What could be more devastating than watching yourself let a murderer about to commit a crime into your home? Zhan Xinjia broke down in tears.

Seeing that Mu Yunlan had already been led into the Zhan residence by Xiao Zhi, the weary Zhan Xinjia could only sigh and continue to observe, waiting for an opportunity to act.

If necessary, she could simply kill Mu Yunlan first and then wait at the door for the assassins sent by Nanjun.

Anyway, there are still two more chances.

Then she'll stand at the door with her sword on her shoulder!

She wanted to see which bastard dared to come in today, with her personally guarding the area. She would kill one if one came, and kill two if two came.

"Sister, have some tea!"

In the courtyard filled with pear blossoms, Xiao Zhi lay on the table, staring longingly at the sickly-looking but beautiful older sister. "Sister, were you crying just now? Your eyes are all red, just like my brother's."

This question startled Mu Yunlan, and the young boy standing beside Mei Bao also turned his face away uncomfortably, looking somewhat awkward.

When the strange woman looked at him, the boy's face darkened and he gritted his teeth.

"Finish your drink and let's go!"

Time was of the essence, and the situation was critical. He only knew that the assassin would arrive within the next half hour, but he couldn't pinpoint the exact time, and he couldn't even rule out the possibility that the strange woman in front of him was the assassin.

But if we forcibly hide Mei Bao now, she probably won't cooperate. Besides, with outsiders around, it's not safe to hide her anywhere.

What worries him even more now is that everyone in the manor has disappeared!

He wasn't quite sure what had happened, or if everyone had already met with misfortune...

The more he thought about it, the more alarmed he became. Even though he was anxious and uneasy, the atmosphere around him was peaceful and serene.

Mu Yunlan took a sip of tea, and when she looked at the little girl in front of her, her gaze unconsciously became warm and gentle, her expression tender. She subconsciously raised her finger and reached out to stroke the few stray hairs that were sticking up on the little girl's forehead.

To her surprise, the little girl didn't dodge.

The material beneath my palm is soft and fluffy, warmed by the sun, and feels wonderfully like the downy feathers of a bird.

Staring blankly at the hand above her head, Xiao Zhi simply stood up and boldly nuzzled her head into the pretty lady's palm, haphazardly messing up her hair.

As soon as the other person looked over, she grabbed their hand and smiled foolishly, her eyes seemingly filled with a clear stream, her eyebrows curving into crescents.

"Hehe, you can touch it!"

Infected by the little girl's emotions, Mu Yunlan, who had been feeling heavy-hearted, felt a long-lost sense of relaxation, as if the breath that had been accumulating in her chest could finally be exhaled easily, and she had never felt so refreshed.

She applied less pressure.

Aren't you afraid your sister is a bad person?

"Is my sister a bad person?"

Xiao Zhi was stunned and asked a question, but before Mu Yunlan could answer, she continued speaking in a serious, muffled voice.

"Mommy said that only disobedient children get kidnapped by bad people, but I've just been playing at home obediently. I haven't broken anything, lied, or been picky about food lately... so I won't run into any bad people!"

At this point, the little girl tilted her head and smiled.

Spoiled by her family, she was naturally outgoing and didn't seem shy at all. Before the boy standing by could react, Xiao Zhi jumped down from her seat and climbed onto Mu Yunlan's lap.

For some reason, she just really liked this older sister; she felt a sense of nostalgia and familiarity with her.

It's as if no matter what you do, you'll be indulged and spoiled.

Finding a comfortable spot on her sister's lap, Xiao Zhi childishly swung her legs, still laughing like a silly little girl.

She stretched out her hands.

"I want a hug!"

Whenever someone in the family is sad, she only needs to go up and hug them, and they will pinch her cheeks and immediately become happy.

Whether it's Little Sweetie who can sew pretty little flowers, Sister Cui'er who can make delicious pastries, Uncle Li who waters the flowers, Uncle Lin who guards the gate... all the family members love her very much. In a long-term, selfless environment of love, Little Paper never hesitates to give her hugs.

No matter why you're sad, give each other a hug first!

This smooth, cute, and coquettish act left not only the young Zhan Yinshu speechless, but even Zhan Xinjia himself was speechless.

So this is what I was like when I was a child...

"Little sister!"

The young man, Zhan Yinshu, wanted to stop him, but his silly little sister had already started to cling to him like a puppy and was offering herself to him.

