Chapter Twenty-Eight: "Pedophilia"

Xuanxuan lay sprawled on the sofa, her small body making sitting upright rather uncomfortable, especially with her round, chubby frame. Lying on her stomach was the best she could do. She glanced at Zhan Yu beside her; he seemed a bit more attractive than he did on the StarNet, didn’t he? It must be because he'd downplayed his looks online. In person, he was much more striking. If his friend’s handsomeness was flamboyant, and her own father’s was refined, then Zhan Yu’s was steady and upright, hard to describe but full of character. Xuanxuan thought he was the kind of man who carried himself with a particular charm.

Although she didn’t know him well, their few encounters had left her with a good impression—provided he didn’t try to steal her things again in the future.

If Xuanxuan were from Huaxia, she might have described Zhan Yu with a famous phrase: "His bearing is like a lone pine upon the cliff; drunk, he sways like a jade mountain about to collapse."

A person’s temperament is shaped by their character, and Xuanxuan didn’t need to think twice—this man’s character was surely not bad.

She sniffed the air and caught the aroma of braised pork. She tried to push herself up, but quickly discovered, to her dismay, that she really had grown a bit plump. The sofa was too soft, and she simply couldn’t get up.

Zhan Yu, who’d been reading information on his smart device, was at a complete loss as to how to care for such a small child. He wasn’t even officially an adult yet himself. He glanced over and saw Xuanxuan struggling to roll over, a black line appearing on his forehead. Was this girl really so chubby? What had her father been feeding her?

If Xuanxuan had known his thoughts, she would have burst into tears. It really was the sofa’s fault.

Muqi Lianhao would have been even more distressed—he never meant to raise his daughter to be a little fatty. She’d always been plump and adorable, an appropriate weight for a child. How had she gained so much in just a few days?

He had no idea that Xuanxuan’s health had recently improved, her appetite had soared, but her body couldn’t keep up with the calories she consumed. With all the meat she was eating, of course she was putting on weight.

Zhan Yu decided he should lend a helping hand. He reached out to pull Xuanxuan up by her clothes, but with a loud “crack,” the sleeve of her left arm tore right off.

Xuanxuan glared at him. What was this man trying to do?

Did all men in the Federation have a habit of undressing others? Thankfully, she was wearing another layer underneath.

She landed a chubby palm on his hand, knocking it away, forgetting that the only reason she was now standing was because of that very hand.

Zhan Yu was already embarrassed by tearing her sleeve, and after she slapped his hand, he quickly withdrew it. But as soon as he let go, Xuanxuan, now standing, began to topple off the side of the sofa. The carpet was thick, but Zhan Yu didn’t dare let such a small child fall. He quickly grabbed her again, only to catch her by the left sleeve—and with a “rip,” the inner layer tore as well. Zhan Yu hurriedly wrapped both arms around her—soft, chubby, and with a faint scent of milk. Looking closely, he realized that despite her roundness, she was exquisitely lovely. Her features had inherited the flawless perfection of her father, her skin was fair with a rosy glow, delicate beyond the finest porcelain. Her large eyes were fringed with thick lashes that fluttered like little brushes, though right now her gaze was anything but friendly.

He glanced at her now bare little arm, plump and smooth like a lotus root. Embarrassed, Zhan Yu coughed and set her back on the sofa.

But Xuanxuan's look grew even more suspicious. Was this man what the cats online called a “child lover”?

She scooted a little farther away—was this dangerous? Clearly, you couldn’t judge a person by their looks; you could know someone’s face, but never their heart.

Zhan Yu felt even more awkward under her stare; her face all but spelled out “child lover.” It had never occurred to him that children’s clothes could be so fragile—or perhaps, this child was simply too heavy, and pulling her up by her clothes was a mistake. He looked at her plump form; yes, that must be it.

Xuanxuan noticed his look of disdain at her weight, pouted, and huffed. The smell of braised pork was growing ever stronger, and she grew increasingly restless, stretching her arms out.

Zhan Yu looked at her gesture. Did she want him to carry her?

Seeing her growing impatience, he carefully picked her up. That faint milky scent wafted up from his arms. Actually, children could be quite adorable.

Xuanxuan pointed toward the kitchen. Zhan Yu assumed she wanted her father, and was relieved she wasn’t crying. He hurried into the kitchen in two strides. Xuanxuan’s eyes lit up at the sight of her father—indeed, a man who could cook was the most attractive.

Even in an apron, her father’s handsomeness remained undiminished. Most importantly, there was already a plate piled high with braised pork.

“Xuanxuan, you’re here. Daddy’s hands are greasy, so I can’t pick you up right now. Good girl, go wait in the living room—it’ll be ready soon.” Muqi Lianhao held a kitchen knife in one hand and shot Zhan Yu a hostile look. Why had this fellow brought his precious daughter into the kitchen?

“Meat.” Xuanxuan didn’t even glance at her father, her eyes fixed on the braised pork. Zhan Yu watched her expectant gaze and wondered, why did it seem as if this girl had been starved her whole life?

He looked at Muqi Lianhao—maybe he wasn’t really from the Muqi clan in the imperial capital, but an outcast from a primitive star, unable even to give his daughter meat?

Muqi Lianhao caught the look and immediately understood its meaning. His mouth twitched. Daughter, you’ve embarrassed your father again.

He placed a piece of braised pork in his daughter’s mouth, and seeing her satisfied expression, felt that cooking for her was the greatest thing in the world.

His sharp eyes noticed her left arm, where a large patch of fair skin was exposed. “Xuanxuan, what happened here?”

Mouth full of meat, Xuanxuan simply pointed at Zhan Yu, indicating he was responsible. Muqi Lianhao, forgetting all about the oil and smoke on his clothes, dropped the knife and scooped Xuanxuan into his arms. He just knew that strange man was no good, possibly even a child lover; and yet, Xuanxuan’s first time calling someone hadn’t even been him.

The truth was, he was just jealous—envious that his daughter’s first call wasn’t for him.

Zhan Yu, mortified, let Muqi Lianhao carry Xuanxuan away. He was never a talkative person to begin with, and now he was at a complete loss for words. After all, he had been the one to tear her clothes.

Muqi Lianhao glared at him with open hostility, abandoning all pretense of politeness. He carried Xuanxuan back to the bedroom and bundled her in thick layers, three in all. Xuanxuan was speechless—was it really necessary to dress so warmly in a temperature-controlled home? She had no idea her doting father was worried about the supposed “child lover” in the living room. If she knew, she would have applauded him—yes, that man definitely looked the type.

(Book recommendation for everyone—PS: Today, there’s a new release by Maruko, “The Substitute Foolish Consort” by 22.)