I Want You to Be Xiao Wu's Father!

Seeing how serious Xiao Wu looked, Chu Fan secretly rejoiced. Ah, this damned face of mine—looks like it's about to charm everyone, young and old alike.

The days passed one by one.

Every day, Chu Fan lived happily with Dancing Ji and Xiao Wu.

This period could be called the happiest time Chu Fan had spent since coming to the Douluo Continent, living each day with Dancing Ji and Xiao Wu.

Drawing on his memories, he made many interesting little things. He made Xiao Wu a merry-go-round, shuttlecocks, and various wooden toys. But Xiao Wu's favorite was the Barbie doll Chu Fan had made.

Chu Fan built a house by the lake that could accommodate himself, Dancing Ji, and Xiao Wu, and he also taught Dancing Ji all kinds of board games.

Every day, he accompanied Xiao Wu—catching wild chickens one moment, pulling radishes the next, then feeding the rabbits.

He cooked with Dancing Ji, took walks with her, and looked after Xiao Wu. Gradually, they began living the happy life of a family of three.

Da Ming was rather introverted, and Chu Fan could find no amusement in him. Other than closely studying how a bull's head grew on a snake's body, there was nothing particularly interesting to do.

Er Ming, however, was different. His rough personality and simple-minded appearance amused Chu Fan greatly. Chu Fan was also quite willing to deal with Er Ming. His straightforward nature made him especially pleasant to be around.

Ever since Er Ming had tasted roasted meat, he had admired Chu Fan from the bottom of his heart. Every day, he brought back different soul beasts for Chu Fan to roast, calling him "Big Brother" with every other breath, much to Chu Fan's satisfaction.

In the end, Chu Fan truly could not stand Er Ming pestering him every day, so he taught him the techniques for roasting meat and the recipe for the seasonings. Er Ming learned them quite well, too.

Night.

Xiao Wu was already sleeping soundly in the room. Chu Fan and Dancing Ji left the house and came to the lakeside.

Ah, though I'm reluctant, it's time to leave. Chu Fan slightly turned his head to look at Dancing Ji. "I think it's time for me to go."

Though he had always thought it was time to leave, only when he truly decided to do so did Chu Fan realize that he was somewhat reluctant. His time in the forest had shown him what happiness truly was.

In the real world, Chu Fan had been young and reckless. He had never understood the value of family, living alone and coming and going as he pleased, rarely spending time with his parents.

After coming to Douluo, living with Dancing Ji and Xiao Wu had been so peaceful and pleasant that he could hardly bear to part with them. Xiao Wu's lively, obedient sweetness and Dancing Ji's gentle, virtuous nature both made him reluctant to leave.

But no matter how reluctant he was, he still had to let go. He still needed to find a way back to the real world.

Hearing Chu Fan's thoughts, Dancing Ji immediately felt despondent. Scenes of Chu Fan living with Xiao Wu surfaced in her mind—their radiant smiles entranced her. Yet now Chu Fan was about to leave, and she did not want to lose this happiness she had long dreamed of.

When Dancing Ji heard that Chu Fan was leaving, a wave of sorrow rose in her heart. Looking at him helplessly, she tightly clutched the corner of her clothes, leaving clear creases in the fabric.

Although Dancing Ji knew that Chu Fan would leave sooner or later, that he did not belong to the forest or this place, when that day truly came, she did not know how to face it.

What should I do? He's leaving. If I don't say it now, it'll be too late.

But Xiao Wu needs someone to love her too. If that person were still around, why hasn't he come looking for you?

Look at Xiao Wu's smile. Can you really bear to give up this happiness?

...

Dancing Ji felt as if countless voices were arguing within her. She did not know what she should do; her mind was a tangled mess.

"Duke Chu."

Chu Fan paused and stopped walking.

Dancing Ji stepped forward, coming before Chu Fan. The two stood face-to-face, their eyes meeting, filled with tenderness.

Moonlight flowed like water over them. In the silent surroundings, they could clearly hear each other's breathing.

"Can you not leave?" A trace of solemnity appeared on Dancing Ji's face. Her hands tugged even harder at the corner of her clothes as she slowly spoke.

Seeing the longing in Dancing Ji's eyes, scenes from the past surfaced before Chu Fan, drowning his thoughts like waves. Xiao Wu's sweet and adorable smile, Dancing Ji's refined and graceful demeanor—both were intoxicating.

"I..." Chu Fan began to stammer, unable to think of what to say. He had been mentally prepared for Dancing Ji to ask him to stay; he knew that she would surely be reluctant to see him leave.

And he himself had an indescribable feeling toward Dancing Ji. She was so dignified and virtuous. Every time he returned from playing with Xiao Wu, there would always be a table full of dishes waiting for him. It was a feeling of warmth, one that Qian Renxue could never give him.

Seeing Chu Fan hesitate, Dancing Ji hurriedly spoke before he could finish.

"Duke Chu, I don't want you to leave..."

"Because..."

"I..."

"I like you."

"I want you to be Xiao Wu's father."

Dancing Ji's heart pounded wildly, and a blush spread across her face. After struggling for so long, she had finally gathered the courage to speak the feelings she had suppressed for so long. Though there were only a few simple words, they carried a weight as heavy as a thousand pounds.

Hearing Dancing Ji say that she liked him, Chu Fan was not overly surprised. He knew that Dancing Ji liked him. Not only Dancing Ji—even Xiao Wu liked staying by his side.

But upon hearing that final sentence, Chu Fan was utterly shocked. His heart filled with astonishment, and he could not help but admire her.

Chu Fan was astonished that Dancing Ji actually wanted him to be Xiao Wu's father. Though he was quite good at looking after children, this had come far too suddenly.

What Chu Fan sincerely admired was that someone as dignified and elegant as Dancing Ji could set aside her pride and disregard worldly conventions, wanting to truly live with him.

Chu Fan knew well how much courage Dancing Ji had needed to take this step, and how deeply she must like him. For a woman whose nature was so gentle, refined, dignified, and virtuous to say those words required tremendous resolve and the determination to fight against worldly conventions.

Now that Dancing Ji had taken the initiative to reveal her feelings, if he still gave no response, would he not be worse than a beast? He raised his head to look at Dancing Ji and nodded.

Seeing Chu Fan agree, Dancing Ji was overjoyed, and the tension in her heart instantly dissolved. She rushed toward Chu Fan, wrapped him tightly in her arms, and pressed her soft red lips to his.

At once, warmth spread from his lips. Chu Fan saw that Dancing Ji had tightly closed her eyes. Her flushed, warm face was clearly visible beneath the moonlight, and her long eyelashes brushed against his face.

Under the moonlight, the lake's surface shimmered. Everything around them was silent as the two held each other tightly and kissed.

As their emotions deepened, Chu Fan could no longer suppress his impulse and pushed Dancing Ji to the ground.

"Dancing Ji, is this okay?"

Dancing Ji nodded slightly without opening her eyes, meeting his lips once more. Under the moonlight, the two remained awake all night.