The Tsundere Daughter-Doting Dad

"Knock, knock—"

There was a knock at the door, followed by Bi Dashan's gruff voice from outside. "Xiao Xi, Qian Xun, get up and eat."

"Coming, coming." Bibi Xi hurriedly climbed out of bed.

The two walked out of the room, and the old father gave Qian Xunji a thorough once-over.

"Qian Xun, how did you sleep last night?"

"Pretty well. Slept straight through till dawn."

"That's good." Bi Dashan nodded.

The three entered the living room just as Liu Xiulan carried out a steaming pot of meat porridge from the kitchen. The fragrance of rice mixed with meat filled the entire house.

Bibi Dong came over from the cupboard carrying bowls and chopsticks. The moment she looked up, her gaze met Qian Xunji's head-on.

"!"

Bibi Dong's face instantly flushed. She hurriedly looked away and fumbled with the bowls and chopsticks, nearly dropping a pair onto the floor.

Bibi Xi caught the subtle exchange perfectly.

He blinked, looked at his sister, then at his brother-in-law, and finally stroked his chin.

"Come on, sit down. Eat while it's hot."

Liu Xiulan called everyone over and filled a brimming bowl of porridge for each of them.

The porridge contained chopped Soul Chicken meat and mushrooms, sprinkled with a little scallion. Its aroma was irresistible.

The atmosphere at the table was warm and cozy.

Bibi Xi took a sip of porridge, then looked up and asked, "Dad, Mom, yesterday Brother-in-law said... he wanted us to move to Spirit City. What do you think?"

Bibi Dong also set down her spoon and looked at her parents expectantly.

Liu Xiulan and Bi Dashan exchanged a glance.

Liu Xiulan sighed, her smile tinged with reluctance. "We appreciate Qian Xun's kindness."

"It's just... we've lived in Anping Village for more than ten years. Our neighbors have been old friends for decades, and this house, these fields, these mountains and rivers... we've grown attached to them. Moving away so suddenly is hard to bear."

Bi Dashan nodded as well. "Yeah. But Dong'er, don't worry. Your mother and I will visit you often from now on."

"Now that we know where you are, we can finally rest easy."

Qian Xunji nodded understandingly and said gently, "I have an unused residence in Spirit City. It isn't very large, but it's quiet."

"Uncle, Auntie, if you decide to come over, just let me know in advance. I'll have someone prepare it."

"Qian Xun, you're very thoughtful."

"It's truly Dong'er's good fortune to have met you."

"No. Meeting Dong'er is my good fortune."

He said it with complete sincerity, and Bibi Dong felt sweetness bloom in her heart.

Under the table, Qian Xunji's hand lightly brushed the back of hers.

Bibi Dong stiffened, but she did not pull away.

At that moment, Bibi Dong recalled what they had discussed the night before and said, "Dad, Mom, Qian Xun and I are going to Sunset Forest today."

"Sunset Forest?"

Bi Dashan immediately frowned. "That place is dangerous. There are thousand-year and even ten-thousand-year soul beasts deep inside, not to mention miasma. What are you two children going there for?"

"Uncle Bi, don't worry. I'll protect Dong'er."

That only made things worse. The moment Qian Xunji said it, the sourness in Bi Dashan's heart flared up again.

"Do you know what the mountains are like? Why don't I go with you? I've hunted around that area for years. I know it well!"

Liu Xiulan shot her husband a glare. "Why are you barging in? Your daughter is now the Saintess of Spirit Hall, a Soul Emperor-level expert."

"And you? A level twenty-two Soul Grandmaster. Who would be protecting whom if you went? Wouldn't you just be holding them back?"

"I..." Bi Dashan was left speechless by his wife's retort, his face turning bright red.

He opened his mouth, but in the end could only let out a snort. He picked up his bowl and wolfed down several mouthfuls of porridge, then slammed it down. "I'm full!" With that, he got up and returned to his room.

The dining table fell silent for several seconds.

Bibi Dong looked uneasily at her mother. "Mom, is Dad angry...?"

"Don't mind him."

"That's just his temper. Say a few things and he starts sulking. He'll get over it himself in a while. You two just go do what you need to do."

Though she said that, Bibi Dong still felt somewhat guilty.

Inside the room, Bi Dashan sat on the edge of the bed, ruefully clawing at his hair.

How could I lose my temper in front of my daughter?

How embarrassing. My daughter only just acknowledged me, and instead of behaving properly as her father, I went and threw a tantrum...

Will Dong'er think her father has a terrible temper?

Will she stop liking me?

The more he thought about it, the more panicked he became. His mind began uncontrollably playing out a little scene:

In his imagination, Bibi Dong looked at him in disappointment. "Dad, how could you be like this? Qian Xun treats me very well, yet you keep targeting him. I don't want to acknowledge a father like you."

After saying that, his imaginary daughter took Qian Xunji's hand and turned to leave.

"No! Dong'er!"

Bi Dashan dropped to his knees with a thud and reached toward his daughter's retreating back. "Daughter! Dad was wrong! Dad will never do this again!"

Just as he was immersed in the melodramatic tragedy he had concocted.

The door opened.

Bi Dashan looked toward the doorway and saw Bibi Dong holding pastries she had brought from Spirit City, along with a pot of hot tea.

She had come to comfort her father, but the moment she pushed open the door, she saw her own father kneeling on the floor before the kang bed, one hand stretched toward the doorway, his face still wearing an unrestrained expression of grief.

Father and daughter stared at each other.

The air froze.