It was said that at this moment, Kaynie, accompanied by Qie Laiye Qiao, was moving forward when Niu Niu suddenly pointed to the left and exclaimed, "Sister Kaynie, look! It’s Sister Robin!"
Kaynie followed the direction of Niu Niu’s finger and felt a jolt run through her body. Across the street to the left, a little girl in a one-piece dress was curiously examining the displays in the shops. From the absorbed look on her face, it was clear she found the merchandise inside fascinating!
This person was naturally not Robin, but Tia, who had snuck out!
It took Kaynie a long moment to recover from her surprise. Now, she finally understood why Xia Luo had been so agitated yesterday; this little girl truly looked exactly like Robin. If it weren't for the difference in temperament, one would swear they were the same person in disguise!
“Sister Kaynie, what is Sister Robin doing?” Niu Niu asked, her curious eyes wide.
“Let’s go ask her!” Kaynie smiled, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes.
At that moment, Tia was hesitating about whether to step inside. She had just experienced the inconvenience of not having any money; so many things she liked were right before her eyes, yet she could only look—this made her deeply unwilling to leave. But she also didn't want to turn back just yet, as this was the first time she was truly alone, and the next opportunity might not come so easily. Thus, she preferred to suppress the cravings in her heart just to have a good time!
Just then, a childish voice suddenly sounded beside her, startling her.
“Sister Robin, what are you looking at?” Niu Niu’s sweet voice drifted over.
Kaynie just chuckled quietly to the side. Although she knew the little girl wasn't Robin, she didn't point it out.
Tia turned around. Upon seeing a very beautiful older sister holding a very adorable younger one, she paused for a moment before asking, “Are you talking to me?”
Her response left Niu Niu momentarily flustered. She quickly glanced at Kaynie, as if asking: What’s wrong with Sister Robin?
Kaynie smiled and crouched down, examining Tia closely. The more she looked, the more astonished she became; that pretty little face was not just similar to Robin’s, it was identical!
“Big Sister,” Tia asked hesitantly,
“Do you need me for something?”
Tia felt certain she didn't know Kaynie, yet Kaynie gave her a feeling of deep familiarity, just like the feeling her own mother gave her.
“Sister Robin!” Seeing that Tia wasn't paying attention to her, Niu Niu seemed a little sad. She reached out and tugged at Tia’s clothes, hoping for a hug.
Tia looked at Niu Niu with some surprise. She truly didn't understand why this little sister kept calling her “Sister Robin.” This was the second time she had heard the name “Robin.” A wave of curiosity washed over her—who was this Robin?
“Little sister, my name isn’t Robin, it’s Tia!” Tia said, letting out a smile as she spoke. Although this was her first time meeting Niu Niu, for someone who rarely encountered children, being suddenly confronted by such a cute girl instantly stirred up affection in her. This was far more lovely and engaging than any of the dolls she had bought! A slight sweat of realization!
Niu Niu blinked again, as if utterly confused once more. She stared with wide eyes at Tia, then turned back to look at Kaynie behind her.
Kaynie didn't want to tease Niu Niu any longer. A smile played on her lips as she said gently, “Niu Niu, this is the sister who looks exactly like Robin.”
While children might process things slowly, their capacity to accept new facts is quite strong. After Kaynie’s explanation, Niu Niu accepted the reality that the girl before her was not her Sister Robin!
“Sister Tia, you look so much like my Sister Robin!” Niu Niu said with excitement. She was now thinking that since this Sister Tia looked so much like Sister Robin, she must also be very fond of her!
“Little sister, what is your name?” Tia looked Niu Niu up and down, finding her more and more endearing.
Tia had always wanted a little sister. Life in the palace was terribly lonely for her; even with maids attending her constantly, the generational gap made genuine play impossible! Whenever she asked her mother if they could have another little sister, her mother’s expression would cloud over, and she would become distant and distracted, which ultimately stopped Tia from ever bringing it up again! Now, meeting Niu Niu felt like the perfect chance to fill a void inside her, even if only temporarily.
“My name is Niu Niu.” Two dimples appeared on Niu Niu’s face as she smiled, making her look incredibly sweet.
“Niu Niu, may I hug you?” Tia asked, filled with anticipation. She usually only hugged dolls, and this rare opportunity made her eager to try what it felt like to hold a real person. Another bead of sweat!
Niu Niu, of course, did not refuse, immediately opening her arms and leaping forward.
