After Teasing the Villain and Running Away - Chapter 23

Finding information about Xin Chengbi’s adopted daughter wasn’t as difficult as Jiang Ruosheng had imagined. The child’s presence in the Xin family was practically invisible. According to the information Jiang Ruosheng gathered, the child was adopted by Xin Chengbi by chance and had never appeared in public.

Although the Xin family was somewhat curious, an adopted daughter wasn’t even considered a true member of the family, and Xin Chengbi didn’t seem to place much importance on her. If she hadn’t returned to the country with Xin Chengbi this time, few would have even known of her existence.

The information available was pitifully scarce, not even including a photo. Jiang Ruosheng’s eyes fixed on the words “Tianji Kindergarten.”

This kindergarten wasn’t among the city’s top-tier institutions, nor was it an elite establishment like St. Thomas, which catered exclusively to the children of the wealthy and powerful. It was utterly ordinary—more like a makeshift daycare set up in the neighborhood.

Jiang Ruosheng drove alone and parked outside the kindergarten, waiting patiently in the driver’s seat.

Around two in the afternoon, a swarm of tiny humans in pale yellow uniforms poured out of the school building.

Jiang Ruosheng’s expression tightened slightly as her fingers tapped the steering wheel. After a moment’s thought, she got out of the car and moved toward the fence behind the children’s play area.

Xin Zimo stood by the sandpit, clutching a white plush teddy bear, watching the other children roughhouse and play. She didn’t cry or fuss, standing quietly on the sidelines.

Suddenly, she thought she heard someone calling her. She glanced around and spotted a long-haired woman wearing sunglasses and a hat crouching by the fence not far away.

Even through the sunglasses, the woman’s intense gaze was palpable—she looked highly suspicious.

Her teacher had warned her that kidnappers sometimes lurked near kindergartens, watching children. If they took a liking to a child, they’d snatch them away.

That strange auntie was crouching and staring right at her—was she planning to kidnap her?

The more Xin Zimo thought about it, the more frightened she became. After circling the sandpit a few times and realizing the woman was still staring, she couldn’t take it anymore and tugged at her teacher’s apron.

The kindergarten teacher, clad in a pink apron, had her arms crossed as she supervised the children on the slide, making sure they didn’t do anything dangerous.

She turned when she felt a tug on her clothes and looked down at the tiny figure barely reaching her thigh. “Zimo, what’s wrong?”

Xin Zimo’s voice was soft and sweet as she whispered, “Teacher, there’s a strange auntie over there staring at me. Is she a kidnapper?”

The teacher frowned and looked in the direction Xin Zimo pointed, but there was no sign of anyone suspicious.

Jiang Ruosheng had already ducked behind the car the moment the child approached the teacher.

Xin Zimo tilted her head, puzzled. “She was just there.”

“Alright, just stay here and don’t disturb the other children,” the teacher replied impatiently. She had little fondness for this overly delicate child.

The girl’s large, dewy eyes, milky-smooth skin, and delicate features made it obvious she’d been raised in luxury. Anyone would find her adorable at first glance.

But Xin Zimo was frail. Every afternoon, she required extra health checks, and during outdoor activities, she couldn’t participate with the other children. Sometimes she sat quietly on a chair, but more often, she just stood to the side, watching in silence.

Due to her poor constitution, Xin Zimo often complained of discomfort. Yet every time she underwent thorough medical examinations as if facing a grave enemy, no major issues were found—just general weakness. Over time, people began to subtly perceive her as “troublesome.”

Children who had initially wanted to befriend the pretty new classmate gradually ignored her, afraid she might suddenly fall ill.

But what made her even less welcome among others was her “special treatment.” Because of her condition, Xin Zimo always wore a monitoring bracelet on her wrist that would automatically sound an alarm if it detected abnormal heart rates or other irregularities.

The black bracelet also functioned as a smartwatch—a high-end electronic device. According to kindergarten rules, children weren’t allowed to bring such items during class hours.

The same went for her plush toy. While every child could play with toys provided by the kindergarten, bringing personal toys from home was prohibited, let alone Xin Zimo’s refusal to share hers.

Whenever the teacher heard children complain— “Why can Xin Zimo bring toys to school?” “Her bracelet is so cool, I want one too.” “Why does Xin Zimo get special treatment?”— she found it exasperating. She disliked having such an exception in her class.

From Xin Zimo’s attire alone, it was clear her family was exceptionally wealthy. The principal had specifically instructed that due to her “special circumstances,” the child should be accommodated no matter what.

This only made the teacher more resentful. If privileged children could enjoy such exceptions, why didn’t they just attend the elite kindergarten next door?

Patting Xin Zimo’s back, the teacher nudged her aside and walked over to some rowdy children. “Everyone should be good and not fight.”

Xin Zimo’s eyes lowered slightly in disappointment, her thick lashes fluttering, before she immediately raised her head again to glance toward Jiang Ruosheng’s hiding spot.

Jiang Ruosheng emerged from behind the car, her gaze frosty. Though she couldn’t hear the conversation between Xin Zimo and the teacher, she easily sensed the teacher’s displeasure.

She crouched by the fence again, beckoning with one hand and mouthing, “Come here, come here.”

Xin Zimo: …This auntie is even more suspicious now.

