CHAPTER 37: THIS RIDE IS MINE!

Then she looked up at Yuanfeng, who had followed her to the edge of the crowd, his hand still holding hers. His dark eyes met hers, calm and unwavering, and she felt a surge of courage.

"I’m ready, Daddy," she said softly, barely above a whisper.

Yuanfeng’s lips curved into a faint, approving smile. "I know you are."

Encouraged, Huaijin turned to face her rivals with a determined expression.

"Listen, Yunyin, Lingxi... I don’t want to fight," she said sweetly, almost mockingly innocent. "But if you try to mess with me or my Daddy... I won’t hold back."

Yunyin blinked, taken aback. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. "Huh? You’re... you’re talking to me like—"

"Exactly," Huaijin interrupted, her tiny voice firm. "I’m not scared of you. I’ve learned how to survive. I’ve learned how to protect myself and Daddy. So back off."

Liang Lingxi, sensing the shift in Huaijin’s demeanor, tried to swoop in with her usual charm. "Oh, Huaijin, you’re so brave! But let’s just play nicely, alright?"

Huaijin smiled, but it was the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, a warning wrapped in sweetness. "I will play nicely. But don’t forget who you’re dealing with."

Song Jue, meanwhile, watched the exchange silently. He tilted his head, the faintest smirk playing on his lips. "Not bad," he muttered.

And then, as if on cue, Yuanying made a move. She darted forward, aiming to grab the small ride pass that Huaijin held tightly in her hand.

But Huaijin was ready. She sidestepped deftly, her tiny legs moving faster than her age should allow. "Hey!" Yuanying squealed, frustrated.

"Catch me if you can!" Huaijin taunted, spinning and running toward the carousel.

Yuanfeng, noticing the chaos, followed calmly, keeping his daughter within safe reach. But he didn’t intervene; the scene unfolding before him was a perfect display of Huaijin’s growing confidence.

Soon, all four children were weaving through the rides, laughter and shouts mixing with the music of the park.

Onlookers paused to watch the adorable chaos, unaware of the intricate webs of past lives, rivalries, and future storylines playing out before them.

Huaijin, tiny but determined, realized that she could handle these challenges. She could navigate these dangerous social waters, not just for herself, but for her father.

’She wasn’t a minor extra anymore. She was the Chi’s daughter, protector of her father, and master of her destiny, even in the midst of chaos.’

And as the sun finally gave way to the twinkling night sky, Huaijin felt a rush of triumph. She had survived the first encounter, and she was ready for the next.

’Bring it on,’ she whispered to herself, her eyes glinting with determination.

Because this was her life now, and no one, not Yuanying, not Lingxi, not even the grumpy Song Jue, would take away her happiness.

Chi Huaijin had barely regained her composure from the chaos of the amusement park when a new complication presented itself.

Her mind raced, calculating potential dangers, the delicate balance of social attention, and most importantly, the need to protect herself from being the target of the two scheming girls, Chi Yunyin and Liang Lingxi.

Ever since they had all collided in the park, Huaijin had realized one glaring truth: if she allowed the focus of Yunyin and Lingxi to fall entirely on her, her life would become nothing but misery.

The two girls were already watching her carefully, wary of her peculiar and unpredictable behavior.

Even Song Jue, the boy who had become a minor thorn in everyone’s side, seemed to be paying an unusual amount of attention to her rather than the two girls.

Huaijin’s brain clicked. ’This needs to stop before it starts. If they continue trying to gain his attention, I’ll become the battlefield. And I cannot afford that.’

As they approached the haunted house, she noticed the sign that read: "One boy and one girl per ride. Form pairs at the entrance."

Ah, perfect.

A naturally enforced pairing system.

And immediately, she realized the next dilemma: the two girls would inevitably compete for Song Jue’s attention, turning this seemingly harmless ride into a miniature warzone of egos and schemes. Huaijin’s heart sank at the thought.

’I need to act first,’ she decided firmly. ’This is a problem that needs nipping in the bud, and I have the advantage: quick thinking and absolute shamelessness.’

Her eyes scanned the crowd, looking for an opportunity, and she spotted him, a boy standing a few steps ahead, seemingly minding his own business.

He appeared to be around ten years old, perhaps a little older than the kindergarten-aged group, but there was something in his posture and presence that immediately caught her attention.

His calm, unflinching eyes looked down at her, and although he was dressed in ordinary clothes, there was a certain extraordinary aura about him that set him apart.

Huaijin didn’t hesitate. She darted forward, clutching his arm tightly as if her life depended on it.

The boy looked down at her, his dark eyes registering surprise, curiosity, and a faint hint of wariness. "Uh— what are you doing?" he asked cautiously, his tone polite but firm.

Huaijin threw on the sweetest, most persuasive smile she could muster, a smile that could melt mountains and, if she were lucky, convince even the most obstinate person.

"Do you... Want to go in the haunted house with me?" she asked, her small voice filled with genuine pleading. "Please! It’ll be so much fun!"

The boy hesitated, clearly taken aback by the unexpected request. His eyes flickered with uncertainty, as if he wanted to refuse politely.

But the sincerity in Huaijin’s gaze, the pleading in her little voice, and the innocent charm of her outstretched hands seemed to disarm him completely.

Huaijin’s eyes narrowed slightly, and she whispered, more to herself than anyone else, "Don’t... let anyone interfere, big brother. This ride is mine!"

But surprisingly, the mysterious boy seemed to anticipate the interference.