I Am Her Father

Morning.

The faint, hazy light of dawn broke through the remnants of night, washing the residential buildings in golden waves of sunlight.

In the streets of the urban village, makeshift vegetable stalls lined both sides. In front of one of them, a pretty girl with a ponytail bent down, carefully selecting ingredients.

"You're up early for groceries, Xi Xi," the elderly vegetable vendor remarked, smiling at the girl.

"Of course, Granny. The early bird gets the freshest picks!" Luo Xi grinned.

"Heh, any young man who marries you will be lucky indeed."

"Here’s five yuan—could you throw in some scallions and garlic too?" Luo Xi clasped her hands together and blinked cutely.

"Alright, alright."

"Love you~"

...

After gathering all she needed, Luo Xi walked briskly to a rundown apartment building. She rummaged through her pocket, pulled out a spare key, and unlocked the door.

Stepping into the living room, she froze—the TV was gone. The empty stand looked glaringly out of place.

"The TV… disappeared?" Luo Xi tilted her head in confusion but didn’t dwell on it. She set the groceries down in the kitchen before heading toward Ye Chuan’s room.

Just as she reached for the door, a sound came from another room down the hall. Luo Xi paused and turned.

The creak of an opening door revealed a slender girl in a white nightgown, her long hair cascading down her back. She stepped out expressionlessly, scanning the space before her gaze landed on Luo Xi.

The moment their eyes met, Bai Qianshuang’s guard shot up.

An assassin?

"Ah, are you the new tenant?" Luo Xi’s cheerful question instantly defused most of Bai Qianshuang’s suspicion.

A friend of Ye Chuan’s?

Bai Qianshuang studied Luo Xi with cool, detached eyes before giving a slight nod.

"Hello!" Luo Xi couldn’t help but marvel at the girl’s ethereal beauty—she looked like a celestial being untouched by mortal concerns. But why would someone who seemed like a young noblewoman live in a place like this?

Was there some reason behind it?

"Hello…" Bai Qianshuang replied softly. After a pause, she added, "Farewell."

With that, she retreated into her room and shut the door.

Luo Xi stared at the closed door for a few seconds before shaking her head and pushing open Ye Chuan’s door.

Ye Chuan was still fast asleep. A faint, burnt smell lingered in the air. Luo Xi sniffed, then rushed to his side in alarm.

"Chuan Chuan, wake up! Did something catch fire?!"

"Huh?" Ye Chuan, still half-asleep, frowned at the disturbance. Without thinking, he pulled Luo Xi into his arms and muffled her against his chest.

"Shut up. Let me sleep."

Luo Xi squirmed briefly before going still, her face pressed against him.

"Chuan Chuan… is something burning?" she whispered.

"……" Only the steady rhythm of his breathing answered her.

After confirming there were no signs of fire, Luo Xi decided not to bother him further.

...

It was nearly noon when Ye Chuan finally stirred. He checked the time—11 AM.

"Damn, my cash cow!" The thought of Bai Qianshuang unfed sent him bolting upright.

Now, he couldn’t bear the idea of her going hungry.

But as he stepped out of his room, the savory aroma of food greeted him. He followed it to the kitchen, where a familiar figure stood in an apron, stirring a pot.

"Chuan Chuan, you’re up?" Luo Xi held a ladle as steam rose from the simmering soup.

Ye Chuan blinked. "What are you doing here?"

"You told me to come cook, remember?" Luo Xi widened her eyes. How could he forget so quickly?

"That was just an offhand comment." Ye Chuan hadn’t expected her to take it seriously. Then it hit him—had Luo Xi and Bai Qianshuang already met?

Luo Xi didn’t know Bai Qianshuang was a cultivator. If they’d talked, Bai Qianshuang’s archaic speech would’ve given her away. Explaining her origins would be a nightmare.

"Hey, Chuan Chuan… that long-haired girl. Is she your tenant?" Luo Xi asked.

Ye Chuan stiffened slightly before nodding.

"She’s so pretty. You’re not planning to make a move, are you?" Luo Xi leaned in and lowered her voice.

"She’s a tenant," Ye Chuan said flatly. "Since when do I chase every pretty face?"

"Who knows? Living under the same roof, just the two of you…" Luo Xi pouted. Past flings had been about free meals, but Bai Qianshuang was different. She carried an air of untouchable grace.

The thought made Luo Xi feel…

No, Xi Xi.

"Did you two talk?" Ye Chuan asked, oblivious to her expression.

"Just exchanged greetings." Luo Xi shook her head.

The girl had seemed icy—uttering a single "farewell" before vanishing into her room, not emerging since.

Relieved, Ye Chuan changed the subject. "What’s cooking?"

"Fish and tofu soup, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, braised pork, and stir-fried greens." Luo Xi lifted her chin proudly. "Impressed?"

"Not bad." Luo Xi’s cooking was always solid. Then he remembered Bai Qianshuang. "Mind if I invite her to join?"

"Bai Qianshuang?"

"That’s her name," Ye Chuan clarified.

"Sure, go ahead."

Ye Chuan knocked on Bai Qianshuang’s door. "Bai Qianshuang, want to eat?"

"Enter."

Inside, Bai Qianshuang sat cross-legged on the bed, meditating. She finished her breathing exercises before speaking softly.

"That girl… is she your friend?"

"Yeah. We grew up together. I’m her dad."

Bai Qianshuang’s brain short-circuited.

CPU loading—

What did that mean? A childhood friend who was also her father?

Such a convoluted relationship.

"Want to come out for lunch?" Ye Chuan asked.

Bai Qianshuang’s expression remained serene, but her nose twitched at the scent of food. "Wouldn’t I… be intruding?"

"Not at all. Come on."

"Very well." Without further hesitation, she rose and followed him out.