the playground. She nodded and ran straight ahead.

Beibei touched the shard in her pocket and watched as Tuan Tuan dashed forward like the wind, ignoring her. She realized this mission was going to be tough.

“Tuan Tuan, wait for me!” Beibei called as she chased after her.

But when Beibei caught up, Tuan Tuan was nowhere to be seen.

Where had she gone?

Yang Nanqiao and Wan Yunzhi, who had hurried after them, also noticed Tuan Tuan had vanished.

Wan Yunzhi was frantic, urgently asking, “Beibei, where is Tuan Tuan?”

“Grandma, I don’t know. I was chasing after her, but when I got here, she was gone. I don’t know where she went.”

“What!” Yang Nanqiao’s face turned ashen.

Their precious granddaughter, just found again, had disappeared right in their own yard?

He immediately called the security control room to check the surveillance footage, trying to trace Tuan Tuan’s whereabouts.

Security guards were dispatched to search near the playground.

At that moment, Tuan Tuan had run into the woods behind the playground. She spotted a female ghost hanging upside down from a tree.

The ghost’s tongue lolled on the ground, and upon seeing the lone little girl, it grinned eerily. “Hee hee, little Tuan Tuan, all alone? Want to play with your sister?”

The little girl’s tender face was full of resistance. “Auntie, you’re too ugly. Tuan Tuan doesn’t want to play with you.”

The ghost was stunned.

Ugly?

She had been quite beautiful when alive; how could she be ugly now?

“Auntie? Hmph, I was only eighteen when I died, in the prime of youth! And you, a three-year-old baby, dare call me ugly? See if I don’t scratch your face till you look like a monster!”

With that, the ghost lunged at little Tuan Tuan, wrapping her small body in black mist…