Mommy, don't be afraid, I'll bring you blind boxes and scam you out of a wealthy family to

01

Today is Wen Li's fifth birthday.

But in this family, no one remembers her birthday.

Early in the morning, Bai Ru woke her up from bed:

"You brat, wake up! Your little brother's awake, can't you hear me? Get up right now and make him his formula!"

Wen Li rubbed her eyes and climbed off the small bed.

It wasn't even a small bed; it was actually a dilapidated sofa with one leg broken.

Wen Li doesn't even have her own pajamas. She wears a piece of her mother's old clothes that have been washed until they're faded and frayed. But no one will buy her a new one. She also wants to use this method to get closer to her mother.

Milk Dumpling's hair was a mess, and she rushed into the kitchen without even putting on her shoes.

My younger brother's cries came through, so shrill they gave me a headache.

Reeking of lingering alcohol, Gao Ye roared, "Wen Li, are you deaf?!"

Wenli quickly picked up the baby bottle.

Although she is only five years old, an age when many families are still using bottles, she has already learned how to make formula.

Pour in water, test the temperature, and shake well.

The movement was too fast, and the temperature was incorrect;

If you're too slow, your stepfather and Aunt Bai will scold you.

She put a few drops on the back of her hand, and when she felt it was ready, she carefully handed it over: "Auntie..."

Bai Ru took it, her eyebrows furrowing: "Why is it so hot? Did you do it on purpose?"

Wen Li was startled: "I...I didn't..."

"How dare you talk back!"

"sorry……"

"You can't even take care of your younger brother properly, what's the point of raising you?!"

The milk dumpling said nothing and kept its head down.

She had heard these words countless times.

Although her stepfather and Aunt Bai treated her very badly, the little dumpling wondered in confusion, "If it weren't for them, who else would want me?"

"Alright, alright, it's so early in the morning, don't disturb the neighbors." Gao Ye shoved the baby bottle into Wen Li's hand. "Feed her, and then wash the dishes and clothes. And the floor, it's filthy, clean it up right now."

Wen Li nodded obediently.

She sat on the sofa with her younger brother in her arms. After the child had drunk his fill, he quickly fell asleep.

Wen Li dared not move, afraid that if she moved, her younger brother would wake up.

Soon, my arms and legs were stiff, and I was very hungry.

She hasn't eaten anything since last night.

Her younger brother had finally fallen asleep, and she carefully placed him in his crib. Just as she was wondering if there were any leftovers, Bai Ru came over again: "Go and buy these."

Wen Li received a small note.

Formula, diapers, and baby cookies that my little brother likes.

Wen Li carefully put away the small note: "Money..."

Bai Ru impatiently pulled out a few coins from her wallet: "Don't lose them. Come back quickly after you're done shopping. I'm going out for a beauty treatment later. You need to watch your brother."

Wen Li packed the money away, saying, "Okay..."

The sun was blazing outside, and the milk dumplings were moving so slowly they were practically melting in the heat.

She wanted to find a shady spot to rest, and then she saw all sorts of pretty little cakes displayed in a shop window by the roadside.

Even the candles are so beautiful.

Wen Li stared at it for a long time.

Is today...my birthday?

She was a little unsure. After all, no one had celebrated her birthday since she turned two.

Milk Dumpling felt her pockets; the money Aunt Bai had given her was enough to buy a small cake.

But she dared not spend the money recklessly, for she was sure she would get beaten up.

Reluctantly, she looked away from the shop window.

Just then, a black car slowly pulled up to the side of the road.

The driver got out of the car, jogged around to the back seat, and opened the car door.

The man came out.

He was tall and had a cold, stern look, like an emperor.

Little Wenli knew that such wealthy people not only had nothing to do with her, but generally speaking, they also didn't want to see her as poor and pathetic.

She was carrying her shopping bags, preparing to walk around them.

"...Wait a minute," the man called out to her.

The little dumpling turned around and looked up at him.

For some reason, I suddenly felt that this person looked familiar.

But how could I have ever met such a rich uncle?

After their stepfather gambled away all their family fortune, their family fell into poverty.

