River Child cast a sidelong glance at the brightly smiling Red Skirt Girl, then withdrew his gaze.
He looked utterly unwilling to bother arguing with her.
Yet Red Skirt Girl said with a smile, "Hey, little one, Elder Sister has lots of tasty pastries here. Want to try some?"
As she spoke, she opened her crystalline, snow-white palm, revealing a handful of pastries in all sorts of varieties.
River Child was speechless. This little girl really had taken him for some brat?
"Don't be shy. Here, take them and eat."
Red Skirt Girl walked over and placed the pastries before River Child. Raising her hand, she was about to pat his little head, but River Child dodged away.
A savage glint flashed deep in River Child's eyes. Just as he was about to flare up, Su Yi's gaze fell upon him.
Though Su Yi said nothing, River Child wilted like an eggplant struck by frost. He curled his lips and said no more.
Red Skirt Girl had not noticed at all that her careless gesture had nearly brought about a great calamity.
The frail middle-aged man seated nearby seemed to have noticed. "Xian Er, do not be rude. Come back quickly."
As he spoke, the frail middle-aged man cupped his hands toward Su Yi and said apologetically, "My daughter is reckless and speaks without restraint. I hope Your Excellency will forgive her."
Su Yi nodded. "I understand."
Just as Red Skirt Girl was about to say something, the frail middle-aged man broke into a violent coughing fit.
Red Skirt Girl immediately forgot everything else and hurried back. "Father, are you all right?"
A trace of weariness surfaced between the frail middle-aged man's brows, and his face grew even paler.
Yet he waved it off indifferently. "It is nothing."
Red Skirt