Supper Baby

002 Beat hard

The old man, who had been stern-faced just moments ago, immediately broke into a smile and asked somewhat nervously, "Mo Mo, can Grandpa call you that?"

Tan Mo was a little surprised. Her first impression had led her to believe that Old Master Tan was a serious, strict man.

But now it seemed that this grandfather was actually quite warm and affectionate toward his grandchildren.

She tested the waters with a tentative, "Grandfather?"

Just that one word made the old man's smile grow even warmer. His tone turned tender with concern. "All these years lost out there—you've suffered."

His gaze fell upon her injuries, and the thought of what that young rascal beside him had done made his blood boil.

Tan Mo responded with a gentle smile.

"But from now on," she said softly, "I have a grandfather. I have ... family?"

Moved by her maturity, Old Master Tan felt even more protective of his granddaughter.

"Your room is already prepared. After dinner, Grandpa will take you to see it, alright?"

That room had once belonged to Mo Mo's mother—the finest room in the entire Tan villa. It had remained sealed ever since her passing. Now that her biological daughter had been found, Old Master Tan had ordered the servants to clean and renovate it anew.

As the rightful young mistress of the Tan family, she deserved nothing less than the best.

"Alright. Thank you, Grandpa." Tan Mo nodded obediently.

The old man gently patted her head. "We're family. No need for thank."

A tender, heartwarming scene of grandparent-grandchild affection.

Then a jarring voice cut through the moment.

"Grandpa, don't you think it's unfair--keeping little sister all to yourself and leaving me standing here ignored?"

Tan Mo turned toward the voice and came face to face with him.

As the top streamer in the entertainment industry, Tan Yi certainly had the looks to back it up—truly living up to his fans' title of "The lovest idol."

Unfortunately, underneath that polished exterior was nothing but a spoilt brat who'd caused a hit-and-run and left his mother to clean up the mess—rotten to the core, disguised by a golden shell.

Tan Yi stepped forward, trying to get closer to her.

He wasn't worried about his sister recognizing him as the driver; after all, he knew she had amnesia. If not for that, he wouldn't have dared come home.

Since this sister had no memory of the incident, it could be treated as if it never happened. Even if she eventually remembered, by then, given their established relationship, this accident wouldn't matter anymore.

But instead of greeting him, his new sister recoiled, her face twisting in fear as she pressed herself against the back of her wheelchair.

"Grandpa, why is he here?" Tan Mo pushed her wheelchair backward.

Tan Yi took another step forward. "Little sister, don't be afraid—I'm your brother…"

Yet Tan Mo seemed to pay his words no heed, continuing to maneuver her wheelchair behind their grandfather. "Grandpa, he looks just like the person who hit me."

Seeing his newly found granddaughter so frightened, Old Master Tan's face hardened once more. He shot Tan Yi a cold look, silently stopping him from coming any closer.

Tan Yi shifted awkwardly, feeling the sting of embarrassment.

Wasn't she supposed to have amnesia? How could she recall the scene of the accident?

Tan Mo was faking it. She had lost her memory, but not her wits. Though she couldn't truly remember, she could pretend—and her pretense would rattle those with guilty consciences.

"I remember. I was about to cross the street when a car suddenly rushed toward me and hit me. The driver looked exactly like him!" She did her best to look terrified.

She was the one with amnesia, but the old man knew the truth may not be so simple..

"Mo Mo, have you remembered something?"

Old Master Tan bent down and wrapped his arms around her, gently stroking her trembling back.

Nestled in the old man's embrace, the girl narrowed her eyes slightly, a faint smile curving her lips.

So they thought they could hide behind her amnesia? She'd just pretend her memory had returned—let's see what tricks this "big brother" could pull now!

Just as she expected, Tan Yi's face had turned ashen. He stood there, speechless.

Old Master Tan turned back to comfort her. "Don't be afraid, Mo Mo. Grandpa is here. Grandpa will make things right for you."

Emboldened by her grandfather's support, Tan Mo pointed straight at Tan Yi. "Grandpa, I saw his face. The person who hit me—it was him! It had to be him!"

Tan Yi's face went pale as ash.

The old man knew he was the one who caused the accident!

And with the old man doting on his long-lost granddaughter—Tan Yi being nothing more than a step-grandson brought in by his mother—now that Tan Mo had accused him of running her over, he was in serious trouble.

"Butler Wang, take him away!"

Old Master Tan made his decision.

Tan Yi had back home today, and he had already intended to discipline this reckless grandson. Now, noticing how terrified Tan Mo was of him, there was even less reason to let him off easy.

Hearing his grandfather's fury, Tan Yi's face turned deathly pale. He was so tense he didn't dare utter a single word.

In this household, when the old man say jump, everyone else can only have one question”how high”.

Today's family discipline—no escaping!

"Yes, sir," Wang Ming nodded, then turned to Tan Yi. "Eldest Young Master, if you please."

Face contorted with dread, legs trembling, Tan Yi followed Wang Ming out.

The Tan family's discipline was notoriously severe—not just anyone could withstand it. But with Grandfather's temperament, the cost of trying to flee now would be far worse than enduring the punishment.

Listening to Tan Yi's blood-curdling screams from outside, Tan Mo stared at the cast on her leg and curled her lips into a faint smile.

Don’t worry—not the end yet.

Now that Tan Yi had been punished, his mother Xu Piao was bound to show up.

Right on cue, a voice rang out from upstairs.

"I heard there's a beautiful young lady in our house. Let me have a look?"

The woman descended slowly down the villa's ornate spiral staircase. With short, wavy hair, bold red lipstick, and faint crow's feet that only added to her lingering charm, she cut an elegant figure.

Dressed in a simple yet sharp professional suit, she exuded capability.

This was her stepmother—her father's second wife—and one of the voices she'd overheard on the phone earlier: Xu Piao.

"Madam," Wang Ming greeted her with a nod.

Xu Piao walked straight toward Tan Mo and crouched down beside the wheelchair.

"Hello there, you must be Mo Mo? You can call me Mom."

Tan Mo maintained her smile and responded, "Stepmom."

That voice—she'd heard it just moments ago, and it wasn't something she'd forget anytime soon.

If there was one thing Tan Mo was good at, it was holding a grudge.

This Xu Piao had tried to cover up the fact that her son had caused the accident and injured her, and now here she was, playing the doting mother to the victim—all while her own son's screams echoed from outside. Yet she could still sit here calmly with a child who wasn't even her own.

A woman with patience and ruthless streak.

Tan Mo wasn't foolish enough to be fooled by appearances.

Xu Piao had expected to hear "Mom," but instead got "Stepmom." Just one word, but the difference was worlds apart. For a split second, Xu Piao's expression tightened.

But the flash of annoyance vanished as quickly as it came. She smoothed her features into the picture of a benevolent mother and continued her approach.

"We'll be living under the same roof from now on. If you need anything, just let me know."

"Okay." Tan Mo acknowledged her, then noticed the person standing behind Xu Piao.

"This is Lily, the maid I've personally chosen for you, Mo Mo. You can ask her for anything you need. She's also a certified nurse, so she'll be able to take care of you properly," Xu Piao introduced.

The young maid behind her stepped forward and politely bowed in greeting.

"Hello." Tan Mo returned the gesture.

Her eyes were sharp enough to notice that the two had come down the stairs together—clearly, they'd already spoken beforehand.

Planting a mole by her side the very first time they met? This stepmother wanted to play palace intrigue with her, did she?

Fine. Let the games begin.