Yan Jin Chao did not know how this little creature came to be in his room. He held the little one in his arms, her tiny legs kicking feebly. He should have thrown her out, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Initially, Xue Xing Yue was angry and resolved to give her father a frosty reception, even if she met him. She was determined to be very, very cross.
However, upon meeting him in person, she found she couldn't. Her father was so handsome, and he didn't recognize her, her Empress Mother, or her brothers.
"Daddy..." Xue Xing Yue called out to Yan Jin Chao.
Yan Jin Chao startled. He saw the little creature's eyes sparkling, more radiant than the stars and moon, shining brightly.
Her perfectly sculpted little face was exquisite.
Whose child could be this beautiful?
Xue Xing Yue was restless, her two little legs constantly kicking. Yan Jin Chao narrowed his eyes and placed her on the table. "I am not your daddy. You've mistaken me," Yan Jin Chao said calmly.
"Daddy, you are my daddy. I wouldn't mistake you," Xue Xing Yue insisted. Da Feng Novel Network.
"You have the wrong person. If you were my child, how could I not recognize you?"
Xue Xing Yue thought for a moment and replied, "Because they said you never saw me or my brothers born, so it's normal that you don't recognize me. But, Daddy, don't you recognize Mother either?"
Yan Jin Chao said indifferently, "I don't recognize you, nor do I recognize your mother."
Upon hearing this, Xue Xing Yue lowered her gaze. A hint of sadness appeared on her exquisitely beautiful face. "Daddy, what you say is so cruel. Thankfully, only I heard it. If Mother heard it, she would be even more heartbroken. She risked her life to give birth to me and my brother for you, only to receive such words from you. Daddy, you are too cruel."
"I don't recognize you, so I don't want you to harbor any illusions."
Xue Xing Yue shook her head. "I was wrong. I thought Daddy would be happy to see me, very happy. Now, it seems it was just my wishful thinking. I will leave and won't bother you again."
Yan Jin Chao was taken aback. He thought the little creature would cling to him.
"Can you put me down then?" Xue Xing Yue stretched out her hands towards Yan Jin Chao.
Yan Jin Chao looked at the little girl before him. He had to admit that since meeting this little creature, his heart was no longer as indifferent as before.
He stepped forward and picked up Xue Xing Yue. Xue Xing Yue clutched his robes with her two small hands and said sweetly and softly, "Daddy..."
His body stiffened slightly.
Xue Xing Yue's feet landed steadily on the ground. She toddled towards the door with her short legs.
The little creature's small body swayed. She was too young, which made walking so strenuous. But she was stubborn and refused to give up, making her way step by step to the door.
She reached the threshold and suddenly waved her little hand. "Daddy, goodbye!"
Yan Jin Chao was stunned.
He saw the little creature using her hands and feet to try to climb over the threshold.
Suddenly, a figure hurried in. His expression shifted.
Xue Xing Yue felt a dark shadow fall before her eyes. She looked up and saw a large foot descending towards her little head.
She was startled and wanted to retreat, but she was already caught on the threshold, unable to move back or forward.
At this critical juncture, she felt herself being scooped up.
The person's foot landed, and she could even see the dust kicked up by it. If it had landed on her head, she felt she would have been crushed to death.
"Young... Young Master..." The servant saw Yan Jin Chao nearby and was startled.
"Something wrong?" Yan Jin Chao's expression was not good, somewhat cold.
The servant quickly said, "Miss Lin, please attend the outing tomorrow."
"I won't," Yan Jin Chao said coldly.
The servant trembled slightly. "But... but..."
"But what?" Yan Jin Chao raised an eyebrow.
The servant said, "Miss Lin said this is the last time."
Yan Jin Chao paused and then said, "I understand. You may withdraw!"
The servant quickly left.
Xue Xing Yue looked at her daddy. Although she was still young, she knew her daddy's appearance was one that attracted attention. No, she had to watch him for her Empress Mother.
Yan Jin Chao turned to look at her and asked, "Where is the person who brought you?"
"I told Uncle Hua to go back. Daddy, if you kick me out, I'll have nowhere to go but the streets. Can you bear to do that?"
If her daddy hadn't saved her just now, she wouldn't have pestered him anymore. But now, it seemed her daddy was reluctant to part with her, so she couldn't give up.
Besides, there were too many women around Daddy; she had to watch out for Empress Mother.
Yan Jin Chao felt that the little creature before him was being deliberate, but he was helpless, as he seemed to be unable to bear seeing the little one get hurt in any way.
"Then stay. When you realize I'm not your daddy, you can leave."
This was the first time Yan Jin Chao had said such a thing.
Xue Xing Yue was so happy she almost clapped her hands, but she managed to restrain herself. "Daddy, will you take me to the outing tomorrow?"
Yan Jin Chao looked at the little creature's sparkling big eyes and couldn't bear to refuse. He could only say, "You must obey me."
"Whatever Daddy says is right," Xue Xing Yue said happily.
Yan Jin Chao didn't notice the slight upturn of his lips.
The next day
Xue Xing Yue opened her eyes and rolled around on the bed. Suddenly, a voice said, "Little one, have you forgotten your uncle now that you have your daddy?"
She then realized she had forgotten Uncle Hua.
She grinned. "Uncle Hua, don't be angry. I was just too happy to see Daddy and accidentally forgot about Uncle Hua."
Hua Yun Jin was not angry; he just wanted to tease the little one.
He picked her up and asked, "Xing Yue, are you planning to stay here?"
Xue Xing Yue nodded. "Daddy promised me that I can leave when I realize he isn't my daddy."
Hua Yun Jin stroked her head. "Since that's the case, Uncle Hua will take his leave now. Your daddy will protect you."
Xue Xing Yue was slightly taken aback, feeling a pang of reluctance. "I know Uncle Hua has to leave eventually. Uncle Hua, thank you."
Hua Yun Jin smiled. "Thank you, little one. These past few days have been the happiest for him too."
Watching Uncle Hua leave, Xue Xing Yue blinked her large eyes, which became a little misty.
She wiped away a tear, knowing there was no eternal feast. It was the same for her and Uncle Hua. When she grew up, she would also have to bid farewell to her Empress Mother and Daddy.
Life was a constant journey of setting off and bidding farewell. However, those things were too far away for her now. She just wanted to take her Daddy back and reunite with her Empress Mother and brother.
Yan Jin Chao noticed that the little creature was particularly quiet today, unlike her liveliness yesterday. He served a bowl of porridge, which he had specifically instructed the kitchen to make suitable for a child of her age.
Xue Xing Yue looked at the bowl of porridge placed before her and smiled. "Thank you, Daddy."