Duan Hetong's gaze fell on her.

The girl was very thin and her complexion was not good. She had many scars on her arms, some of which had not yet scabbed over.

She was such a tiny little person, yet she was carrying so many things.

Duan Hetong frowned: "Where are your family members?"

The little dumpling answered with difficulty, "My stepfather wants to drink alcohol, Aunt Bai is making fragrant food, and my little brother is sleeping."

"...They just let you come out to buy things alone?"

Wen Li nodded.

Seeing the man's expression, she carefully added, "I didn't buy the wrong thing, I didn't break it, and I wouldn't steal any money..."

Duan Hetong felt as if something was blocking his throat.

What kind of abuse did this child suffer at home that made him so wary of even a stranger?

Moreover, he felt she looked very familiar.

It seems like a long time ago, at some point he can no longer recall, he once held such a tiny, soft child in his arms.

The little child nestled in his arms, timidly clutching his clothes.

He held her in his arms, shielding her from the storms of the world.

When was that?

Duan Hetong was in a daze when he met the baby's eyes again, and his chest felt extremely tight.

Just then, a staff member from the cake shop came out: "Mr. Tong, the birthday cake you ordered for the young lady is ready..."

Another shop assistant carried a transparent box, beautifully packaged, with several layers of cake visible inside, and a tiny figure wearing a dress and a crown on top.

"Sorry." Duan Hetong patted the baby's hair.

He didn't know why he said that.

But when I looked at her, I felt a strange sense of guilt.

In the end, Duan Hetong still left.

Wen Li stood there for a long time, clutching her shopping bags.

She was very sad.

She didn't know why she was sad.

It was only our first meeting, yet it felt like we had lost each other forever.

She stared in the direction the car had gone, tears welling up in her eyes.

"Beep beep..."

She murmured.

02

"Bang bang—!"

Wen Li suddenly opened her eyes.

She sat up abruptly, her small chest heaving violently.

The sky outside the window was bright with sunlight, and the pink gauze curtains swayed gently.

The room was quiet; there was no cursing from Gao Ye, no sharp words from Bai Ru, and no crying from her younger brother.

Wen Li sat there in a daze.

She looked down at her small hands and then touched the soft blanket beneath her.

It wasn't that broken sofa, it was my own bed.

The snow dragon that my uncle gave me is on the left, and the new rabbit that my brother Huihui gave me is on the right.

There's a baby bottle and my favorite picture book by the bedside.

She was somewhat dazed, unsure which was the dream and which was reality.

"Baby, are you awake?"

A familiar voice came to my ears.

Wen Li looked up, and Duan Hetong pushed open the door and walked in, reaching out to touch her sweaty forehead.

Xiao Wenli's eyes immediately turned red.

She threw back the covers and hugged his neck tightly.

Duan Hetong was taken aback for a moment, but quickly pulled her into his arms.

The child didn't say anything, but held on tightly with both hands, as if afraid that if he loosened his grip even slightly, the person in front of him would disappear.

Duan Hetong noticed her unease and gently patted her back: "Did you have a nightmare?"

Wen Li buried her face in his shoulder and shook her head.

After a long silence, he finally spoke in a muffled voice: "Bang bang."

"Um."

"You can't live without Pear Baby from now on."

Duan Hetong paused.

What did the little one dream about?

But he firmly replied, "No."

Wen Li was still uneasy: "Never?"

"forever."

She gradually calmed down.

Therefore, the world with a stepfather and Aunt Bai is just a dream.

Nightmare.

She secretly touched Duan Hetong's clothes.

Where there's a baba, it's real.

Duan Hetong released the little dumpling and pinched her cheek: "Some of you probably still don't remember what day it is today?"

Wen Li looked up at him blankly: "What?"

Duan Hetong smiled and said, "It's your birthday today, didn't you forget?"

Wen Li was stunned.

Eh...

Birthday!

No wonder I dreamt about that, because today really is her birthday!

Wen Li rubbed her sore little nose: "Baba, remember Li Bao's birthday."

"Of course." Duan Hetong was a little surprised. "How could I forget your big day?"

