The richest man's parents were kidnapped, and his adorable son captivated the entire family.

But she quickly dismissed the idea; Mengmeng couldn't possibly be here.

Mengmeng is probably still living a poor life in the orphanage, and it's impossible for her to be surrounded and pampered by so many people.

Suppressing her doubts, she said to Xie Qingyi, "Mom, I need to go to the restroom. Can you put me down?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Qingyi bent down and put Tiantian on the ground.

"Go on, Mengmeng, we'll be waiting for you here."

Xie Qingyi was strolling along the flower-lined paths in the botanical garden when she spotted her younger brother, Xie Beiling, in the distance.

I was taken aback.

My younger brother is busy with work and is also obsessed with Xie Yumin, so how could he have the mind to come here?

Since he became obsessed with pursuing Xie Yumin, the relationship between the siblings has become less and less close. Despite living in the same city, they rarely see each other, and she knows less and less about Xie Beiling's situation…

With mixed emotions, Xie Qingyi quickly stepped forward.

"Beiling? What are you doing here?"

Hearing his sister's voice, Xie Beiling lazily turned around and said in a nonchalant tone, "I'm out playing with Mengmeng."

"Mengmeng?"

Xie Qingyi raised her eyebrows slightly. Did Xie Beiling know that she had brought Mengmeng from her family to play, and wait here on purpose?

Doubts lingered in my mind...

Her gaze swept behind Xie Beiling, and she then noticed that the Gu family members were also standing not far away.

Gu Jingsi, Gu Shiyu, and Gu Shiche stood side by side, their tall figures and innate aristocratic aura impossible to ignore.

Of the three, Gu Shiyu had attended many events, while Xie Qingyi was still a familiar face.

Although the Lu family is the richest family in Jiangcheng, Xie Qingyi knows that the Gu family's deep European aristocratic background and powerful strength are not something that any family in Jiangcheng can easily shake.

Xie Qingyi adjusted her breathing slightly, stepped forward, and maintained a polite smile.

"Young Master Gu, it's been a long time."

She greeted him politely, her tone gentle, her demeanor elegant, revealing her confidence and poise as Mrs. Lu.

"Madam Lu, it has indeed been a while since we last met."

Gu Shiyu smiled faintly, his eyes revealing a polite distance.

"Why is Young Master Gu at the botanical garden? Is he... here with some children?"

Xie Qingyi suddenly remembered that Lu Rongsheng had mentioned that the Gu family had also adopted a little girl, and that the girl looked very much like Mengmeng in that photo.

Her heart started racing, and she looked around.

But there was no sign of the girl, and a hint of disappointment crept into his eyes.

"The Mengmeng my brother just mentioned... is she from the Gu family? The Gu family also has a little girl named Mengmeng?" Xie Qingyi's voice held a hint of inquiry.

Gu Shiyu smiled slightly and replied politely, "Yes, Madam Lu, our Gu family recently adopted a little sister named Mengmeng."

Xie Qingyi and Lu Rongsheng exchanged a meaningful glance.

Her gaze fell on Xie Beiling again, filled with a mixture of confusion and barely concealed doubt.

"Beiling, don't you dislike children? Why are you so interested in this adorable girl?"

Xie Beiling shrugged. "Perhaps it's fate. I liked Gu's Mengmeng the moment I saw her."

Hearing these words, Xie Qingyi felt a strange and inexplicable emotion welling up inside her.

Her expression changed slightly, and her brows furrowed.

The younger brother didn't show much interest in the Lu family's new sister, and this indifference made her even more suspicious of the special nature of this cute girl from the Gu family.

She tentatively asked, "Which orphanage did the Gu family's Mengmeng get adopted from?"

Gu Shiyu's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment of silence, he answered calmly, "Hongshan Orphanage."

"Hongshan Orphanage?!"

Xie Qingyi's expression changed slightly.

The moment their eyes met, both of them felt a vague premonition rising in their hearts.

