Chapter 16 – Can-Can·

Jiang Ying’s posture stiffened, and that ever-present smile finally cracked. Her elegant brows arched slightly.
“Gu Chi, is this the second or third time you’ve interrupted me handling my own family’s affairs? Do you really think our family is beneath your notice?”

The Qi family business might not match the Gu family in size, but they still held the title of Guhai City’s wealthiest. With their roots deep in this city, how much worse could they really be?

And Gu Chi? He was just a fledgling brat who hadn’t even inherited anything yet, riding high on his father’s coattails. Take Gu Jueyan out of the equation, and Gu Chi was nothing. In the face of money, even family ties were both the strongest armor and the most brittle glass. Who knew if Gu Jueyan would even hand his empire to Gu Chi in the end?

Yet this little punk already strutted around like he owned the heavens?

Too early, far too early.

Hearing her words, Gu Chi’s smile faded a bit. His body stiffened as though cowed.

Jiang Ying raised her brows in satisfaction, her smirk just beginning to bloom—

Then Gu Chi spoke, solemn and crystal clear.

“Yes.”

“I really don’t think much of your family.”

“Surprised it took you this long to notice.”

Jiang Ying’s hand shook with rage as she pointed at him, trying to speak—but not a single word came out.

She let out a cold laugh.
“Gu Chi, I’d love to see how long your arrogance lasts.”

Turning her head, she fixed her gaze on Qi Sen standing quietly behind Gu Chi. Her voice remained cold.
“Let’s go. We’re going home.”

But of course Qi Sen didn’t move.

He had only agreed to “go home” before because one problem after another had erupted and Gu Chi wasn’t around. Now that Gu Chi was here, what reason did he have to return to that house?

Qi Sen stood his ground.

And Jiang Ying couldn’t exactly drag him away in public—not with that brat Gu Chi standing right there like a brick wall.

Out of tricks, she could only leave with a frosty expression.

As Jiang Ying disappeared into the elevator, Qi Sen quietly let out a breath.

—

Back in the room, Can-Can was still curled up under the covers, silently wiping away tears after Qi Sen left.

Her tiny hand was damp with snot and tears. She sniffled miserably.

Tao-Tao tried to coax her gently,
“Little princess, how about we get up now?”

“No.” Her soft baby voice was pitiful and stubborn.

“Then how about we get up and eat some rainbow candy?” Tao-Tao switched tactics, voice coaxing and sweet.

“Don’t want it…” Still just as pitiful.

“How about we go see Daddy, then?” A lazy, drawling voice interrupted Tao-Tao’s gentle persuasion.

Can-Can made a few sleepy whimpering noises. She hadn’t even said “no” before she suddenly bolted upright from the bed like a startled koi.

“Daddy, Second Brother doesn’t—” Her tear-streaked little face scrunched as she ran barefoot toward the door, arms lifted for a hug.

Just as she was about to throw herself into Gu Chi’s arms, she spotted Qi Sen standing off to the side—and spun on her heel like a wind-up toy, diving straight into his arms instead.

“Wuwuwu, Second Brother—”

Gu Chi, who had already crouched down with open arms, awkwardly retracted his hands and tapped the top of her head in silent resignation.

This little radish… sees her brother and forgets her dad!

Can-Can curled up in Qi Sen’s arms, clinging tightly to his shirt as if she were afraid he’d disappear the second she let go.

When her sobs finally faded, Qi Sen sighed and gently stroked her fluffy little head.
“Can you let go now, hmm?”

Can-Can beamed up at him, her teary eyes turning into sparkling crescent moons.
“Nope~”

Gu Chi, who’d gotten up early just to come see her, felt a twinge of jealousy and grumbled,
“Fine then, how about I leave?”

He didn’t really plan on leaving—he just wanted to see how Can-Can would react.

Can-Can tilted her head and gave it serious thought. Then, after a long pause, she nodded very firmly and scooted politely to the side.

“Bye-bye, Daddy.”

Gu Chi: …Why is the difference in treatment between “Dad” and “Brother” so massive?!

This was outrageous. Absolutely outrageous!!

Qi Sen couldn’t help laughing aloud.

Seeing her second brother laugh, Can-Can grinned even brighter.

Hehe~

Second Brother’s not leaving after all!

—

After breakfast, Qi Sen remembered that Pei Shen was still waiting hungrily at the hospital, so he said he’d bring him food. Gu Chi, meanwhile, wanted to head to the police station to follow up on Can-Can’s case.

Two people, two separate missions.

Can-Can naturally grabbed her Second Brother’s hand without a glance at Gu Chi.
“Second Brother, let’s go~”

Gu Chi’s heart shattered into glittery little shards.

Qi Sen smiled, said goodbye to Gu Chi and Tao-Tao, and took Can-Can to the hospital.

On the way, Can-Can held up her dragon egg toy and asked in confusion,
“Why can we eat this? It’s a dragon egg! We’re not supposed to eat dragon eggs—we’ll get struck by lightning!”

Qi Sen explained patiently,
“This is a special toy treat made for kids like you who love dragons. It has candy inside and a little toy too.”

Can-Can scratched her head and slowly accepted the explanation.

After a moment’s thought, she raised the egg high and said,
“Third Brother’s scared of bitter medicine. He can eat the sweet candy.”

“Alright. We’ll give it to him later.”

—

At the hospital, Pei Shen was in the middle of negotiating with the doctor about getting discharged.

The chemistry competition was only three days away. He couldn’t afford to waste any more time lying in bed taking medicine.

When Can-Can and Qi Sen arrived, they heard the doctor sigh,
“Stay another two days. If your condition improves, you can go home then.”

Pei Shen opened his mouth to argue, but Qi Sen quickly cut in.
“He’ll rest properly here.”

The doctor nodded in satisfaction, then led the nurse out to check on other patients.

As soon as they were gone, Qi Sen turned with a frown.
“How late did you stay up reading?”

Pei Shen glanced down guiltily. His pale hands fidgeted, and after a long silence, he peeked up and murmured,
“Didn’t even stay up till one… way earlier than before.”

He thought for a moment, then earnestly defended himself:
“Look, Edison, Churchill, all those famous people—they stayed up late! That’s when your brain gets super active! I have to seize the moment!”

Qi Sen raised an eyebrow.
“You? Comparing yourself to them?”

Pei Shen shot him a smug grin and pointed at both Qi Sen and Can-Can.
“Of course I can’t compare to them. But in the world of chemistry? I’m kinda a big deal.”

His eyes sparkled.
“Hey, that even rhymed! Didn’t it?”