Mianmian didn’t understand.
Going home to the Fei family was supposed to be a good thing!
Qin Yunchuan picked her up, and the two siblings drove toward the Gu residence. He didn’t say a word along the way, but it was obvious he was extremely worried about Gu Xu.
Mianmian said nothing either. She knew they’d understand everything once they arrived.
When they reached the Gu residence, the guards at the gate stopped them. Even after Qin Yunchuan invoked his status as a Qin family member, they refused entry!
Something was definitely off.
The grass in the yard swayed gently in the breeze.
Mianmian panicked, tugging at Qin Yunchuan’s hand. “Big Brother, there are bad people hurting Gu Xu! We have to save him!”
Qin Yunchuan had long suspected trouble. The fact that Gu family guards dared stop him meant they were acting on explicit instructions from the elders.
He picked up Mianmian. “Hold on tight, Mianmian.”
Mianmian clung to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. With a swift kick, Qin Yunchuan sent the Gu family servant flying. Mianmian cheered and clapped. “Big Brother is amazing!”
Smack!
The sound of a whip cracking against flesh rang out. Mianmian’s little fists clenched as she stared ahead.
Blood-streaked Gu Xu’s back, his shirt shredded.
The man wielding the whip was ruthless.
Mianmian slid out of Qin Yunchuan’s arms and, like a cannonball, charged at the man.
“Ouch!” The man staggered back a few steps, using his footwork to keep from falling.
Dizzy, Mianmian’s head nearly knocked her out as she rammed him.
“Are you okay, Mianmian?”
Qin Yunchuan hurried over. She shook her head and stepped in front of Gu Xu, glaring at the man sitting in the main seat. She pointed and said, “Old man, don’t bully Gu Xu!”
The man’s face darkened. It was the first time a little junior had shown such disrespect.
Gu Xu gave a pale smile. The little girl was protecting him. He gave Qin Yunchuan a cheeky glance, who rolled his eyes. Even now, he was still showing jealousy.
“Head of the Gu family, what did Gu Xu do to deserve such punishment?”
“Young Master Qin, this is a family matter. You and your sister are outsiders; you have no right to interfere.”
The words cut like a knife.
Mianmian’s eyes scanned the first seat to the left of the head—there sat a woman adorned with pearls and jewelry.
She turned to Gu Xu, confused, and asked, “Gu Xu, who is this flower butterfly?”
“You brat… who are you talking about?”
“Madam Gu, watch your words,” Qin Yunchuan said sharply. The woman’s eyes flickered nervously. Feeling the cold glare from her husband, she shrank back.
“She’s my stepmother,” Gu Xu said.
“Ohhh… the Gu family’s second wife,” Mianmian said, suddenly understanding. Everyone’s expression shifted. Why did the word “second wife” coming from a three-and-a-half-year-old sound so mocking?
If the situation weren’t so tense, Qin Yunchuan would have given Mianmian a thumbs-up. “My sister is amazing.”
“Gu Xu, you sent people to beat your younger brother. Do you admit your mistake?”
“I’m not wrong. I don’t admit it.”
Gu Xu held his head high, unfazed by his father’s gaze.
Mianmian listened carefully and understood.
The Gu family was framing Gu Xu for beating Gu Cheng. That was impossible! Gu Xu was not cunning or deceitful.
Clearly, Gu Cheng sent people to destroy Gu Xu’s clinic, but the old man was biased. He wouldn’t believe Gu Xu. Ah… there’ll be more bloodshed in the Gu family if we don’t get evidence.
Hey, Cactus bro, do you know where the evidence is?
Of course, little Cactus bro. It’s on the third shelf of Gu Cheng’s room.
Their whispered gossip somehow reached Mianmian. Evidence was key to proving Gu Xu’s innocence.
As the Gu family continued the punishment, Mianmian once again shielded Gu Xu.
“Gu Xu is innocent! Gu Cheng sent people to attack your clinic. Why won’t you listen to him, old man?”
She was furious.
Madam Gu immediately denied it, already disliking Mianmian. To keep face with the Qin family, she forced a sweet smile. “Mianmian, you can eat carelessly, but don’t speak recklessly. My Gu Cheng respects his father and elder brother; he wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Mianmian disliked her and turned to Gu Xu. “Gu Xu, I have evidence. It’s on the third shelf in Gu Cheng’s room.”
Shock rippled through everyone present.
Qin Yunchuan and Gu Xu exchanged looks. The others grew anxious, and the worried butler said, “Master, the young master is innocent. I’ll get the evidence.”
Madam Gu’s face went pale. That little brat… how could she know?
Had Gu Cheng not destroyed the evidence?
Madam Gu fidgeted and suddenly stood. Mianmian glared at her. “Are you trying to destroy the evidence?”
“I… I’m just stretching my leg,” she stammered.
Madam Gu hated Mianmian in her heart. Was everything today going to be ruined by this little girl?
Mianmian supported Gu Xu while Qin Yunchuan held his left arm. Gu Xu’s back ached severely. He gritted his teeth. “Little Mianmian, is what you said true?”
“Yes, really!”
“Mianmian, who told you?”
Qin Yunchuan was curious. Mianmian pointed at the plants on the table. “Cactus bro and little Cactus bro told me.”
Everyone went silent.
Mianmian was a funny and clever child. Madam Gu, initially worried, calmed down.
A wild little girl babbling about cactuses? The old man must have a big heart.
She hadn’t lowered her voice while speaking. Everyone heard.
Children were children, speaking nonsense about cactuses?
Ha! Ridiculous.
“Master, a child’s words can’t be taken seriously. Gu Xu, though the eldest son, harmed his sibling and broke family rules; he deserves punishment.”
“I agree with Uncle Gu. They’re just stalling, trying to escape.”
…
All of them in the Gu family wanted Gu Xu punished.
Mianmian’s round eyes blazed.
“You villains! Don’t hurt my Gu Xu! I’ll make you regret it!”
She had listened to the gossip from Cactus bro and little Cactus bro. These people all had secrets!
“You little brat dares to threaten me? Tell me, what do you plan to do?”
“None of your business.”
“Young Master Qin, you should find a good teacher for your sister and go home.”
Qin Yunchuan’s tone was cold. “No need for your concern.”
Mianmian couldn’t hold it in.
She pointed at one of them. “You’ve got a little green on your head.”