Do Not Approach

17

The butler continued, "Apologies for the short notice. If these don't suit your taste, we can arrange for more."

Then, to her astonishment, several men carefully carried in a piano inside.

Qiuqiu gasped, covering her mouth. "This... this..." She recognized the brand, it was a Steinway piano! She had seen it in a movie before, but she didn't even dare to check the price.

The butler smiled warmly. "Yes, this was a request from the Eldest Miss."

The luxurious piano looked completely out of place in their modest living room.

"We've also brought some basic sheet music and instructional DVDs." The butler added with a straight face, "The Eldest Miss hopes you'll stay on the right path and not follow in your sister's mischievous ways."

While Qiuqiu was still lost in thought, the butler gestured to the children's piano in front of her. "The Eldest Miss said she wants to trade this one with you."

Faced with such a gesture, Qiuqiu was stunned. "But that's my sister's favorite..."

Why would Sister Yi want this cheap little piano? Aren't there tons of them online? With her wealth, she could easily buy a truckload. Her sister had always dreamed of becoming a musician and had kept the piano with her for ages, finally learning to play do, re, mi, fa. How could Qiuqiu betray her sister by giving it away? She had to protect her sister's dream, no matter what—it wasn't something money could buy.

Behind the butler stood several other people, many of them holding various items. One of them carried a large bag of snacks.

Qiuqiu's eyes lit up instantly.

The butler smiled. "These are some daily necessities, but since you're still young and might not cook much, the Eldest Miss specifically asked us to bring you some self-heating instant meals."

Qiuqiu: ...

Self-heating meals?

Weren't those her sister's favorite?

She swallowed hard, then reluctantly handed her sister's beloved piano to the butler. "Even if you didn't offer a trade, I'd give it to you. Sister Yi is too kind." She quickly grabbed the bag of snacks.

"The Eldest Miss also instructed me to tell you not to mention any of this to your sister."

Qiuqiu: ...

Not mention it? How could her sister not notice a giant piano when she got home? What was she supposed to say? "Are your eyes blind? If not, I'll poke them out!" as her sister would say.

The butler maintained a gentle smile. "You can tell her you won it in a lucky draw at the mall."

Qiuqiu: ...

Alright.

She got it.

Sister Yi must think her sister was both blind and stupid. How could anyone fall for such a lazy excuse? What mall would give away a grand piano as a prize?

It dawned on Qiuqiu—Sister Yi really was outrageously wealthy. Recalling how her sister had glanced nervously at Sister Yi before they left, and thinking about the dynamic between them—one always yielding, the other always dominant—Qiuqiu suddenly patted her head in realization.

Her sister... Her sister might be kept by Sister Yi!

Oh, Sis!

Tears welled up in Qiuqiu's eyes, her heart aching. To think my sister would sacrifice so much for me and our siblings... How could she have fallen? She clutched her chest. These snacks... She didn't know how to eat these snacks now.