"How could I not be angry? Your father — my dear elder brother — has gone and shut all my wealth out at the gate!"
Mu Yunshang felt like crying without tears at the mere thought of the HIT endorsement deal.
Bear in mind — even though he had already claimed the double-crown title of Best Actor, his fame was still confined to the domestic market!
This year, he was planning to make a run at some international awards, and that HIT was a world-renowned powerhouse brand — the heritage it carried was simply beyond what just any label could match.
If he could land the endorsement deal for this HIT, he would be able to make his way onto the international stage and enter the sights of major directors abroad!
But!!!
But such an opportunity had simply been handed away by his elder brother without a second thought!
How could this not leave Mu Yunshang seething with frustration?
An Bao looked at Mu Yunshang's fuming expression, blinked, then stood up on the sofa. Mimicking the way grown-ups do it, she patted Mu Yunshang on the head and said soothingly: "Third Uncle, don't be angry. Your fortune isn't going anywhere! That endorsement deal of yours will come back to you, you'll see! A noble benefactor is going to appear by your side to help you."
Mu Yunshang turned to look at An Bao's earnest little face, watching her try to comfort him — he felt a wave of warmth, and found himself utterly charmed by her at the same time.
In a trance, Mu Yunshang seemed to catch a glimpse of their childhood — Mu Yunyao, acting just like a little adult, rubbing his head to comfort him in exactly the same way.
Mu Yunshang's anger dissolved in an instant, and his heart softened all the more. With a fond sigh, he gathered An Bao into his arms and said gently, "Very well, then I shall thank An Bao for those auspicious words."
An Bao was held in Mu Yunshang's arms in a daze. She had the feeling that Third Uncle hadn't believed a word she'd said — but she really had been telling the truth...
Mu Yunshang asked Butler Li to watch over An Bao while he went to notify the rest of his brothers.
After all, what had happened to Mu Yunyi ultimately concerned the entire Mu family.
An Bao was escorted back to a guest room by Butler Li. Butler Li couldn't quite figure out what An Bao's status actually was, but since the Third Young Master had given the order, he would simply treat her as a guest for the time being.
Furthermore…
The little pudding was as delicate and lovely as a figure carved from rosy jade, looking just like a doll stepped straight out of a New Year painting — utterly endearing, and Butler Li was naturally quite fond of the child.
"Miss An Bao, please rest in your room for now. If there is anything you would like to eat, just let me know and I will have it arranged. Should you grow weary of staying in, you are welcome to wander around the villa — though of course, as the First Young Master is ill at the moment, it would be best if you kept your distance from his quarters."
"Got it! Thank you, Grandpa — you're such a kind person! Kind people are rewarded with good fortune, you know!"
An Bao tilted her little head up and thanked Butler Li in a soft, babyish voice, and Butler Li's heart was practically melting at An Bao's utterly soft and adorable appearance.
Thinking of his own mischievous little grandson at home, Butler Li couldn't help but feel that a granddaughter like An Bao—soft, sweet, and utterly adorable—was far more endearing.
Butler Li chuckled and ruffled An Bao's little head, offered a few words of praise, and was just about to leave when An Bao grabbed hold of his hand.
"Miss An Bao, is there anything else?"
Butler Li turned to look at An Bao, asking with curiosity.
At that moment, An Bao gave a very solemn nod of her little head, then looked up at Butler Li's face.
Butler Li was well along in years, with a face that radiated kindness and benevolence. His philtrum was straight and centered — the features of a man of virtue and fine character — and indeed he was a person of unwavering loyalty and dependability.
People of this type mostly bear the signs of a blessed old age, with children and grandchildren to fill the house, but…
"Grandpa, would you like to give your grandson a call and ask him not to go out today?"
"Ah?"
Butler Li froze for a moment, looking at An Bao with some surprise, a hint of astonishment flickering in his eyes.
He had never told An Bao that he had a grandson! How on earth did this little girl know?
Seeming to notice Butler Li's confusion, An Bao wanted to explain.
