Qin Tongtong had fallen to the ground, crying softly. The commotion quickly drew someone running over.
“Tongtong… what happened? Who pushed you?”
The young man who arrived had golden hair, and he hurriedly helped Qin Tongtong up, his face full of concern.
Qin Tongtong shook her head, quickly glancing at Mianmian and lowering her head again, signaling “no.”
Qin Zichuan’s anger flared instantly. He glared at the little girl before him; his eyes filled with irritation and disdain.
“Qin Mianmian, you bullied Tongtong again! At such a young age, your heart is wicked! Don’t think that just because your big brother is around, I won’t teach you a lesson!” Qin Zichuan was hot-tempered and defiant.
Since their mother had disappeared after giving birth to Mianmian, Qin Zichuan had never really liked her.
Mianmian was raised entirely by Qin Yunchuan, and in the Qin household, Yunchuan was like a father to her. Naturally, Mianmian and Qin Yunchuan shared a closer bond.
“I didn’t push her.”
“If it wasn’t you, then why did Tongtong fall? Did she fall on purpose to frame you?”
Facing Qin Zichuan’s intense gaze, Mianmian still spoke up firmly, “I didn’t do it.”
“Stubborn and full of lies! Qin Mianmian, today I will teach you a lesson!”
Qin Zichuan scooped Mianmian up with one hand and carried her upstairs. She struggled, but couldn’t budge him even slightly.
[Mianmian, hang on! I’ll find someone to save you.]
After Mianmian let go, the little tabby darted away. Downstairs, Qin Tongtong smiled triumphantly—she believed she was the true little princess of the Qin family, and Mianmian was nothing.
Upstairs, Qin Zichuan tossed Mianmian onto the bedroom floor. He pointed at her, fuming. “Stay here and reflect. Don’t come out until you admit your mistakes.”
Mianmian’s eyes were red with sadness. She looked up at Qin Zichuan, feeling wronged.
Seeing her gaze, Qin Zichuan’s heart wavered slightly—but she had hurt Tongtong, and that was wrong.
Bang!
Qin Zichuan slammed the door.
Inside the bedroom, Mianmian stomped her foot, gritting her teeth. “Qin Zichuan, big dummy!”
Qin Zichuan didn’t usually come back immediately. This time, he had rushed home after receiving a call from Qin Tongtong, learning that she and Second Aunt were forbidden from entering the Qin mansion. He had dropped everything and returned immediately.
Second Aunt had treated them sincerely, and Tongtong was sensible and kind. For his eldest brother to treat them like this for Mianmian’s sake… Qin Zichuan felt indignant on their behalf.
Today, the housekeeper was absent, and Qin Yunchuan was at the company.
The little tabby, a stray, knew the city well. Unable to reach the upper floors of the Qin Group building, it waited in the underground garage for Qin Yunchuan, who should be finishing work soon.
The executive elevator opened.
Qin Yunchuan emerged with his assistant, and suddenly a tabby appeared under his feet. The assistant panicked. “President Qin, sorry, I’ll get rid of the cat immediately!”
Everyone knew President Qin disliked cats.
Qin Yunchuan raised a hand to stop him and stared at the tabby.
This stupid cat looked familiar—Mianmian’s cat should have been sent home. It shouldn’t be here.
But the tabby meowed furiously, running forward and biting Qin Yunchuan’s pant leg.
“You’re Mianmian’s cat?”
“Meow! Meow!”
Qin Yunchuan picked up the cat, his voice cold. “Go home immediately.”
Something must have happened to Mianmian.
In the car, Qin Yunchuan called the house. No one answered.
He stroked the cat’s neck, his tone harsh. “Step on it.”
At the Qin mansion…
Calculating the time, Qin Yunchuan would be back soon. Qin Tongtong said goodbye to Qin Zichuan.
Before leaving, she said, “Third Brother, don’t quarrel with Big Brother. Big Brother cares about Mianmian. As her elder sister, I should yield to her.”
See? Now that’s an obedient, sensible sister. Big Brother was already confused by Mianmian and couldn’t tell who the good child was!
Qin Zichuan patted her head, his usual temper subdued. In a low voice, he said, “Tongtong, you are Third Brother’s best little sister. Don’t worry, I won’t let you be treated unfairly.”
“Thank you, Third Brother, for still caring about me.”
Tears glimmered in Qin Tongtong’s eyes. Having lost her father young, she craved fatherly love. This was the child who truly deserved care.
Seeing Big Brother’s poor judgment, Qin Zichuan immediately transferred twenty thousand as pocket money. “This is from Third Brother. If you ever run out, come to me directly.”
“Thank you, Third Brother! You’re the best!”
Qin Tongtong jumped into Qin Zichuan’s arms. Seeing his beloved little sister so admiring him, Qin Zichuan felt much of his anger dissipate.
No sooner had he sent her off than a luxury car stopped outside the mansion.
The man who got out carried a cat. Qin Zichuan frowned. “Aren’t you the one who hates cats?”
“Mianmian’s cat.”
He extended his care to all things she loved.
Qin Zichuan sneered and stepped inside. Qin Yunchuan now understood why the little tabby had appeared in the company garage, and why no one had answered the phone at home.
“Where’s Mianmian?”
Qin Yunchuan entered the living room but saw no sign of her. The returning housekeeper hurried over.
He had just come back and didn’t know where Miss Mianmian was.
Qin Yunchuan frowned. “Go find Mianmian immediately.”
“No need. She’s in her bedroom reflecting. Once she admits her mistakes, she’ll come out. Big Brother… I know you favor Qin Mianmian, but a child must be disciplined properly. Otherwise, she won’t grow up well. I’m only doing this for her.”
Qin Zichuan spoke firmly. Qin Yunchuan set the tabby down—it dashed off immediately.
He knew Qin Zichuan still harbored resentment toward Mianmian because of their mother.
Squinting, he asked sharply, “What exactly happened?”
“Qin Mianmian bullied Tongtong and refuses to repent. I’m educating her.”
“Absurd! Mianmian is only three and a half years old. How could she bully Tongtong? Third Brother… don’t forget, Mianmian is our real sister.”
He emphasized that he understood the temperaments of Qin Tongtong and Second Aunt—they were not pushovers.
Qin Zichuan shouted in frustration, “I’d rather not have this sister! It’s because of her birth that our mother disappeared. Big Brother… you care for her, but I don’t. Tongtong is my sister, and she can enter the Qin mansion whenever she wants! Don’t forget, Second Uncle saved your life. After he passed, you should treat her and her mother well.”
Having said this, Qin Zichuan stormed off.
Qin Yunchuan pursed his lips and strode to Mianmian’s bedroom.
Given Zichuan’s temper, Mianmian must have been frightened!
He turned to the housekeeper. “Prepare some of Mianmian’s favorite dishes.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
Standing outside Mianmian’s bedroom, Qin Yunchuan knocked, but there was no response.
He sighed lightly, then opened the door.
“Mianmian… Mianmian…”
He walked in, but the bed was empty. Scanning the room, there was no sign of her.
Qin Yunchuan rushed out, calling, “Qin Zichuan, where’s Mianmian?”