In the end, Mu Yunshang didn't even know what he was fighting over — and yet, somehow, he went right ahead and signed his name on that contract.
Only after Zhao Yan hugged the contract to his chest and left as though clutching a priceless treasure did Mu Yunshang finally come to his senses — had something been... not quite right?
"An Bao……"
Mu Yunshang looked over at An Bao, his face drawn into a long, mournful expression, all set to deliver a lecture — but then he caught sight of An Bao's wide, crystal-bright eyes, and simply couldn't bring himself to say a word.
"There, there, Third Uncle — no crying, no crying. An Bao will always be right here with you!"
An Bao, the one who had started it all, saw Mu Yunshang in such a state and quickly scrambled up onto the sofa to stand beside him. She then reached out her little hand and ruffled Mu Yunshang's hair, comforting him like a tiny grown-up.
A soft little hand rested on Mu Yunshang's head. Feeling both helpless and amused, yet somewhat touched, Mu Yunshang asked, "An Bao, did you deliberately go to take that promotional photo for Third Uncle's sake?"
Mu Yunshang meant every word he asked, his gaze upon An Bao growing ever softer.
Their little An Bao might be small, but she was truly a warm and thoughtful little sweetheart — they could have plucked every star from the heavens just to give to her.
Just as Mu Yunshang was weighing the feasibility of this, An Bao gave her little head a bewildered shake and said in her babyish voice, "Mm-mn, no."
???
"Uncle Zhao said that taking photos can earn An Bao money! And it would let lots of people see An Bao too. Master and the others haven't seen An Bao in so long—they must be missing her. If An Bao takes photos, Master and the senior brothers and sisters will all be able to see An Bao again."
“……”
Clang, clang, clang…
Mu Yunshang, who had only just been touched by emotion, felt his heart shatter in an instant.
So after all that, it wasn't even for him?
But rather for that so-called Master, Senior Brothers, and Senior Sisters?
Suddenly, Mu Yunshang felt an urge to sharpen his blade.
Just what sort of creatures are An Bao's master, senior martial brothers, and senior sisters?! To think they would actually compete with him for favor!
When Mu Yunyi came home from work, he had already learned that An Bao had signed a contract with HIT. His eyes went faintly cold, yet he wore a smile as he turned to Mu Yunshang: "Very good, Third Brother. It seems you've already taken it upon yourself to make decisions for the Mu family. Should I just hand the position of family head over to you?"
"No, no, no… I didn't… I…"
Mu Yunshang's pupils constricted, and he shrank back with a desperate urge to flee.
The Mu family had six sons in total, each walking his own path according to his own inclinations, so they had always lived in harmony, with none of the infighting typical of powerful clans.
But the Mu family also had its own rule: if you were dissatisfied with the head of the family who held power, you were entirely free to challenge and unseat him through sheer strength alone.
This was genuinely *earned* through sheer strength — and that's no empty boast!
In the entire Mu family, aside from Fifth's exceptional line of work, there were truly very few who could be a match for Mu Yunyi!
Mu Yunyi sneered as he hoisted Mu Yunshang up by the back of his collar. When he turned to glance at An Bao, his gaze instantly softened — the speed of the transformation was jaw-dropping: "An Bao, go watch some cartoons for a bit. Your big uncle will make you something yummy in a moment."
"Okay!" An Bao answered with a clear, bright voice, then nimbly scrambled up onto the sofa and switched on the TV.
Xiao Fengfeng, meanwhile, had settled on the coffee table, unhurriedly swiping at a tablet and scrolling through short videos.
Very harmonious…
Except for...
After Mu Yunshang had been given an hour of Mu Yunyi's exclusive "attention" in the gym, Mu Yunyi finally pulled off his boxing gloves and looked down at Mu Yunshang, who lay sprawled on the floor like a dead dog. "Come back tomorrow."
"!!!!"
Mu Yunshang crawled out, his face a mess of bruises and swelling, dragging his battered body behind him.
He felt that his eldest brother seemed a little brutal.
No, not a little bit brutal — a *billion* bits brutal!!
But the problem was, Mu Yunshang felt utterly wronged!
Obviously, it was Little Milk Bun who played her tricks to get him to sign the contract!
