THIP Chapter 49

After sending Bai Qi off, Mu Liuyin felt an immediate sense of relief.

She had hired a nutritionist to help Gu Changran recover physically, and even brought in a private tutor to help with her studies.

After all, the original Mu Liuyin was still managing the entire Gu Corporation, so she couldn’t stay by Gu Changran’s side all the time.

Gu Changran was incredibly well-behaved. Even though she wanted Gu Changxi to be with her, she never said anything to trouble anyone.

Three years passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, to avoid raising Bai Qi’s suspicions, Mu Liuyin made sure to visit her once a year. Her condition remained stable, though a suitable heart still hadn’t been found.

Gu Changran’s health had also greatly improved. However, having spent many years in an orphanage with poor food and constant bullying, she had developed chronic stomach issues. It wasn’t something that could be fully cured—only managed through careful diet.

When Mu Liuyin returned home from the company, she found Gu Changran sitting properly at her desk, doing her homework.

As soon as she saw her, the girl put down her pen and smiled brightly, calling out “Brother!” Her personality had become much more cheerful since she first arrived, though she still blushed easily.

“How’s it going with your classmates?” Mu Liuyin walked over and gently patted her head. “No one’s bullying you, right?”

Gu Changran couldn’t help but laugh. Ever since her health had improved and she caught up with her academic level, she had been attending school for about a week now. She was in the third year of middle school, with about half a year left before the high school entrance exams.

Still, every time Mu Liuyin came home, he never asked about her grades—he was always more concerned about whether anyone was picking on her.

Gu Changran didn’t understand why he thought she was so easy to bully, but she didn’t mind the constant care—in fact, she liked it.

“No one’s bullying me,” she said with a bright smile. “The teacher even said I’m smart.”

In truth, Xiao Jiu monitored her school life in real-time and broadcast it directly to Mu Liuyin’s mind. But even though he already knew, he still felt the need to ask—because care is more than just data.

Dinner was already prepared, so Mu Liuyin told her to eat first before finishing her homework.

Gu Changran nodded with a sweet smile.

The next morning, in early January, it was still very cold outside, but warm and cozy inside. Mu Liuyin walked into Gu Changran’s room to find the girl barefoot, standing on the fluffy carpet by the window.

“Brother! It’s snowing!” she said, turning to him with a smile that made her eyes curve like crescent moons.

Mu Liuyin joined her by the window. Outside, snowflakes danced in the air like white petals or drifting feathers, blanketing the rooftops and ground in pure white.

“Do you like snow that much?” he asked.

Given the harsh conditions of the orphanage she’d grown up in, she shouldn’t have fond memories of winter—it would’ve been too cold, with heating only turned on during the coldest days.

Gu Changran pursed her lips and quietly replied, “I’m not sure… I just remember a big brother playing in the snow with me.”

Mu Liuyin suddenly understood. From her expression, it seemed she still retained some memories from before she got lost. That “big brother” in her memory was most likely Luo Chen.

It was Saturday, and seeing her a little downcast, Mu Liuyin ruffled her hair and smiled. “Let’s eat breakfast first. Once the snow eases up a bit, how about I take you outside to build a snowman?”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up as she asked nervously, “Won’t that get in the way of your work?”

Seeing her anxious little face, Mu Liuyin laughed. “Of course not.”

But before breakfast, he looked at her seriously and said, “Put on your socks first.”

Gu Changran looked down and realized she was barefoot. Embarrassed, she quickly nodded, her cheeks turning red.

Mu Liuyin couldn’t help ruffling her hair again. It was smooth and silky—nothing like the dry, brittle mess it had been when she first arrived.

He thought to himself, I guess I’m pretty good at raising kids.

Xiao Jiu, ever the mood-killer, chimed in: “Host, don’t forget about Chu Jiyu and Ming Li—those two mission targets still need your attention!”

Mu Liuyin: “…”

The emotion-cleansing serum only removed feelings, not memories. Recalling how both of the last two missions had ended in dramatic twists, she glanced silently at the obedient Gu Changran beside her and firmly concluded: There’s no way such a sweet and well-behaved girl could ever do something like that.

Xiao Jiu, in his mind, added quietly: It’s not just those two… every single mission target so far has turned out like that, Host…

But of course, he didn’t dare say that out loud.

After breakfast, they played a few games together. When the clock’s hour hand approached ten, the snow outside finally started to let up.

“Brother! Let’s go build a snowman!” Gu Changran looked up at him, her eyes sparkling.

“Alright.” Mu Liuyin nodded with a smile.

He bundled her up tightly before letting her out of the house.

The difference between indoors and outdoors was stark. Mu Liuyin couldn’t help but miss the days when he was still Huan Xi, a cultivator in the tribulation stage—back then, no weather could bother him.

Unfortunately, reality was very cold.