But then she remembered what Mu Yunshang had said — trust in science, never spread feudal superstition, or else you'd be dragged off to get your flesh cut. She pressed her lips together, her face a knot of conflict, twisting her index finger round and round. In her soft, babyish voice she said: "Grandpa, An Bao doesn't tell lies. Grandpa, please tell the young brother not to go out, okay? Just don't leave the house today — otherwise… otherwise…"
"Or what would happen?"
"Otherwise, big brother won't be able to come back, and grandpa will never see big brother again."
An Bao spoke with great earnestness, her large eyes fixed on Butler Li, brimming with sincerity.
Butler Li's heart gave a start. He had not been inclined to believe such things, yet An Bao's gaze was so utterly earnest that it left him with a faint, unsettled unease.
"Grandpa, won't you make the call right now?"
An Bao clutched Butler Li's hand, wheedling and pleading in that soft, coquettish way of hers, and Butler Li's heart, for reasons he couldn't quite explain, simply melted.
Though Butler Li didn't quite believe what An Bao had said, he was won over by An Bao's coquettish pleading and called his daughter-in-law anyway.
Upon learning that the little grandson had made plans with his classmates to go to the beach today, a flicker of surprise crossed their eyes. They instinctively glanced at An Bao, then ultimately said a few words to their daughter-in-law all the same.
Fortunately, Butler Li's daughter-in-law was also a sensible and dutiful woman. She knew that her father-in-law had never been the unreasonable sort, and since he had said as much, there must be good reason behind it—and it was surely for the child's own good. So she agreed without a second word.
After Butler Li hung up the phone, An Bao watched the dark shadow on his forehead dissipate and knew his ordeal had passed. Only then did she break into a smile, gave Butler Li a thumbs-up, and said, "Grandpa, you were amazing!"
Praised like that by An Bao, Butler Li felt an inexplicable surge of pride well up inside him, and he couldn't help but beam with delight.
Even the Mu family's guest rooms were appointed with exquisite furnishings and fine objects. An Bao had never slept in such a soft, grand bed before; clutching Xiao Fengfeng, she bounced and rolled across it with glee.
A silver-bell laugh, soft and adorable, mingled with Xiao Fengfeng's indignant shrieks, until the entire big bed was strewn with colorful bird feathers. Only then did An Bao hold the dazed Xiao Fengfeng with a look of complete satisfaction and say, "Xiao Fengfeng, this bed is so soft! The quilt smells so nice! Having an uncle is the best..."
"……" That is no reason for you to make it lose its fur!!!
Early the next morning, Mu Yunshang emerged from Mu Yunyi's room looking somewhat weary. A full day and night had passed, yet Mu Yunyi showed no signs of waking. It seemed there was nothing to do but wait for Academician Chen Bingsheng to arrive.
"Butler Li, where is little An Bao? Hasn't he gotten up yet?"
Mu Yunshang didn't see An Bao in the hall and couldn't help asking Butler Li about her. Butler Li smiled and said, "Young Miss An Bao is still little — sleeping in is perfectly normal for her. I've already had breakfast prepared; it'll be ready and waiting for Young Miss An Bao whenever she wakes up."
Mu Yunshang gave a slight nod, but then thought of something and turned to Butler Li. "How much has been prepared for breakfast?"
"Ah? Do—do you need a breakfast spread from every major regional cuisine? That might take a little while…"
Butler Li assumed Mu Yunshang felt the breakfast was not lavish enough, and spoke with a somewhat troubled expression.
"No, prepare more—make it enough for ten people."
"Portions for ten? Is it the Second Young Master and his group returning?"
Butler Li asked in surprise, but Mu Yunshang did not answer. He simply gave Butler Li a meaningful pat on the shoulder and said, "My elder brother will have to work even harder to earn money from now on. Alright, I'll go wake An Bao up."
Butler Li watched Mu Yunshang's retreating figure, somewhat bewildered, yet he still obediently went and did exactly as Mu Yunshang had instructed.
Half an hour later, Butler Li understood…