Chapter 10: He Absolutely Refuses to Be the Backup!

Siyue’s small face turned pale, and she secretly thought she was done for. Her spine slumped in despair, and just as she convinced herself that she was doomed, the Mother Ghost’s voice suddenly echoed in her ears.

"It’s the middle of the night! If you aren't going to sleep, you must let your little sister get some rest!"

Hearing this, Siyue froze. She followed the sound and saw the Mother Ghost dragging two Ghost Children in from the room next door, one in each hand. The children had been starving for a long time and were nothing but skin and bones. The Mother Ghost effortlessly lifted them up and tossed them beside Siyue.

Seeing the "brothers" suddenly lunging toward her, Siyue scrambled back in terror. The "eldest brother" looked up at her, his eyes glinting with a ghostly light.

"Food... such fragrant food. Mother, I’m so hungry! I want to eat!"

The "eldest brother" suddenly scrambled up, moving on all fours. He stared at Siyue like a beast that had been starving for ages. Shivering uncontrollably, Siyue looked toward the Mother Ghost for help.

"Mother, save Siyue! Siyue is scared..."

As soon as she spoke, the Mother Ghost stepped forward and pulled the two Ghost Children into her arms.

"Be good, babies. You cannot eat. Go to sleep; you won't be hungry once you're asleep." The Mother Ghost coaxed them gently. If it were possible for them to eat, she wouldn't have let them starve for so long.

Watching the mother and her two children huddle together to sleep, Siyue’s heart still pounded with lingering fear. Even if the "brothers" couldn't eat, anything that entered their mouths would be incinerated by fire. The hair on top of her head had already been burned away, and she didn't want to lose her life too!

With the Mother Ghost restraining the two "brothers," Siyue managed to get a little sleep. Meanwhile, under Ling Yun’s protection, Duoduo slept soundly through the night until the sun was high.

When she opened her eyes, Ling Yun and Lin Jianyue were already gone. She climbed out of bed clumsily and dressed herself. Then, she pulled a small stool over to the vanity to brush her teeth and wash her face. After freshening up, she tugged at her messy hair. She didn't know how to style it; back at the orphanage, the aunties had always done it for her. She grabbed a hair tie and a comb, hopped off the stool, wiped it clean, returned it to its place, and then trotted out of the room.

Lin Jianyue was not in the living room. Duoduo looked at Zhang Yangfan, then turned to look at Ling Yun. The two sat on the sofa with a wide gap between them. Duoduo blinked, opened her chubby, lotus-root-like arms, and scampered over. She was short, with very stubby legs.

Watching her waddle toward him, Zhang Yangfan’s lips curled into a grin, and he opened his arms to welcome her. However, when Duoduo saw his exposed fangs, she wrinkled her little nose in distaste and suddenly changed direction. Like a soft marshmallow, she dove straight into Ling Yun’s embrace.

Zhang Yangfan’s grin instantly collapsed. He awkwardly pulled his arms back and pouted in displeasure. *What an annoying little shrimp! Why does she only have eyes for that old ghost Ling Yun? Am I not cute? Why doesn't she come and throw herself at me?* Zhang Yangfan crossed his arms, gazing at Ling Yun with envy.

Duoduo, nestled in Ling Yun’s lap, pressed her hands against his chest like a kitten kneading dough, trying to climb up. But she was wearing so many layers that she couldn't manage it. Ling Yun was flustered by her actions. He suddenly grabbed her by the collar, lifted her like a chick, and tossed her onto the sofa beside him.

"I don't like children. Stay away from me!"

"But I'm not a child. Can you like Duoduo, Daddy?" Duoduo tilted her head, her round eyes overflowing with expectation.

Ling Yun didn't answer; he haughtily scooted away to put some distance between them. Duoduo stood up and took a step toward him. The sofa was too soft, and losing her balance, she tumbled onto Ling Yun.

Ling Yun: "..."

"Hehehe..." Duoduo looked up and gave him a silly, bright smile. Seeing that Ling Yun ignored her, she climbed up from his lap. She raised her chubby little hands and held out the comb and hair tie. "Daddy, I don't know how to style my hair. Can you help me?"

"No!" Ling Yun refused without hesitation. Ever since he had cut his hair short, he hadn't styled hair in years.

"Oh, so Daddy doesn't know how either!" Duoduo didn't doubt him. She twisted around and looked at Zhang Yangfan.

The moment Zhang Yangfan caught her gaze, he haughtily looked away. *This little shrimp hit a wall with that old ghost Ling Yun and only then thought of me? I won't be anyone's second choice!*

Seeing his expression, Duoduo assumed he didn't know how either. "I guess I'll go find Mommy instead!"

*Find who?* Zhang Yangfan’s eyes widened in disbelief, thinking he had misheard. *This little shrimp would rather find a strange ghost than me?* Zhang Yangfan was annoyed. He put his hands on his hips and gritted his teeth. He watched as she slid off the sofa and trotted toward the inner room. "Mommy, where are you?"

Just as Duoduo reached the corner, she bumped into Lin Jianyue, who was walking out with breakfast. She "plumped" into Lin Jianyue’s legs. The impact made her stumble back and land on her bottom.

The "father and son" on the sofa were rattled and stood up abruptly. Lin Jianyue also hurriedly set down the breakfast to help Duoduo up. But before she could even bend down, Duoduo had already climbed up on her own, patting Lin Jianyue’s knees gently.

"Does it hurt, Mommy?"

"Mommy isn't hurt." Lin Jianyue crouched down in front of her. "Did you hurt yourself, Duoduo?"

Duoduo shook her head and held out the comb. "Mommy, do you know how to style hair?"

"I do! Let me bring the breakfast out first, and then I'll style your hair, okay?"

"Okay!" Duoduo nodded obediently, her face beaming like a flower.

The "father and son" exchanged a glance, both seeing embarrassment in each other's eyes. Ling Yun looked away, gave a light cough, and walked over to the dining table to sit down. Zhang Yangfan followed and sat opposite him.

Lin Jianyue served the breakfast. "You two go ahead and eat; I'll help Duoduo with her hair."

"Let's all eat together," Ling Yun said, feeling slightly awkward. They were ghosts and didn't need to eat, but Duoduo didn't seem to know their true nature. To avoid revealing their identities and scaring her, they would have to force themselves to eat a few bites in front of her!

Zhang Yangfan nodded vigorously. He had no appetite if Duoduo wasn't around. Lin Jianyue had only been trying to be polite. Having left her family at a young age, she didn't know how to get along with them. But the mistress she had served in the past had spoken to her husband and children this way, so it must be correct!

She took Duoduo to the sofa to sit down. She had no other special talents, but she was adept at serving others. Especially with hair—she only needed one look to understand how a style was done. Unfortunately, Duoduo’s hair was short. She used the comb to gather Duoduo’s hair into two little buns.

"All done!"

"Thank you, Mommy!" Duoduo touched the two little buns on her head and threw herself into Lin Jianyue’s arms to cuddle. Lin Jianyue’s eyes curved as she giggled.

Suddenly, her slightly protruding belly moved. Duoduo let out an "Oh!" and pulled back, staring curiously at her stomach.

"Mommy, why did your tummy move?"