Chapter 82

~30 min read 5,945 words

Orange Cat Grandpa glared with his round cat eyes: 'Little girl, don't talk nonsense, I'm a proper cat.'

'I just don't believe you.' It looked at Ling Yue with the gaze of an approaching cat: 'I, Orange Cat Grandpa, have never seen someone as young as you, but if you want it for free, I wouldn't refuse.'

After saying that, it arrogantly flicked its tail.

Ling Yue almost couldn't help laughing, pressing her lips tightly together.

At that moment, Dahei finally reacted slowly, letting out a howl: 'You lied to me!'

One could say he was quite furious.

Ling Yue stepped in to mediate: 'Dahei, be good—we're well-behaved kids; we need to respect our elders and love the young.'

She looked at Orange Cat Grandpa and opened his exclusive panel; it was just an unconscious move, but after glancing at it, Ling Yue's brow jumped—she had a big discovery.

【Name: Chinese Rural Cat】

【Gender: Male】

【Age: 18】

【Personality: Buddhist-like, kind】

【Skills: Wall-scurrying, Fishing Master】

【Wish: Protect the world's best Sangsang】

Wow, this is the first wish Ling Yue has encountered recently; what's the big deal about freeloading? She crouched down, nearly eye-level with the cat, asking: 'What is Sangsang to you?'

Better: "Wow, this is the first wish Ling Yue has encountered recently; what's the big deal about freeloading? She squatted down, almost level with the cat, and asked: 'Sangsang, what are you to you?'" That seems off.

Orange Cat Grandpa instantly bristled, glaring at her like a wary little tiger: 'How do you know about Sangsang?'

'Protect the world's best Sangsang.'

Warm sunlight fell on the fluffy orange cat, making it look like a big golden dumpling; it tucked its paws, squinting: 'Sangsang, she's my beloved little master.'

In Orange Cat Grandpa's telling, Ling Yue learned that Sangsang was a well-behaved girl who loved Orange Cat Grandpa the most; her family had a big pond full of fish, all prepared for Orange Cat Grandpa.

Its words had a childish tone, with a hint of indulgence, yet not out of place; after saying a few more lines, it looked at Ling Yue: 'But recently, Sangsang has had an accident.'

Thus full: "Wow, this is the first wish Ling Yue has recently encountered; what's the big deal about freeloading? She squatted down, almost eye-level with the cat, asking: 'What is Sangsang to you?'"

We'll keep that.

According to Orange Cat Grandpa's account, the feverish little girl has been taking medicine, never even going to the hospital.

Ling Yue furrowed her brows; suddenly a system notification sounded in her mind: Complete Orange Cat Grandpa's wish, protect the world's best Sangsang, to earn reward: Detective's Eye fragments +3/6】

Accept or reject?

Ling Yue blinked in surprise; Detective's Eye? How could that be? This means the matter is definitely not as simple as it seems—who would want to harm a little girl?

Ling Yue hesitated not at all and chose to agree.

She looked into Orange Cat Grandpa's eyes: 'Shall we go today? Let me close my shop, then you take me to find Sangsang.'

The slight urgency in Ling Yue's tone was caught by Orange Cat Grandpa; the cat, old and savvy, instantly sensed something was off.

'Could something have happened to Sangsang?'

You know, just a moment ago she was still so calm; Orange Cat Grandpa grew a bit anxious, stepping on Dahei's back, Ling Yue leading Dahei, lowering her head to look at the big orange cat: 'Before I've truly seen Sangsang, I can't be sure.'

'Then let's hurry and find Sangsang!' Orange Cat Grandpa jumped down anxiously: 'I'll show you the way.'

Ling Yue: 'Wait a moment, I'll first store Dahei.'

The shop owner next door, Old Wu, hearing this waved his hand: 'What money for such a small favor? Feel free to leave Dahei with me, any length of time is fine!'

Dahei barked loudly: 'Dogs don't like listening to you; the owner will surely come back soon to pick me up!'

