Having been friends for so long, Rong Jun could tell just by looking at Ruan Ling’an’s expression that trouble was brewing.
“I’m done with training, so I’ll be heading out first.”
With those words, Rong Jun bolted, deciding to steer clear of the “crazy” Ruan Ling’an for the rest of the day.
Ruan Ling’an let out a sneer. Think you can run? Not a chance.
However, he had someone he needed to see. Leaving the school’s training field, he went straight to find his father.
On a bench in the school garden, Ruan Shu was munching on dried fish, seated next to her tall and handsome father, who was holding the Chinese knot she had given him. Seeing how much he cherished it filled her with joy.
“Crunch, crunch…”
In her happiness, she’d stuffed too much into her mouth, her cheeks puffed up like a little white hamster hoarding food.
It seemed that her dad and brothers all knew she liked snacking on dried fish when she got bored, so there was always a stash in the car, and she carried her own little snack bag with various flavors.
As she munched, she listened to her dad talk about her third brother.
“Your third brother’s name is Ruan Ling’an. He has the bloodlines of both the Qilin and the lion. Although he’s the youngest in the family, he’s also the most combative.”
Ruan Shu nodded. She no longer worried about whether her third brother would like her; eventually, everyone in the family would get to know her. If he didn’t like her, she’d just try to avoid him and not bother him.
“The students at the First Military Academy follow a closed-off training and study schedule, so he usually only comes home once a month or even every six months.”
Ruan Shu’s mouth fell open slightly. “That long?”
No wonder. It looked like her second brother also came home only occasionally.
“For your school, I arranged for you to attend as a day student. The butler will drive you to and from school every day.”
Ruan Shu nodded obediently. “Okay.”
Although Ruan Xiao was usually a man of few words, he left no detail unexplained when it came to his daughter’s schooling. His adjutant, who was standing nearby, was stunned by his unprecedented patience.
Just then, Ruan Shu noticed a young man walking towards them.
He was tall, around 1.8 meters, with striking golden hair. Wearing cargo pants and a black short-sleeved shirt, he walked with his hands in his pockets.
As he came closer, his features became clearer. He shared about half of his appearance with their father, but his demeanor was entirely different.
His gaze carried an unruly spirit, full of youthful confidence and pride.
Ruan Shu’s eyes lingered a little longer on the noticeable bruise on his face. Could this brother have been in a fight before coming here?
Ruan Ling’an walked over, initially looking at his dad, but his gaze quickly shifted to Ruan Shu.
“Who’s this?”
His tone was rude, earning a cold glare from Ruan Xiao that made him behave instantly.
Instinctively, Ruan Ling’an took his hands out of his pockets and stood at attention in a military stance.
“Dad.”
Only then did Ruan Xiao withdraw his intense, pressuring gaze.
Ruan Ling’an grimaced. Who was this little kid that his dad was so protective over?
Suddenly, an idea struck him, and he looked at Ruan Xiao in disbelief.
“Dad, is she your… illegitimate daughter?!”
Ruan Shu, who was secretly watching her third brother: “……”
Ruan Xiao: “……”
In a way, it wasn’t entirely wrong.
“This is your sister.”
Ruan Shu, clutching her half-eaten dried fish, nervously called out, “Brother.”
Ruan Ling’an exclaimed, “What the hell, she really is!”
The next moment, he felt his dad’s deadly glare fixed on him.
“Ruan Ling’an.”
The calm, cold tone made it clear Ruan Xiao was angry.
Ruan Ling’an felt indignant—he hadn’t exactly said anything wrong. Although he wouldn’t dare voice his true thoughts out loud, the rebellious expression on his face said it all.
Ruan Shu quietly sat by, watching her dad and third brother’s interaction without a word. She could sense her third brother’s scrutinizing gaze on her every now and then.
Her dried fish suddenly didn’t taste as good. She timidly raised her head and glanced at him, and, as luck would have it, their eyes met. Ruan Shu instinctively smiled at him.
The sight of such an obedient, adorable child smiling had a surprisingly soothing effect, softening even the hardest of hearts.
Ruan Ling’an froze for a moment, thinking to himself that his little “step-sister” was unexpectedly cute.
Initially, he felt a strong aversion to this kid—after all, who would welcome some illegitimate child? But that smile of hers melted a bit of his resistance.
However…
He was a top-tier combat student in the First Military Academy, and now he was supposed to protect this little brat?
It didn’t matter if she was his dad’s illegitimate daughter or even his biological sister—he wasn’t going to do it!
His whole being was filled with rebellion, resisting the idea with every fiber of his being. Not even his dad could…
“Fight me.”
Ruan Ling’an: “……”
“You’re basically bullying a kid!”
Ruan Xiao raised an eyebrow. “Got a problem with that?”
In the Star Beast World, was there any issue with fathers fighting their sons? Absolutely not. Any parent worth their salt would happily discipline their children until they learned their place.
Ruan Shu tugged on her dad’s sleeve, whispering, “Dad, maybe… maybe let’s not?”
Seeing how unwilling her brother was, she worried that instead of protecting her, he might end up raising a fist at her. One look at his fists told her they were definitely beyond what she could handle.
Ruan Xiao patted her head. “Don’t worry.”
Even though his relationship with his sons was hardly the warm, paternal kind, he still understood their personalities. His third son was impulsive, quick to anger, and loved a good fight, but he wasn’t the type to bully the weak. Moreover, if he promised something, he’d follow through, even if he didn’t want to.
Ruan Xiao would have preferred to assign a bodyguard to watch over Ruan Shu, but unfortunately, the school’s regulations didn’t allow it. So, having his college-aged son next door was the next best option. At the very least, if she did run into trouble, he’d be there to protect her in no time.
Ruan Xiao thought to himself, I never imagined I’d one day worry this much about a kid.
Meanwhile, Ruan Ling’an was grumbling internally. There was no way he’d agree to a fight—unless, of course, he grew strong enough in the future. Then, when his dad was old, he’d make him taste the full humiliation of being utterly defeated!
This rebellious kid harbored no fatherly sentiments, secretly waiting for the day he could overpower his old man and knock him down.
“Name your terms,” Ruan Xiao said, his tone casual.
Ruan Ling’an eyed him suspiciously. “For real?”
Ruan Xiao replied, “If you’re not interested, I can always find someone else.”
Ruan Ling’an clicked his tongue. “Wow, you’re really doting on this little daughter, aren’t you? Unbelievable. I’m starting to wonder if you’re really my dad.”
Internally, he was shocked. What was so special about that little kid that his dad would go to such lengths for her? Did his dad have some true love out there he didn’t know about?
Yuck…
“Alright then, I want a set of bio-soft armor, the S-K301 model.”
Why not? He wasn’t about to pass up this opportunity to squeeze something out of his dad. Letting this chance slip by would be a waste.
“Done.” Ruan Xiao agreed without a hint of hesitation.
Ruan Ling’an’s eyes widened. No way! His dad actually agreed? That soft armor wasn’t even on the market yet; only the military had access to it!