Little Loli froze, her small lips pursing into a rosy pout as she looked up at Pei Xiubai with those big, watery eyes:
"...Is this brother's cat?"
"Yes, this cat belongs to brother," Xu Ciye said bitterly, feeling the pressure radiating from behind him. "Now brother wants to take the cat back, so you should return it to him."
He half expected the little girl to pout, throw a fit, or at least hesitate. After all, he had just seen how much she adored the cat—she'd chased it without a second thought when it ran.
To his surprise, the little girl was obedient. Her clear eyes blinked once, and she carefully placed the cat into the boy's arms.
"Brother, Maomao is returned to you."
Her sweet, milky voice carried the same warmth as the faint scent of milk lingering on her.
The youth said nothing at first, only gazing at her quietly with those deep, inky-black eyes—expression unreadable.
Fearing he might misunderstand, the little girl met his stare and explained earnestly:
"Lili didn't steal your cat. I just picked it up. If you don't believe me, brother, you can ask the cat. I didn't lie."
As soon as she finished, the white cat gave a confirming "meow."
The little girl's eyes lit up: "See, brother? Maomao agrees. I really didn't lie to you."
Pei Xiubai lowered his gaze slightly, his slender fingers gently brushing the white cat's fur. Only after a moment did he raise his lashes, speaking in a soft, almost tender voice:
"It likes you very much."
It was the first thing he had said since arriving, and though his tone held no sharpness, everyone present felt an inexplicable chill.
Except for the little girl. She beamed. "I like cats too!"
The boy simply smiled faintly.
Xu Ciye was floored. Truly, Lu Junhan's daughter through and through—while the rest of them sat on pins and needles, she was still cute enough to melt sugar.
A bodyguard behind Pei Xiubai hesitated, then asked in a low voice, "Shao Pei… like this, you're okay?"
The black-haired boy tilted his head, resting his cheek against one hand, and smiled faintly. "What do you think? Do you want me to be okay or not?"
The bodyguard swallowed. "O-of course… I hope you're fine."
"Really?" Pei Xiubai's smile deepened, fingers stroking the cat as the man broke out in a cold sweat.
After a long pause, Pei Xiubai said indifferently, "Seems you're loyal enough."
The bodyguard forced a smile, unsure how to respond.
Meanwhile, the little girl tilted her head thoughtfully. Shao Pei… is that his surname? She remembered hearing it before, but at the time she'd had to ask the little turtle, the little rabbit, and even her mother in the heavens—none of them knew. Her mother had even called her silly and smacked her in exasperation.
Later, she'd borrowed a dictionary from the Celestial Realm with Brother Fox and figured it out. The pronunciation had stuck in her mind ever since.
Beautiful boy in a wheelchair…
"Brother Xiubai!"
Her jewel-like eyes sparkled as she leaned close to Pei Xiubai, doll-like face filled with joy. "Are you Brother Pei Xiubai?"
Like her father, Brother Pei Xiubai was a powerful villain. After her father's death, the hateful male lead had seized most of his fortune—but it was Brother Pei Xiubai who later appeared, snatching both the money and the company back from that man.
To her, anyone who opposed the male lead was a good person.
So Lu Li liked this brother very much.
---
"Lili!" Xu Ciye's face changed instantly. The little girl had gone right up to Pei Xiubai without a shred of fear.
He stepped forward, intending to pull her away from this dangerous man, but before he could, Pei Xiubai lifted his hand slightly—an unspoken command.
The bodyguards moved instantly, blocking Xu Ciye.
"Sorry, Shao Xu. Offended."
Xu Ciye's temper flared. "Little ancestor, don't mess around! She's not like the others—you can't touch her! She's Lu Junhan's daughter, if you dare—"
"Very noisy."
Pei Xiubai's red lips curved slightly. "Can't you shut him up? Or should I do it myself?"
The bodyguards didn't hesitate. They gagged and tied Xu Ciye before he could retreat.
Xu Ciye: Pei Xiubai, I swear—!
The little girl blinked, not fully grasping the situation. Before she could speak, Pei Xiubai leaned forward, his lashes lowering as he asked coldly, "Little thing, do you know me?"
"Brother, is your name Pei Xiubai?"
He paused, then smiled faintly. "Yes."
"Lili knows you." Her bright eyes seemed to hold scattered stars, her red lips curling into a crooked smile. She was like the most delicate doll in a shop window.
Pei Xiubai's gaze lingered. Then, suddenly, he poked her soft cheek with a fingertip. As I thought—good texture. Soft. Creamy. Softer than kk. Cuter than kk's cat.
Pity he couldn't take her with him.
The onlookers stiffened—what if his nails scratched her? This little girl had touched his treasured cat and his leg. Yet instead of anger…
"I like you."
Pei Xiubai's words dropped into the heavy air like a stone.