Ling Yue stared, dumbfounded and laughing.

A moment later, Ling Yue gazed at the upscale residential complex before her, recalling Orange Cat Grandpa's earlier mention of the little fish pond; she instantly realized: if there were no money, how could there be a fish pond?

Note: The original ends with "+3/6】" maybe a bracket. We'll keep as is.

'I'll handle it!' Orange Cat Grandpa suddenly spoke: 'I can get Sangsang to come out; then you say you're my master, and then…… and then……'

It didn't know how to finish the sentence, so it looked at Ling Yue.

Hearing this, Ling Yue's eyes lit up: 'I understand—I'll say I'm your master, to thank Sangsang the little girl for these days of caring for you, and meanwhile chat with her and check whether her lodgings have any issues.'

'Smart!' Orange Cat Grandpa stepped lightly into the complex; such stray cats come by a few each day, and the security guards are long used to them.

Ling Yue hadn't waited long when she heard light footsteps: 'Orange Orange, where are you taking me?'

She said it in a childish voice, a little out of breath.

Ling Yue looked over, meeting the girl's gaze; she appeared about seven or eight, wearing a cotton print dress, her thin, yellowish hair tied into low pigtails, pretty and cute, though her complexion was somewhat sickly pale and her lips very pale.

Ling Yue chuckled: 'I'm Orange's owner; it told me it made a new friend and brought me to have a look.'

'You're so cute.'

Sangsang blushed shyly: 'Sister, you're also very beautiful!'

Orange Cat Grandpa looked at Ling Yue; it had done all it could; now it's up to Ling Yue.

She has a way with small animals, and likewise with little girls; although she appears highly vigilant, Ling Yue still managed to enter the complex.

Only upon entering did she realize this wasn't an upscale complex at all, but clearly a standalone villa; through the flower-patterned black iron gate one could see the courtyard, where a little angel fountain babbled with water.

But another problem then arose; Ling Yue lifted her gaze to the nearby guardhouse: "How am I to get in?"

Such an upscale complex has strict property management; non-residents basically cannot enter.

"I'll handle it!" Orange Cat Grandpa suddenly spoke: "I can get Sangsang to come out; then you say you're my master, and then…… and then……"

It didn't know how to finish the sentence, so it looked at Ling Yue.

Hearing this, Ling Yue's eyes lit up: "I understand—I'll say I'm your master, to thank Sangsang the little girl for these days of caring for you, and meanwhile chat with her and check whether her lodgings have any issues."

"Smart!" Orange Cat Grandpa stepped lightly into the complex; such stray cats come by a few each day, and the security guards are long used to them.

Ling Yue hadn't waited long when she heard light footsteps: "Orange Orange, where are you taking me?"

She said it in a childish voice, a little out of breath.

Orange Cat Grandpa hurried a few steps, ran to Ling Yue's side, rubbed against her; this affectionate gesture made Sangsang widen her eyes in surprise: "Sister, you are……"

Ling Yue chuckled: "I'm Orange's owner; it told me it made a new friend and brought me to have a look."

"You're so cute."

Sangsang blushed shyly: "Sister, you're also very beautiful!"

Orange Cat Grandpa looked at Ling Yue; it had done all it could; now it's up to Ling Yue.

She has a way with small animals, and likewise with little girls; although she appears highly vigilant, Ling Yue still managed to enter the complex.

On one side of the house, that small fish pond instantly caught her attention; inside, fish of various colors swam freely, set off by the dark green aquatic plants below, and the orange tabby grandfather unconsciously flicked his big tail.

So plump, slurp~

It was immersed in the delicious taste of the plump fish, then when it lifted its head, Ling Yue and Sangsang had already gone inside—hey, you forgot about this old man!

The orange cat grandfather hurried after them, and before even entering the door, he heard a gentle female voice.

