When Lin Baishui led a delicate little doll-like child saying that they wanted to stay at their home, Lin Tianye was unwilling.

It's not just unwillingness; it's detestable disdain, to the point of wanting to spit in disgust.

"This is Tao Jingrong. He is nine years old this year. His dad, Uncle Tao, was my classmate in high school. You've met him a few times before. Jingrong loves Peking Opera and came to A city to study drama. Uncle Tao is currently busy arranging accommodation and couldn't take care of him. So, he will stay at our house for a few days," said Lin Baishui.

"Stay then." Lin Tianye glanced at the little one and left after saying these words.

Lin Tianye has been the apple of his family's eye since he was little, being the only son of the Lin family. Despite the stern appearance of Lin Baishui, there is nothing he can do as long as Zhong Qin, who cannot bear to see the little treasure suffer, is present. Both inside and outside the house, Lin Tianye is treated like a little emperor, indulged to the point of being unruly, and has become a well-known brat far and wide. In addition to being raised on nourishing delicacies like bird's nest and abalone, the nutrition is indeed a little too good. At just thirteen years old, this child is tall and chubby, easily surpassing his peers in size.

Compared to Tao Jingrong, he... is several times bigger.

At that time, Lin Baishui was not the industry tycoon who could cause a stir in the entertainment circle with just a sneeze. The Lin family's residence was not the secluded mansion it is now. In the past, they only lived in a slightly luxurious villa. Therefore, the two children living in this villa would encounter each other no matter where they looked.

Lin Tianye has always been a person who knows what he likes and dislikes, ever since he was a child. When he loves, he loves with all his heart, and when he hates, he hates with utmost intensity. Otherwise, he wouldn't have grown up and done something like kicking the "illegitimate child" out of the house.

Xiao Pangan, Lin Tianye, fully lived up to his reputation as a "little troublemaker." Whenever there was an opportunity to see Tao Jingrong, he would act mischievously. He would pick out all the green peppers and put them in Tao Jingrong's bowl, spill fruit juice on Tao Jingrong's bedsheets, and secretly talk bad about Tao Jingrong to Zhong Qin... and so on, the list went on and on without end.

"Or how about having a good talk with Bao'er?" Even Zhong Qin, who has always spoiled Lin Tianye, couldn't bear it anymore. After all, she also liked this beautiful and innocent child made of white jade.

"No need," Lin Baishui said decisively. Although Lin Baishui had a hidden fondness for his son, he was also a normal father who treated children as toys. "Children, let them have their fun. It's good for them to build relationships through their mischief."

On one hand, Lin Baishui knew Lin Tianye's character. He may have a high pitch, but he is timid and unlikely to cause any trouble. On the other hand, Lin Baishui also knew Lin Tianye's intelligence. He would not be able to outsmart Tao Jingrong, this cunning person.

It would be good to see that little brat suffer a big loss, Lin Baishui thought, so he wouldn't keep bothering his mother with this and that every day. If Jing Rong were my son, it would be so much easier.

Lin Tianye was awakened by the sound of thunder.

It was summer, and even in the dry and less rainy city of A, it was inevitable to have a few days of torrential rain.

Lin Tianye woke up in a daze, feeling a bit thirsty. He opened his eyes groggily and suddenly saw a person standing right beside his bed, staring straight at him.

"Help!..." Lin Tianye broke out in a cold sweat, but before he could even shout, his mouth was covered.

"Do you recognize me?" The person said coldly. Lin Tianye's eyes widened in fear, his mind went blank, and after a careful moment of reflection, he finally recognized that it was that child?

Lin Tianye nodded desperately. The lightning and thunder outside the window reflected on Tao Jingrong's face, making it particularly frightening. "I am not Tao Jingrong. I am a drowning ghost. I only come out on rainy days."

Lin Tianye struggled hard to break free, but was swiftly flipped over by "Tao Jingrong" and pinned down on the bed, unable to move. In terms of size, "Tao Jingrong" may only be one third of his body, yet such a small frame possessed an incredible strength, as if possessed by a ghost.

"Don't move!" scolded Tao Jingrong. Lin Tianye truly dared not to move anymore.

Tao Jingrong smiled, his expression particularly sinister. "Tao Jingrong is my host. If you dare to bully him again, I will personally come to find you."

Lin Tianye's mouth was still covered, with no way to speak. He could only nod his head vigorously to express his loyalty.

