Chapter 9: “Scolding” People

It wasn’t until bedtime that Yu Mozhi finally experienced what it was like to have a clingy little one who liked calling him “Daddy” and was determined to protect him.

This place hadn’t been fully renovated. Although the apartment was fairly new, there weren’t many supplies—only one set of bedding and pillows, and a heated blanket. As a result, the two of them had no choice but to sleep together. Fortunately, the bed was big enough.

After successfully supervising her daddy to take his medicine, the little girl was overjoyed. Even though her eyelids were drooping with sleepiness, she still wrapped her arms around his neck and softly babbled about how hard it had been to find him—how long she had gone hungry, how much her body hurt, and how cold she had felt.

Before bed, she had drunk some warm milk powder. Now she was soft and warm, covered in the faint scent of milk.

Yu Mozhi didn’t say much. He would respond with a simple “mm” now and then, occasionally trying to correct her about what kind of relative he actually was to her. But seeing how persistent the little one was—and uncertain if she had suffered psychological trauma from being abused at such a young age—he didn’t press the issue. Besides, her sticky, milky-sweet voice was so pleasant to hear, he didn’t have the heart to argue.

After a while, he looked down to see the little girl had unknowingly fallen asleep in his arms. Carefully, he cradled the soft bundle in his arms and gently placed her on the pillow beside him. The little one stretched out her tiny hand and obediently lay still.

But Yu Mozhi found himself unable to fall asleep. Her words, and the injuries he had seen on her body earlier, kept replaying in his mind. He pressed his lips together and absentmindedly stroked her soft hair with his fingers.

He thought to himself—he needed to find out what exactly this little girl had been through before coming to him.

Sensing his warmth, the little one reached out and held his hand, rubbing her cheek against it.

Soft and gentle—like cotton candy. It felt like even the lightest touch might break her.

Yu Mozhi stiffened slightly, then somewhat clumsily raised his hand to pat her little back, speaking in a low voice, “Sleep now. Be good.”

The next morning, when the little one woke up, Yu Mozhi was already awake. He was leaning against the headboard, holding his phone. His long lashes drooped, his side profile looked gloomy, and his whole demeanor gave off a lazy air from just waking up. But his complexion was even paler than the day before—he clearly didn’t feel well.

“Good morning, Daddy!” the little one chirped cheerfully, panting softly as she tried to get up from bed. She attempted to cross the pillow barricade to reach Yu Mozhi’s side.

But her short little legs got tangled in the blanket, and she tumbled—blanket and all—straight into Yu Mozhi’s arms.

He hurriedly reached out and caught her.

The little girl, her messy hair sticking out in all directions, looked up in a daze—just in time to see what Yu Mozhi had been reading on his phone.

#Popular Film Emperor Falls From Grace, Accused of Bullying Newcomers, Boycotted Across the Web#
#Youngest Film Emperor May Face Massive Penalty for Contract Breach#
#Slandering Internet Idols—So Disgusting. Will You Still Watch His Holiday Movie?#

The little one had lived as a koi spirit for quite a few years, but among demons, she was still considered a child. Let alone recognizing human characters—at most, she could vaguely recognize the word for “person.”

But the little one could look at pictures—and instantly noticed that Daddy’s face had been scribbled with all sorts of nasty, weird symbols.

Her big eyes widened, and in her still-sleepy, soft little voice, she pointed at the image on the phone and declared, “Bad stuff!”

As a polite little koi, “bad stuff” was already the most serious insult she could come up with.

Yu Mozhi was momentarily stunned, looking at the cute little girl sprawled in his arms, pointing at his phone while “scolding” the image. She even turned to look at him, as if seeking his approval.

Her usually smiling eyes were now wide and serious. Her round cheeks were puffed out in indignation, and even her naturally smiling lips formed a pout. She looked adorably fierce as she tried to block him from the negativity.

(End of Chapter)