CHAPTER 40: BACK TO HOME

She yawned, pretending to slump slightly against her father’s side. "I’m sleepy now, Daddy. Let’s go home, please?"

Yuanfeng, without hesitation, took her words as gospel. "Alright, my little princess. Let’s return home," he said, guiding her with gentle authority.

His protective gaze swept over the park, noting the subtle maneuverings of the other children, the disappointed looks of Yuanying and Lingxi, the indifferent stance of Song Jue, and the quiet retreat of the mysterious boy’s companions.

Huaijin’s strategy had worked perfectly.

She had protected herself from the social battlefield that Yunyin and Lingxi had tried to create, secured an ally in the calm, mysterious boy, and returned to her father unscathed, all while reinforcing her image as the clever, charming, and utterly unassailable little princess.

Meanwhile, the defeated children watched from a distance, powerless and silent.

Chi Yuanying’s face twisted in a mixture of anger and frustration, realizing that her influence had been blocked, while Liang Lingxi’s lips trembled with disbelief at the unexpected coldness of the boy she had attempted to charm.

’And that’s how little girls like you lose a battle before it even starts,’ Huaijin thought smugly, glancing at her father with a satisfied smile.

He returned her look with warmth, his heart swelling with affection for his clever, fearless little daughter.

As they left the amusement park, hand in hand, Huaijin’s mind was already racing with thoughts of the next adventure, the next potential ally, and the continued navigation of the intricate social web she had begun to weave.

She had learned a critical lesson: charm, intelligence, and timing could turn even the most complex situations to her advantage, and no obstacle, no matter how crafty or entitled they are, could stand in her way if she approached it correctly.

And above all, as she leaned into her father’s warmth during the ride back home, Huaijin knew one simple truth: no matter the challenges, the chaos, or the scheming around her, she had one unwavering constant, the love and protection of her father. And with that foundation, nothing could truly harm her.

The drive back home was unusually quiet, save for the soft hum of the car’s old engine. The amusement park lights faded into the distance, replaced by the gentle glow of city lamps reflecting on the car window.

Chi Huaijin leaned her little head against her father’s arm, eyelids fluttering as if she were truly drifting off to sleep.

To anyone else, she looked like a tired, well-behaved child after a long day of fun, but Yuanfeng knew better.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips as he glanced at her reflection in the rearview mirror.

Her breathing was steady, but her small fingers were fidgeting against the hem of her dress, playing idly with the ribbon as though her thoughts were still spinning.

He had long learned that this tiny creature beside him possessed far more depth than most adults he had met in his lifetime.

Well, not that he disapproved of it.

Rather, Chi Yuangfeng was actually restraining himself from the snatching her and holding her atop the mountain cliff and to show her off to everyone, claiming how genius and cute she was!

When they reached home, a modest, cozy two-story apartment tucked away from the bustling heart of the city, Huaijin stirred awake, blinking her long lashes as if waking from a dream.

"Daddy, we’re home already?" she murmured, rubbing her sleepy eyes and giving him the most disarming, kitten-like expression imaginable.

"Yes, sweetheart," Yuanfeng said softly, scooping her up in his arms as though she were weightless. "You must be exhausted after all that playing."

Her little arms wrapped around his neck, and she gave a small giggle that could melt any man’s heart. "Mhm... but it was fun! I like the Ferris wheel the best. And the ice cream! And the big brother who helped me in the haunted house!"

"Big brother?" Yuanfeng raised an eyebrow, amused.

Huaijin nodded enthusiastically. "He was really calm and nice! When everyone was running away from the scary things, he just stood there. He didn’t even flinch! When I asked him to go with me, he agreed so quickly, Daddy! He’s a good boy!"

Yuanfeng chuckled as he set her down inside the house. "A good boy, hmm? My little princess sure knows how to pick her allies."

"Of course!" she said with mock seriousness, puffing her tiny chest proudly. "If someone helps me, I should be polite and thank them properly! I even gave him candy!"

"Ah... my sweet girl," Yuanfeng sighed, smiling faintly as he reached out to smooth her messy hair. "You always know how to make people like you."

He didn’t mean it as a reprimand, yet Huaijin’s eyes flickered for a brief second, the cunning spark beneath her innocence flashing like a hidden blade before it faded once more.

She tilted her head with an angelic smile. "Because Daddy taught me to be polite!"

Her words made him pause for a heartbeat. ’Did I really teach her that... or did she learn it herself?’ He thought quietly but dismissed the concern. After all, she was still his little girl, bright, precocious, and lovely.

That night, after dinner, Huaijin helped clean the dishes while humming softly under her breath. The home was small, but warm, the kind of space that wrapped one in comfort.

Soft yellow light spilled over the wooden floors, and the faint scent of jasmine tea drifted through the air. Yuanfeng watched her tiny form climbing onto a chair to dry the plates with a towel, her short hair swaying with every movement.

"Careful, sweetheart," he said, standing behind her in case she slipped.

"I’m always careful, Daddy," she said cheerfully. "See? It’s all clean!"

He chuckled, taking the plate from her hands. "Alright, alright. You’ve done well, sweetheart."

After a warm bath, Huaijin nestled on the couch in her pink pajamas, her damp hair tied up in a small bun.