Gift (Bonus chapter for Alliance Leader "Xinyun Qianyin")

"It's fine."

Zuo Yi did not mind. "It was perfectly normal for you to misunderstand what happened just now."

Shang Yulin could not help asking, "What exactly were you teaching Sun Qiang?"

The screams Little Qiang had let out in the sword room earlier were enough to break the hearts of those who heard them and bring tears to their eyes!

"Body-forging technique."

Zuo Yi explained, "Sun Qiang's foundation is too poor. The body-forging technique I taught him can improve his physical condition."

He omitted the word "knight" to avoid the trouble of having to explain further.

Having faith in the virtue of honesty did not mean he had to tell every single truth. He could avoid the subject or remain silent, as long as he did not lie. And the more significant the truth he spoke, the more power of faith it would bring.

Zuo Yi knew perfectly well how to weigh those choices.

Shang Yulin nodded and did not press him about what kind of body-forging technique he had taught.

Many martial arts instructors had their own secret skills, which they relied on to make a living. Prying too deeply into them was a serious taboo.

After hesitating for a moment, Shang Yulin said, "Zuo Yi, you really don't need to stay at Heavenly Vast. With your abilities, I think plenty of martial arts halls would have a place for you."

Even Shang He had praised Zuo Yi's talent in martial arts highly, believing he had the potential to become a true martial artist.

Unfortunately, Zuo Yi's ambitions did not lie there.

Now that Zuo Yi had returned, Shang Yulin had no idea what level his strength had reached, but no matter what, she did not want to hold back his future.

"Senior Sister..."

Zuo Yi said frankly, "I think Heavenly Vast suits me very well. Besides, I already have students. I know Heavenly Vast is in bad shape, so I don't want a base salary—just a commission."

If he only wanted to make money, Zuo Yi certainly had countless better options than Heavenly Vast Martial Arts Hall.

Even if he went to carry bricks, he would be the king of brick carriers.

The reason Zuo Yi had chosen Heavenly Vast Martial Arts Hall was precisely because it faced such great difficulties—he had not forgotten Shang He's kindness in teaching him.

As a true man, there were things he should not do, and things he must do!

Zuo Yi's resolve was so firm that Shang Yulin could only compromise. "All right, then. But if you ever want to leave, you can do so anytime."

"Okay."

Zuo Yi smiled and raised his coffee cup, signaling a pleasant partnership.

His carefree manner made Shang Yulin's heart suddenly skip a beat. "Then... let me treat you to lunch."

"Next time."

Zuo Yi checked the time and said, "I need to go see my daughter now."

"Your daughter?"

Shang Yulin was astonished. "You're married?"

Zuo Yi shook his head. "Senior Sister, thank you for the coffee. I'll come by again tomorrow."

With that, he left Starbucks carrying his unfinished coffee.

Shang Yulin watched blankly as Zuo Yi disappeared through the entrance, a trace of melancholy flashing through her eyes.

Once he reached the bustling street, Zuo Yi drained the coffee in one gulp.

After giving it some thought, he tossed the empty cup into a trash bin and headed toward a nearby shopping mall.

At the children's section on the second floor of the mall, Zuo Yi found himself in a dilemma.

He had just realized that he could not visit his daughter empty-handed, so he had come to buy her a gift. But he had no idea what to get.

He had absolutely no experience!

"Sir."

A salesclerk noticed his hesitation and approached him politely. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Um..."

Zuo Yi said, "I want to buy a gift for my daughter."

The salesclerk quickly asked, "How old is your daughter? Does she like clothes or toys? We have both here."

The image of that timid little girl immediately surfaced in Zuo Yi's mind. A gentle smile flickered in his eyes as he said, "She's four this year. Let's get her a toy."

"For toys..."

The salesclerk enthusiastically recommended, "How about this big white bear? It's officially licensed by Disney, one of this year's hottest styles. Little girls will definitely love it!"

Zuo Yi took a look and found it quite nice. Large and adorable, it was especially eye-catching on the shelf.

This one, then!

Five minutes later, Zuo Yi walked out of the mall carrying a big white bear.

The price was six hundred yuan from his mobile account!

It was a little expensive, but Zuo Yi did not care, even though all the cash he had at the moment only amounted to a few thousand yuan.

He only hoped his daughter would like it.

Since it was nearly noon, the peak period, and he was in a bustling downtown area, Zuo Yi waited by the roadside for over ten minutes without finding an empty taxi. No one accepted his ride-hailing request either.

So he simply walked to the childcare center.

