The young servant helped the dazed young boy to his feet, glaring at the mountain-like Xiao Shan. "How can you be like this? Just because you're tall doesn't mean you can bully people! Our master is Steward Xu from the east of the city!"
Whoever you are, you're too young to know the rules. If you move your hands and feet, I'll give you a few more kicks.
"A Shan, you've misunderstood. Let's go!"
Ling Yao quickly grabbed the enraged Xiao Shan, cast an apologetic glance at the young boy, and dragged Xiao Shan away.
"Hey, stop right there! You hit someone and just leave?" The young servant was indignant.
His young master had always been pampered by his master and mistress and had never suffered such humiliation. His young master was soft-hearted, and as his personal attendant, he had to protect him!
Xiao Shan turned back, his tiger-like eyes flashing with a chilling light, staring directly at the master and servant. The young servant's puffed-out chest shrank back.
The young boy, enduring his fear, spoke, "Uncle, you've misunderstood. Just now..."
"Thank you for earlier." Ling Yao interrupted him, took out a piece of silver, walked over, and stuffed it into his hand. "I'm sorry!"
"I don't want it..."
The young boy hastily tried to return the silver to her, but Ling Yao had already left with Xiao Shan, and he dared not follow.
"Young master, don't look anymore. It's a pity for this young lady to have such a father."
The young boy looked at the silver in his hand, his shoulders slumping.
Would he ever meet her again?
Although Xiao Shan was dragged away by Ling Yao, his expression was grim, and his heart felt heavy.
"Why did you eat someone's chicken leg just now?"
Ah, he found out?
"It smelled good, so I tried it."
Was that really it? Or was it because she was good-looking?
Xiao Shan remained silent, his gaze fixed on her. Ling Yao's eyes were distant, and she dared not meet his gaze.
"You need to know, you're not a real child," he said slowly.
Or, would the shrinking of her body also slowly affect her state of mind? She was starting to pay attention to people her own age and no longer liked clinging to him.
Ling Yao pouted. He was telling her she wasn't a child now, so why was he always acting like a father?
She wanted to grow up, to grow up quickly, but then she had overeaten again.
She endured it with great difficulty, so hungry she had no strength. She didn't know when her body would recover. It was truly painful.
Seeing Ling Yao's nonchalant demeanor, it seemed she hadn't taken his words to heart at all.
Xiao Shan felt even more stifled and somewhat helpless.
"What do you want me to do?"
Ling Yao looked at him curiously. A child walked past, holding a piece of cotton candy, and Ling Yao's gaze unconsciously followed.
"Xue Niang, look at me!"
Xiao Shan turned Ling Yao's head, his expression serious, as if she had done something wrong.
Ling Yao felt wronged. She wanted to distract herself all the time so that her stomach wouldn't torment her. It was just eating an extra chicken leg, why was it treated like the sky was falling?
She was angry. "You're not my father, so don't always be stern with me. I haven't annoyed you these past few days."
"Of course, I'm not your father!"
Xiao Shan felt he hadn't thought too much. Her state of mind had indeed changed. At her age, he must seem like an uncle to her now?
His tone just now was full of disdain.
"Then don't act like a father!"
Ling Yao stomped over to the cotton candy stall. "Make me one, the biggest one!"
After dinner, she could have some dessert, right? This was just a snack, it had nothing to do with her appetite!
Seeing Xiao Shan approaching with a dark expression, the owner quickly made a huge piece and handed it to Ling Yao.
"Miss, the money, I can't break it."
The owner looked at the piece of silver and dared not accept it. "How about, I'll treat you?"
Her father standing there was too intimidating. Many children were afraid to come over.
"No need for change!"
"This, this..." The owner awkwardly held the silver and looked at Xiao Shan.
"How about this, you make more and distribute it to the children on the street. Consider it my treat."
So, after repeated confirmation, and seeing that her father had not objected, the owner began to beckon the children nearby to come and get cotton candy.
Word spread quickly, attracting even adults. After being refused by the owner, they could only go home to bring their children.
Sugar was indeed something that made people happy.
A group of children surrounded Ling Yao, calling her a little fairy.
She remembered the orange candy Xiao Shan had bought for her before.
It was very sweet.
It hadn't been easy for them to get to where they were today. She shouldn't have been angry just now. This was hard-won happiness.
She looked at Xiao Shan and smiled brightly at him.
He was also looking at her quietly, not having moved an inch.
"She's so beautiful, isn't she?"
The young boy stared blankly at Ling Yao, who was surrounded by children. The fluffy cotton candy looked like clouds in the sky, making her appear as pure as a fairy.
"Young master, but her father looks like a bandit."
As soon as the young servant finished speaking, he felt a chill run down his spine. Indeed, that terrifying man was looking at him sinisterly.
Ling Yao held up the cotton candy, her eyes sparkling. "A Shan, try it, it's very sweet."
Xiao Shan slowly leaned down and tore off a piece.
Sweet.
But it was too sweet.
Sweet to the point of bitterness.
A terrifying thought suddenly welled up in his heart.
He wanted to hide her away, where no one could see her, just the two of them, so she would always be his.
She wouldn't be disturbed by the outside world, and she wouldn't have a chance to fall for someone else.
"A Shan, where else are we going? Are we going to Yingzhou?"
Ling Yao grabbed his large, sweaty hand.
In this cold weather, he was indeed her Great Yao Divine Monarch, her... tonic.
She missed their time together, the courtyard, the kitchen, the warm kang.
Ahhh! Ling Yao buried her face in Xiao Shan's abdomen. When would she ever grow up!
Xiao Shan's gaze struggled for a long time, finally settling into calmness. Looking at the small head that only reached his abdomen, he felt both love and hatred.
She had just called him like a father, which had chilled him to the bone.
And now she was coming to act cute.
Was he too easily appeased?
"Xue Niang, remember your identity."
He pinched her delicate chin, forcing her to look up, his gaze lingering, "You are my wife, Xiao Shan's wife, do you understand?"
"I know!" She smiled obediently. "And then? Do you want me to fulfill my responsibilities as a wife?"
She probably didn't know his thoughts just now, that's why she was so carefree. If she knew, if she knew, what would happen?
"Xue Niang, if I wanted you to move into the deep mountains with me, just the two of us, what would you think?"
"Just the two of us? What about the children? Don't we want them anymore?" Ling Yao had already sensed that his emotions were a little off.
But he was Xiao Shan, and he wouldn't hurt her.
"We don't want them."
"I knew you didn't like my children. You treat the children I gave birth to with my life like mere grass." She pouted, her eyes drooping with loneliness.
Xiao Shan's expression changed.
Indeed, they were born with her life. He dared not recall it.
"I was just joking," he explained hastily. "It's not real."