Chapter 16: You're getting addicted to climbing through this window, aren't you!

Chapter 16: Is He Addicted to Climbing Through Windows?

Shuyue: "..." She was starting to forget what the word "gentle" even meant.

"No, Grandma, I just want to get some hot water."

"Oh, you want hot water!"

Shuyue hummed in agreement. Thinking of the way her biological father had appeared, she didn't know what prompted her, but she didn't mention the fact that he had returned. The words on the tip of her tongue changed to, "I'm afraid I'll be hungry at night, so I want to pour some extra hot water to drink when I get hungry."

The old lady was scrutinizing Shuyue, her gaze somewhat inscrutable. She also noticed the enamel mug and aluminum kettle in Shuyue's hands.

Upon hearing her words, her expression stiffened for a moment, but it was only for an instant before she took the items from Shuyue's hands.

"Alright, you wait here, Grandma will fill them for you."

She took the mug and the kettle and turned into the kitchen, even closing the kitchen door behind her and sliding the bolt shut.

Shuyue: "..."

Shuyue felt like something was off. It wasn't until she took the hot water back to the room and saw Bai Lie still sleeping that she remembered—she had caught a whiff of fish soup at the kitchen door earlier.

Shuyue’s expression turned strange.

It shouldn't have been her imagination, right!

But, thinking about how she and her father were also sneaking food in the room, they were all cut from the same cloth; the pot shouldn't call the kettle black.

Shuyue set the water aside and placed the rice cake on top of the mug to keep it warm. Once the water wasn't so scalding, she called for Bai Lie to wake up.

Bai Lie was truly exhausted. Now that he knew his daughter was right in front of him and that she was safe and sound, his tightly wound nerves finally relaxed, causing him to fall into a deep sleep.

It felt like he had only just closed his eyes when he heard a soft voice. He opened his eyes groggily and saw his daughter curled up beside him. He felt his heart melt. Subconsciously, he revealed a gentle smile, reached out to pull her into his arms, patted her lightly, and closed his eyes again.

Shuyue: "..."

*This baby is trying to get you to eat and drink, and it would be even better if you washed your feet.*

*I'm not asking you to cuddle and sleep, dear.*

Shuyue puffed out her cheeks. Seeing the stubble on his face and the fatigue in his eyes, she resigned herself to her fate, wiggled out of his embrace, and tore off a small piece of rice cake to feed him...

He had to eat; she might as well make him eat while it was still warm!

The next day, at dawn, the sky was overcast.

Bai Lie opened his eyes. The events of last night replayed in his mind one by one. A little doll barely as tall as his thigh, still so small herself, had been huffing and puffing to take care of him, her father.

Through the faint light, Bai Lie looked at his precious baby sleeping soundly in his arms, his handsome face and deep eyes filled with tenderness.

Shuyue had been exhausted from "serving" her father like it was a battlefield the night before and was sleeping deeply. However, being stared at like that made her feel uncomfortable, and she struggled to open one eye a crack.

*What is he doing now!*

She had already given up and let him hold her while he slept, so why was he still causing trouble? Could he just let her have some peace?!

Bai Lie had no self-awareness that he was being annoyed. His voice was so soft it could drip water, "Be good, go back to sleep. It's nothing. Dad is going out, I'll be back by noon."

Shuyue mumbled a sound to show she had heard him, rolled over to the side, and closed her eyes again.

Bai Lie smiled, tucked the quilt in for his daughter with light, careful movements, then put on the coat she had struggled to take off him the night before, and climbed out through the window.

Shuyue: "..."

*Is he addicted to climbing through windows or something!*

She pulled the quilt up to cover her head, and only then did she fall into a peaceful sleep.

As for scrambling for sweet potatoes in the morning...

It was still too early!

Shuyue thought she could sleep until the world ended, but while the imagination is always plump, reality is always cruel.

(End of chapter)