Chapter Ten: The One and Only

Mu Zichen immediately interrupted the shop assistant, “We’ll look around by ourselves, thank you.” He set the little girl down and patted her gently on the head. “Jiujiu, pick whatever you like, all right?”

“Okay!” she replied, then scampered off, her little footsteps tapping eagerly as she went to choose.

With her delicate features, she wore a fresh, white dress with floral patterns, trimmed with lace at the hem and sleeves. Her fine black hair, just past her shoulders, draped softly on either side of her face. Paired with her gentle smile and curious glances at everything around her, she looked irresistibly adorable. Most captivating of all was the way the young man’s gaze followed her, as if the two of them formed a beautiful, loving tableau that no one dared disturb.

Suddenly, the girl stopped in front of a doll. The doll wore a pale blue dress, adorned with a few sparkling gems, and had a side ponytail tied with a ribbon. Its eyes were like black pearls set in clear sockets, with a dainty nose, rosy lips, and when switched on, it would giggle, revealing a row of white teeth and cheeks as red as apples—truly an angelic figure.

The shop assistant noticed the girl's interest and pointed at the doll. “This is a new design by our designer. It just arrived and is the only one—unique.”

Unique? The girl twirled her fingers thoughtfully. An angel should indeed be one of a kind, protected by her knights.

Her mind made up, she turned with the sweetest, softest expression and called to the young man, “Brother Zichen, Jiujiu wants this one.”

“Buy it.” How could he refuse when his little girl liked something? He’d buy it, of course!

Soon, the girl was cradling her beloved doll in one arm, holding her brother’s hand with the other, her eyes and smile curved like crescent moons.

Seeing her so happy, the boy couldn’t help but let a faint smile tug at his lips.

In the car’s back seat, the girl nestled into her brother’s arms, one hand resting on his shoulder, the other clutching her new doll as she admired it. Every so often, she’d hold it up to her brother, seeking his praise.

After all, with such a beautiful doll, she wanted everyone to love it as much as she did!

“Brother Zichen, isn’t she pretty?”

“She’s very pretty.”

“Jiujiu thinks so too.”

The girl kept her eyes on the doll, not realizing that if she just turned her head, she’d see the boy watching her all the while as he answered.

[So, is it the doll that’s beautiful, or the person?] the system wondered silently, but dared not ask aloud...

“Jiujiu, you’ll sleep with Brother Zichen these next few days, all right?” It was his fault that she’d gotten sick, so he wanted to take full responsibility. Besides, he wouldn’t feel at ease leaving her alone.

“Ah, that won’t do, Brother Zichen. I’m sick—I’ll give it to you,” she refused solemnly, her round little face practically spelling out “no” in bold.

His little girl truly made one’s heart ache—always thinking of others first.

He reached out to rub her soft cheek. “You won’t. Brother Zichen is strong and won’t catch it, and I’d worry about you alone.” Fearing she might try to refuse again, he added, “Or does my good girl not want to sleep with Brother Zichen?”

Hearing that, she grew anxious, “N-no, I do want to, it’s just…”

“Then say yes,” he interrupted gently, his jaw set, his smile mild but firm.

The girl knew this was his warning—if she said no again, Brother Zichen would really be upset. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” Only then did the boy seem satisfied. Then, remembering she’d just had an injection and a trip to the mall, he asked softly, “Are you uncomfortable anywhere? Do you want to take a nap?”

“Mmm, a little sleepy,” she replied, rubbing her eyes and stifling a tiny yawn as her eyelids drooped.

He gently patted her back. “Sleep, I’ll wake you when we get home.”

In truth, she hadn’t quite heard what he said—she just felt the comforting rhythm of his hand on her back, and soon drifted off.

The boy’s gaze was gentle as she curled up in his arms, impossibly soft and small. His arms tightened unconsciously around her.

When they arrived home, Mu Qin was already there, instructing the kitchen to prepare lighter meals for the next few days.

“Jiujiu, come here and let Auntie see if you’re feeling better?” As soon as she saw her son carrying Jiujiu through the door, Mu’s mother called out with a smile.

No sooner had Mu Zichen set her down than the girl ran straight to Mu Qin.

“Auntie!”

Her childish voice was so sweet and coy, even she couldn’t quite stand it herself…

Mu Qin, on the other hand, found her utterly adorable. Smiling, she drew the girl into her arms and touched her forehead.

“Much better, your fever’s gone,” she said.

The girl buried her head in Mu Qin’s chest, mumbling a soft “mm” with little energy.

“Good girl. Eat a little, then go rest, all right?” Mu Qin guessed she must be exhausted after today—children’s bodies were so fragile.

“Okay.”

Just then, the butler announced that dinner was ready, and Mu Qin told him to serve the dishes.

Carrying the girl to the table, Mu Qin pulled out a chair, meaning to feed her, but the girl wriggled to get down. “What’s wrong, Jiujiu?”

“Jiujiu can eat by herself, Auntie should eat too,” the girl explained softly.

Realizing she was being cared for by this little darling, Mu Qin’s heart melted. Such a lovely, sensible child—she always wanted to give her the best of everything. Why couldn’t she have been born into their family? But at least this little sweetheart could still become part of their home one day.

She glanced at her son meaningfully.

“Jiujiu is just too considerate,” Mu Qin said, hugging the girl and nuzzling her like she was a piece of matcha cake—soft and sweet.

“But you’re sick and don’t have the strength to feed yourself. Auntie will feed you.” Without giving her a chance to protest, she sat the girl on her lap, scooped up some porridge, blew on it gently, and fed her.

The girl obediently opened her mouth and drank it down. Having someone feed her like this felt wonderful.

Ah, the privilege of being a sick child! It would be a shame not to enjoy it.

Watching his mother, Mu Zichen’s eyes flashed with a hint of discontent—he wanted to feed the little girl too. But since he never had, he held his tongue and sat down beside them, right next to his sister.

After dinner, Mu Qin left for the hospital to accompany her husband, instructing Mu Zichen countless times to take good care of Jiujiu and to call her immediately if anything happened.

Mu Zichen answered patiently. When it came to this little girl, he always had an extra measure of patience.

After Mu Qin left, the girl began to feel sleepy. Mu Zichen carried her to the washroom in his room, set her on her little washstand, and picked up her special toothpaste, squeezing out a pea-sized amount before handing it to her.

Watching how meticulous he was with her, the girl felt a deep satisfaction, though she couldn’t help but wonder if she was merely enjoying the shade of a tree planted by someone else.

The thought that Brother Zichen would one day be this attentive to Lin Yuexin made her feel a bit stifled inside.