"Sangsang? Weren't you doing homework in your room? How come you came out—"

The young woman in pretty loungewear froze, surprised, looking at Ling Yue: "You are—"

Ling Yue's eyes flickered slightly: "I'm Sangsang's friend; are you Sangsang's older sister?"

The young woman's expression stiffened, her face instantly turning somewhat unnatural, she explained: "I'm her mother."

Ling Yue blinked, not because of her words, but because Sangsang, the little girl, tugged at her sleeve.

Children's thoughts are the most sensitive; although only a few short hours have passed, she already knows that Ling Yue treats her very well, just like the oranges she often sees.

Ling Yue turned her head, and Sangsang beside her looked at the woman, whispering: "I understand, Mom."

The woman finally broke into a smile, stepping down the stairs in her diamond-studded high heels, she changed the subject: "Sangsang, have you finished your homework? If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me."

She patted Sangsang's head: "Don't be lazy, otherwise after a few days when you're better, how will you turn in your homework?"

Sangsang nodded: "Mom, I have a problem I can't solve."

The woman blinked, not knowing why, Ling Yue suddenly noticed she seemed a bit flustered, her speech speeding up considerably: "Then I'll go to your room to tutor you."

After saying that, she looked at Ling Yue: "Sorry, I haven't been a good host."

Ling Yue shook her head, ignoring the obvious hint to leave in her eyes; before the matter is clarified, how could one give up over a little difficulty?

She decisively decided to follow them to Sangsang's room.

Ling Yue's eyes lit up; Sangsang's room was large, with walls covered in gentle pale pink wallpaper, the floor laid with marble tiles, a few small potted plants, and in the center a round princess canopy bed; the décor was uniform, exactly the kind of princess room girls love most.

She liked everything she saw.

After all, what girl wouldn't like such a little room?

On the small desk lay an open workbook, Sangsang slumped over it, while the woman stood to one side urging her to study, only her posture was very unnatural.

Her toes constantly pointed toward the door, as if she would bolt at any second; her body language continually revealed her resistance to being here.

Ling Yue hadn't even had a chance to speak when she suddenly smelled a faint fragrance, she furrowed her brows; beside her, the orange cat grandfather stood silently at one side, meowing: "What's going on? Sangsang's room reeks."

A cat's sense of smell is actually very keen, and because of its small size, it's more likely to detect something off.

For example, right now, as soon as the orange cat grandfather stepped into the room, he instinctively felt something was wrong; the air was tinged with that strange odor, enough to choke a cat.

Ling Yue lowered her eyes at the words, a bad smell? What she smelled was clearly a fresh fragrance. Ling Yue quietly took note of this; at that moment, the woman finished her explanation, saw the large blank area under the workbook, and her heart skipped a beat.

She eagerly looked at Ling Yue: "You're Sangsang's friend? I'll have the servant prepare a fruit platter for you; you can play with it for now, I'll be back shortly."

Sangsang obediently replied, and as she watched the woman leave the room, the pen she was holding clattered to the floor; Ling Yue startled for a moment, and the little girl had already slumped over her book: "I feel dizzy, so awful……"

Ling Yue helped her onto the bed, and the orange cat grandfather followed, jumping over to look at her with concern.

Ling Yue's face grew grave: "How long have you been like this?"

Sangsang nodded then shook her head: "A few months? Ever since she got sick recently, her head has been hurting all the time; Mom said taking medicine would fix it."

Only then did Ling Yue realize that what she had poured out the most was ibuprofen for pain relief; her expression immediately darkened, while Sangsang remained clueless, unaware of what was happening.

"Sister?"

Ling Yue lowered her gaze, composed herself, and her tone grew gentle—so much so that even she felt it wasn't like her—she spoke softly: "Sorry, Sangsang, I just thought of something that made me really angry; did it scare you?"

Sangsang shook her head: "No, no."

As she spoke, she sat up, rubbed Ling Yue's brow: "Don't get angry, sis, or you'll get wrinkles."

