Chapter 8: A Brawl in the Middle of the Street

Tang Xin was stunned, staring blankly at the chubby Tang Zihao. She couldn't quite wrap her head around why he was being so protective of her.

"Heh heh, he is our only child, and he doesn't really have any playmates. He’s always begging us to have a little sister for him to keep company, but my wife’s health isn't very good, so we haven't been able to have another child." At this, Tang Zhengyu looked at her and smiled, "Child, if you have no family, why not stay and be our daughter? My wife and I have also been wanting a sweet daughter to keep us company."

"Huh?"

She looked at him in astonishment. She had assumed Tang Zihao was just joking, but she hadn't expected his father to join in on the fun. However, to be their daughter? She felt a bit tempted. Their family gave her such a warm, affectionate feeling, making her want to blend in and become a part of them. It was just that...

"Yes, we have always wanted a daughter. Child, since you have no family, stay and be our daughter! Look, Zihao likes you very much too!" Bai Yan, who had personally brought in a bowl of porridge, walked over with a smile. She placed the bowl on the small square table by the bed, took Tang Xin’s hand, and said sincerely, "Child, we really like you. Please, stay."

"Little sister, little sister, stay! From now on, Brother Zihao will play with you, take you to the back mountain to catch birds, take you to pick fruit, and make you a swing. How about it?" Zihao looked at her with eager eyes, his expression suggesting that if she dared to refuse, he would cry for her. Tang Xin was left between laughter and tears.

"Okay."

She nodded, her heart feeling warm. She didn't know where else to go anyway, so she might as well stay.

"Yay! Great! Great! I have a little sister!" He jumped up and down on the spot in excitement. As his chubby body bounced, the flesh on him wobbled, making Tang Xin giggle.

"Child, what was your original name?" Bai Yan asked with a gentle smile.

"Tang Xin," she replied brightly with a sweet smile.

Upon hearing this, Tang Zihao’s eyes lit up. "Wow! So little sister has the same surname as us! That means little sister was meant to be our family’s little sister all along, heh heh..."

Tang Zhengyu and his wife laughed as well. "It seems you really are fated to be with us! Since that’s the case, it’s perfect. From now on, we’ll call you Xin'er."

"Okay." She nodded obediently, her beautiful eyes curving into crescents, her heart feeling warm.

A few days later.

Tang Zihao burst into Tang Xin’s courtyard in a flurry, shouting excitedly, "Little sister, little sister, Brother is taking you to the market today! There are lots of delicious things there, hurry up and get up."

Because he was chubby, the ground trembled slightly as he ran. The noise was so loud that Tang Xin, who was lazing in bed, knew it was him without even looking.

Over the past few days, she had been eating and sleeping well, and with people doting on her, this feeling of happiness had made her unconsciously dependent on everyone in this household. She didn't know what kind of medicine her "cheap" parents had used on her, but the whip marks on her body had mostly healed, and the scar on her face from Mu Chenfeng’s blade was also gradually fading.

She climbed out of bed just as Tang Zihao rushed in. Well, this kid insisted on being her big brother and was so incredibly good to her that even she, who hadn't wanted to call him brother, had been forced to call him "Fatty Brother."

"Little sister, let’s go to the market!" He ran over, the flesh on his face wobbling. He was fair and tender, and he looked damnably cute.

"Hey, Fatty Brother, come here." She sat on the edge of the bed and beckoned him over.

The moment Tang Zihao saw her mischievous smile, he stopped in his tracks. He covered his cheeks with both hands, took a step back, and looked at her warily. "You want to pinch my cheeks again."

Caught red-handed, she couldn't help but laugh sheepishly. "No way, I just wanted you to help me get my clothes."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Alright then! But you can't pinch my cheeks anymore, it hurts." He muttered, then walked over to the wardrobe to look around, asking, "Little sister, how about wearing the little pink dress today?"

"Okay!"

She now had her own courtyard, and there were several maidservants to attend to her. However, she found it too crowded, so she kept only one by her side. In just a few days, she had over a dozen new dresses and accessories, which left her dazzled.

After washing up, they told Bai Yan and headed out. Before leaving, Bai Yan repeatedly instructed him to take good care of her and not let anyone bully her. Tang Zihao patted his chest in assurance before they finally left.

"Little sister, come, let Brother hold your hand so you don't get lost." He reached out his chubby hand to take Tang Xin’s small hand before walking forward.

This seemingly natural gesture made Tang Xin’s heart flutter. Looking at their joined hands, she beamed and followed him happily.

"Fatty Brother, are there any weapon shops on the street?"

"There are! But why are you asking about weapon shops? You don't know martial arts."

"I just want to go take a look, will you take me?"

"Okay, Brother will take you. It’s just two streets away."

"Huh? Isn't that the damn fatty?"

Suddenly, three young boys in brocade robes walked toward them. They were about the same height as Tang Zihao, but looked a bit thinner.

"Little sister, let’s go, don't pay attention to them." Tang Zihao took her hand and tried to walk to the side, but the three of them blocked their path.

"How old are you, and you're already learning to take a little girl out? Damn fatty, you’re such a lecher." The group seemed to be looking for trouble on purpose; even though they saw him trying to avoid them, they insisted on crowding them.

Hearing this, Tang Zihao’s face flushed with anger. "Duan Wuchi, are you looking for a fight? She is my little sister! Keep your mouth clean, or I—I’ll beat you to a pulp!"

Seeing that he was clearly afraid of the three of them, yet still used his chubby body to shield her, Tang Xin’s gaze shifted. She scanned the three of them, gave a sly smile, and popped out from behind Tang Zihao. "Fatty Brother, beat them to a pulp, I’ll help you." As she said this, without waiting for Tang Zihao to react, she actually rushed forward.

"Hmph! How dare you bully my Fatty Brother!" Tang Xin rushed up and pushed the person who had just insulted Tang Zihao. Since she didn't use much strength and was small, she naturally couldn't budge him, but all she wanted was to provoke Tang Zihao into taking action and giving them a good beating.

"Tsk! Ugly monster! Get lost!" Duan Wuzhi saw the scar on her face; although it had faded, it was still unsightly, so he pushed her away in disgust.

Tang Xin took the opportunity to fall backward, letting out a cry, "Ah!"

"Little sister!"

Seeing this, Tang Zihao rushed forward, caught her with his chubby hands, and steadied her. His fists clenched tightly, he roared, "You dare bully my little sister! Ah..." With a loud shout, his round body charged forward, and his clenched fist struck Duan Wuzhi’s eye with pinpoint accuracy.

"Bang!"

"Ah! You damn fatty, how dare you hit me!" Caught off guard, Duan Wuzhi was furious and lunged forward. The two boys beside him saw this and also pounced, surrounding Tang Zihao and raining punches on him.

There were many onlookers, but no one dared to step in to separate them. Everyone knew who they were: one was the young master of the Left Prime Minister, and the other was the son of the Right Prime Minister. These two families had always been at odds, so no one dared to intervene.

"Fatty Brother, I’m coming to help you!"