As soon as Jun Jiuli entered the Zhong family's main door, she could clearly sense the original owner's aura. It seemed she wouldn't have to search around.
A little girl with cute buns and a pink puffy dress, looking adorable, rushed out and directly hugged Zhong Fu.
"Dad, why are you home so late today? Did you buy me candy from that store?"
Looking at Zhong Qingjian, who was acting cute and spoiled, and then at Jun Jiuli, who was standing behind, looking timid and wearing tattered clothes, Zhong Fu didn't know how to face Zhong Qingjian.
"Dad forgot, I'll buy it for you tomorrow."
Zhong Qingjian pouted in dissatisfaction. Her rosy lips matched her fair, tender face, making her look incredibly cute.
"Hey, Dad, who is she? She's so dirty, how can you let her into the house?"
Jun Jiuli awkwardly fiddled with her hands, looking flustered. She said timidly, "I'm not dirty, really not dirty."
Seeing Zhong Qingjian's disdainful look and Jun Jiuli's anxious behavior, Zhong Fu felt very uncomfortable. He gently pulled Zhong Qingjian, who was leaning close to him, a little further away.
"Who taught you to speak like that? You have no manners at all. Apologize quickly."
At six years old, a child is at their most mischievous. Seeing Zhong Fu's stern and serious expression, Zhong Qingjian was so scared that she burst into tears.
"Mom, Dad is mean. Dad is bullying me for an outsider."
"Be quiet! Who taught you to shirk responsibility like this? You have to apologize when you say something wrong. Do you think crying can solve problems?"
Perhaps Zhong Fu's expression was too frightening, Zhong Qingjian, choking back sobs, apologized to Jun Jiuli. Jun Jiuli pretended to be scared and hid behind Zhong Fu, not saying a word.
The living room was silent. The maids were all busy with their own tasks, not daring to eavesdrop or disturb them. At this moment, a stunning beauty descended the staircase.
"Lao Zhong, what's all the fuss about? If the child makes a mistake, teach her patiently. Don't scold her harshly, or she might not listen to you later."
Shui Wa: "Drooling jpg. How did Lao Zhong manage to marry such a beautiful and radiant woman?"
Jun Jiuli: "Because he owns a mine."
"Wuwuwu~ I'm not worthy."
The beauty's voice was as melodious as a warbler's song from a valley. With just a few words, she diffused Zhong Fu's anger. Zhong Qingjian immediately ran forward, wanting to hug Zhong Mu.
"Mom, Dad was mean to me."
Zhong Mu subtly took a step back. Although it was her own daughter, she couldn't help but feel disgusted by the snot bubbles.
"Your dad is right. You should think before you speak. Your casual words can hurt others. If you make a mistake, you should apologize."
"Hmph, I'm your daughter. Why are you both helping an outsider? I'm not talking to you anymore." With that, she stomped upstairs.
Zhong Mu was a little helpless. She walked over and knelt down, speaking gently to Jun Jiuli, guiding her and apologizing on behalf of Zhong Qingjian.
Zhong Fu handed the clothes he was carrying to Zhong Mu. "Qianjue, take this child upstairs and get her some clothes."
"Okay."
Jun Jiuli insisted on showering herself and came out wrapped in a bath towel. Her exposed arms were covered in bruises and cigarette burns. Zhong Mu felt heartbroken.
She didn't want to ask too many questions, fearing it would make Jun Jiuli feel self-conscious and sad. She pretended not to see and took even better care of Jun Jiuli.
This child was brought home by her husband, and he must have his reasons for doing things. Thinking of Zhong Qingjian waiting in the adjacent room for her to coax her, Qian Jue felt a headache coming on.
Her two children seemed to have incompatible fates. They always fought and argued whenever they were together. The older brother didn't like to give in to his sister, and the sister was spoiled and unreasonable.
The two would have small quarrels daily and big ones every three days, sometimes even getting into physical fights if not watched closely. She couldn't favor either of them, always explaining the facts and reasoning, which would inevitably offend Zhong Qingjian.
Afterward, she would have to patiently guide her and buy her gifts. Girls were delicate and difficult to raise; raising your voice wasn't allowed, a slight bump or bruise wasn't allowed, and the things they bought not meeting their expectations wasn't allowed.
She was losing hair over this daughter, and no matter how she tried, she couldn't change her arrogant, spoiled, and wilful temper. She didn't know who she learned it from, as it was nothing like them.
Every time she caused trouble at kindergarten, she had to clean up her mess. She couldn't hit her or scold her. Truly more difficult to serve than a little princess.
After dinner that night, Jun Jiuli returned to the guest room where she had washed up to rest. The couple in the master bedroom tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
"Don't worry, the results will be out tomorrow."
"If it's true, then what will happen to Qingjian? After all, we've raised her for so many years."
"If it's true, you should first think about what your own daughter will do. You've seen the injuries on her body, haven't you? According to her description, that couple knew her true identity."
"How can there be such malicious people in the world? To abuse a child so cruelly at such a young age. This is truly like gouging my heart with a knife. Wuwuwu~"
"Stop crying, we don't know the results yet."
"If it's just a misunderstanding, then we'll adopt her. This child has a connection with our family, and I think Qing Huai also likes this child very much."
"A child isn't a cat or a dog that can be adopted just like that. We still need to see the results. If she's not ours, we'll try our best to find her biological parents. She can't return to her previous home."
"You're right."
"Really, the child is so old already. She still cries like a little girl. If she keeps crying, her eyes will be swollen, and she won't look good."
Zhong Mu lightly hit Zhong Fu's chest. "What do you mean I don't look good? Are you going to find someone else?"
"That's not true. There's no one more beautiful than you in this world. Sleep peacefully, or you'll get dark circles."
...
Shui Wa: "So sweet, it's killing me with sweetness. Totally a domineering CEO and his little pampered wife."
Jun Jiuli: "Heh, you're the one who ships them."
"The two of them could write a novel. Zhong Fu and Zhong Mu met at a banquet. Boss meets 18th-tier beautiful crying actor. Zhong Fu fell in love at first sight, hero saves the beauty, and after persistent pursuit, he finally won the beauty's heart and kept her in his golden house. Hahahaha~ This pairing is addictive."
"Shui Wa, if you ever become unemployed, you can work part-time as a storyteller. I think you have the potential for this profession."
"I think so too. No, you're insulting me. How could I ever be unemployed? I'm a child with a guaranteed position."
"Heh~"
Jun Jiuli summoned the original owner's soul into her body to nourish it. She was now a child with two souls in one body.
Soon, the original owner would also be able to experience her parents' and brother's love daily and live a life like a pampered child.