She clutched a big rabbit plush, dizzy and uncomfortable, yet still behaved obediently, making Ling Yue's heart ache secretly—what on earth was going on?

At this moment, with no one else around, Ling Yue had Sangsang rest on the bed first, and finally she had the chance to inspect the room.

Of course, she first explained to the little girl that she wouldn't treat her as a clueless child just because she was young.

Ling Yue: "Sangsang, actually I'm not the owner of the orange cat."

The little girl looked at her in surprise, shrinking back: "Sis, you——"

Ling Yue caught her movement, like a startled fawn, a mountain stream spirit, with clear, limpid eyes looking at her, making Ling Yue's heart instantly soften: "Don't worry, I'm not a bad person either; I was invited by the orange cat to help you."

When Sangsang heard that the orange cat had summoned help, she covered her mouth, staring at her in astonishment; Ling Yue smiled: "Sis can understand cat talk."

As if echoing her words, the orange cat grandfather meowed a few times, and Ling Yue had it perform a few actions, finally earning the little girl's trust.

Next, she began a thorough inspection of the entire room.

Sangsang sat on the bed, looking at her blankly: "Sis, is there a problem? This was set up personally by Mom when she brought me back."

"Mom treats me really well!" she said, hugging the big toy, her tone light and confident.

Ling Yue lowered her gaze to the marble tiles, feeling as if something was about to surface; she smelled the fragrance in the air, the bitter almond scent growing stronger.

Just then, the orange cat sneezed: "My nose feels awful, the air is all stinky, bitter."

This was its first time entering Sangsang's room; before, it had always stayed outside, and this was completely unlike what it had imagined—bad, nothing about this place is good.

Upon hearing that, Ling Yue had a sudden realization: isn't this the smell of benzene?

It's a kind of paint used for room decoration, its fragrance similar to bitter almonds, divided into pure benzene and toluene, but without exception, benzene is extremely harmful, causing diseases, the most famous of which is—leukemia!

In an instant, Ling Yue's gaze changed.

She took out her phone to photograph, discovering many hidden things—for example, the small wooden-looking bookshelf was actually marble-carved, and when tapped it gave a dull sound.

As everyone knows, marble emits radiation, which is harmful to the human body.

"What is this?" Ling Yue's keen eyes caught a corner of wallpaper peeled up below, revealing a bit of mottled color; she tore it off directly, leaving the smooth, fine wall bare, and what was exposed was actually a marble slab!

She tore off the wallpaper from the entire wall, her expression growing graver; the orange cat grandfather saw this and joined in scratching, but slowly, their movements ceased.

Before her, an entire wall was covered in marble; Ling Yue no longer dared to imagine what lay beneath the other wallpapers.

Sangsang stared at them in shock, completely unaware of what they were doing, she instinctively sat up: "What is this? So ugly, so ugly."

The orange cat grandfather guarded beside Sangsang, licking her fingertips, as if comforting her.

Ling Yue's gaze was cold and stern, but when she looked at Sang Sang she softened her voice, telling her how serious the harm these things could cause; the little girl clung tightly to the small necklace around her neck in fear.

She shook her head with tears in her eyes: "Mom wouldn't do that, Mom wouldn't do something like that……"

But the fact was right before her eyes; Ling Yue looked at the mess all over the floor, barely able to contain her anger, unable to fathom why there could be such a mother.

She murmured softly, the orange cat grandfather stared at her fixedly, then suddenly spoke: "She isn't Sang Sang's mother at all!"

Ling Yue froze in an instant, staring at it in shock; the orange cat grandfather flicked its tail: "Actually, Sang Sang should be considered my little master."

The orange cat grandfather's eyes filled with nostalgia, as if returning to years ago: "Long ago, I wasn't yet a stray cat on Pet Street; I was the little kitten raised by Sang Sang's mother. Back then I was young, and after Sang Sang was born I still saw her."

Later—

Six months after Sang Sang's mother gave birth, she died suddenly of illness, leaving behind a little girl who was sent by her father to her maternal grandparents' home; and it, too, was driven out of the house by someone.