In the end, all this suffering fell upon him—this third maternal uncle of theirs.
An Bao finished watching the cartoon and turned around, only to find Third Uncle with a bruised nose and swollen face. Guilt instantly crept over her.
Third Uncle is so pitiful…
After a moment's thought, An Bao pattered over to Mu Yunshang anyway, and said in her babyish little voice: "Third Uncle, say 'ah' — open your mouth."
Mu Yunshang looked at An Bao with a moved expression, assuming An Bao meant to comfort him by offering candy, and instinctively opened his mouth.
But what met their eyes was An Bao pinching between his fingers a pitch-black pill……
He immediately wanted to shut his mouth, but it was already too late.
The pill was tossed into his mouth in a perfect parabolic arc.
Mu Yunshang's eyes went wide. Before he could spit it out, the pill dissolved like mist, sliding straight down his throat and into his stomach……
"An Bao! You—what did you feed me?"
Mu Yunshang covered her mouth, grief written all over her face, and looked at An Bao as she asked in a tearful, mournful voice.
"Med-medicine! Third Uncle, don't worry — after you take your med-medicine, the injuries on Third Uncle's face will all be better by tomorrow! And you'll be even tougher to beat up too!"
Whenever Second Senior Brother used to get beaten by Master, An Bao would give him this medicine to take. Originally, Second Senior Brother would be done for after just an hour of beating, but after taking the medicine, he could endure three full hours straight without even breaking a sweat. Master even praised An Bao, saying her medicine was truly excellent!
"???"
Gazing at the little dumpling's thoroughly proud expression, Mu Yunshang suddenly felt a pang of sympathy for his Second Senior Brother.
But compared to feeling sorry for Second Senior Brother, Mu Yunshang thought she might need to feel even sorrier for herself……
An Bao solemnly patted Mu Yunshang on the shoulder, her chubby little face full of earnestness: "Third Uncle, don't be afraid! An Bao is your strongest support."
With that said, the little milk-bun flashed Mu Yunshang an encouraging "you've got this" gesture, then promptly spun around and pitter-pattered off in her SpongeBob slippers.
Mu Yunshang watched the little dumpling's retreating figure, then silently picked up his phone and called Zhao Yan: "Hey, get me a gig right now — I need to join a production tonight, tonight!"
This home — I can't stay here anymore!
That very night, Mu Yunshang truly did grab his luggage and bolt.
When Mu Yunyi rose in the morning to find that Mu Yunshang had fled, he merely let out a cold laugh.
Third Brother truly grew in looks but not in brains. The monk may flee, but the temple stands — does he really think he can run forever? If he has the nerve, let him never come back for the rest of his life. But the moment he does return, Mu Yunyi can always give him a taste of what elder-brotherly love feels like.
Of course, all the hostility in Mu Yunyi's heart melted away the moment he saw the little dumpling sitting so obediently and quietly at the dining table.
"An Bao, are you hungry?"
"Mm-mm, An Bao is hungry — tummy's all flat now." An Bao gave a little nod and patted her tiny belly, saying so in her soft, babyish voice.
"Then why not eat first?" Mu Yunyi sat down beside An Bao, pointing at the breakfast on the table.
"We have to wait for Uncle before we eat."
Hearing this, the hard coldness on Mu Yunyi's face softened. He reached out and ruffled her head, saying, "From now on, if An Bao is hungry, just eat — no need to wait for Uncle. An Bao's health comes first."
"Mm, but Uncle's health matters greatly too."
An Bao tilted her head with great seriousness, gazing at Mu Yunyi. The sincerity in her eyes filled Mu Yunyi's heart with warmth, and all of a sudden he felt a powerful urge to do something for An Bao……
"An Bao, do you want to go to the amusement park?"
"Ah?"
"How about Uncle gives you an amusement park? Mm, and the Mu family shares too — Uncle will give An Bao twenty percent. What do you say?"
"Huh?"
An Bao blinked her wide eyes, clearly not quite grasping the thought in Mu Yunyi's heart at that moment — that of a doting father who wanted to give her the entire world.
After breakfast, Mu Yunyi was getting ready to leave for the office. He had just picked up his briefcase when his long legs suddenly felt strangely heavy…