005 Loyal Dog Brother

Eight o’clock in the morning, T City

In front of an abandoned apartment block

Beep, beep, beep, beep—

The abrupt sound of an alarm shattered the peaceful slumber of someone sprawled on the bed.

She opened her eyes slowly, frowning.

At the same time, someone gently knocked on the bedroom door, followed by a sleepy, disgruntled voice,

“Boss, your crazy third brother is here again…”

“Mu Jingchi?”

“Yeah.”

Mu Qingcheng shook her head helplessly, tossed aside the covers, and slid off the bed.

She grabbed a robe from the side and wrapped it around herself before opening the door. There, leaning against the doorframe, was a tall young man with a wild nest of hair.

Yawning, he pointed to one of the monitors behind him and continued,

“Does he ever sleep? Driving from the capital takes seven or eight hours at least. Why’s he so excited? It’s not like he’s picking up his bride.”

“Ye Xiaozhi, stop talking nonsense. He’s my brother.”

Smack—

Mu Qingcheng gave Ye Zhi a slap on the forehead. It wasn’t hard, but the sound was crisp and clear.

This boy named Ye Zhi was her personal assistant and bodyguard.

He was an orphan, parentless, and alone.

Mu Qingcheng had picked him up while on a mission.

Back then, Ye Zhi was only ten years old—thin, timid, and silent. He clung to Mu Qingcheng’s side, not letting anyone approach, wary as a little rooster ready to flare up at any moment.

Mu Qingcheng felt sorry for him, and so she took him in, raising him herself, bit by bit.

Since then, the two had been like siblings, almost inseparable.

But in truth, Ye Zhi was only two years younger than Mu Qingcheng.

Now,

“It’s true though. Look at his eyes—when he looks at you, they practically sparkle.”

Ye Zhi grumbled as he settled in front of the control panel. Though reluctant, he raised his hand and pressed a few switches.

Immediately, a hidden door slid open before Mu Qingcheng, revealing the shabby room beyond.

The walls were old and yellowed, with patches of peeling paint exposing mottled marks beneath.

Yet the entire room was tidy and clean, radiating warmth and comfort.

The faint scent of cotton, mingled with the gentle heat of sunlight, lent the space a true sense of home.

Mu Qingcheng stepped out and closed the hidden door behind her.

She slipped off her black lace nightdress and, barefoot, walked to the old wardrobe, pulling out a simple white cotton dress.

The fabric was plain, worn to a soft yellow, but it fit comfortably.

She rarely wore it—not because she disliked it, but because she cherished it.

It was made for her by her mother when she was still very young.

It was the only one she had left.

When Mu Qingcheng tied her waist-length hair into two neat braids, footsteps sounded at the door.

Then came an impatient knocking.

Knock, knock—knock, knock—

“Qingcheng, I’ve come to take you home.”

Mu Jingchi stood at the doorway, unable to hide his excitement.

No one would have guessed that the dignified president of the Mu Group was, in truth, a devoted brother, loyal to his sister to the core.

More than five years ago, when he first met Mu Qingcheng, he couldn’t help but be drawn to this “sister” who seemed to have fallen from the heavens.

Back then, Mu Qingcheng was soft and gentle, her deer-like eyes full of nervous uncertainty as she gazed at him for a long time.

Finally, she called him, timidly,

“Third Brother~”

It was this single call that softened Mu Jingchi’s heart, and from then on, he could never let go of his “hard-luck” little sister.