Afterwards the orange cat grandfather came back intermittently several times; it didn't know where Sang Sang had gone, but this was the master's only child left behind, it was anxious, yet discovered another fact: the house now had a new female mistress.

It was unwilling to keep waiting; until a few years ago, Sang Sang was taken back by her father, she was so young that her maternal grandparents couldn't possibly tell her the truth, and she wouldn't have understood anyway.

Later, when there was a chance, Sang Sang's father disagreed, letting them see how his current wife treated Sang Sang, and told Sang Sang's maternal grandparents: "Mom and Dad, look how happy Sang Sang is now; she doesn't know she's a child without a mother, and she relies heavily on Xiao Rong."

"If you tell her, what would she think? A child this age is very sensitive, and Xiao Rong has sworn to me that she will certainly treat her as her own child!"

The old couple were unwilling but simply didn't know what to say; moreover, the son-in-law wouldn't give them this opportunity!

From the day he took her back, he began to block the maternal grandparents from meeting Sang Sang.

Sang Sang still had some doubts: why didn't her maternal grandparents come to see her, and why was her attitude toward her mother so bad? Could it be that her mother wasn't their daughter?

Only the orange cat grandfather knew the truth and could get close enough to Sang Sang, but it couldn't speak human language.

It had been guarding Sang Sang all along; only today did it discover that Sang Sang had been harmed into this state by someone.

The orange cat grandfather blamed himself, feeling remorse, then fury surged uncontrollably: "Sang Sang is still a child, she's so well-behaved, she doesn't even know the truth—why would anyone harm her?"

The orange cat grandfather spoke, still terrified; it was just a hair's breadth away from losing Sang Sang, that person's methods were so covert—if it hadn't sought out Ling Yue, perhaps it would never have known Sang Sang was harmed, even unto death.

After hearing her finish, Ling Yue pondered a moment, considering the worst possibility, and asked Sang Sang: "Do you know how to contact your maternal grandparents?"

The young beautiful stepmother and the hidden biological father, the benzene smell in the house wasn't strong, but if you sniffed closely you could detect it; yet by now the little girl's body had begun to warn her, and no one had noticed.

Ling Yue had completely given up on them; still, it was the little girl's maternal grandparents who had raised Sang Sang for a long time, and were the only child left by her daughter; besides, the orange cat grandfather had said they'd come many times to see Sang Sang, only to be turned away each time.

"Sang Sang, do you have a way to contact your maternal grandparents?"

Upon hearing her words, Sang Sang froze for a moment, clutching the pocket watch necklace at her neck, and said: "I do! I do have it!"

When mentioning her favorite maternal grandparents, Sang Sang's eyes curved into little crescents: "Right here."

She raised her hand, gripping the small pocket watch necklace in her palm; opening it revealed an engraved line of Arabic numerals.

Sang Sang: "This is a gift from my maternal grandfather; he said there's his phone number inside, so I can call him if I need to, but I don't dare."

Sang Sang's voice dropped, she lowered her head and couldn't even bring herself to look: "My maternal grandparents must be angry with me; I didn't leave them on purpose, I just wanted… wanted to see my mother."

As she spoke, tears pattered down; she wasn't an age that knows nothing, she understood what Ling Yue's words meant—the mother she longed for didn't love her at all.

She still didn't know that the mother she longed for had already died.

Ling Yue rubbed the little girl's head, while the orange cat grandfather raised its chin and angrily retorted: "No way! Your mother loves you so much, Sang Sang, you are a child loved by your mother; when she passed away she was still knitting you a little hat, that vicious woman is absolutely not your mother!"

Sang Sang looked at it doubtfully: "Sister, what is the orange saying?"

Ling Yue lowered her eyes, shielding the pity in her gaze: "It says your mother loves you dearly, you are a child loved by your mother."

