They had only heard about her before but had never seen her in person, so for a moment, many people’s eyes widened in surprise, and they looked at the little girl with even greater intensity.
This was their Marshal’s daughter!
Ruan Shu sat obediently beside her brother, knees together, her small hands placed neatly on her lap. She blinked curiously, glancing at them with a hint of wonder.
Before they could recover from their shock and ask any questions, a tall figure appeared at the door.
A tall man with silver hair entered, his gaze immediately landing on the little girl sitting obediently.
“Daddy!”
Ruan Shu’s eyes lit up as she opened her little arms, ready to be scooped up.
Smiling brightly, she hugged her father’s neck, pressing her face close to his with affection, the soft baby chub on her cheek squished slightly.
“Daddy~”
The little girl’s eyes crinkled with her smile, calling out in a sweet, childish voice, as if she could never call him enough.
In his subordinates’ astonished gaze, Ruan Xiao’s mouth curved upward, his usually icy demeanor softening as he held his daughter.
“Daddy, I brought you mooncakes! I made them with my big brother.”
Ruan Fengsi added, “No, you made them. I just helped roll the dough.”
Ignoring his son, Ruan Xiao held his daughter in one arm and said, “Let’s go to my office first.”
“Okay~”
With her father nearby, Ruan Shu grew even livelier. She still looked like a tiny, soft creature among the fierce soldiers, like an innocent herbivore; she even seemed more harmless than any creature in this world.
Men around them, whether they were passing by or had come over secretly after hearing the news, stared in awe. They looked at the Marshal’s daughter with envy!
Oh, how adorable that little voice was!
They wished they could be called “Daddy” like that, instead of having to deal with whispers, ear-biting, tail-pulling, and the occasional chaos back home.
“Marshal, is this your daughter? She must be around two years old, right? Why didn’t you bring her around sooner? If you’re busy, we could help watch her, you know.”
A bold one ventured closer.
Ruan Xiao, in good spirits, simply gave him a look while holding his daughter. “You guys?”
“Yes, yes! We’re all part of the Third Legion, your subordinates. Your daughter is our daughter too! We’d treat her like our own!”
To this, Ruan Xiao gave only one word in response: “Scram.”
Ruan Shu hugged her father’s neck tightly and, feeling brave, replied, “I’m four years old, not two!”
She didn’t look that young, did she?
“Four years old? She really doesn’t look it!”
“Such a tiny little one.”
Ruan Shu pouted, making a small grumbling noise. She wasn’t actually upset, just a bit frustrated with her small frame.
Ruan Xiao gave them a warning look. “She’s just small for her age.”
Although Ruan Shu was small and delicate, her chubby cheeks and fair skin made it clear that she was well taken care of.
“Marshal, your daughter is so cute! She looks so well-behaved. I have a son, but every time I go home, he just wants to pick a fight with me. He’s pulled out so much of my hair that I’m almost bald.”
Ruan Fengsi chimed in, “Of course my Shushu is different from your son! My Shushu is always quiet and calm; she doesn’t make a fuss. She loves sticking close to us, and every time we’re around, you’ll find her sitting obediently by the door, waiting…”
Their father wasn’t one to talk much, but Ruan Fengsi took this chance to show off, talking on and on. He actually wanted to drop the “us” part and say it was just him she was attached to, but with his father right there, he didn’t dare push his luck.
Ruan Shu: “……”
Her little face gradually turned pink. Embarrassed by her brother’s string of compliments, she wrapped her arms around her father’s neck, burying her face against his shoulder.
Brother, please stop! This is so embarrassing! Besides, she wasn’t as clingy as he made her sound!
Just a moment ago, Ruan Shu had been snuggling up to her father. Now, with her cheeks flushed, she was in full denial. Being clingy was something cats did—not her!
But her reaction only proved that Ruan Fengsi’s words weren’t far from the truth. Her shy, blushing little face was irresistibly adorable!
“Daddy, Daddy, let’s go find Grandpa.”
Ruan Shu bit her lip, her small hand tugging gently on her father’s hair.
Ruan Fengsi, still addicted to showing off, continued. Meanwhile, Marshal Ruan Xiao, noting the envious gazes directed his way, couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of satisfaction. However, his main attention remained on his daughter.
“Alright,” he agreed.
Then, proudly carrying his daughter, he left the room with Ruan Fengsi following close behind, mooncakes in hand, eager to snap a picture for his social media later.
After they left, news of the Marshal’s daughter visiting the military base spread quickly throughout the Third Legion. Those who had seen Ruan Shu described her as adorably soft and gentle—so unlike the Marshal’s tough demeanor.
Those who hadn’t seen her, nor checked out her pictures or videos online, were skeptical.
“Are you kidding me? Our Marshal’s got such a fierce temper, and General Ruan is no softie either. Are we really supposed to believe their daughter is some sweet, soft little thing? Not in this galaxy! You’d only see that in legends.”
“Come on, I’m telling you, I didn’t believe it myself until I saw her. But that kid really is as soft as she looks! She even got shy!”
“Yeah, yeah… Her little voice was all soft and sweet, and she even nuzzled up to the Marshal, calling him ‘Daddy.’ I almost answered for him myself!”
“Hahaha… If you did, the Marshal would’ve kicked you clear across the room!”
Some who had seen her pictures online were even more curious, eager for a real-life sighting.
“That little charm on the Marshal’s belt—that’s something his daughter made, right? A lot of people know about it. Where is she now? I want to see her for myself.”
“Same here! Our training is over anyway, so why not?”
“Don’t bother; the Marshal’s already taken her to his office.”
“Ah… Did anyone get a picture? Share it with us, please!”
“Yeah, without pictures, it’s just hearsay!”
…
Marshal Ruan Xiao’s office was as simply decorated as his study. It had a bookshelf, a work desk with a chair, and a small dining table. The setup was clean and dignified, but there were very few items in the room.
There wasn’t even a sofa.
Ruan Shu happily brought over a box of mooncakes. “Daddy, try these! They’re salted egg yolk and ham-flavored mooncakes. They’re not sweet at all.”
“Mooncakes?”
Ruan Fengsi had already opened another box and was snapping pictures.
“It’s something she ate in her ‘dream’ during a specific festival.”
Ruan Shu nodded. “It’s for the Mid-Autumn Festival, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. It’s a day that represents family reunion.”
But obviously, a full reunion wouldn’t be possible this time. That was okay; Shushu could make her own reunion happen—tomorrow, she’d bring mooncakes to her big brother.
There was also a second brother she hadn’t met yet.
As she stuffed a mooncake into her father’s hand, Ruan Shu thought to herself that even though they hadn’t met, she could always mail some mooncakes to her other brother.
That way, everyone could have a taste, and it would sort of feel like a reunion after all.