Volume One, Chapter 17: She Intends to Abandon Tuantuan

Just as the ghost thought she had succeeded, Xiaomei emerged from the pendant and swiftly subdued the malevolent spirit.

The ghost was speechless.

There was an even uglier ghost here, yet the little one didn’t mind at all—how dare she call her ugly?

Xiaomei shot a disdainful glare at the overconfident ghost. “What are you staring at? Haven’t seen a beauty before?”

The ghost was silent.

If she weren’t so powerless, she would have confessed long ago! With such a hideous appearance, how dare she call herself a beauty? She should be ashamed!

Tuan Tuan, thinking of the female ghost frequently wandering around the family, asked in frustration, “Who are you? Why do you live in my house and scare people?”

The ghost pointed at the locust tree, sobbing, “I was a maid of the Yang family. After being harmed, I was buried here. My body is controlled by her; I cannot leave this place.”

A despicable woman?

Xiaomei’s first thought was Ai Xin. With her ghostly sixth sense, she was certain it was Ai Xin. Among the Yang family, only Ai Xin bore the weight of more than one death.

It seemed she needed to interrogate this ugly creature thoroughly.

Just then, the old master Yang’s voice came from outside.

“Tuan Tuan, you go ahead. I’ll handle things here.”

Xiaomei gave a brief instruction. The little one immediately ran out of the woods, fearing that her grandparents would worry.

While running, she reassured, “Grandpa, Grandma, Tuan Tuan is right here.”

Seeing her emerge, Yang Nanqiao and Wan Yunzhi hurried over to check if she was hurt.

Their granddaughter had only been with them for less than ten minutes; if anything happened, how could they explain it to their son and grandson?

“Tuan Tuan, why did you run into the woods? You really scared Grandpa.”

Holding her grandparents’ hands, the little one explained softly, “I saw so many trees here and wanted to take a look. Sorry for worrying you.”

Wan Yunzhi, afraid the scene might frighten her grandchild, gently stroked her head and said with concern, “It’s alright, Tuan Tuan. Next time, tell an adult before you go somewhere, or everyone will worry about you.”

“All right, Tuan Tuan will tell an adult next time.” The little one hugged her grandmother affectionately.

That embrace softened Wan Yunzhi’s heart completely; she held Tuan Tuan, satisfied.

Yang Nanqiao instructed the bodyguards to ensure the little one’s safety as she played freely at the playground.

Beibei stood aside, looking toward the nearby woods.

She remembered her mother doing something inside—why was the little one able to come out unharmed?

It didn’t make sense!

**

In Yang Jinchuan’s office,

Li Ge handed over the investigation report to Yang Chengze and Yang Jinchuan, then left.

The father and son browsed through the documents together but found nothing.

“Dad, only our family attended Mom’s funeral—no outsiders. If someone wanted to tamper with the ashes, it must be a relative or an insider.”

Yang Jinchuan frowned deeply. “Your second uncle and your aunt’s family also attended. I think we should start investigating those two, especially your aunt. She’s never liked your mother. Sigh…”

Though reluctant to suspect his sister, the matter was too serious; he had to look into the family.

Yang Chengze nodded in agreement.

“Dad, the investigations are arranged. You just arrived at the company; you should familiarize yourself with the business first. I’ll head home now.”

Yang Chengze got up to leave but was stopped by Yang Jinchuan grabbing his arm.

“Chengze, I trust you with our family’s legacy. This position is yours. Take it firmly. Your younger brothers won’t object.”

Without leaving a chance for protest, Yang Jinchuan walked away.

…

The little one, holding her grandparents’ hands, returned to the living room just as the servants brought out freshly steamed meat buns.

She washed her hands, picked up a bun about the size of her face, and began to eat.

Her cheeks were round and rosy, her face lit with a satisfied smile, eyes curved like crescent moons.

She ate neatly, fast but careful, almost a pleasure to watch.

Yang Nanqiao and Wan Yunzhi, seeing her enjoy the buns so much, couldn’t help but grab one each to eat.

It was like watching a food show—eating while watching, they unknowingly finished two buns.

The little one picked up another bun to eat when a sharp, caustic female voice came from outside.

“Mom, you’re finally back. Did you really bring that curse back home? Why won’t you listen to me? She only brings ruin to the Yang family!”

Beside the woman, a little girl pouted unhappily. “Grandma, I don’t like the curse. Please chase her away.”

Tuan Tuan’s hand trembled, and the pale bun fell to the floor.

Seeing the little one drop the bun, Yang Nanqiao and Wan Yunzhi were furious.

Yang Nanqiao scolded his daughter loudly, “Yang Ling, what nonsense are you spouting? If you can’t control your tongue, don’t come to the Yang family!”

The woman was the youngest daughter of the old master Yang. He had two sons and a daughter: Yang Jinchuan, a younger son named Yang Jinyu, and the youngest daughter, Yang Ling.

Yang Ling had married a man her father disapproved of.

Holding her daughter Wang Tiantian’s hand, Yang Ling sat on the sofa displeased, angrily eyeing Tuan Tuan picking up the fallen bun.

“Tuan Tuan, are you really the daughter my eldest brother found? Tsk! Picking up a bun from the floor to eat—are you stupid?”

Tuan Tuan, holding the bun, met Yang Ling’s scornful gaze without backing down, her big eyes clear and determined. “If you pick it up within five seconds, it’s still good. The farmers work so hard to grow food; we can’t waste it.”

Yang Ling sneered, “The Yang family has plenty of money—what’s one bun? A country bumpkin like you is just an embarrassment!”

“Yang Ling, shut your mouth!” Wan Yunzhi’s hands trembled with anger.

Her daughter was truly out of control.

Yang Ling wasn’t upset by the retort. She sat beside Wan Yunzhi and angrily said, “Mom, how could you bring this curse home? Have you forgotten what happened back then?”

Since Tuan Tuan was born, the Yang family had lost a hundred million yuan. Later, with Tuan Tuan’s disappearance, Ai Zi’s death, and Beibei’s arrival, their fortunes unexpectedly improved.

Rumors spread that Ai Zi and Tuan Tuan were jinxes, only bringing disaster to the Yang family.

And indeed, after Tuan Tuan left, their luck improved.

Yang Ling grew more impassioned, speaking nonstop. “Mom, while my eldest brother and nephews are away, you and Dad should get rid of this curse far away. When they come back, just pretend you know nothing—what can they do to you?”

This was the perfect chance to get rid of Tuan Tuan. Miss it, and there’d be no second opportunity!

“Dad, don’t just stand there. If necessary, I’ll take this curse away myself! I’m your daughter; if I don’t help ease your burden, who will?”

Saying this, Yang Ling strode toward Tuan Tuan, grabbed her hand, and headed for the door—ready to abandon her!