Ling Yue saw the undisguised disbelief in her eyes, pressed her lips, suddenly not knowing what to say, and could only tell her: "Why don't you let your maternal grandparents come over? They'll tell you."

Sang Sang glanced at her timidly and nodded.

All these years she hadn't dared, until Ling Yue appeared and told her that her maternal grandparents wouldn't be angry with Sang Sang; they liked Sang Sang and hadn't even had the chance yet.

Sang Sang didn't know how to respond, lowered her head, and suddenly the phone emitted the voice from the other end—her maternal grandparents: "Who is it? No health products, no buying massage chairs——"

Sang Sang's eyes filled with delight, she softly called out: "Maternal grandparents, I'm Sang Sang!"

Ling Yue heard it; on the other side, the two elders' voices trembled with a hint of sobbing: "Sang Sang? Really my Sang Sang, why did you only call us now?"

The grandmother spoke, once choking up, she had the grandfather give Sang Sang their home phone number; she thought Sang Sang would call back, but over these years not a single call had come through.

The grandmother felt a bit cold-hearted, yet when she heard her granddaughter's voice again she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Hearing her grandmother's sobs, Sang Sang panicked instantly: "Grandma, don't cry, grandma don't cry……"

Seeing the room about to be filled with crying, Ling Yue had to interrupt their conversation: "Sang Sang's maternal grandparents, hello."

"Who are you?" the grandmother said in a bad tone: "Is that Xiao Rong?" that little third fox spirit!

Ling Yue startled, hurriedly explained: "I'm not, I'm Sang Sang's new friend; I have something very important to tell you, concerning Sang Sang's health."

Upon hearing this, the elders on the other end immediately grew tense: "What? What's wrong with Sang Sang? Did something happen to Sang Sang?"

"Pah pah, look at my mouth spouting nonsense—surely not."

Ling Yue: "Sorry, Sang Sang really does have a problem; I found some things in her room that affect her body. Do you have time now? Sang Sang can only trust you two."

The elders on that end could no longer hold back their worry, nodding repeatedly to Ling Yue's words: "All right, we'll come right away, we certainly won't tell anyone else…… bring a home environmental inspector? Okay, okay, okay!"

After hanging up, Ling Yue directly held Sang Sang and left the room; if it weren't to avoid drawing attention, she would have left long ago.

Sang Sang relied on her completely, but when the young stepmother saw them she paused, then reminded: "Sang Sang, have you finished your homework? Impressive!"

She was certain Sang Sang hadn't finished it, but Sang Sang shook her head and said: "No problem, I just called the teacher; she told me to rest at home and not do the homework."

The woman forced a smile: "Really?"

Immediately she added: "I had the servant prepare a fruit platter, with your favorite strawberries and cherries, Sang Sang."

Sang Sang stared motionlessly at her; the woman, for some reason, suddenly felt a weight in her heart, telling herself: "How could that be? Just a little brat."

She ignored them; Ling Yue and Sang Sang were relaxed, she didn't want to touch anything they sent over, and wanted to go out for a walk.

The orange cat grandfather rubbed against her palm, to ease the little one's pressure, saying it would give them a performance of a supreme skill!

After Ling Yue translated, Sang Sang looked eagerly: "Really?"

The orange cat grandfather lifted its head, puffed its chest, and meowed: "Of course it's not fake!"

It walked to the small fish pond, inside various colored fish wagged their tails; the cat peered down, wow, so big and fat!

Orange Cat Grandpa: "Sangsang, you watch, Orange Cat Grandpa needs nothing, I'll hang a big fat fish for you!"

Ling Yue was also curious, both pairs of eyes watching it, Orange Cat Grandpa sat down on his butt by the edge of the small fish pond, that big long tail swaying as it dangled into the pond water.

Orange Cat Grandpa stared: "This is my secret skill, tail-fishing!"

It narrowed its eyes, the sun was about to blister with white-hot heat, that tail remained motionless, as time passed second by second, the wary fish gradually resumed their play, frolicking beside the tail, swimming back and forth.