Wen Li didn't say anything, but went forward and hugged him again.

"Li Bao, can we celebrate your birthday?"

"Can."

"Can we have cake?"

"Can."

"Can I receive gifts?"

"Can."

The little dumpling then asked, "How old is Pear Baby?"

Duan Hetong chuckled: "You've forgotten all that? Looks like you're really still half asleep—you're five years old, baby."

Wow……

Wen Li found it amazing.

It's exactly like a dream!

And completely the opposite.

Thankfully, she is Baba's little pear.

She smiled and said, "Baba, I want a hug for my birthday!"

Duan Hetong smiled and hugged her: "Okay, I'll do whatever the birthday girl says today."

03

When Wen Li changed her clothes and came downstairs, the entire Duan family mansion had changed its appearance.

Balloons and ribbons hung by the French windows, a variety of desserts were laid out on the long table, and a small white tent was set up in the garden.

A huge five-tiered birthday cake sits in the center of the living room, with each tier of cream decorated in a different design.

At the very top stands a tiny figure holding a chocolate sign that reads "Today I am five years old".

Wen Li was put down by Duan Hetong and stared in disbelief: "This...is this Li Bao's?"

"Of course." Duan Yuanzhou came over, leaning on his cane. "The birthday boy/girl is here."

"Grandpa!" Wen Li ran over.

The butler brought over a long box: "Young Miss, this is a birthday present from the Master."

It consists of two sets of fairy tale picture books.

One set is a rare, limited edition.

One set is a new product that has not yet been published.

Wen Li's eyes sparkled: "So many books!"

"Take your time." Duan Yuanzhou patted her head. "Little girl, you can learn whatever you want and do whatever you want in the future. Grow up happily."

"Thank you, Grandpa!"

"How could I be left out of Lili's gift?"

A familiar voice came from the doorway.

Wen Li turned around, saw who it was, and was stunned for a moment.

"What, don't you recognize me?" Qin Zhiyuan smiled and opened her arms.

The little one finally realized what was happening, ran over, and threw himself into her arms: "Grandma, why are you back?"

"Of course I came back to celebrate Lili's birthday." Qin Zhiyuan smiled and hugged her tightly. "Did you miss Grandma?"

"think!"

Zheng Xinmei also came out, smiling as she said, "I'm here too."

Wen Li's eyes widened in surprise: "Grandma Zheng!"

"Happy birthday, Li Bao!" Zheng Xinmei said with a smile. "We two old ladies came all the way back to celebrate your birthday."

Qin Zhiyuan gave her a pearl necklace, while Zheng Xinmei gave her a diamond bracelet.

Wen Li carefully touched it: "It's so pretty."

"From now on, I want to be happy every day, eat whatever I want, and go wherever I want."

"See, Grandma knows how to coax her." Duan Shimi walked over from behind.

Wen Li's eyes crinkled into a smile: "Coo coo!"

"Little princess, you look so beautiful today." Duan Shimi squatted down and carefully examined her dress.

That was made by a great designer himself, with layers of skirts, edges adorned with pearls and diamonds, and a delicate little butterfly perched on the shoulder.

Duan Shimi put the gifts from Qin Zhiyuan and Zheng Xinmei on Wen Li's head, then nodded: "Perfect!"

Xiao Wenli twirled around, her skirt spreading out like a flower.

"So beautiful!" everyone exclaimed.

"Hey, hey, there's one for me too." This time it was Duan Xianchen's turn.

Fu Jing smiled and handed over a gift box: "Your uncle has a hard time making choices; he spent half a month picking out a gift."

Duan Xianchen: "Nonsense, I clearly only chose for three days."

Fu Jing: "Yeah, I spent the first three days choosing categories, and the next two weeks agonizing over styles."

"Are you trying to sabotage me?"

Wen Li giggled.

Duan Xianchen gave her a small children's camera, along with a full set of auxiliary equipment.

"Whatever kind of world our little princess wants to record in the future, your uncle will accompany you!"

Fu Jing pointed outside: "That's mine."

A rather impressive block castle.

"Then let's hope that Pear Blossom can come and see this little world first."

