Mianmian woke up from the cold.
She looked around blankly.
In front of her was a worn, drafty wooden window. The wind whistled as it slipped through the cracks, and she instinctively shrank her neck.
A rough rope was tightly bound around her wrists, digging deep into her skin. The pain made her chubby little face scrunch up.
At that moment, a flood of memories burst into her mind, and the pain made her bare her teeth.
When the pain finally subsided, Mianmian’s round eyes widened.
Like a character from a storybook, she had transmigrated.
Not far outside the door, faint voices drifted in from time to time—low, conspiratorial whispers.
Mianmian caught fragments: “money”… “child bride”…
She didn’t even dare breathe. She could clearly hear her heart pounding wildly. The people outside were traffickers.
Struggling, she tried to free her hands tied behind her back, but the bindings were too tight—she couldn’t break free at all!
In just a dozen seconds, sweat covered her forehead from panic.
What should she do?
Mianmian didn’t want to die here!
[Oh ho, another unlucky child.]
“Who’s talking?”
Mianmian cautiously scanned her surroundings. Could there be someone else hidden in this abandoned house?
Her gaze landed on an old carved wooden cabinet. Its legs were broken, the red paint chipped and faded. The left door was intact, but the upper half of the right door was missing.
Could another child be hiding inside?
Mianmian stared at it suspiciously.
The next second, something jumped out. She blinked—it was a tabby cat.
So cute!
Mianmian grinned happily at it.
[Why is this kid staring at me and smiling? What a silly little fool.]
After grumbling, the small tabby turned and started to walk away with light, graceful steps.
“Mianmian isn’t a silly kid, little kitty…”
As soon as she spoke, the tabby’s tail shot straight up. Its fur bristled as it spun around and rushed back to her.
[Kid, don’t tell me you can understand what I’m saying?]
“Yes, I can!” Mianmian lifted her round chin proudly. She came from a beast-taming family and had the ability to understand the thoughts of all living things.
The tabby realized something incredible—this human could understand its thoughts!
It circled around Mianmian, full of curiosity.
“Little kitty, can you help me untie the rope? My wrists really hurt…”
The tabby readily agreed. “Wait here, this cat will be right back.” It leapt out through the broken window.
Mianmian watched with hopeful eyes.
Two minutes later, the tabby climbed back in through the window, holding a knife in its mouth.
Mianmian’s eyes lit up with joy. “Little kitty, you’re amazing!”
Proud of the praise, the tabby carried the knife to her back and began sawing at the rope.
Just then—with a loud bang—the wooden door was kicked open.
A burly, dark-faced man strode in. He was tall and heavyset.
He stared at Mianmian, his fierce eyes sweeping the room. “You little brat, who were you talking to?”
He circled the room once more.
[I’m hiding. He didn’t notice me.]
Mianmian relaxed slightly. She looked up at the man innocently.
“I was just talking to myself.”
“…Hmph.” The man snorted coldly and sat down in front of her.
Behind him, the tabby continued cutting the rope.
The man’s stomach growled loudly. He cursed irritably, “Damn it, I’m starving. Why isn’t that skinny monkey back yet?”
Mianmian’s eyes shifted slightly, and she said in a soft, childish voice, “I have candy in my pocket.”
The man reached into her pocket and pulled out a misshapen, half-melted milk candy.
He paused. “This isn’t poisoned, is it?”
“I’m just a kid. Kids don’t poison people,” Mianmian said innocently, shaking her head.
Still cautious, the man tore off a small piece and fed it to her. After confirming nothing was wrong, he finally ate it himself.
At last, her wrists were freed.
Mianmian happily moved her hands and turned back with a bright smile.
“Thank you, kitty.”
The man noticed her freedom and suddenly stood up—but before he could say anything, he collapsed to the ground with a thud.
His limbs twitched, his breathing became rapid, his face flushed red, and his lips trembled.
“You… you…”
He raised a trembling hand to point at her, noticing red spots appearing on his skin.
An allergic reaction.
Mianmian leaned closer, cupping her chubby face with her hands, smiling sweetly. “Kitty is so smart. The bad guy really is allergic to peanuts.”
“W-what… did you… give me…?”
Her watery eyes sparkled with mischief. Tilting her head, she blinked. “Milk candy. Peanut butter milk candy.”
The man’s breathing hitched instantly.
With trembling hands, he took out his phone, but his fingers wouldn’t cooperate.
Mianmian took the phone, examining it curiously.
“H-help me… call… emergency…”
Mianmian nodded and dialed a number.
“Hello, there’s a trafficker here. I want to report him. I’m at…”
She gave the address provided by the tabby.
The man couldn’t utter a single word, glaring at her furiously.
Mianmian smiled sweetly. “No need to thank me.”
Soon after, the man lost consciousness unwillingly.
Who said children were innocent and kind? She was clearly a little devil.
Mianmian nudged him with her foot to make sure he was out, then picked up the tabby and ran outside.
Once outside, the mountain wind made her shiver.
[Mianmian, I hear footsteps. A lot of people.]
The tabby jumped down from her arms. Animals were always the most alert.
Mianmian clenched her small fists and ran downhill.
It must be the authorities!
When she reached a patch of forest, she stood on a rock and looked toward the group coming up the mountain.
But they weren’t wearing uniforms.
Her gaze fell on the man leading them.
As if sensing something, he looked up and met her eyes.
At that moment, information about him surfaced in her mind.
He was the president of the Qin Group—Qin Yunchuan. The original owner’s older brother. Known in the business world as a living Yama—ruthless and merciless.
Mianmian shivered.
So scary.
Would he notice that she wasn’t the original Mianmian?
As she watched him rush toward her, she nervously clutched her clothes.
The next second, she was pulled into a tight embrace.
Mianmian froze for a moment.
“Mianmian, are you hurt? Let Big Brother take a look.”
Qin Yunchuan anxiously examined her, while she secretly observed him.
When his gaze fell on her bleeding wrists, his eyes reddened with distress, as if he might cry at any moment.
He didn’t seem like a “living Yama” at all.
Mianmian quickly waved her hands. “Big Brother, it doesn’t hurt.”
Her wrists were bleeding—how could it not hurt?
His Mianmian was just pretending to be strong.
Qin Yunchuan picked her up. “It’s all Big Brother’s fault. I took so long to find you. You’ve suffered… I promise I’ll make those who hurt you pay.”
Anyone who dared harm his sister was seeking death.
A flash of viciousness crossed his eyes.
Mianmian keenly sensed it. When he was angry, he really was terrifying.
“I knew Big Brother would find me,” she said, raising her tiny fist.
Qin Yunchuan finally smiled in relief—but then he thought of something important.
“Mianmian… how did you get rescued?”