She sighed inwardly, but once she’d made a promise, she intended to keep it. Squatting down, Mu Liuyin began gathering the thick snow on the ground, her fingertips turning red from the cold.

But instead of playing, Guo Changran stood still, tilting her head and watching Mu Liuyin intently, her big eyes unblinking—she looked absolutely beautiful.

Mu Liuyin smiled and asked, “What’s wrong? Weren’t we going to build a snowman?”

“It’s nothing,” Guo Changran shook her head gently, her ears tinged with pink. Then she crouched down beside Mu Liuyin and began helping her gather the snow.

She just hadn’t expected that someone as noble and elegant as her brother would build a snowman with her. But that only made him seem more human, more real.

Her heart beat wildly as they worked together, joy filling her chest. Yet she couldn’t help but wonder—had he ever done this with Bai Qi too?

“Did you ever build a snowman with my sister?” she asked without thinking.

“Hm?” Mu Liuyin paused, placing a red berry into the snowman’s eye socket. After a moment, she realized “sister” referred to Bai Qi, and smiled. “No, Bai Qi’s not in good health—she never goes outside in this kind of cold. Building a snowman with me is something only you get to do, little Changran. It’s your special privilege.”

Hearing that Bai Qi stayed indoors because of her health made Guo Changran feel a bit disappointed, but Mu Liuyin’s last words made her eyes light up with delight.

She smiled brightly and happily placed the other red berry into the snowman’s other eye. Looking at the snowman they had made together, her heart felt sweet and full.

Finally, they stood beside the snowman and took a photo together.

The snow stopped after just one day, but it had fallen so heavily that the buildings around them were all covered in silver.

On Monday, Mu Liuyin personally drove Guo Changran to school.

“Bye, Brother!” Guo Changran waved at her with a cheerful smile as she walked through the school gates.

Mu Liuyin nodded with a smile.

Only after Guo Changran disappeared from view did she turn and get back into the car, instructing the driver to head to the company.

Back at the office, Mu Liuyin sat at her desk fiddling with her computer, letting Xiao Jiu activate the system mode to handle the company’s affairs.

After playing a few rounds of a game, she was starting to feel sleepy when the door suddenly opened from the outside.

She opened her eyes drowsily and said flatly, “Come in.”

Her secretary entered with an invitation in hand. “President, this is a birthday banquet invitation from the Luo Group.”

“Mm.” Mu Liuyin responded lightly.

After delivering the invitation, the secretary left. Mu Liuyin opened it and saw that it was for Chairman Luo Jin’s 50th birthday banquet. Since there wasn’t much personal connection between the Luo and Guo families aside from business, the invitation had simply been sent to the company.

It was scheduled for five days later, next Saturday.

Mu Liuyin thought for a moment. Should she bring Guo Changran with her?

What if the Luo family recognized her? Would she have to return this sweet, obedient girl to them?

“Sigh~” She let out a faint sigh. After thinking it over for a while, she still decided to take Guo Changran along.

After all, the Luo family was her biological family. They’d searched for her for years. Even if she wasn’t sure whether they’d truly love her once they had her back, she was there to support Changran—there was no need to fear anyone mistreating her.

With that in mind, she spent the next few days carefully choosing a suitable birthday gift.

When Mu Liuyin finally told Guo Changran she wanted to take her to the birthday banquet, the girl froze.

“Me? I can go too?” she blinked.

“Of course you can,” Mu Liuyin replied, pinching her cheek with a smile. “Or… you don’t want to go?”

Though she’d lived a comfortable life for three years and become more outgoing, Guo Changran still had moments of insecurity, especially in situations like this.

After all, she wasn’t a real heiress.

“I don’t know a lot of those formal things,” she whispered. “I’m afraid I’ll embarrass you.”

Her face turned red as she spoke.

Mu Liuyin hadn’t expected her to worry about that and couldn’t help letting out a low laugh. “How could my little Changran ever embarrass me?”

“So timid,” she added with a chuckle. “How am I supposed to hand over the Guo Corporation to you one day if you’re like this?”

Guo Changran quickly covered her mouth with wide, watery eyes. “You’re still young, Brother. Don’t say stuff like that!”

Mu Liuyin blinked and gently held her hand, chuckling softly. “Okay, I won’t. My brave little Changran is always so bold when it comes to me.”

“Hmph!” Guo Changran pouted and turned away, cheeks puffed out in indignation.

Just like a little hamster.

Mu Liuyin couldn’t resist poking her puffed-up cheek with her finger. It was soft and warm.

She poked it again… and again, until Guo Changran finally turned back to look at her, her face flushed bright pink.

Mu Liuyin was completely charmed. She gave a sincere-sounding apology: “Be good, Changran. I was wrong.”

But her smiling eyes didn’t look the least bit remorseful.