Lin Xingjin had maids search Song Cha Hua's room.

  Ai Wen who survived, knew where Song Cha Hua hid her favorite doll. She brought a human-shaped doll with button eyes and dressed in red. It was a bit different from the dolls in Zhou. There is a touch of foreign design in it. Upon holding the doll, Lin Xingjin's pupils contracted and his memories came back.

  Before he even became Song Yue's disciple, he met the five-year-old Song Cha Hua. Lin Xingjin was asked to meet Song Yue and be his disciple when he saw Song Cha Hua outside the study. She was sleeping there silently while embracing a doll.

  "Little miss?" Lin Xingjin poked her cheek. She woke up with blurry eyes.

  "Mean Xiaoyuan?" she blinked and was stunned to see Lin Xingjin. Song Cha Hua tilted her head. "Who are you? You're not Mean Xiaoyuan. Why are you here?"

  "Oh. I'm... Im Lin Xingjin." he was mesmerized by those round hazel eyes reflecting him well. Lin Xingjin is about to say more when the door opens. They looked up to see a seventeen-year-old boy staring at them with a raised brow.

  "Hey, little dummy, I'm not dead yet, but you already found a replacement for me?" Nian Xiaoyuan crossed his arms, clearly unhappy.

  "Young Master Nian misunderstood." Lin Xingjin waved his hand in helplessness. "I am the seventh prince, here to see the Imperial Tutor Song and be his new disciple."

  "You?" his gaze assessed Lin Xingjin. Nian Xiaoyuan just smiled and carried Song Cha Hua with an arm. "Little girl, do you want him to replace me?"

  "Well, he looks kind." Song Cha Hua whispered.

  "Say no. I'll give you a bag of candies." he secretly bribed Song Cha Hua. She smiled cheekily.

  "No. I don't want anyone else." she shook her head in fake disapproval. Nian Xiaoyuan smiled victoriously when Song Yue arrived.

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  "Ah, Your Highness. You must have met your senior brother. Xiaoyuan, I hope you didn't bully the young boy?" Song Yue knows how unrestrained Nian Xiaoyuan is. He often bribes Song Cha Hua so the little girl will beg Song Yue not to take the new disciples replacing Nian Xiaoyuan. Or, he can result in scheming at them.

  "Father, I don't like him. Pick another disciple." Song Cha Hua spoke in a sudden. Lin Xingjin suppressed a cough from choking.

  "Really? How many bags of candies did Xiaoyuan offer you?" her father asked with a grim smile. Song Cha Hua laughed awkwardly. "Xiao Cha, His Highness is not bad. Furthermore, Xiaoyuan has to leave this year for an important task."

  "Where? Mean Xiaoyuan, you never told me you were going to leave." the young girl crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks. It was a cute sight that Nian Xiaoyuan pinched her nose.

  "I'll have Mother bring candies for you." he smiled lightly. Her adorable face sometimes made him feel at ease.

  "Father, how long will it take? Can he come back if I turn eighteen? So that we can fulfill the promised marriage?" Song Cha Hua asked in curiosity. However, Nian Xiaoyuan flashed a sad-dead look as Song Yue shook his head.

  "Xiaoyuan is going to the borders to fight the enemies outside Zhou. I'm afraid it will take more than ten years for Xiaoyuan to come back. That is why His Highness is here. The Seventh Prince can look after you once Xiaoyuan leaves." Song Yue slowly explained but the young girl showed a complicated look.

  "Mean Xiaoyuan, you put me down." Song Cha Hua punched his shoulder. He complied when she suddenly kicked his knee.

  "Why, you!" Nian Xiaoyuan hissed a bit.

  "Hmph. Serves you right. You don't want to come back till my hairpin ceremony years from now." she stomped her foot and left with a tantrum.

  "Master! See how unrestrained she is? Can a prince handle a girl like that?" Nian Xiaoyuan acted as if he was in pain. Song Yue didn't buy it.

  "She looks adorable. Imperial Tutor, do not worry. I can tolerate the young miss." Lin Xingjin almost laughed at Nian Xiaoyuan's misery. They will surely not get along.

  In a few days, Nian Xiaoyuan and Lin Xingin both studied in the mansion. Song Cha Hua didn't show up and was seemingly angry at Nian Xiaoyuan. Lin Xingjin has to take care of his literature and Nian Xiaoyuan's sarcasm for days. But he has no room to complain since he is his senior brother. While reading a book Song Yue recommended, Nian Xiaoyuan, who sat next to his desk, suddenly stood up.

  "Senior, where are you going?" Lin Xingjin asked to stop him. Nian Xiaoyuan glanced at him indifferently.

  "None of your business. Just continue being studious or I'll find someone to replace you." Nian Xiaoyuan provoked him again. He chose to ignore Nian Xiaoyuan.

  Lin Xingjin had just flipped a page when he heard a familiar shout outside.

  "Mean Xiaoyuan! Give me that doll!"

  "It's ugly. Why are you keeping something creepy like this?"

  "Y-you! It was you who gave it to me, dumdum!"

  "Watch your words, brat. You're a young miss, remember?"

  "It's not my fault I keep hearing it from you!"

  "Watch where you're biting, ow! My hand!"

  "Hmph! Bring me my doll or I'll bite both your hands!"

  His brows knitted a bit. Lin Xingjin went out to study to see Song Cha Hua crying helplessly as her doll remained on a tree branch. Nian Xiaoyuan leaned on the tree.

  "Need my help?" Nian Xiaoyuan smiled haughtily. The little girl continued to weep.

  "Mean Xiaoyuan, why are you this abnormal!?"

  "Young Miss, don't cry." Lin Xingjin approached them and took the doll from the branch. The two young men glared at each other for a second. He first looked away and strode to Song Cha Hua. "Young Miss looks cute even when crying. Maybe that is why the Senior is bullying the Young Miss."

  "No, I'm not." Nian Xiaoyuan scoffed. But in truth, he likes making her cry. Even if he was too old to be her bully.