Xu Changqing's expression turned strange as he probed, "It wouldn't be Sun Shangxiang, would it?"
Sun Peng's eyes lit up, and he praised, "I was going to call her Sun Shenghua, since flowers are fragrant.
But Sun Shangxiang sounds even better, and it matches her pet name."
Sun Rong beside him chimed in, "Indeed, Shang Xiang sounds better!"
Xu Changqing felt as though this whole family had put on an act for him. Regret filled his heart. I shouldn't have opened my mouth.
Sun Peng teased the child in his arms with a finger and smiled. "Sheng—no, she should be called Shang Xiang now. You must remember that Daoist Cai gave you this name."
Perhaps it truly was fate; she actually broke into a grin.
As though she approved of the name.
Seeing this, all the reasons and excuses Xu Changqing had prepared caught in his throat, while complicated emotions surged within him.
There was excitement, bewilderment, and, more than anything, utter helplessness.
After all, this was his first time experiencing something like this.
Sun Peng and Sun Rong exchanged a glance, then handed their swaddled daughter over. "Father, take Xiang'er back first. Daoist Cai and I need to talk."
Sun Rong nodded lightly, accepted the child, then turned and left.
Before long, only Xu Changqing and Sun Peng remained in the vast rear garden.
This time, Xu Changqing did not speak out of turn. He merely looked at the other man calmly.
He plainly wore an expression that said, if you don't speak, neither will I.
The two stared at each other.
Big eyes glaring at big eyes.
After a long while, Sun Peng truly could not hold back any longer. Drawing a deep breath, he said solemnly, "Daoist Cai, on behalf of the Sun Clan, I thank you