Mu Yunlan lowered her eyes, her smile deepening.

Faced with this clingy girl who had been with her for nine years, she could never refuse, nor could she bear to refuse. She chuckled and pulled the little girl into her arms, just as she had done for the past nine years.

Paper...

When we first found it in the snow, it was just this small, all dirty, with red, swollen eyes from crying, and a thin, pointed face. It always hid from people like a shy little rabbit.

Back then, Zhi'er was very timid, spoke softly, and often woke up from nightmares at night.

Afraid of the dark, afraid of thunder, afraid of being alone, he always timidly clutches his small pillow and tugs at her sleeve, afraid of being abandoned.

Mu Yunlan remembered that she had pampered this pitiful little girl for almost a year before she slowly grew bolder, was able to communicate normally with people, learned to act coquettishly, and also began to be spoiled and willful. When she clung to her side and babbled, she was simply too cute to be true.

When she doesn't want to practice calligraphy, she pretends that her hand is sore and exaggerates with tears in her eyes, "Master, my hand is going to break."

This idiot... She never uttered a sound when practicing martial arts, no matter how hard or tiring it was, but she starts crying as soon as she starts practicing calligraphy, pretending to be pitiful. She's clearly sure that I'll never be angry with her.

After causing trouble, she would hide behind him, only peeking out. Once he had sorted things out, the little girl, afraid of being punished, would cling to him and fawn over him, saying, "Master is the best! Master is the most amazing!"

Nine years is neither a long nor a short time.

Now, when she recalls it carefully, what always comes to mind for Mu Yunlan is the bright silhouette of the little girl rushing towards her in a hurry—

"Master, my skirt is torn again. Could you sew a little cat on it for me? (^^*)"

"Master, Master, I really want to go out and play with you~~"

"Waaaaah, Master, the fish bones are so hard! I never want to eat fish again!"

"If only Master didn't have to be sick anymore! When I grow up, I'm going to find the best medicine in the world! ψ(｀?′)ψ"

"Master! I caught a firefly! Hehe, I'll give it to you!"

...

Recalling the past, Mu Yunlan couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Arriving alone in this strange world, she endured years of loneliness and despair. A little girl fluttered around her like a butterfly, bringing liveliness, vibrancy, and all the beauty of the world.

Sometimes Mu Yunlan would wonder whether it was Zhi'er who needed her, or whether she was the one who always needed Zhi'er.

For a long time, Mu Yunlan was selfishly proud that she had raised the child to be so healthy and confident, and that it was her existence that had saved Zhi'er from suffering.

Therefore, for Zhi'er, she must be special.

But now she realizes that before that incident, Zhi'er was such a lively and adorable child...

Sadly, only the little girl who knew nothing when she was little is still willing to be close to me now. The little girl who grew up right under my nose will probably never forgive me...

My heart aches unbearably, a dull, throbbing pain.

Recalling the unpleasant memories, Mu Yunlan lowered her eyes and couldn't help but press her face against the top of the little girl's soft hair, hugging the little girl in her arms even tighter, rubbing and caressing her cheek tenderly.

It's like clinging to the only piece of driftwood in the water, clinging to the only hope in life.

She spoke very softly, almost as if she were talking to herself.

"My sister has a child just as lovely as you in a very, very far place, but sadly she's sick... In order to go home and save that child, my sister did many bad things..."

Hearing this, the little paper in my arms looked up in confusion.

"So, is my sister a bad person? Is she trying to grab the little paper for something? So that her child will get better?"

Disorganized footsteps sounded outside the door, and someone broke in. A sharp killing intent gradually filled the air.

Mu Yunlan ignored him.

As if she had made a decision, she let go of the girl's hand, smiled, and leaned down to gently kiss her forehead. When she looked up again, her usually gentle and calm eyes were filled with tears.

"No way, the paper is my child too."

She raised it for nine years, watched it grow up with her own eyes, and it's her proudest possession—

She is the cutest good child who stays at home obediently, doesn't break anything, doesn't lie, and isn't picky about food.

Her child.

The footsteps grew closer, and the killing intent intensified.

Mu Yunlan wiped away her tears, stood up, and her gaze gradually turned cold. Calmly, yet with eyes wide open, she stared intently ahead.

No one can take my child away!