Picked Up a Little Sister

When they arrived at the hotel, even though no one had informed beforehand that Chu Fengyi would be joining them, three rooms had been arranged, just in case there were additional companions. Chu Fengyi no longer had to squeeze into a room with her sister, although Xu Lin, upon entering his own room, thought that even with five or six people, there would be no problem—the room was particularly spacious, feeling like it spanned seventy or eighty square meters. The decor and facilities exuded one clear impression: luxury.

“The bed is soft, too. Mom always says she prefers to sleep on a hard bed, but who wouldn’t want to lie on a bed like this?” Xu Lin lay on the bed, gazing at the ceiling, recalling something his father had said after their home was demolished in his previous life.

“Son, when the money comes in, I’ll buy us a Simmons mattress. I’ve slept on a hard board bed for decades—can’t even imagine what a soft bed feels like. It must be more comfortable than a sofa.”

Hearing this, Xu Lin had felt a twinge of discomfort in his heart. Now, feeling the soft springiness beneath him, he stretched out his hand and clenched his fist.

“Just wait. This time, we won’t need to wait for demolition. Everything will be ours. Everything can be better!”

Just then, his phone buzzed again—Ji Yun had messaged him.

Class Leader Ji: ‘Did you take a leave from school?’
Big Lin: ‘Yes. There aren’t any classes until tomorrow. How did you know?’
Class Leader Ji: ‘I heard it from the head teacher. He gave me some papers to grade, so I asked.’
Big Lin: ‘So, Class Leader Ji, you’re paying close attention to me~’
Class Leader Ji: ‘Mm.’
Xu Lin couldn’t help but smile. ‘Class leader, are you thinking of becoming my girlfriend?’
Class Leader Ji: ‘I care about your grades.’
‘……’
‘Alright, what are you up to?’
‘Just a little something. Took a trip to Jinling with Chu the superstar. Is there anything you want?’
‘No, don’t spend recklessly. Take care of yourself and don’t catch another cold.’
‘Okay.’

Xu Lin replied, the smile never leaving his lips. Ji Yun’s concern was so much like that of a young wife—he loved it! He set aside his phone, took a shower, admired his now flatter stomach and the beginnings of muscle on his arms and abdomen, and appreciated how good working out felt.

He stepped out of the bathroom, intending to grab a complimentary ice-cold cola, when he heard someone knocking at the door. He hurriedly put on his jacket and pants. Peering through the peephole, he saw nothing, and immediately felt a chill run through him—could it be something supernatural?

But he thought again: that seemed unlikely. The hallway was brightly lit, and next door was Chu Qingchan, with Chu Fengyi in the room beyond. With their fighting prowess, no one would dare try anything.

He opened the door slowly, only to see a little girl, four or five years old, standing there hugging a stuffed bear. She wore a pretty floral dress, her big, watery eyes gazing at him with a pitiful expression.

“Little one, are you lost?”

“Are you my daddy?”

“When did you end up with a daughter?” a voice chimed in from the side. Chu Fengyi had appeared, a lollipop in her mouth.

“This kid showed up out of nowhere. Where’s your family?”

“Are you my daddy?” The little girl squeezed the bear’s ears, looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

“No, who’s your mom?”

“My mom is my mom.”

“Are you lost?” Xu Lin knelt down, speaking softly.

“My mom lives here. Why can’t I find her?”

“This is room 909, are you sure that’s the number?”

Xu Lin had encountered lost children before; most had simply mistaken the place, so he wanted to confirm first.

“9…0…9, I think…” She looked at the door plate and tilted her head, as if pondering something.

“I think it’s 60…6. I went the wrong way.” The girl lowered her head in embarrassment.

“Let your sister take you back.”

“Okay.” She nodded, glancing at Chu Fengyi and then at her lollipop.

“I’m not going. You go by yourself—I need to shower.”

“Chu Fengyi, help me out. I just showered and only threw on outer clothes. Do you think I can run around like this? I’d die of embarrassment!”

“Fine, I’ll take her down.”

“Alright, I’ll change. Thanks.”

He greeted the little girl and went back into his room. She blinked her big eyes, looking at Chu Fengyi.

Chu Fengyi frowned—she really wasn’t good with kids—and forced a smile. “Come on, sis… I’ll take you to find your mom.”

“Okay.”