Carrying a big white bear half as tall as he was, Zuo Yi drew the attention of countless passersby. Some young girls even secretly filmed him with their phones, probably because they found the sight amusing.

Under the gazes of so many pedestrians, Zuo Yi arrived once again at Angel Baby Childcare Center.

"Mr. Zuo, you're here."

Seeing Zuo Yi, Wang Juan, one of the childcare center's teachers, looked both pleasantly surprised and shy. Her gaze drifted from Zuo Yi's face before landing on the big white bear in a fluster.

"Ah, what an adorable big white bear! Is it for Bao'er?"

"Yes."

Zuo Yi smiled. "Teacher Wang, sorry to trouble you."

"It's no trouble at all."

Wang Juan hurriedly said, "Please come with me."

She led Zuo Yi to the childcare center's parent-child activity area, then said, "Mr. Zuo, please wait here for a moment. I'll bring Bao'er over. She just finished lunch."

Zuo Yi nodded. "Thank you."

After Wang Juan left, Zuo Yi took off his shoes and carried the big white bear into the parent-child activity area.

The room was not large, but it was warmly furnished. Thick, colorful foam mats covered the floor, and there was a bookshelf and some toys off to the side.

Zuo Yi sat down on a small stool.

He was actually a little nervous.

It felt just like waiting for an important exam to begin back when he was in school!

Zuo Yi did not wait long. About a few minutes later, Wang Juan appeared at the entrance to the parent-child activity area with Zuo Bao'er.

"Bao'er."

Holding the little girl's hand, Wang Juan pointed at Zuo Yi and smiled. "Your daddy came to see you!"

Although the results of their paternity test had not come out yet, Teacher Wang was one hundred percent certain that Zuo Yi was Bao'er's father—their eyes looked so alike!

Seeing his daughter again, Zuo Yi felt a surge of emotion and immediately rose to his feet.

But the little girl was very shy. Holding Wang Juan's hand, she hid behind her and only revealed half her face as she secretly looked Zuo Yi over.

My daddy?

Seeing that Zuo Bao'er was still afraid of strangers, Wang Juan crouched down and gently led the little girl in front of her, making her face Zuo Yi.

Wang Juan encouraged her, "Bao'er, this is your daddy. Look, he brought you a gift!"

She gave Zuo Yi a meaningful look.

Zuo Yi immediately came to his senses and quickly offered her the big white bear. "Bao'er, this is the big white bear Daddy bought for you."

As an incomparably powerful holy knight, Zuo Yi was so nervous at that moment that his palms were about to sweat!

He worried whether Bao'er would dislike the gift and whether she would reject him.

Under Zuo Yi's anxious gaze, Bao'er pursed her lips and turned to look at Wang Juan in confusion.

Wang Juan smiled encouragingly.

Bao'er hesitated for a moment, but in the end, she could not resist the temptation of the big white bear. She opened her arms and hugged it.

But the big white bear plush was even bigger than she was, so she could not wrap her arms around it at all.

The little girl clearly liked it. Two shallow dimples appeared on her face, and her smile was especially sweet and adorable.

Wang Juan asked, "Bao'er, do you like the big white bear?"

Bao'er nodded vigorously.

Wang Juan asked again, "Then shouldn't you thank Daddy?"

Bao'er darted a glance at Zuo Yi, lowered her head, and said softly, "Thank you, Daddy."

Her voice was very, very quiet.

But Zuo Yi heard it clearly. A joy from the depths of his heart suddenly surged forth, filling his chest!

He smiled. "You're welcome. I'm happy as long as you like it."

But the little girl became shy. She turned and threw herself into Wang Juan's arms, burying her face and not daring to look at Zuo Yi again.

Her left hand still tightly clutched the furry arm of the big white bear plush.

Zuo Yi felt a little regretful. He had hoped to get closer to his daughter, but the little girl was simply too shy.

Wang Juan gently patted Bao'er's back and said to Zuo Yi, "Mr. Zuo, how about we stop here for today? Bao'er needs to take her afternoon nap. Can you come again tomorrow?"

Zuo Yi nodded. "All right."

He understood that haste made waste. Bao'er was so young and had never met him before. It was impossible for her to immediately form a bond with him. Getting to know each other and growing closer step by step was the best approach.

"Bao'er, say goodbye to Daddy."

"Goodbye, Daddy."

Still in a very soft voice.

This makes up the bonus chapter owed to this book's alliance leader, Xinyun Qianyin. There will be a third update this afternoon.