"Thank you, Uncle! Thank you, Uncle Fu!"

Next, it's the Wen family's turn.

Wen Changhai took out a jade pendant, and even a layman could tell that it was priceless.

"Grandpa doesn't have any other wishes, he just hopes that Pear will be safe and sound."

Lu Xinting prepared a beautiful set of art supplies: "I hope our baby will find his/her passion soon, something he/she wants to pursue for the rest of his/her life."

"Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!"

Wen Li held one in each hand, her eyes crinkling with laughter.

Wen Lingsheng's gift was also parked outside; it was a children's supercar.

Wen Su Ning gave him a voucher for all the new Lego products for the year.

Wen Wuqi asked mysteriously, "Baby, guess what your uncle gave you?"

Wen Li shook her head: "I can't guess."

"Then take it apart yourself."

He clapped his hands, and two servants pushed in a large box that was as tall as a person.

He picked up Wenli and took off the ribbon.

—A giant plush bear!

The little bundle of joy couldn't take it all in: "Wow..."

Wen Wuqi said smugly, "You like it, don't you?"

"like!"

"What about your uncle?"

Wen Li replied without hesitation, "I like it too!"

Wen Wuqi looked at her two older brothers smugly: "I knew she would like my gift the most."

Wen Lingsheng and Wen Suning shook their heads.

Next up is Shen Yinman.

She gave her a music box she bought from abroad: "Godmother hopes that wherever our Pear Baby goes, she will be loved by many, many people."

Next came Xie Lin and Pei Ji. One gave her an unlimited trial card for Disney Princess, and the other added her image to every animated film featuring the princess, with specially customized equipment for looping playback.

When it was the turn of the kids, the atmosphere suddenly became lively.

Qiu Xin gave him a small doll she had made herself. Although it was a bit rough, it was full of the little girl's love for her friend.

Wen Li immediately hugged the doll to her arms: "Qiu Qiu, you're so great!"

Wu Shuo gave him a deluxe photo album, plus a digital version that could be projected onto a screen, containing many photos they had taken together over the years.

"We can add more every year for your birthday," he said.

Wen Li flipped through the photos; there were behind-the-scenes clips from the children's variety show, photos of them playing at the Duan and Wu residences, and mementos of them going out together.

"Thank you, Brother Shuo Shuo, I love it!"

Ji Hui wasn't used to having so many people around, but for Wen Li's sake, he persisted until now: "Li, happy birthday."

He gave me a pretty little backpack.

But there are other secrets inside, which Wen Li needs to discover slowly.

Wu Qiming, Ji Zhenglin, Teacher Zhang from the kindergarten, and Uncle Leon also gave gifts.

Even the servants of the Duan family received a share.

All the gifts had been received. The little dumpling stood in the center of the living room, surrounded by boxes of all sizes in her arms, at her feet, and in front of her.

Grandparents, maternal grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents, friends, and teachers.

Good heavens, there are so many people!

Wen Li wanted to hug them, but for a moment she didn't know who to hug first.

but……

And where is the person she most wanted to hug?

Duan Hetong took her hand: "Let's go."

The little bundle of joy blinked: "Where to?"

"Go find Mommy."

In the courtyard, under the pavilion, Wen Shulian, wearing a light-colored long dress, was smiling as she looked over.

"Mommy!" Wen Li immediately ran over.

"You've grown another year older, my darling." Wen Shulian squatted down and opened a box.

It was a pear made of crystal, but it was more than just a pear.

There was a small stone and a card with foreign writing on it.

"What is this?" Wen Li held it in her hands, looking at it curiously in the sunlight.

"This is a meteorite, a fragment of a star," Wen Shulian pointed to the small stone.

"Stars?" Wen Li's eyes widened. "Stars fell from the sky?"

"Yes, the stars also want to celebrate Pear's birthday," Wen Shulian said with a smile. "This is a star that Pear's parents have adopted on her behalf."

Wen Li's mouth gaped open; she didn't understand what it meant.

Duan Hetong patted the top of her head: "You'll understand when you're a little older. But after tonight, when we count the stars, we'll say: 'The brightest one is Li Bao's star.'"

