Chapter 5: The Pig-Riding Cutie
Chi Lisen’s brows pinched tight. “Where did this pig come from?”
“Uh, Sir, it seems the gardener raised a… oh no, a fragrant pig. Normally it’s kept in the back, but the Little Miss found it.” Butler Nan dabbed sweat with a handkerchief.
“So why is she riding it?”
“The Little Miss said the pig was too fat, so she wanted to give it some exercise… and it ended up like this…”
Butler Nan himself wasn’t sure what kind of newfangled ‘exercise’ this was.
Chi Qian rode the pig over, the plump cockatiel perched in her hair, her almond eyes sparkling with sweat.
She looked like a pig-riding heroine who had jumped straight out of a comic book.
…But what kind of heroine rides a pig?
Chi Lisen’s reprimand was on his lips when Chi Qian suddenly pounced forward and hugged him. “Grandpa, welcome home! I missed you so much!”
Ever since learning that, in the story, her grandfather never stopped striking at the leads to avenge her, Chi Qian’s affection for him had skyrocketed!
This was her real grandpa!
Chi Lisen had never been this close to a child before—not even his own sons.
Perhaps girls really were different from those smelly brats. To his surprise, he didn’t find her annoying.
Then his face darkened.
“You just rode a pig, and now you hug me?”
Uh-oh.
She’d been caught.
Chi Qian backed up two steps, blinking innocently. “I just missed Grandpa too much, that’s all.”
Chi Lisen wanted to laugh but forced himself to keep a straight face. “So you spent all day messing around in the garden?”
“Nope, I made new friends!” Chi Qian lifted the cockatiel recorder. “Look, Grandpa, this is Little White.”
Then she pointed at the German Shepherd, tongue lolling behind her. “This is Big Black.”
Finally, her new mount: “And this is Little Fragrant.”
All the little animals in the estate had been clearly assigned by Chi Qian.
And they knew plenty of secrets.
Like how calm, gentle Butler Nan had a box of domineering CEO novels hidden under his bed, which he reverently washed his hands before reading every night.
Or how one guest tried to kill the fortune tree with boiling water, thinking that would bankrupt her grandpa.
Or how someone once hired a sniper, waiting for her grandpa to stand by the window—but he spent the whole night reviewing documents instead, dodging the bullet.
Chi Qian had feasted on gossip all afternoon, her belly round and full.
But she still had to eat dinner.
Chi Lisen cast a particular glance at the pink pig’s bow, his lips twitching. “You gave it a name. When the time comes, will you even be able to eat it?”
Chi Qian hugged Little Fragrant tightly. “Piggies are so cute, why do people have to eat them?”
“Aren’t pigs raised to be eaten?”
“Then we can train it first before eating. Right now it’s too fat—it needs more exercise so the meat will be tender and chewy.”
Chi Lisen: “…”
Butler Nan nearly burst out laughing.
Completely clueless, Little Fragrant kept nudging against Chi Qian, unaware of humans’ sinister intentions.
After dinner, Chi Lisen called Chi Qian over, his face stern as he laid down the rules.
“Since you’re living here now, there are certain rules you must always obey.”
Chi Qian blinked. “Huh?”
“Don’t make too much noise at home.”
Thump— outside the door, Little Fragrant was banging against it loudly.
“You’re not allowed in my private areas.”
Flap flap. Little White flew right over Chi Lisen’s head.
A vein twitched at his temple. “And the last rule—behave yourself and don’t get too close to me…”
“Woof woof!” From the courtyard, Little Black barked excitedly—Little Master, come out! This time I’ll carry you!
Chi Lisen finally lost patience and barked at Butler Nan: “Drive them all away, they’re too noisy.”
“Yes, sir,” the butler hurried to carry out the order.
Chi Qian blinked at him. “Grandpa, do you hate me?”
“So what if I do?”
“But I really like Grandpa.”
For a moment, Chi Lisen’s cold mask nearly cracked. “Don’t try to butter me up. Do you think I’m Chi Muze?”
He had never liked children, especially ones who might disrupt his routine.
Chi Qian was at that awkward age—not really little, not really grown—just the stage when kids could suddenly tip into rebellion.
He had no desire to invite trouble.
So he pulled out a bank card and placed it on the table. “If you follow my rules, this ten million pocket money will be yours.”
Ten million!
Chi Qian’s eyes instantly turned into glittering gold coins.
But she forced herself to resist. “No, I don’t want it. I like Grandpa more than money.”
All of his sons feared Chi Lisen, yet this girl kept saying she liked him over and over.
Who could endure that?
“Twenty million,” Chi Lisen offered.
“No, no.”
“Then name your price. How much?”
Chi Qian held up one finger.
Chi Lisen raised a brow. “One hundred million? Fine.”
“Then I’ll give this hundred million back to Grandpa, in exchange for you treating me as your granddaughter for one month, instead of just a tenant in your house. Is that okay?”
Her answer caught him off guard.
Did she truly not care about money, or was she already calculating at such a young age, thinking this way she could earn more from him in the long run?
Still, she was clearly smarter than her mother, whose head was always filled with love-sick nonsense.
“Using my money to buy me off—you do know how to do business,” Chi Lisen chuckled faintly.
Chi Qian smiled brightly. “But only if Grandpa agrees.”
Chi Lisen said nothing more, simply clasped his hands behind his back and walked away.
Chi Qian wasn’t sure if he had agreed, but she had to hurry to find her new companions.
—
Morning light quietly embraced the estate.
Butler Nan reported to Chi Lisen: “Sir, it seems the young miss didn’t return to her room last night.”
“Where did she go?” Chi Lisen asked casually while adjusting his glasses.
“She… slept in the doghouse with Little Fragrant and Little Black all night.”
Chi Lisen: “?”
What the hell?
Downstairs, he arrived at Little Black’s luxurious doghouse.
Chi Qian was nestled between Little Black and Little Fragrant, eyes closed, sleeping soundly.
Never before had Chi Lisen encountered such a brazen child—no one had ever dared act this way in front of him.
But now, he had seen it.
And it was the premium upgraded version.
Who in their right mind would abandon a soft, comfortable bed in the villa just to squeeze into a doghouse?!
“Chi Qian, get up!” Chi Lisen’s deep voice thundered.
Half-asleep, Chi Qian rubbed her eyes, startled by the sight of her fearsome grandpa looming at the door like he might eat children for breakfast.
“Good morning, Grandpa.”
“Explain to me why you’re sleeping here.”
Rubbing her eyes, Chi Qian answered, “I was playing with Little Black and Little Fragrant too late, and accidentally fell asleep here. Grandpa, Little Black’s home is really comfy. Want to try it?”
Dark storm clouds practically formed above Chi Lisen’s head.
Butler Nan hurried to whisper, “Sir, please calm down. The young master mentioned the little miss isn’t well emotionally. It’s all due to the Gu family’s years of oppression and abuse. The child is innocent!”
Chi Lisen forced down his anger. “Even so, she cannot sleep in a doghouse. It’s disgraceful!”
“Send all these animals away today. Not a single one stays!”
With that, he turned and strode off.
Butler Nan grimaced. “Young miss, in all these years I’ve never seen sir this angry before.”
That line sounds so familiar… Chi Qian thought.
“Chirp, chirp!” Little White fluttered down, landing on her head, chirping endlessly.
After listening carefully, Chi Qian’s expression grew grave.
Then she scrambled up, bolting after Chi Lisen.
He was already by his car, about to step in.
“Grandpa!”
“Wait, Grandpa! Someone pooped on your car! A huge pile!” she blurted out in panic.
