When Su Long entered the room, his heart clenched at the sight before him.
Mimi's big, rounded eyes were wide open, staring blankly at the ceiling. Crystal-like tears rolled down her cheeks, soaking into the pillow.
Su Long rushed over. "Mimi, what happened? Why are you crying again?"
The little girl sniffled, her tiny voice breaking. "I… I woke up… I did… not see… bwother. I cry…"
Her words were broken, but the meaning stabbed into Su Long's chest like a knife.
For a long second, he simply stared at her, then he leaned down and kissed her damp forehead, whispering softly, "Mimi, I'm sorry. Brother went out to find a way… a way to heal Mimi. Soon, brother will heal you, and then we'll play together again."
At those words, Mimi's tears stopped instantly. Her round eyes widened with excitement. "Bwother… yes! Heal… me!"
Her voice trembled with hope, and her little hands clutched his sleeve.
Su Long smiled gently, then pressed his palm against her fragile body. A green glow emerged from his Sacred Healing Palm. Streams of gentle light flowed into Mimi like warm spring water.
She blinked in wonder, staring at the light with childish curiosity. "So pwetty…"
The warmth spread deeper and deeper. Mimi suddenly froze, her little lips parting as her body shivered. The constant pain in her bones, the sharp sting of injuries—all of it vanished at once, like snow melting under the sun.
Her eyes welled up again, but this time they shone with joy. "Bwother… it… not hurt anymore!"
Su Long exhaled heavily. Sweat rolled down his forehead, but his eyes glowed with satisfaction. "Yes. You can walk now. You're fully healed."
He laughed softly, though his body trembled from the drain. His cultivation had increased, allowing him to bear the strain, but even so, the sacred art consumed much of his strength.
Mimi, however, didn't notice. She scrambled out of bed, rolled around on the blankets, then jumped up with puffed red cheeks. "Bwother… no hurt! I am… good! Hug me!"
Her little arms spread wide, waiting.
Su Long's chest warmed. Without hesitation, he scooped her up into his arms. Her soft, tiny body pressed against him like a delicate doll. He poked her cheek, earning a giggle.
"Mimi," he said seriously, "if you ever feel pain again, come to brother. I'll always heal you. Okay?"
"Okieee…" She nodded quickly, eyes sparkling. "Bwother… I want… go outside!" Her little finger pointed eagerly toward the courtyard.
Together, brother and sister stepped outside. The sunlight bathed Mimi's small figure, making her glow like a little fairy. Her delicate body seemed to shine with newfound life.
The entire Su family's gloomy atmosphere lifted instantly.
Su Feng, who had been guarding the gates, rushed over in shock. "Young Miss… you… you're healed?!"
Mimi clapped her hands and giggled. "Uncle! My bwother healed me!"
Su Feng's eyes reddened with emotion. His lips trembled. "It's good… It's so good that you're fine now. I will protect you with my life, Young Miss."
But Mimi tilted her head, puzzled. In a soft voice, she asked, "Uncle… why cry? Am I… bad girl?" Her innocent eyes watered again.
Su Long quickly explained, patting her hair. "No, Mimi. Uncle is just too happy. Now he can play with you again."
"Ohh…" Mimi blinked, then giggled again. "Hehe… play! Uncle, play!"
Her laughter was like silver bells, echoing through the courtyard.
Su Rui and Su Lan, who were in the kitchen, rushed outside upon hearing the commotion. Their eyes widened as they saw Mimi smiling in Su Long's arms.
"Young Miss… you're healed!" they shouted together, their voices trembling with joy.
Mimi blinked her innocent eyes at them, then clapped her tiny palms. "Hehe… siswer… play! Play!"
Her voice melted their hearts.
Su Long, however, kept his composure. "Su Rui, prepare a bath for Mimi. She needs a good wash."
Su Rui nodded and hurried off.
But Mimi tugged at Su Long's collar, cheeks red. "Bwother… you bath… me…" She stared at him with an expectant gaze.
Su Long's lips curved softly. "Of course, my little rabbit."
Mimi beamed, hugging him tighter.
Su Lan touched Mimi's soft arm curiously, her face glowing. "It's so smooth… so soft… and fragrant. I want to touch more!"
Mimi wriggled in Su Long's arms, giggling. "Hehe… tickle!"
Soon, they entered the bath area. Mimi stepped into the wooden tub, her tiny feet splashing lightly. She sat down, arms waving as the water rippled around her.
Su Long carefully rubbed her hair with soap, the white foam covering her head like rabbit ears.
Mimi tilted her head up, her little lips curling into a mischievous grin. Splash! She slapped the water with her palm, sending a tiny wave toward Su Long. But the water only dribbled down, barely reaching him.
"Haha! Want to play, huh?" Su Long chuckled. He splashed back, sending a much bigger wave.
"Ehh! Bwother! Play, play! Hehe!" Mimi squealed with laughter, splashing again and again.
The two of them played like that for a while, the room filled with giggles and splashes.
After washing, Su Long dressed her in fresh clothes he found in the family storage. The garments had been carefully prepared by their father long ago.
When Mimi stepped out, dressed in white silk, she looked like a porcelain doll. She twirled around proudly. "Mimi… look… good! Hehe!"
Su Long smiled warmly. "Yes. My Mimi looks the most beautiful."
Meanwhile, in the Lian Family residence—
On the grand seat sat Lian Zhen, leader of the Lian Family. His aura was heavy, his eyes sharp. He slammed the table, roaring, "What are you saying?! The entire Black Fang Vultures group wiped out? How is this possible?!"
His fury burned. "Do you realize what this means?! This is a slap to our Lian Family! The Black Fang Vultures always gave us resources, always obeyed us! And now they're gone. Who dares destroy what belongs to me?!"
The hall trembled under his roar.
Elder Lian Kai bowed deeply. "Family Head, we investigated… but we found nothing. Only rumors of a mysterious bow master."
"Idiots! All of you are useless idiots!" Lian Zhen's voice cracked like thunder. "You can't even find a single person?"
He breathed heavily, suppressing his anger, before asking coldly, "What about the Su Family?"
Another elder, Lian Rong, stepped forward. "Leader… the mission failed. Su Jian said he would handle the little girl, capture her, and send her to the higher-ups. But he… he didn't succeed. The girl was not delivered on time. The higher-ups are furious."
Lian Zhen's face twisted, then suddenly he laughed, wild and cruel. "Hahaha! That fool Su Jian betrayed his family, yet couldn't even complete the task. Now he'll be punished by the higher-ups—he'll die like a dog!"
The elders exchanged glances, their hearts chilling at his laughter.
After a pause, Lian Zhen's eyes gleamed with greed. "Since Su Jian failed… why don't we take the girl instead? If we deliver her, the rewards will fall into our hands! The Su Family is already destroyed, already betrayed. We're enemies now. So why not crush them completely?!"
The elders' eyes lit up. Greed burned in their chests. They all knew—if they succeeded in this mission, the Lian Family could rise to become the top family in White Cloud City.
"Lian Kai," Lian Zhen ordered coldly, "take men with you. Capture the girl. If anyone dares to stand in your way… kill them without hesitation!"
"Yes!" Lian Kai bowed deeply, then turned and left to carry out the order.
The hall fell into silence, filled only with the dark ambitions of the Lian Family.