Seeing his daughter skipping and laughing like an elf before him, Xiao Yan lowered his gaze slightly and let out a long breath.
"What's wrong, Daddy?"
Seeing that her father, who had always seemed composed, free-spirited, and unconventional, was now showing such an expression, Xiao Xiao murmured softly without realizing it.
"Nothing. I just suddenly feel that having Xiao Xiao and Xiao Se around is truly wonderful."
A faint smile returned to Xiao Yan's face.
"Hehe—"
Xiao Xiao sat down beside Xiao Yan again, grabbed his slender hand covered in calluses and scars, and gently shook it.
"Then, Daddy, do you like me more, or do you like my little brother more?"
"Uh, well..."
The corner of Xiao Yan's mouth twitched speechlessly. Still, this was indeed a question that normally growing children would inevitably have in their hearts.
...It was just a pity that it was a deadly question.
If it were Xiao Se, he probably would never ask such a question in his life. Even if it were brought up in front of him, he would likely just accept it calmly.
—It's fine. After all, it's only natural for my sister to be popular.
Xiao Yan could practically guess what Xiao Se would say just by thinking about it.
But precisely because of that, he could not truly favor one over the other.
Xiao Yan let his daughter gently shake his arm as he said, "Of course I like—"
"Of course you like?"
"Both of you."
"Ah, you're dodging the question! I knew Daddy would definitely say that!"
Xiao Xiao's expression stiffened. Though such an answer had more or less been expected, hearing it for real still made her unable to resist complaining.
After all, everyone hoped to be special. For a child who had yet to truly mature,