Mengmeng, who lives in the family, was adopted from Hongshan Orphanage.

However, the child had told them that she was the only little girl named Mengmeng in the orphanage.

Xie Qingyi felt uneasy and doubtful.

"Because of what Beiling said, I became extremely curious about Mengmeng."

"Young Master Gu, may I see Mengmeng?"

Xie Qingyi's eyes searched anxiously around, filled with eager anticipation.

The three members of the Gu family keenly sensed that the urgency in her tone was unusual.

The three exchanged glances, but none of them revealed the truth.

Gu Shiyu explained calmly, "Mengmeng went to the restroom and will be back soon."

After hearing this, Xie Qingyi stared intently at the path leading to the toilet.

Her anticipation for the girl Gu Jiaxin had been building for a long time.

Standing to the side, Lu Rongsheng also showed a hint of urgency.

However, just when the atmosphere was tense and delicate.

A sharp cry for help shattered the tranquility.

Sweet, tearful voices drifted from afar, filled with anxiety and helplessness.

"Mommy, brother~ Help! There are kidnappers!"

Xie Qingyi's expression changed, and she turned around to grab Lu Rongsheng's arm.

"Rong Sheng, something's happened to Mengmeng."

Although Lu Rongsheng was also full of expectations for Gu Jiamengmeng, Lu Jiamengmengmeng's cries for help made him unable to wait any longer.

Lu Rongsheng sighed helplessly.

Before leaving, Xie Qingyi reminded the Gu family, "Remember to come to my youngest son's birthday party tomorrow, and don't forget to bring Mengmeng. I really want to see her."

Before she finished speaking, Xie Qingyi had already pulled Lu Rongsheng away quickly, their figures disappearing swiftly among the flowers and trees.

……

Ten minutes ago,

The hospital director, who was taking a work call nearby, suddenly caught sight of a petite figure.

That familiar figure made her heart clench.

It's sweet!!

The dean rushed over excitedly.

"Sweet!"

Grandma Dean grabbed Tian Tian's hand, her eyes filled with anger and disappointment.

"Sweetie, what are you doing here? Come with me to see Mengmeng!"

You took her place; this can't just be left like this!

The moment Tian Tian saw the dean, her heart started racing, and she almost lost control of her emotions.

She hadn't expected to run into the dean here, but she quickly forced herself to calm down.

Sweetie's thoughts raced, and a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

She knew that if she let the dean's grandmother keep bothering her, it might attract the Lu family, and then her identity would be exposed!

Do not!

She can't let her hard-earned life of wealth and stability be ruined like this!

Sweetie let out a soft breath, regaining her innocent and delicate appearance.

"Grandma, let's find a place to talk this out."

She pulled the dean's grandmother along and walked towards a secluded spot in the botanical garden.

Sweetie immediately knelt down and pleaded, "Grandma, I know I was wrong, but I had no choice..."

The dean frowned. "Have no choice? Did someone hold a knife to your throat and force you to do this? It's clearly because you're jealous that Mengmeng has won Mr. Lu's favor and want to live a wealthy life!"

Sweetie, you lied to Mengmeng. Do you know how heartbroken Mengmeng is?

You must be honest with the Lu family about everything; you can't let Mengmeng take all the credit.

Sweetie's eyes gradually turned cold and resolute. "Grandma, if I admit it, the Lu family won't want me anymore. I'll have nothing left!"

"Grandma, please let me go. Just pretend you've never seen me."

"Or, how much hush money do you want? Just say it!"

The dean's face instantly darkened, and her voice trembled slightly with anger.

"Sweetie! You actually want to shut me up with money?"

I picked you up from the wilderness and raised you until now, just so you could use money to shut me up?

"What Mengmeng has lost, how could you possibly buy back with money?"

Grandma's voice was filled with a heart-wrenching pain and an uncontrollable, furious disappointment.

Sweetie looked up and coldly stared at the dean.

"You really won't give me even a chance?"