Yu Xiaogang

"So, you have to take responsibility."

"Take... take responsibility?" Deng Tianxin's voice cracked. "How? What do you mean? I'm only six years old, I can't possibly—"

"What are you thinking!" Bibi Dong slapped his backside. It wasn't a hard hit, purely meant to vent her frustration. "I mean I want to take you as my disciple."

"...Huh?"

Deng Tianxin blinked, his brain struggling to shift gears.

Take him as a disciple? What kind of plot twist was this? Weren't they just settling scores a moment ago? How did they suddenly jump to apprenticeship?

"What is that look on your face?" Bibi Dong raised an eyebrow as she watched Deng Tianxin's 'are you kidding me' expression. "What, you don't think I'm qualified to be your teacher?"

Deng Tianxin nodded instinctively, then hurriedly shook his head.

"You already nodded, what's the point of shaking it now?" Bibi Dong crossed her arms, watching him with interest. "Tell me, why do you think I'm not qualified?"

Just as Deng Tianxin was about to speak, a gentle male voice drifted over from nearby.

"Dong'er, why are you here?"

Deng Tianxin looked toward the source of the sound and saw a young man walking toward them.

The man had short black hair parted to the side and a very ordinary appearance.

No, calling him ordinary was being polite; his mouth was a bit large, his lips were excessively thick, and his facial muscles seemed somewhat stiff, making his entire face look unnatural when he smiled.

Deng Tianxin narrowed his eyes slightly.

As a transmigrator, although he didn't remember every detail of the Douluo Continent's plot, he still had an impression of the physical traits of certain key characters.

Short black hair, ordinary looks, large mouth, thick lips, stiff facial muscles.

Isn't this Yu Xiaogang?

Before Deng Tianxin could finish his thought, Bibi Dong beside him had already rushed forward like a gust of wind.

"Gang!" Bibi Dong's voice was filled with pleasant surprise, her smile as radiant as a flower.

Bibi Dong reached Yu Xiaogang in two or three steps and reached out to grab his arm. "Why did you come here? Didn't you say you were going to organize your research materials these past few days?"

Yu Xiaogang smiled, his stiff face softening slightly at the expression. "The materials are mostly organized. I happened to be passing by and thought I might run into you, so I came to try my luck."

"You came to find me?" Bibi Dong's eyes lit up, a flush of red appearing on her cheeks as she looked like she was soaking in a honey pot.

Deng Tianxin stood behind them, watching the scene with a blank expression.

Good grief, she was just deeply reflecting on how her first love was nothing more than a bowl of plain noodles, and now, the moment she saw Yu Xiaogang in person, she changed immediately.

Her face was as red as a monkey's backside, her voice was so gentle it could drip water, and the light in her eyes was brighter than when she saw a spirit bone.

Was this the same Bibi Dong who just said she might only like the feeling of being cared for?

Was this the same Spirit Hall Saintess who admitted it was just a fresh feeling and a momentary impulse?

"Love-struck fool," Deng Tianxin muttered softly. It wasn't loud, but it was just enough for Bibi Dong to hear.

Bibi Dong's body stiffened noticeably.

Yu Xiaogang didn't notice this subtle change; he had spotted Deng Tianxin standing not far away and looked slightly stunned.

It was a little boy with dragon horns on his head, quite short, looking about six or seven years old, watching them with an expression that was hard to tell if it was disgust or helplessness.

"Dong'er, this child is..." Yu Xiaogang looked at Bibi Dong with a questioning gaze.

"Oh, he is..." Bibi Dong turned to look at Deng Tianxin. The flush on her face faded slightly, but her voice remained gentle.

She was about to introduce him, but she met Deng Tianxin's large eyes, which were filled with a look that said, See? See? Didn't I tell you?

That look clearly asked: Who just told me I was right?

Who just admitted that their feelings for Yu Xiaogang were just a fresh sensation?

How did she forget it all the moment he arrived?

Bibi Dong's expression froze, and she suddenly felt her face burning.

This time, it wasn't shyness, but the embarrassment of having her inner thoughts exposed.

She had just spoken so solemnly about understanding her own heart, yet the moment Yu Xiaogang appeared, she threw those words to the back of her mind, wishing she could just cling to him.

This was, indeed... a bit shameful.

Bibi Dong cleared her throat, trying to make her expression look natural. Just as she was about to continue the introduction, Deng Tianxin suddenly moved.

Deng Tianxin trotted over on his short legs and hugged her thigh.

Bibi Dong went rigid.

What was going on? From the moment they met until now, this little brat had either called her 'Auntie' or cursed her for being a pervert; when had he ever hugged her voluntarily?

Then, Deng Tianxin looked up at Bibi Dong with his round, wide eyes and called out in a milky, childish voice.

"Mommy."

The air froze.

Bibi Dong's brain completely crashed in that instant.

Her eyes widened, her mouth slightly agape, and she stood frozen as if struck by a binding soul skill.

He... what did he call her?

Mom?!

Yu Xiaogang's smile also stiffened on his face.

He looked at Deng Tianxin, then back at Bibi Dong, the gentleness in his eyes fading bit by bit, replaced by an expression of utter disbelief.

"Dong'er," Yu Xiaogang's voice sounded dry, his facial muscles even more rigid than usual, "what... what did he call you?"

"No! Xiaogang, listen to me explain..." Bibi Dong snapped back to reality, "He is not my son! I only met him today..."

"Mom," Deng Tianxin called out again, hugging her tighter, his little face filled with grievance, "don't you want me anymore? You said you wouldn't abandon me..."

Bibi Dong nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

What kind of nonsense was this little brat spouting?! When had she ever said she wouldn't abandon him?!

"Dong'er," Yu Xiaogang took a step back, his expression struggling to maintain composure, but his slightly trembling lips betrayed him, "how old... is this child?"

"Six!" Bibi Dong said hurriedly, "He is six years old this year, and I am only nineteen. How could I possibly be his mother!"

"Giving birth at twelve isn't impossible," Deng Tianxin added in a small voice from the side.

The volume was just right for both of them to hear.

Bibi Dong whipped her head around to glare at Deng Tianxin, her gaze as if she wanted to execute him on the spot.

Deng Tianxin shrank his neck under her glare, but his hands clutching her thigh showed no sign of letting go.

"Little friend," Yu Xiaogang crouched down, trying his best to keep his voice gentle, "you say she is your mother, then who is your father?"

Deng Tianxin tilted his head, looking at Yu Xiaogang with an innocent gaze.

Here it was, the very question.

This was exactly what he had been waiting for.

Bibi Dong, that's what you get for spanking me earlier.