467 Father (1/2)
”At the same time, I am also Bai Xi's father.”
In the silence, Bai Xi's expression darkened. Yunlou Qingshu's words blew the minds of the other three.
”Father?” Ye Qingxuan froze.
”Father!” Abraham froze.
”Father?!” Charles froze too. Then he slammed the table and shot up, pointing at Yunlou Qingshu and shouting, ”Then you're my dad too!”
No one replied in the awkward silence. Everyone's expressions grew more uncomfortable but Charles rushed up in excitement. He cried, ”Dad!” Grasping Yunlou Qingshu's hand, he shook it excitedly and exclaimed, ”Hi, Dad! I'm Charles!”
Even if he's a dad, he's Bai Xi's dad, not yours! What are you excited about?! Ye Qingxuan could not help but roll his eyes.
However, Charles smiled joyfully and grabbed Yunlou Qingshu's hand as if he had no bones. He seemed close to latching onto the man like a squid. ”Since Daddy's here, let us bros have a good drink…”
Hey, how did you go from father and son to brothers so quickly? Bai Xi's expression grew uglier. She kicked Charles under the table, hoping to kick him into hell.
”Bai Xi, don't throw a tantrum. I'm speaking with Daddy.” Charles waved and his expression grew serious. He sighed emotionally, ”To be honest…I've always seen Bai Xi as a daughter!”
Abraham had just picked up a glass of water to calm him down. But he did not expect that after being suffocated by the Sacred City for so long, Charles had become even worse. He choked and spat out the water.
”Ah, I'm so pleased.” Charles was proud for some reason. He was like a fat middle-aged woman bragging to other housewives about his kid. ”I've worked hard for little Bai Xi to grow up so well!”
Worked hard my *ss! Don't act like you've changed the diapers! What have you done other than fighting with her over food and the pettiest things?!
Now, Yunlou Qingshu finally snapped out of the shock of Charles's horribleness. His elegant features twitched but he soon recovered forcefully.
”Oh?” He squeezed out a smile. ”Thank you for taking care of Bai Xi. With friends like you, I am reli-”
”Big bro, what do you do?” Charles interrupted with an excited expression. ”Are you interested in funding common folk research experiments? Would you like to fund a barbarian's mechanical laboratory? I have recently invented a mechanism that can move forever with running water. It will definitely be useful in the future! It can easily become popular in both the east and west!”
”I am merely a silk merchant and not very successful. I recently had a disagreement with my boss and finally had a break so I came to see Bai Xi.” Yunlou Qingshu rejected him politely and pulled the conversation back to Bai Xi.
He looked warmly at his coldly staring daughter. ”How has Bai Xi been these years?”
Bai Xi opened her mouth to speak but Ye Qingxuan stopped her, shaking his head slightly. This guy was not good news. They better let Charles test the waters first.
”She eats well, sleeps well, and gained a ton of weight!” Charles raised his voice in an unspoken agreement. However, he was talking as if he was selling meat. ”Bro, you don't gotta worry. Look at how we raised Bai Xi to be nice and plump, so cute.”
”That is great. I am relieved.” Yunlou Qingshu seemed to have not noticed anything and kept smiling pleasantly. ”Bai Xi has never been an obedient child. She loves making trouble and giving people headaches. Seeing how she has become, I am happy as well.”
”So are you done looking?” Charles waved as if they were visiting each other. ”If you've got nothing else, go now. We'll take Bai Xi to see you some other day. We have other plans tonight.”
No matter how tolerant Yunlou Qingshu was, he was a little taken aback by the merciless shooing. He chuckled awkwardly and glanced at the table.
”I'm a little hungry. Can I eat some?”
Charles shook his head. ”It's very hard to live in the Sacred City. I don't have much money.”
”It's okay. I'll pay.”
Charles shook his head again. ”Time's running short.”
”It's okay. You can go,” Yunlou Qingshu said. ”I just need to speak with Bai Xi.”