A few minutes later, Xu Lin finished changing and went to check if Chu Fengyi had returned. As soon as he opened the door, he saw her coming back, carrying the little girl in her arms. Both had lollipops in their mouths, making for a cute sight—but he immediately realized something was off.

“Why haven’t you sent her back?”

“No one in 606.”

“Then go downstairs and find the front desk or another staff member. Let them help.”

“That’s troublesome. You go—now you’re dressed.”

She handed the girl over to him, and Xu Lin took her.

“Uncle, sister is really strong. She just played lift-up with me.”

“Chu Fengyi, don’t do dangerous things like that!” Xu Lin looked at her, but she just pouted and went back to her room.

“Hey, little one, what’s your name?”

“My name is Peony.”

“Peony? Where’s your mom gone?”

“I don’t know.”

“How did you end up lost?”

“Mom said she went out to buy something, but she’s been gone a long time. So I went out to look for her.”

“Alright, I’ll take you downstairs to find your mom.”

“Okay.”

“Mm.”

Xu Lin carried the girl toward the elevator, planning to go to the lobby and explain the situation to staff. Then he remembered he had something he’d never used before—a tracking powder he’d bought after his first encounter in the mall. Now seemed the perfect time to use it.

He clicked the item, and a wisp of white smoke drifted from his hand, extending outward. Xu Lin followed it with the girl in his arms.

The smoke finally stopped at the elevator. It seemed to rise, then settled facing the elevator doors, which opened just then.

A woman stepped out, clad in a black mermaid dress. Xu Lin froze—not just because of her looks, but her figure. This was outrageous—she was even more striking than Chu Qingchan, her presence radiated the aura of someone in charge, or perhaps simply someone wealthy. Her gaze made him uncomfortable.

“Give her to me.” Her voice was cold as she stepped forward, reaching for Peony. Xu Lin hastily stepped back.

“Is she your mom?”

“Huh?” The little girl lifted her head from his shoulder, twisted around, and saw the woman.

“Mom? Mom! Where did you go?”

“Peony, how many times have I told you? Stay in the room and don’t wander off!”

“I won’t do it again…” The girl’s eyes filled with tears, about to cry.

“Sir, please put her down. She’s old enough to walk herself.” The woman took a deep breath and gave a slight nod.

“Sorry, when I came back and saw she wasn’t in the room, I checked the security cameras. I saw you holding her and got worried.”

“But I didn’t mistake you for a kidnapper. On the cameras, I saw your friend—the foreign girl—take her to my door.”

“It’s alright, parents worry about their children. That’s normal.”

Xu Lin quickly replied, then squatted to set the girl down, but she clung tightly to his collar, refusing to move.

“Mom, will you take me out to play?”

“I have things to do. When we get back to Yan Jing, I’ll take you out to play, okay?”

“Then I’ll play with uncle until tonight—then you pick me up…”

“Peony, come here! And I told you not to eat sweets—yet you’re eating a lollipop.”

Suddenly, the woman’s eyes widened and she barked at her daughter. The girl buried her head in Xu Lin’s chest, sobbing.

“Ah, Mom’s scolding me again… I don’t want to be with you. You only ever scold me!”

The woman frowned, reaching out to pull her over, but the girl clung fiercely to Xu Lin’s collar, crying nonstop.

“I won’t go back with you.”

Afraid of hurting her, the woman let go and sighed. Her phone rang and she hurried off to take the call. After half a minute, she returned, offering Xu Lin an apologetic look.

“Could you please watch her for me for a while? I have some business to attend to—I'll be back in a little over half an hour to pick her up.”

“Alright.” Xu Lin glanced at the girl in his arms, thinking of refusing, but she clearly didn’t want to leave.

“Thank you so much—sorry for the trouble.”

“No worries. Go take care of your business.”

“Okay, I’ll be back on time. You're in 909, right?”

“Yes.”

“Thanks, thanks. Here’s my card. If anything comes up, call me.” With that, she hurried into the elevator.

Xu Lin watched the doors close and patted the girl’s back. “Stop crying, or you'll choke on your lollipop.”

“Uncle, will you be my daddy?”

“You’re fast at picking dads! I’m only seventeen—you should call me brother.”

“Brother!”

Hearing the clear, sweet voice, Xu Lin felt his heart melt. How he’d always wanted a little sister! Now, with this unexpected one, it felt like a wish fulfilled.