I'll Stay by Your Side as Your Little Secretary for the Rest of My Life

Listening to Fang Xun's comforting words, Little Ningguang cried even harder.

The gentler and more indulgent Fang Xun was, the more guilty she felt.

Seeing the little crybaby get stuck in a loop,

Fang Xun had no choice. He pretended to be angry and said, "Little girl, let's put this behind us. I've already forgiven you."

"Stop overthinking it and crying, or Brother Fang Xun will really get mad."

Hearing this, Little Ningguang immediately clung to Fang Xun's arm and said timidly, "Brother Fang Xun, don't be mad. Ningguang won't cry anymore."

As she spoke, the little girl lightly bit her lip, trying her best to stop the tears from falling.

She looked adorable, and it broke his heart.

Fang Xun's heart softened at once. He couldn't bear to keep a stern face with Ningguang.

So he comforted her gently. "Silly girl, you're only six years old. Don't put so much pressure on yourself, okay?"

When Ningguang heard Fang Xun call her a child, she pouted and protested, "Brother Fang Xun, Ningguang isn't little!"

"Mom said that since Ningguang can help ease the burden on our family, she's already an adult!"

Fang Xun patted her little head, then said indulgently, "You're still young. It'll be a few more years before you grow up."

"Besides, even if you were an adult, you wouldn't have to grow up as long as I'm here. Got it?"

Ningguang looked a little dazed as she listened to him.

All this time, she had been desperate to grow up as quickly as possible,

wishing she could wake up one morning already an adult.

Because only then could she earn more Mora and improve her family's living conditions.

But today,

Fang Xun had told her

that she didn't have to grow up.

Tears welled in the little girl's eyes once more,

but she didn't dare cry, afraid Fang Xun would get angry,

so she could only bite her lip lightly

and look at him pitifully.

Fang Xun couldn't help laughing at her expression. He gently rubbed her head and said softly, "Come on, let's go see your new home."

"Eh? Brother Fang Xun, you bought a new house?"

Hearing Fang Xun, Little Ningguang looked astonished,

as if Brother Fang Xun had only been in Liyue for a few days,

and he'd already bought a house!

Even as she marveled at the news, Little Ningguang secretly clenched her tiny fists and encouraged herself.

She would work even harder!

She had to earn enough to move into a new house as soon as she could!

Only then

could she and her mother stop living in a shabby, rundown wooden hut.

But her enthusiasm didn't last long before Ningguang grew discouraged again.

They said that ideals were beautiful, but reality was harsh.

In a place like Liyue Harbor, where every inch of land was worth a fortune,

even the cheapest houses were expensive.

Ningguang had no idea when she'd save enough money to buy one...

Thinking about it, Little Ningguang let out a sorrowful sigh.

While the other children her age were growing up happily and carefree,

she was already struggling to breathe under the weight of life's burdens.

Even sleeping through the night without waking up from the cold was a luxury for her.

Fang Xun noticed the little girl's dejected expression.

Little Ningguang hadn't said a word,

but her wide eyes fixed on the new house and the longing in them said everything.

"Come on, let's see if you like your new home." Fang Xun rubbed the little girl's head and spoke softly.

Little Ningguang first froze, then stared at Fang Xun in disbelief. "M-my new home?"

"This is Ningguang's new home?"

The little girl wondered if she'd misheard him,

because this was something she hadn't even dared to dream about.

But Fang Xun had already placed the house key in her hand.

"Little girl, you heard me right. From now on, this is your new home."

Fang Xun crouched down and spoke to Ningguang with complete seriousness.

"As my secretary, you'll naturally have plenty of things to do for me."

"But if you live too far away, it'll interfere with a lot of my plans."

"And if you live in the city, it'll be easier for me to find you when I need you."

Fang Xun paused, then continued, "Besides, didn't you want a big house where you could bring your mother and me to live with you?"

"Now your wish has come true."

"Bring your mother over, too. She'll recover faster here."

"At the very least, you won't go hungry or freeze here, right?"

Fang Xun listed all the conveniences of moving in.

Little Ningguang didn't say a word.

Tears just kept pattering down her cheeks.

Fang Xun said that letting her live here would make it easier for her to work,

but she knew perfectly well

that he was only saying that to give her a reason to move in,

so he could help improve her family's living conditions.

And Ningguang couldn't refuse Fang Xun's kindness,

because her mother was indeed seriously ill.

Even though her mother took her medicine and received treatment on schedule,

their current living conditions were simply too poor and were seriously hampering her recovery.

A change of surroundings would definitely help.

Fang Xun had thought of all of this for Ningguang.

That was exactly why Little Ningguang was crying her eyes out.

She saw everything Fang Xun did, and she would remember it.

No one had ever treated her as gently as Fang Xun did.

Brother Fang Xun was the best~

"Brother Fang Xun, thank you. Thank you so much." The little girl's voice choked with tears as she thanked him again and again.

Seeing how sweet and pitiful she looked, Fang Xun couldn't help teasing her. "Silly girl, I'm an evil capitalist, you know."

"I'm letting you live here so you can work for me better."

"Why are you thanking me like a fool?"

His words made Ningguang laugh.

She wiped away her tears, then said with utmost seriousness, "Brother Fang Xun, just consider this house something I borrowed money from you to buy."

"Don't worry. Once I have money, I'll pay you back."

"If I really can't afford to, then I'll stay by your side as your little secretary for the rest of my life, okay?"

The little girl was still crying so hard her face was streaked with tears, but her voice was especially firm.

Brother Fang Xun was willing to let her and her mother live in the house,

so they wouldn't have to endure the wind and rain.

Little Ningguang was already very grateful for that.

How could she possibly accept Brother Fang Xun's house for nothing?

She could never take something without giving anything in return.

That was the little girl's bottom line!

Fang Xun didn't insist. He let Ningguang have her way,

pinched her smooth cheek, then said fondly, "Take a look around first. Later, I'll go with you to bring your mother here."

Little Ningguang nodded obediently and quietly gazed at Fang Xun's profile.

There was actually one more thing she hadn't said.