However, Tia was not Robin. Niu Niu’s sudden leap nearly sent her tumbling. Thankfully, Kaynie was close by to steady her, preventing a fall.
Tia struggled slightly to lift Niu Niu. After all, she was just a child herself, and having been pampered in the palace since birth, she possessed very little real strength. After just a brief hold, she felt she couldn't manage it any longer, so she quickly set Niu Niu down.
“Niu Niu, Sister can’t hold you anymore!” Tia said, slightly breathless. While the feel of a real person was nice, the weight was simply more than she could bear!
Niu Niu tilted her little head, looking very puzzled. Sister Robin could carry me all day without getting tired, so why can Sister Tia only hold me for a moment before saying she can’t manage?
Kaynie, watching Tia catch her breath, burst into laughter. The sight reminded her of Robin, whom she had never seen look so disheveled.
After a short rest, Tia finally managed to regulate her breathing. She looked up at the still-laughing Kaynie and asked a question that had been weighing on her mind: “Big Sister, who is Robin? Why does everyone who sees me say I am Robin?”
Kaynie stopped laughing, looking at Tia’s confused expression with great interest. After a brief silence, she countered, “Do you really want to know?”
“Yes,” Tia nodded.
“Robin is someone who looks exactly like you. Do you want to meet her?” Kaynie’s expression took on a slightly manipulative air, much like someone coaxing a child.
Tia’s eyes lit up. Someone who looked exactly like her? That sounded incredibly fun! If, one day, she wanted to sneak out of the palace to play, she could have her substitute... Even children have schemes! Sweat!
“Really, Sister? Please take me quickly!” Tia urged, growing excited. Kaynie had completely piqued her curiosity.
Kaynie didn't rush to leave, however. She glanced around the vicinity and asked, “Are you all alone?” She remembered Xia Luo telling her that this little girl was usually guarded by several bodyguards. Where were they now, after all this talk? She didn't know that Robin had frozen all of Tia’s guards, and they would only regain their freedom after some time had passed.
Tia suddenly glanced left and right, then lowered her voice conspiratorially. “Big Sister, I snuck out, and I have to go back soon.”
Kaynie was momentarily stunned, then couldn’t help but laugh aloud at Tia’s secretive manner.
Tia and Robin were complete opposites: one was too lively, the other too quiet. And yet, they looked exactly the same—what strange workings of fate!
After her laughter subsided, Kaynie finally said again, “Then would you like to come sit at my place for a while? I’ll personally take you back later. Where do you live?” Considering everything, Kaynie had decided she absolutely could not let Tia wander outside alone. Unlike Robin, she lacked Robin’s formidable abilities and had no way to protect herself if an unexpected incident occurred! She had finally found someone who looked exactly like Robin; she couldn't risk anything happening to her!
Tia agreed and told them the address of the inn where she was staying. Kaynie memorized it silently and then led Tia back the way they came.
MarcoXine and the others had just returned from their morning exercises. After washing up, they began eating breakfast in the grand hall downstairs.
Everyone was chatting and laughing; the atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Just then, MarcoXine’s eyes suddenly widened, and she stared blankly ahead.
Out of curiosity, everyone followed her gaze and saw Kaynie, Niu Niu, and Tia entering from outside.
Kaynie noticed them too. She said nothing but deliberately slowed her pace, as if wanting them to get a good look, a playful smile touching her lips.
Tia also noticed the gazes of MarcoXine and the others, but because she had agreed on a plan with Kaynie on the way over, she didn't speak or ask questions, instead following closely behind Kaynie upstairs.
Once the three of them were out of sight, MarcoXine and the others turned their necks and exchanged glances, each seeing utter disbelief reflected in the other’s eyes.
Why is Robin dressed like that? What trick is Kaynie pulling this time? Why did Robin’s look feel so strange?
Question after question began to bubble up in their minds, and the more they thought, the more unbelievable it became, especially the way Robin had looked at them—it was almost as if she was watching them with keen interest. Could this be some kind of signal? They even began to wonder if Zhong Shenxiu had a new operation underway, one that directly involved them!
As they were deep in contemplation, MarcoXine suddenly let out a startled cry, startling everyone!
“Xine, what’s wrong, making all that noise!” Elina shot MarcoXine a look of annoyance.
MarcoXine didn't reply, but instead pointed ahead, her movement stiff, like a marionette being controlled.
The others once again followed her line of sight and were instantly struck dumb.
It turned out that Xia Luo and Robin had just returned from outside!