Some playful ones opened their mouths and nibbled the tail.

In an instant, Orange Cat Grandpa shot out his claws like lightning, bent forward and extended his paw; Ling Yue heard a splash, almost couldn't see Daju's movement, in the blink of an eye it had already hauled out a lively, jumping golden big koi.

Orange Cat Grandpa meowed loudly: "Hahaha, how big is the fish? How fat is it?!"

Ling Yue gave a thumbs up, Sangsang's eyes turned into stars, looking at it in amazement: "Orange is awesome!"

Finally, Ling Yue returned that koi to the pond; the frightened fish, upon entering the water, flicked its tail and fled with a swish, and thereafter never came to this side again.

At that moment, the gate was pushed open; Sangsang glanced, then quickly ran over: "Grandpa, Grandma!"

The moment the grandparents saw her, tears welled up: "You've gotten thin! Sangsang, you've lost so much weight!"

"How could that bastard take care of you? Look at your scrawny arms and face, your chin is so pointed it's almost deformed!"

Sangsang shook her head: "I'm sick, no appetite, can't eat anything."

She clung to her grandmother's arm: "Sangsang misses Grandma. I miss her so much."

The grandmother, furious, hugged Sangsang and cried bitterly; Ling Yue waited a moment, then looked at the restrained Sangsang grandfather beside her and said: "Hello, I am Sangsang's friend from the phone."

She got straight to the point: "I smelled benzene in Sangsang's room—that paint you should know about—and there's a lot of marble decoration, right in her bedroom."

The usually calm grandfather's face changed dramatically: "Benzene?"

Ling Yue could tell from his demeanor that he was a reasonable old man, but when he heard someone had secretly harmed Sangsang, he could no longer hold back: "I understand what you mean."

Sangsang's grandfather said while walking: "I'm bringing people in now to conduct a thorough check."

Ling Yue nodded; hearing this, the grandmother's eyes reddened as she clung tighter to Sangsang: "Let's go together, Sangsang—with Grandpa and Grandma backing you up, no one can bully our Sang family's daughter!"

Sangsang didn't know what was happening; tears burst forth: "... Room... the room is Mom's——"

"Sangsang!" the grandmother shouted at the top of her lungs, staring fixedly at her: "She is not your mother!"

Sangsang froze.

The grandmother had long been prepared to break ties; their only daughter, the sole child they had left—if they couldn't protect her, who could?

The grandmother said bluntly: "She is not your mother, nor my daughter; she is the new wife your father married less than a year after your mother's death—your stepmother."

"Sangsang, forgive me—I didn't know how to tell you; your father also said this was for your own good, to give you a complete family."

"That little home-wrecker, a vixen!"

"Xiuqin." The grandfather finally couldn't bear to let her continue; such words shouldn't be heard by a child. He stroked his granddaughter's head, half-squatted, and said: "Sorry, Sangsang, Grandpa and Grandma didn't tell you."

"Your mother gave birth to you, then shortly afterward contracted leukemia and passed away."

Ling Yue was slightly stunned, looked at the old man then lowered her gaze, her eyes falling on Sangsang.

Sangsang turned her head to look at her: "Sister?"

Ling Yue only said one sentence: "Don't doubt it—your mother loved you deeply, and she loved you right up until her death."

As her words fell, a voice sounded; the household servant jumped: "Who are you? What do you want? If you come in again I'll call the police and sue you for trespassing!"

The two workers who had come to test looked at each other, unsure what to do.

At that moment, Sangsang's grandfather stepped forward: "Go in, just say I ordered it." He looked at the female servant, his tone calm yet authoritative: "Go ahead and call the police—can't I still be in charge of my own house?"

The servant instantly subdued; the workers, following Ling Yue's instructions, entered the room and, upon catching a faint bitter-almond scent, their faces changed dramatically.

People in their line of work—how could they not know what that smell is?

Benzene.

