The knights by His Majesty’s side were all exceptionally skilled. Although investigating Marshal Ruan’s affairs might prove challenging, starting with Xiao Yuanyi to look into Ruan Shu’s situation was not difficult.
Thus, Xiao Yuanyi was once again in trouble.
Almer quickly obtained the information he wanted, but when he saw the content, a smile crossed his face, and the A4 sheet in his hand, filled with writing, was instantly crushed to powder.
“Stealing the Marshal’s genes to have a child, only to mistreat them.”
Almer’s tone was gentle, yet there was an ominous danger that sent chills down one’s spine. Standing beside him, the head of the knight order, Oss, kept his head low, silent.
Though their Majesty might still be young, in terms of combat prowess, no one in the entire Star Beast Empire could match him.
Dragons were born warriors, and His Majesty Almer had awakened his bloodline powers from birth. Compared to other ministers and marshals, he might be young, but he was certainly not easy to bully.
“Truly detestable.”
After a few seconds, his tone shifted as he asked, “Still haven’t caught that doctor?”
Oss replied, “Marshal Ruan’s people have already tracked him, but he’s clever; he seems to have sensed something and fled to a barren planet, discarding everything, even his personal terminal. Catching him soon might be challenging.”
Almer responded with a nod, “Assist Marshal Ruan.”
“Yes, sir…”
At this moment, Ruan Shu was still unaware of how many people’s attention she had attracted.
In the afternoon, calculating the time her dad and big brother would be coming home, she took a small stool and waited by the door.
Ruan Qingran sat beside her, watching the little one fiddle with a simple string in her hands, weaving it into a beautiful handicraft.
“What’s this?”
Ruan Shu was attaching tassels and a pearl to the safety knot she’d made, then carefully placed it into Brother Qingran’s palm.
“This is a safety charm,” she said softly, explaining the meaning behind it. “I’m giving it to brother, hoping it’ll protect you and keep you safe for life.”
This was the first time Ruan Qingran had heard such a sentiment. In their world, only by being strong enough could one protect themselves, protect those they wanted to protect, and defend their country.
But hearing the little one’s heartfelt blessing, he thought it was quite nice.
Ruan Qingran held the charm in his hand, a smile lifting the corners of his mouth.
“Dad’s hover car.”
Ruan Shu turned her head and spotted the approaching hover car, her eyes lighting up as she stood, her little legs carrying her over excitedly.
The hover car stopped, and Ruan Shu was the first to run over. When her dad got out, she looked up at him with sparkling eyes.
“Daddy~”
Her voice was filled with obvious happiness, as she looked up with her soft, adorable face, quietly waiting for her dad to pat her head as he always did.
Just this little gesture would make her exceedingly happy.
But this time, her dad bent down and directly picked her up.
Ruan Shu didn’t fully understand what was happening, but she was even happier, wrapping her little arms around his neck and snuggling affectionately.
“Daddy, Shushu missed you so much!”
Though it had been less than a day, she still missed her dad immensely.
“Mm,” Ruan Xiao responded, gently patting her soft, snowy hair.
“Daddy missed you too.”
When Ruan Shu heard this, her eyes and mouth opened wide in surprise, as if she had just heard something incredible.
Her reaction was beyond adorable.
“Daddy, did Shushu mishear?”
She leaned in, her tiny voice barely a whisper, and her little hands clutched at the fabric on his shoulders nervously. Her clear eyes looked up at her dad’s face.
“No.”
Ruan Xiao’s voice was low and calm, still carrying that faint, cool quality, but it did nothing to detract from its warmth.
“Shushu didn’t mishear.”
As he spoke, Ruan Shu broke into a wide smile.
Her eyes turned into little crescent moons, the corners of her mouth lifted, revealing a few neat, white teeth, and a cute little dimple appeared on her chubby cheek.
“I’m so happy, Daddy.”
Just a single sentence, but she felt so genuinely happy and content.
Ruan Xiao felt his heart swell, a feeling he had never experienced before. But he didn’t feel repelled by it. From now on, this little one would always be under his protection.
His Shushu was so small, hardly suited for facing the dangers outside. With him and her older brothers at home, it didn’t matter if she never became strong—no one would be allowed to bully her.
When Ruan Fengsi came home, he couldn’t help but notice that the atmosphere felt a bit… off.
His little sister was still as clingy as ever, but now she seemed even clingier.
He watched as the little one’s eyes seemed to follow only their dad. Wherever their dad went, the little one was right there beside him, eager to please.
“Daddy, do you want tea, juice, or plain water? How about coffee? Shushu can learn how to make it from Grandpa Butler.”
Ruan Xiao replied, “Just plain water. The butler can prepare it.”
“Then, Daddy, would you like some fruit?”
She dashed off to fetch him fruit, but her dad didn’t eat any of it and fed it all to her instead.
The same went for the fish crackers and biscuits.
Shushu didn’t manage to feed her dad but ended up eating quite a lot herself, so much that she let out a tiny burp.
Then her dad scooped her up into his arms and started massaging her tummy!
Ruan Shu half-closed her eyes, cozying up in his arms, humming contentedly like a little kitten. Her fluffy head would occasionally nuzzle against his chest, making her seem even more endearing.
Ruan Fengsi walked over and sat down beside Ruan Qingran, nudging him with his elbow. “What’s up with all this weirdness today? I came back, and she still hasn’t noticed. What’s she got those big eyes for, decoration?”
Ruan Qingran remained silent for a moment.
“So, that’s what you really wanted to say, huh?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” he replied casually. “Father and daughter just had a little breakthrough. What’s the matter—are you jealous?”
Ruan Fengsi scoffed, unwilling to admit it. “Jealous? Why would I be?”
He peeled a slice of orange and popped it into his mouth, only to have his face twist immediately.
“Where did you get these? They’re sour as anything.”
Ruan Qingran raised an eyebrow. “And you say you’re not jealous.”
Ruan Fengsi’s face turned sour again. Without hesitation, he tossed the rest of the orange slices into Ruan Qingran’s mouth.
Now both of them were puckering from the sourness.
Ruan Qingran finally managed to compose himself, muttering, “Out of all those oranges, you just had to pick the sourest one.”
Ruan Fengsi glared. Like he’d done that on purpose?
Later that evening, their dad informed Ruan Shu that she’d be starting school the next day.
Instantly, Ruan Shu tensed up.
Whenever she got nervous, she’d nibble on her own little paws.
Her dad scooped her up, and the fluffy, soft little ragdoll kitten clung tightly to the big white tiger’s neck. If only the tiger wasn’t so big and she wasn’t so small, she’d practically be a cozy little scarf wrapped around his neck.
“Meow, meow, meow…”
Ruan Shu meowed in her soft, milky voice, not even sure what she was saying herself.
Knowing that she was nervous, Ruan Xiao gently used his paw to bring the soft little bundle close, reassuring her.
“Don’t worry. Tomorrow, Daddy will take you to school.”
Ruan Shu’s little ears perked up, and her round eyes sparkled as she looked up at her dad’s large face.
Compared to her, his face was massive—her whole body, tail included, was only the size of his nose.
Tiny as could be!
“Meow, meow, meow.”
‘And after school?’
Ruan Xiao: ‘I’ll come pick you up.’
Ruan Shu was overjoyed, her fluffy little tail swaying happily from side to side. Her tiny, soft white paws pressed energetically on her dad’s muscular, solid arm, kneading away.
This was her way of giving a cat massage. Daddy, you’ve worked hard; rest and let Shushu handle it!
Getting dropped off at school by Daddy and picked up after—this had been her dream ever since kindergarten.
How could she not be happy?