The child clutched her plush toy tightly with pink little hands, hesitantly looking at Jiang Ruosheng before curiosity finally overcame her fear, and she approached.

From afar, details were unclear, but as she drew nearer, little Zimo’s round eyes gradually widened.

Such a beautiful big sister!

Jiang Ruosheng crouched by the fence with arms crossed, her striking, coldly elegant features still visible despite the black sunglasses. She wasn’t dressed formally, just in casual attire—a thin long-sleeved blouse layered under a purple cotton dress, paired with black leather boots. A matching purple painter’s hat adorned her head, and her carefully styled long curls cascaded to her waist, exuding a serene, refined grace like a lady stepping out of a vintage poster.

If only her expression wasn’t icy enough to freeze someone to death, making her look both fierce and aloof.

Xin Zimo’s eyes curved into crescents, all wariness forgotten in the face of such divine beauty. Her soft, sweet voice called out, “Pretty sister, pretty sister.”

Meanwhile, the smiling, bright-eyed little girl imprinted herself firmly in Jiang Ruosheng’s vision.

Delicate and beautiful features, large dewy eyes like grapes, crescent-shaped when smiling, with translucent fair skin tinged with a faint pink from walking. Soft, curly hair cascaded over her shoulders, tied in the middle with a playful red lace headband, exuding both charm and cuteness.

Dressed in a goose-yellow garden dress, she wore shiny red leather shoes and white knee-high socks, with two plump knees slightly flushed pink.

Her soft voice was low yet articulate, speaking gently into the ear. Jiang Ruosheng pushed her sunglasses up, her usually stern expression softening instantly.

This little one is just adorable!!

Xin Zimo mustered the courage to lean in for a closer look. Without the sunglasses obstructing the view, that stunning face was even more striking.

Jiang Ruosheng sized up the child. She appeared to be just over five years old, slightly taller than her peers, with plump, slightly chubby arms.

“Your name is Xin Zimo?” she asked sternly, arms crossed.

The little one nodded, her big, watery eyes fixed unblinkingly on Jiang Ruosheng.

Jiang Ruosheng noticed traces of Ruan Xin’s distinctive features in the child’s face—the slightly pouty lips and other facial contours bore a resemblance, though those round, crystal-clear eyes seemed to take after her own.

Jiang Ruosheng stroked her chin, indulging in a bit of narcissistic pride, then turned her attention to the curly hair. Jiang Ruosheng had naturally curly hair—smooth, soft, and jet-black—but Xin Zimo’s hair was more of a chestnut hue, shimmering faintly with a ginger tint under the sunlight.

Her thoughts twisted and turned, the needle in her mind swinging back and forth. A mix of nervousness, strangeness, excitement, and curiosity left her feeling tense.

Psychological suggestions were dangerous. Just because she subconsciously suspected Xin Zimo might be her child, she couldn’t help but draw similarities in their appearances. She needed to stay clear-headed.

Xin Zimo, noticing the increasingly cold expression on the other’s face, grew puzzled.

Then, she heard the beautiful sister ask, “How old are you?”

Xin Zimo replied in a sweet, childish voice, “Five and a half~ Almost six!”

Jiang Ruosheng felt a pang of disappointment. Though the answer was expected, hearing it still left her disheartened.

Xin Zimo asked, “Beautiful sister, are you here looking for a child?”

Jiang Ruosheng paused. “How did you know?”

Xin Zimo explained, “People who crouch here are either kidnappers or parents looking for their kids.”

“So… did you find them?”

Jiang Ruosheng shook her head. “No… I don’t think I have a child.”

Perhaps the sadness on her face was too evident, because Xin Zimo couldn’t help but comfort her. “It’s okay. Zimo doesn’t have parents either.”

“How could you not have parents? Ruan—” Jiang Ruosheng started to say something but abruptly stopped.

Judging by appearance alone, Xin Zimo bore a striking resemblance to Ruan Xin—at least fifty or sixty percent. It was hard to believe they weren’t related. Yet, from the little one’s words, it seemed she believed herself to be an orphan adopted by Xin Chengbi.

What on earth was going on?

“Then who took care of you when you were little?”

Xin Zimo smiled softly. “Auntie Lin took care of me. Later, there was also Auntie Xin.”

Still confused, Jiang Ruosheng gazed at Xin Zimo’s soft, round little face, feeling an inexplicable ache in her heart.

The little cub amiably stretched out a tiny, tender hand and placed it on Jiang Ruosheng’s fingers gripping the fence. Feeling the warm, soft touch on the back of her hand, Jiang Ruosheng’s heart itched with the urge to clasp that delicate little hand in her palm.

But just then, several children came running by, laughing and roughhousing as they passed Xin Zimo. One of them threw a handful of wet mud that landed on Xin Zimo.

Startled, Xin Zimo stepped back. Her pale yellow kindergarten uniform was soiled, the wet mud dripping down onto her beautiful red leather shoes. Even the white teddy bear she clutched tightly in her arms wasn’t spared – muddy stains marred its white fur.

Yet little Zimo didn’t cry out or throw a tantrum. She just slightly lowered her curly head, looking sadly at her red shoes and whispering almost inaudibly, “These are my favorite shoes.”

Jiang Ruosheng’s protective instincts instantly skyrocketed!

Jiang Ruosheng: …Who dares hurt my cub!

The transition from “auntie” to “big sister” was just a matter of good looks.