As Wen Li watched, her nose suddenly stung with tears.

She remembered that dream.

On my fifth birthday, in my dream, there were no blessings, no gifts, and no one remembered me.

But in reality, she is loved by so many people.

The little one opened his arms and hugged Wen Shulian tightly: "Mommy, thank you..."

"No need to thank me." Wen Shulian gently patted her head.

Thank you for coming back to Pear's side.

Duan Hetong looked at the mother and daughter, and his heart softened.

His baby, and his baby.

How lucky I am to have them in my life.

04

Qin Zhiyuan clapped her hands: "Alright, let's take a family photo."

As soon as she finished speaking, the people who were standing there immediately surrounded Wen Li.

Duan Yuanzhou was the first to greet her: "Little girl, come stand here with me."

Zheng Xinmei refused to give in: "I came all the way back from abroad. I finally get to see the birthday boy today, so you have to let me stand next to you."

Duan Shimi squeezed in and casually straightened Wen Li's skirt: "A designer and stylist should have a place, right?"

Duan Xianchen said, "Second sister, don't try to take everything from me."

Wen Changhai and Lu Xinting joined in: "Give us a break too."

The uncles strongly supported the arrangement: "It should be based on seniority!"

Shen Yinman couldn't lose either: "Li Bao likes her godmother, right?"

Xie Lin and Pei Ji stood at the back, looking at the crowd that was almost overflowing, and silently took two steps forward.

Although Wu Shuo and Ji Hui didn't say it aloud, their secret rivalry was already about to ignite.

Qiu Xin ran over immediately: "Wenwen, I want to stand next to you!"

Teacher Zhang stood at the back, watching the group of people scrambling to get to the front, and couldn't help but laugh.

In the end, Duan Hetong reached out and picked up the little dumpling who was almost knocked over by the crowd: "Alright, stop fighting over it."

The crowd quieted down.

A few seconds later, Duan Xianchen pouted and said, "Big brother, you're just cheating because you're a father!"

Duan Hetong: "..."

Everyone laughed again.

Wen Li smiled, pursing her lips, and asked a little shyly, "Hey, why is everyone standing next to Li Bao?"

Lu Xinting laughed: "Because everyone likes Li Bao."

Wen Li thought for a moment, then asked, "How much do you like it?"

Everyone answered in unison:

"I like it very much."

I absolutely love it!

"Li Bao is the cutest little princess!"

"I want to be Wenwen's best friend forever~"

"My favorite in the whole world."

The little dumpling smiled especially sweetly.

After twenty minutes of chaos, the photographer finally managed to get everyone sorted out.

Just as he was about to press the shutter, Wen Li suddenly raised her little hand: "Uncle, wait a minute!"

Then, holding Wen Shulian's hand with one hand and Duan Hetong's hand with the other, she said, "Mommy and Daddy, get closer."

Duan Hetong and Wen Shulian exchanged a glance and smiled, "Okay, we'll listen to Li Bao."

The photographer shouted, "Look at the camera—"

Click.

Happiness is captured in this moment.

However, Xie Lin said, "One more picture, mine was blocked just now."

"I was blocked too." Wen Wuqi immediately followed.

"I think I've closed my eyes," Shen Yinman said.

Fu Jing shook his head: "Look at these people in the entertainment industry, their standards are really high."

The photographer, both amused and exasperated, could only raise his camera again: "It's okay, we'll take a few more pictures."

The wind blows through the courtyard, carrying the sweetness of cake and the fragrance of flowers, making the balloons sway and filling the yard with warm light.

The camera shutter clicked again, capturing the gentle breeze, sunshine, and colorful balloons floating in the air in the family photo.

The little bundle sat in Baba's arms, holding Mommy's little hand.

The once cold and long nightmare has long been blown away by the wind.

She will never be bossed around by her stepfather and Aunt Bai again, and she will never shed tears for her mother who is unable to wake up.

Now, she has many, many family members and friends.

Each of them was willing to offer her their most precious and beautiful things.

The future is bright.

Wenli will carry this overflowing love towards a happy tomorrow.

—End of full text —