Tao Jingrong smiled contentedly and said, "Don't tell anyone. Otherwise... have sweet dreams." After that, he floated away. Leaving only Lin Tianye alone, unable to sleep all night.

Afterwards, Lin Tianye did indeed become obedient. Whenever he saw Tao Jingrong, he would detour around him, and would tremble at the sound of Tao Jingrong's voice. A once chubby child, he was now tormented and as a result, grew even fatter... But what can be done? Young Master Lin developed a fear-induced appetite and ended up eating even more.

Lin Baishui looked on, not only without sympathy, but also finding it quite amusing. He was even more curious about Tao Jingrong and wondered what method he had used to make this fearless and unruly devil king of a person fear him, a mere little child.

Lin Tianye was feeling gloomy until his cousin Jiang Luolei came to play with him, and then his mood improved. The two brothers played from day to night, eating snacks and playing games, making Lin Tianye completely forget about the troublemaker at home named Tao Jingrong.

With a loud rumble, a sudden thunderclap resounded in the sky. Lin Tianye's face instantly changed.

"It's all your fault! What kind of name is Jiang Luolei? Jiang Luolei actually made lightning strike! Lightning has really struck now!" Lin Tianye was so anxious that his words were filled with teary voices.

At this moment, Lin Baishui entered. "Luo Lei, don't go back now, it's already getting late. You can sleep in Tianye's room. Tianye and Jingrong can squeeze a bit," he said.

"No! I want to sleep with Jiang Luolei!" Lin Tianye quickly objected.

"Give it up." Lin Baishui frowned. "Even if you're not afraid of collapsing the bed, be careful not to crush your cousin to death. You've gained weight again these past few days! Just sleep with Jingrong, he's smaller in size and can fit."

Lin Tianye felt like crying without tears. If only he had known, he wouldn't have eaten those fried chicken legs, potato chips, caramel candies, baked pudding, shrimp crackers, fruit jelly, sushi rolls...

Finally, it was time for bed. Lin Tianye had been playing in the master bedroom until Lin Baishui became anxious and reluctantly came out. He had originally planned to stay in the living room for a while longer, but found the pitch-black and empty living room to be more frightening. In the end, he went back to his room.

When Lin Tianye cautiously opened the door, he was lucky enough to discover that Tao Jingrong was asleep! His heart finally relaxed, and he quietly approached, preparing to take a blanket to make a makeshift bed.

As soon as Lin Tianye's hand touched the blanket, it was instantly caught by Tao Jingrong, who was coldly staring at him.

"I... I... I..." Lin Tianye was truly scared and did not dare to speak loudly, afraid that if he anger the ghost "Tao Jingrong", it would end up badly for himself. "I was wrong..."

"What did you do wrong?" Tian Jiayi asked.

"I... I don't know." Lin Tianye's voice was trembling.

"Hmm?" Tao Jingrong squinted his eyes.

"All wrong, all wrong! I got it all wrong!" Lin Tianye wailed repeatedly, appearing utterly pitiful.

"Pff." Tao Jingrong couldn't help but laugh. "Silly, I was just teasing you."

"What?" Lin Tianye looked at Tao Jingrong, whose expression had suddenly changed, unable to react.

"There's no such thing as a malicious ghost, I'm just scaring you," Tao Jingrong said with a smile, looking like an innocent and mischievous little fairy child.

Lin Tianye finally understood and got so angry that he stood up and pointed at Tao Jingrong's nose, ready to curse loudly. However, before the cruel words could be spoken, tears began to fall, plop plop, uncontrollably. "I... I won't play with you anymore!"

Tao Jingrong was also stunned. He quickly stood up and patted Lin Tianye's back repeatedly, apologizing and comforting him nonstop. He thought to himself, "You never actually played with me either."

"Have you ever seen a pig’s head? Sprinkle some water. That’s how you were crying at that time, more or less."

After the two of them got together, they would casually chat about old times when they had nothing else to do. Lin Tianye recalled this story, and Tao Rong said, of course, she got punched by Lin Tianye.

What happened later?

Later, Lin Tianye started calling him "Ah Tao", and called him so often that he even forgot his real name.

Lin Baishui really accepted Tao Rong as his godson.

Lin Tianye was sent to South Korea to become a trainee. From then on, all contact was severed.