“Leave? That’s not happening.” He Feng, thick-skinned as ever, brushed himself off and walked over.
“Don’t be like that; we’ve been friends for so many years.”
Ruan Xiao: If he wasn’t holding his daughter right now, he would absolutely go a few rounds with this shameless guy.
Ruan Shu lay on her dad’s shoulder, sneaking glances at the man from time to time.
Is he Dad’s friend?
She took a look at her dad’s expression and thought, hmm, it’s kind of dark.
Ruan Xiao: “Ignore him.”
Ruan Shu nodded, replying in a soft, milky voice, “Okay.”
He Feng was getting anxious. “Hey… Ruan Xiao, don’t pretend you don’t know me! Remember that time in the battle of XX? If I hadn’t led my troops to rescue you, imagine how badly injured you would’ve been!”
Injured!
The little arms wrapped around Ruan Xiao’s neck tightened.
Ruan Xiao glanced at the man. “Are you really going to bring that up?”
He Feng looked around guiltily. Sure, sure, this guy had also helped him out many times afterward.
“No, I was just messing with you. With a friendship that spans hundreds of years, can’t I at least visit your home for a cup of tea?”
Ruan Xiao: “No, you can’t.”
Not wanting to waste words on this persistent leech, he carried Ruan Shu and started walking toward the villa.
Naturally, He Feng decided to shamelessly follow along.
“Hey there, little one, what’s your name?”
“I’m your Uncle He. If you’d like, you can even call me godfather.”
Just as he finished speaking, Ruan Xiao’s leg swept toward him.
Prepared for this, He Feng dodged at once. “Lucky for me I was ready!”
Ruan Shu’s eyes curved in a small smile. Even though Dad looked annoyed by him, they were clearly well-acquainted.
Seeing her smile, He Feng felt his heart melt.
“Daddy, let’s go home quickly,” Ruan Shu whispered, snuggling closer to his neck, her voice as soft as the recordings He Feng had heard on Ruan Xiao’s device.
Clutching his chest, He Feng felt as if he were falling apart inside. It was almost like she was his own daughter.
Looking at Ruan Xiao now, his gaze was full of jealousy and admiration, no longer mocking him about his “stolen genes.” If someone could steal his genes to create such an adorable, sweet daughter, he’d be more than willing!
Seeing the twisted look on He Feng’s face, Ruan Xiao suddenly felt his mood lift.
“Xiaomi.”
Ruan Shu climbed down from her father’s embrace and patted the smooth head of Xiaomi.
“Shushu, welcome home!” Xiaomi greeted.
“Thank you, Xiaomi.”
The butler walked over with a warm smile as well. “Master, Miss, dinner is ready.”
Ruan Shu’s eyes curved into crescents. “Butler Grandpa!”
She called everyone sweetly, whether they were human or a little robot.
He Feng: …heartbroken!
Why won’t she call me? Her godfather is right here!
He was determined now. Even if he couldn’t be her real father, he would do whatever it took to become her godfather!
“The esteemed Marshal He is here as well?”
Ruan Xiao: “Just ignore him.”
He Feng: “I’m here, I’m here!”
They spoke simultaneously, one with a cold tone wishing he could send the man away immediately, and the other with boundless enthusiasm, eager to move right in.
Dinner was once again lavishly prepared, and after spending the day out with her father, Ruan Shu was in an incredibly good mood.
During the meal, she still preferred sitting next to her dad. While she held her little bowl properly, her tiny feet swung back and forth under the table.
“So happy?”
Ruan Xiao noticed, and even his usually icy blue eyes softened with a faint smile.
Ruan Shu bit her lip, a little shy. “Today, I saw Third Brother and went shopping with Daddy. It was such a fun day.”
“Daddy, am I starting school tomorrow? Will Daddy take me?”
Ruan Xiao looked down and gently patted her head. “There’s no rush.”
Ruan Shu tilted her head, looking up at him in confusion, but she always trusted her dad’s words.
“Oh, you’re starting school, Shushu? Where will you be studying?” He Feng suddenly spoke up from across the table.
Ruan Shu scooted closer to her dad before sneaking a glance at He Feng and replying in her soft, sweet voice.
“Qiming Star Academy, the school Daddy chose for me.”
Her tone lifted with a hint of pride and satisfaction.
He Feng said, “Why not the First Military Academy? It’s…”
He stopped himself before finishing. The First Military Academy was indeed the top school on the main planet.
But the best wasn’t always the most suitable.
He glanced at Ruan Shu’s small frame, noticing her soft, fair skin.
Having graduated from the First Military Academy himself, He Feng naturally knew the type of training that went on there—falls, fights, and constant rough-and-tumble were all par for the course.
Alright, he had to admit, maybe the First Military Academy wasn’t suited for this little one after all.
“Your dad made a good choice.”
After a quick mental scan of the options, he had to concede that Ruan Xiao’s decision was indeed the best for her.
Who would’ve thought? Marshal Ruan, usually cold and emotionless like a robot, actually had such a considerate and gentle side.
Ruan Shu’s chubby cheeks lifted in a smile, her soft voice brimming with happiness. “Daddy chose the best for me.”
He Feng: Jealous… so jealous…
Ruan Xiao: Subtle smile.
After dinner, Ruan Xiao needed to attend a video conference, leaving instructions with the butler and Xiaomi to take care of Ruan Shu.
He’d noticed that Ruan Shu, when left in unfamiliar surroundings without familiar people, would often feel nervous and anxious. He couldn’t leave with peace of mind unless everything was properly arranged. Before leaving, he cast a warning glance at He Feng.
He Feng sat up straight, though inwardly he was overjoyed. Perfect, now he’d have a chance to spend some one-on-one time with little Shushu.
Ruan Shu sat holding Xiaomi, keeping a slight distance from He Feng. Her favorite cartoon was playing on the TV, but she couldn’t focus. Her little mind was tangled in thoughts, wondering if it would be impolite not to talk to the strange uncle. Would he feel uncomfortable being ignored?
Despite her naturally timid and fearful nature, her soft heart couldn’t help but worry about others’ feelings.
“Is your nickname Shushu?” A voice beside her suddenly pulled her back from her thoughts. She tightened her grip on Xiaomi and glanced over at He Feng before quickly looking away again.
“Mhm.”
“And what’s your full name?”
In a soft voice, she answered, “Ruan Shu. My name is Ruan Shu.”
He Feng did his best to appear warm and friendly. To win over this little girl, he decided to talk about her father.
“Want to hear some stories about your dad in the military?”
It turned out he was spot on. The soft, adorable little bun was indeed intrigued.
She wanted to listen but remembered her dad’s words to ignore this odd uncle… but he was going to talk about her dad!
Well, maybe just a little bit.
Ruan Shu subtly perked up, hugging Xiaomi. With the butler grandpa nearby, she didn’t feel as nervous.
Butler: Stare.
The butler’s stare was squarely aimed at Marshal He, with the clear implication that if he dared to say anything inappropriate, he’d immediately notify the master to throw him out.
He Feng, seeing her eager yet hesitant expression, felt his heart melt from the cuteness.