Luo Chaoxue’s eyes replied, I don’t know. I didn’t do anything.
This was the scene Ming Li and the others walked into: Zhu Mingyue sat with her head down while a woman in a white cap appeared to be trying to smother another woman, who was red-faced and slapping her shoulders in a desperate struggle.
Ming Xi whispered from behind, “It looks like they’re fighting over how to split the loot.”
Ming Li’s heart was in her throat. Seeing Mingyue sitting there motionlessly, she didn’t call out. She walked straight to the pair, grabbed Mingyue’s hand, and pulled her protectively behind her.
Luo Chaoxue and Zhongli Shi froze, immediately letting go of each other and smoothing their clothes.
“Who are you?” Luo Chaoxue asked first.
“Her sister,” Ming Li said, her brow furrowed. “And who are you?”
Seeing the “kidnapper” look in Ming Li’s eyes, Luo Chaoxue explained, “Oh, I found this child on the street. I brought her to my friend’s shop for some cake.”
Ming Li looked at the half-eaten chocolate mousse on the table. Before she could speak, Mingyue tugged on her sleeve and signed: Sister Li, this lady is good.
Ming Li knelt to check her over. Finding no obvious injuries, she hugged her. “I know. Your sister was so worried; you scared us to death.”
Mingyue signed: I’m sorry.
“It’s okay. Just don’t run off again.” Ming Li patted her head.
Once Mingyue was settled, Ming Li turned back to the two women. “Thank you for looking after my sister. Sorry for the trouble.”
“It’s fine, just keep a better eye on her,” Zhongli Shi said, her gaze sharp. Then, she added thoughtfully, “Your kid seems withdrawn. It might be related to her injuries. You should take her for a full checkup. Especially her… rear.”
“Injuries?” Ming Li was startled. “She isn’t injured.”
“The places you can see aren’t hurt, but there are plenty of places you can’t see,” Zhongli Shi said, crossing her arms. “Check her tonight when you give her a bath and you’ll see.”
As soon as those words left her mouth, Auntie Jin’s expression shifted. She stepped forward aggressively. “I bathe this child every single day! She doesn’t have a single scratch on her! If she’s hurt, you two did it! You kidnapped her and now you’re trying to pin it on me!”
The sudden, emotional outburst startled Ming Xi. She couldn’t understand why the nanny was suddenly exploding with rage.
“What did you say, you old hag?” Zhongli Shi snapped back. “We were kind enough to pick up your kid, and you’re framing us?”
“Why would I frame you? I bathed Mingyue just last night! Her skin was perfectly fine. How come she’s suddenly ‘injured’ the moment she’s with you? You must have abused her while no one was looking!” Auntie Jin’s voice was deafening, a complete reversal from her earlier demeanor.
Ming Xi tried to hold her back but couldn’t. Even Ming Li was stunned. She looked at Mingyue, who was hiding behind her. The girl was trembling, tears streaming down her face as she clutched Ming Li’s leg.
Ming Li signed: Don’t be afraid. I’m here. Then she asked, Are you hurt?
Mingyue pressed her lips together and remained silent, only casting a quick glance at Auntie Jin.
Auntie Jin noticed immediately. “Mingyue, tell the truth. Don’t be afraid. I’ll make sure you get justice. These two women bullied you—”
“Enough!” Ming Li shouted, her voice cutting through the argument. The other customers in the shop huddled together to watch the drama unfold.
“Officers, we found the child,” Ming Li said to the policemen who had helped them. “Thank you for your help. We’re taking her home now.”
“Wait,” Luo Chaoxue interrupted. “Are you really her biological sister?”
“I am her sister’s friend,” Ming Li replied. “Her sister is working out of town, so I’m bringing her home.”
“What about her parents?” Luo Chaoxue probed, her eyes searching Ming Li’s face. She was trying to figure out why an outsider was the one looking for the child. She was starting to believe Zhongli Shi’s theory—the child was being abused at home.
“They passed away,” Ming Li said flatly. “The two sisters only have each other. Any other questions?”
Throughout the exchange, Ming Li kept Mingyue shielded in her arms. Her concern seemed genuine. Luo Chaoxue knelt and signed to Mingyue: Your name is Mingyue, right? It was nice to meet you.
Mingyue reached out and shook her hand. Then, she spoke.
“Zhu. Ming. Yue.”
She spoke slowly, but clearly.
Luo Chaoxue’s eyes lit up. “You can talk?”
“It seems she likes you,” Ming Li noted, stroking Mingyue’s hair.
Luo Chaoxue smiled at her and said formally, “My name is Luo Chaoxue.”
After leaving the dessert shop, Mingyue followed Ming Li like a little shadow.
Auntie Jin was still grumbling beside them. “Those women definitely bullied Mingyue. Poor thing is too scared to say anything. Heartless women.”
“That’s enough,” Ming Li said calmly. “Jin-jie, you are suspended starting today. I will look after Mingyue for the next week. We’ll decide what to do when Hanxing returns.”
“Ms. Ming, I didn’t do anything wrong!” the nanny protested. “You saw the footage. Mingyue was the one who—”
“Regardless of how she went missing, it happened on your watch,” Ming Li said firmly. “You are suspended without pay.”
“You can’t do that! That’s a breach of contract!”
Ming Li fixed her with a freezing stare. “Is it? Then go ahead and sue me.”
Auntie Jin was speechless.
Ming Li led Ming Xi and Mingyue to the car. She asked Ming Xi to keep the girl entertained, but Mingyue remained withdrawn. After a short while, she simply stared at Ming Li.
Since she was driving, Ming Li couldn’t sign. She had Ming Xi write a message on a phone: Do you want to know when your sister is coming back?
Mingyue nodded, then shook her head. She typed a reply: [I know she’s busy. Let her come back after she finishes her work.]
A heavy feeling settled in Ming Li’s chest. She had Ming Xi type: [She’ll be done very soon.]
Mingyue typed back: [Sister Li, can I stay with you for a while?]
As Ming Li hesitated, Ming Xi spoke up. “Li, someone sent you a message.”
“Who?”
Ming Xi tapped the notification. “It’s Gu Fei. she says you shouldn’t come home until after midnight. She says… things are about to explode at the house.”
Ming Li’s eyes narrowed. “?”
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