After everyone was reborn, I was strictly disciplined.

Jiang Huaijin looked at Xie Xingran, whose eyes were glued to the brocade box and could hardly look away. Finally, the corners of his lips lifted, and he broke away from his previous calm and indifferent demeanor, revealing a faint but genuine smile.

He knew Xie Xingran's personality all too well.

Xie Xingran has a fondness for sparkly objects, something Jiang Huaijin knew by heart from his previous life.

In his past life, Xie Xingran always liked to fuss around him. Sometimes she would throw a tantrum and ignore him, and sometimes she would argue with him over trivial matters until they were red in the face. Most of the time, it was just one-sided sulking and arguing.

No matter how fierce the argument got, as soon as Jiang Huaijin handed over the gemstone he had personally polished, her arrogant arrogance would instantly dissipate. Her previously tense face would immediately soften, and when she received the gemstone, her eyes would shine like starlight. After a reluctant hum, she would be completely appeased and would cling back to his side. This time, of course, would be no exception.

"Is this...is this the gift you gave me, Brother Huaijin?"

Xie Xingran's voice was filled with undisguised shock as she stared at the earring in the brocade box.

The lustrous ruby, with a few delicate, bright red tassels hanging below, gleamed with a warm yet dazzling light even in the dim light of the forest.

He leaned forward slightly, his fingertips unconsciously curling up, yet he dared not touch them easily, as if they were fragile treasures.

In his past life, he was utterly powerless against these sparkling gems, diamond rings, and necklaces, wishing he could pile all the dazzling accessories on himself, like a butterfly adorned with dewdrops.

However, his elder brother Xie Yanfeng was always strict and always said that such attire was too flamboyant and unbecoming of his status, and he never allowed him to wear it.

Unable to resist the feelings in her heart, Xie Xingran secretly went to a small shop and got her earlobe pierced without telling her older brother.

The small ear piercings were hidden among her hair, and the delicate gemstone earrings she wore were not eye-catching. Xie Yanfeng saw it a few times, but in the end, he was soft-hearted and only frowned before turning a blind eye and not interfering any further.

"Of course, this is a special gift for Ranran."

Jiang Huaijin's voice was as gentle as warm water as she asked, "Would you like me to help you put it on?"

"Yes! I want to wear it! I want to wear it now!"

Xie Xingran became excited instantly, jumped up, and almost dropped the osmanthus cake she was holding, not even noticing the fine crumbs of cake falling on her clothes.

He eagerly leaned closer, but then abruptly stopped, raising his hand to gently touch his smooth earlobe. The sparkle in his eyes dimmed instantly, and his tone softened.

"But... I don't have pierced ears yet."

In my previous life, I got my ears pierced when I was an adult, but now, in this child's body, my earlobes are still intact.

"It's alright."

Jiang Huaijin reached out and gently brushed his soft hair with her fingertips, her tone gentle, "This earring is specially made. It will automatically adhere to the skin as soon as it touches it, so you can wear it without pierced ears."

"real?"

Xie Xingran's eyes lit up instantly, his previous frustration vanished, and he quickly and obediently tilted his head, revealing his small, full earlobes. He casually tucked his hair behind his ears, and the soft flesh of his neck glowed with a faint pink.

At this moment, he put away the pastries, having completely forgotten his earlier attempt to coax Jiang Huaijin into eating the poisoned pastries. His mind was filled with the bright red earring, and even his breathing became somewhat hurried.

Seeing this, Jiang Huaijin carefully took out the earrings from the brocade box and gently placed them on Xie Xingran's earlobe.

The earrings seemed to possess a spirit; as soon as they touched the delicate skin, they adhered firmly without causing the slightest discomfort.

Xie Xingran felt a slight weight on her earlobe, but then the sensation returned to normal, and she didn't feel anything special.

"Are you wearing it properly? Why can't I feel anything?"

He couldn't help but peek out, his little hand clutching Jiang Huaijin's sleeve, his tone full of curiosity.

"You're wearing it."

Jiang Huaijin smiled and took out a small diamond-shaped mirror, holding it up to him.

The child in the mirror had delicate eyebrows and fair skin. A bright white ruby ​​earring adorned his earlobe, and a bright red tassel dangled from his shoulder, swaying gently with his movements. This made his little face appear even more radiant, with his eyebrows and eyes curving upwards. He was so dazzling that it was impossible to look away.

They were like little fairy children visiting the human world.

Xie Xingran looked at herself in the mirror, and couldn't help but raise her hand to cup her cheeks. Her fingertips gently touched the tassels of her earrings. Her eyes were full of joy, her lips were upturned, and even her eyebrows were tinged with pride.

He was very pleased with himself and secretly thought to himself: I am the most beautiful child in the world!

Jiang Huaijin stood to the side, watching his overjoyed appearance, the smile in his eyes growing deeper, his fingertips unconsciously caressing the spot where he had just touched the earlobe, full of doting affection.

Xie Xingran admired herself in the mirror for a while, repeatedly fiddling with the tassels of her earrings. After admiring herself for a while, she suddenly remembered her plan. The joy in her eyes was instantly replaced by a hint of coldness, but she quickly covered it up, leaving only her innocent face.

He raised his hand and touched the inconspicuous storage bracelet on his wrist. With a thought, the pastry reappeared in his palm, carrying a faint sweet fragrance.

He toddled up to Jiang Huaijin with his short legs, holding the pastry high, his eyes crinkling into crescent moons: "I love your gift so much, thank you, Brother Huaijin! Here, have this, I prepared it especially for you."

His voice was gentle, but his heart was as cold and hard as iron.

Even if the gift suits his taste, the accounts that need to be settled and the money that needs to be spent must not be spared.

Jiang Huaijin must die; he will not show mercy because of this little bit of tenderness.

Jiang Huaijin looked down at the pastries in his palm, then looked up at the child in front of him who was smiling so purely. Deep in his originally dark and gentle pupils, a few strands of dark red slowly spread out, like blood stained with ink, hiding an imperceptible melancholy.

He reached out and took the pastries, his fingertips touching the slightly cool tray, his voice hoarse and low: "Ranran, do you really want me to eat these pastries?"

When he said those words, Jiang Huaijin himself was unaware that a faint glimmer of hope and expectation remained in his heart.

He hoped that Xie Xingran would suddenly change his mind, and that a trace of self-reproach would flash across the child's eyes. Even just a moment's hesitation would make him feel that their time together and companionship across two lifetimes was not just about scheming and hurting each other.

"Of course!"

Xie Xingran tiptoed without hesitation, her eyes filled with genuine expectation, her tone carrying a hint of coquettish command.

"I made this myself, brother, you have to eat it all!"

He looked up at you with his small face, his eagerness almost overflowing, but in his heart he was grinning and counting down: Eat quickly, and I'll send you on your way after you're done, and that will end it all.

"Ranran..."

Jiang Huaijin's last remaining hope collapsed completely upon hearing this unwavering answer, shattering into pieces like broken glass.

He sighed softly, a sigh filled with endless weariness and disappointment. He picked up a pastry with his fingertips and, under Xie Xingran's increasingly agitated gaze, slowly raised it to his lips.

Xie Xingran's heart raced, her eyes fixed on the pastry, waiting for Jiang Huaijin to take a bite.

Just as the pastry was about to touch her lips, Jiang Huaijin suddenly stopped.

"Brother, hurry up and eat!" Xie Xingran finally couldn't hold back any longer, her tone tinged with dissatisfaction. She lightly stomped her little foot, inwardly cursing: What are you dawdling for? Swallow it now!