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

The scene was in complete chaos.

Reporters snapped photos, and the live stream chat was flooded with comments:

Well done!

[Hey, that's a bit violent.]

[Hahaha, did you guys see how distorted this guy's face is? Hahaha!]

Gao Ye was pinned to the ground by security guards, while Old Master Duan watched from afar, his brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

The more he looked at it, the angrier he became: the way Takano grabbed his cane just now still made him furious.

"Let him go."

The security guard was taken aback and turned to look at him.

The old man, leaning on his cane, walked down the steps one by one.

Takano, now free, thought the old man was willing to reason with him, and struggled to his feet, about to speak—

Snapped!

The cane struck him again, but this time, he was unable to resist.

"This blow was for the child."

Snapped!

Another blow landed on his arm.

"Now, you dare to grab my cane."

Takano screamed in pain and tried to escape, but the security guard quickly pressed him down, preventing him from moving.

"You dare hit a child? You actually dared to hit a child?" The old man grew angrier the more he thought about it, swinging his cane like a nunchaku. "Who gave you the guts? Huh?"

The live stream room was buzzing with excitement:

[Hahaha, the old man is still going strong!]

I declare this the best news of the day.

Well done!!!

[Grandpa Duan: I'm beating you, you beast!]

Takano rolled around on the ground like a yo-yo, his face covered in blood from his nose—not from the beating, but from being so scared.

Duan Yuanzhou's chest heaved violently several times, and the butler quickly came over to support him: "Master, calm down, calm down..."

The old man shook off his hand, glanced at Wen Li, and saw the little girl hiding behind Duan Hetong's legs. She looked only a little frightened and not seriously injured.

The old man didn't say anything, turned around and went into the house.

Duan Hetong squatted down and opened his arms.

Wen Li threw herself into his arms, hugged his neck, buried her face in the crook of his neck, and sobbed.

"Beep beep... My stepfather is going to take Pear away... Pear is scared..."

"No." Duan Hetong lifted her up with one hand, holding the little bundle of milk. "He wouldn't dare."

The little dumpling cried for a long time, her eyes red like a bunny's. She looked up at him and asked, "Baa... are you serious?"

"Of course it's true." Duan Hetong felt a pang of heartache at the caution in her voice. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"It's not too late, it's not too late." The little dumpling shook her head, her little hand grasping his finger. "It's good that Baba didn't lose Pear Baby."

Duan Hetong kissed the top of her head: "I won't abandon you."

He frowned as he looked at the crowd of people outside, each with their own distinct expression.

Without any verbal instructions, the Duan family's security guards began to drive people away.

Duan Hetong brought Wen Li back to the main house. The old man was in the living room, his hands behind his back, pretending to admire the patterns on the wall.

Duan Hetong's voice rang out leisurely: "I heard that you were protecting Li Bao today."

The old man's back stiffened: "Stop flattering me, I'm protecting the Duan family's reputation."

Duan Hetong raised an eyebrow: "So, she's also part of the Duan family now?"

The old man turned and glared at him. This eldest son of his was never one to win an argument.

After a long pause, the old man finally managed to say, "...You're all grown up now, I can't control you anymore. From now on, you can do whatever you want."

It sounded like angry words, but Duan Hetong knew that no one was better than a son, and that these were actually words of reassurance.

The old man turned to leave, but after a couple of steps, he stopped again, without looking back: "If anyone dares to let the child suffer again, they can get out of the Duan family."

The cane replaced the groan; with a heavy thud, he went upstairs.

Duan Hetong turned his gaze away from his father's back and looked down at the little one in his arms.

The little dumpling tilted its head back, its eyes sparkling: "Baba, does Grandpa like Pear Baby too?"

Duan Hetong pinched her little nose and smiled without answering.

It seems a lot has happened while I was away from home.

-

Wen Li sat on the sofa, swinging her little feet, and sipped the freshly warmed milk.

Although her eyes were still a little swollen, she felt much more at ease.

Duan Hetong sat to the side handling his work, his phone vibrating incessantly.

He had already rushed back early because he hadn't finished dealing with things in other places, and now that Takano had caused such a scene, things were only going to drag on.

The man remained calm and composed as he surveyed the Duan Empire, unhurried and unperturbed.

Only during the breaks between phone calls would he reach out and pat Wenli's head, as if that was the best way to soothe his emotions.

The little one hugged the bottle and nestled obediently next to the adult.

Baba is back, and Grandpa doesn't urge him to leave.

Pear Baby, is it time for you to have a home?

Suddenly, a tinkling sound came from outside.

The little one turned his head curiously and looked through the floor-to-ceiling window, where he saw several servants squatting on the lawn, busy at work.

The tracks were pieced together section by section, covering the courtyard, and there was also a small red train.

Wen Li tugged at Duan Hetong's sleeve and exclaimed in surprise, "Beep beep, the car is driving into the courtyard!"