The workers immediately began testing; Ling Yue looked at Sangsang's grandparents and suggested: "How about we go to the hospital first to give Sangsang a checkup?"

The two elders stared, not understanding her meaning; suddenly a voice came from behind: "You can't go!"

The woman rushing downstairs in high heels made the wooden stairs thump; meeting the others' doubtful gazes, she only then realized, and after reacting, hastily covered her mouth.

Ling Yue said calmly: "Sangsang had a high fever a few days ago; as far as I know, she didn't go to the hospital for a checkup but took some medicine, mostly the painkiller ibuprofen."

"Because Sangsang has been having headaches lately."

"What?!" the two elders exclaimed in unison: "That's a high fever—Sangsang is so young, why wasn't she sent to the hospital?!"

Their knife-like glares shot at the woman; they barely refrained from asking what her motive was, and didn't even have time to thank Ling Yue: "Sangsang, Grandpa and Grandma will take you to the hospital right now!"

Orange Cat Grandpa followed at the side; the upstairs stepmother's face turned pale, bloodless as she glanced at the busy testers, her limbs weak as she leaned on the stairs.

"Madam?"

"Get lost!" she snapped; indeed, what she wanted to do now was find her husband! Find her husband!

"Hey, husband."

She heard the horn on the other end of the phone, a child's voice, finally regained her composure, and said: "Honey, those two old fogeys came to our house today and even carried off Sangsang!"

"Follow them? Sure, I'll head over right away—I'll send you my location when I get there!"

Coincidentally, it's the same hospital where Ling Yue previously delivered the little bear bee, and also the best First People's Hospital in Jing Shi.

The grandparents directly gave Sangsang a full-body checkup, paying extra; while waiting for the results, Ling Yue ran into the little bear bee, Ruanruan.

Compared to before, the little bear bee is now chubbier and rounder, like a small brown-and-yellow plush ball, living in the bud on the doctor's chest.

From afar, Ling Yue could hear the nurses whispering: "Wow, it's Ruanruan."

The little bear bee poked its head out, its fluffy big butt wiggling: "Hehehe~"

It hummed a cheerful tune, then suddenly stopped, turned its head, and looked sparkling at Ling Yue: "Yueyue!"

The little bear bee happily flew out; the doctor was startled for a moment, then realized it was the kind person who had delivered the bee.

Thanks to its fluffy appearance and lovable warm behavior, the little bear bee has become a well-known little doctor in the apitherapy clinic, enjoying considerable popularity.

Ling Yue saw it covered in pollen and couldn't help curling her lips: "Looks like you've been eating well."

The Little Bear Bee looks much healthier than before; it shyly shook its butt, and actually it doesn't even want to eat—it's just that everyone is too enthusiastic, insisting on letting it try jujube flower honey and osmanthus honey, and the Little Bear Bee really can't refuse.

The Little Bear Bee gradually slowed down, wanting to perch on Ling Yue's finger, then quickly flew up again.

Ling Yue: "What's wrong?"

Little Bear Bee: "I am now a Little Bear Bee doctor who heals and saves lives; I must lead by example and cannot touch things randomly."

Ling Yue felt a surge of respect.

The Little Bear Bee circled it and swayed: "This is all I should do."

Suddenly, a doctor poked his head out: "Is the Little Bear Bee doctor here? The apitherapy clinic is short-staffed; please come back quickly to help."

The Little Bear Bee suddenly became anxious: "I can't say more; I need to rush back to disinfect and give treatment to the patients."

Ling Yue nodded understandingly and waved at it.

Just then, Sang Sang's maternal grandfather walked over holding the examination report; he hadn't even had a chance to look at the results when the Orange Cat Grandfather also hopped over, unfortunately it couldn't read the words.

"Boss Ling, come quickly and see what it says."

Sang Sang's maternal grandfather slumped down, as if instantly aging ten years; Ling Yue looked over, and the entire diagnosis sheet had only one result——,,.

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End of Chapter

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