The man paused his call, looked in the direction she was pointing, and smiled. "Do you like the gift I gave you?"

The little dumpling paused, its mouth agape in an "o" shape: "Pear Baby's?"

"Okay." Duan Hetong pinched her little cheek. "Let's go take a look."

The milk ball immediately slid off the sofa.

She ran two steps, then stopped and looked back at Duan Hetong as if to confirm.

The man nodded slightly to her: "Go ahead."

With permission granted, Wenli happily ran towards the yard with her short legs.

On the lawn, the servants were installing the last few sections of track. When they saw her coming, they all greeted her with smiles: "Miss, the little train will be ready soon, just wait a little longer."

Wen Li squatted down beside them, watching them assemble the product intently, sunlight falling on her soft hair.

She didn't realize that the servants' change of addressing her from "Miss Wenli" to "Young Miss" signified a change in her status and recognition.

A blue butterfly flew by, attracting Wenli's attention. Like a little kitten, she fluttered after it.

The servants looked up at her innocent appearance, smiled, and then lowered their heads to continue their work.

Wen Li chased after the butterflies and unknowingly ran to the side courtyard.

Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the fence.

"Pear Baby... Little Pear Baby?"

The milk ball froze.

She slowly raised her head. Not far away, Bai Ru stood outside the wrought iron fence, a rare, almost gentle smile on her face.

"I've finally found you! Auntie was so worried about you."

Seeing the baby looking over, Bai Ru opened her palm.

The blue butterfly was lying there quietly.

--wrong.

Wen Li looked closely and realized that it wasn't the little butterfly she had been chasing, but a butterfly hair clip inlaid with sapphires of varying shades.

At that moment, the tiny diamonds on the butterfly's wings refracted a soft glow, making the child suddenly realize something.

That's... Mommy's hair clip.

Wen Li stared blankly.

She remembered that her mother loved this hair clip the most and often wore it when going out.

Sometimes she'd tuck it into her little braids, laughing and saying, "Our little Pear Baby wears the same one as Mommy, okay?"

Later, Mommy was in a car accident, and the hair clip disappeared.

Wen Li asked Aunt Bai, who said that it couldn't be found.

How did I end up here again?

Do you like it?

Bai Ru gently shook her palm, and the sapphire sparkled in the sunlight.

Wen Li was also very afraid of her, and her little hands unconsciously twisted the hem of her skirt.

But she still mustered her courage: "That's Mommy's, give it back to Pear Baby...!"

Bai Ru's smile softened even more: "Of course, Auntie originally brought it for you."

She said that, but didn't hand it over.

"It's inconvenient here because of the fence," Bai Ru leaned down slightly and lowered her voice. "Auntie's car is just around the corner, and there are a lot of your mommy's old things there—don't you miss your mommy the most?"

The little one's heart skipped a beat.

Bai Ru sighed: "Your stepfather originally didn't want me to bring you along, saying that since you've joined the Duan family, you won't be coming back. But your aunt thinks these things were originally yours."

She held the hair clip out to her: "Little Pear, would you like to take a look?"

Wen Li pursed her lips tightly, looking very distressed.

Aunt Bai and my stepfather are both bad people; I shouldn't have gone with her.

But those are Mommy's butterflies; I'll give them to Mommy later.

Just then, a servant's voice came from not far away: "Young Miss, the train can run now, come and see!"

Bai Ru's expression changed slightly, fearing that she would be seen.

She put away the hair clip and turned to leave, saying, "Never mind, since Pear doesn't want it, Auntie will just take it and throw it away."

The milk ball immediately panicked: "Wait!"

Bai Ru stopped in her tracks, turned her back to her, and gave a sinister smile.

As she turned around, she still wore that feigned gentleness: "What's wrong?"

The little dumpling stared longingly at her hand: "Mommy's things..."

Bai Ru feigned reluctance: "They're all in the car. Auntie is leaving soon, if Li Bao really wants it..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but simply pointed to the end of the road.

There was a black sedan parked there.

After saying this, Bai Ru left directly.

Wen Li stood still, with the waiting servants and the moving little train behind her, and Aunt Bai walking further and further away in front of her.

The little dumpling bit its lip.

A real blue butterfly fluttered its wings and flew past her.

Just one glance, and I can get Mommy's things... at least the hair clip, and then I'll come back.

Everything will be alright.

Baba is still waiting for her.

Everything will be alright.

With that thought in mind, Wen Li quietly followed.

Her small figure passed through the deserted courtyard and quickly disappeared at the end of the path hidden by green plants.

In front.

Bai Ru didn't turn around; her high heels clicked softly on the ground.

The light, shimmering footsteps that trod through the fallen leaves behind her kept a safe distance. She took out her phone, a smile playing on her lips, and began typing in the chat box.

Just like you said. They've taken the bait.