I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 29: My Dad Would Never Be a Weakling

"Hasn’t General Xiang arrived yet?" Sang Yan walked to the table and sat down, bending over to lift Ye Qianning onto a chair.

"He was held up by something. Judging by the time, he should be here soon," Gu Shuo said, averting his gaze.

Ye Qianning’s large, watery eyes scanned the room. Her gaze moved constantly among the three men. It had to be said that all those present were dignified and a cut above the rest.

"Which one of you is my daddy?" she asked in a soft, childish voice, her big eyes full of innocence.

Qian Fanji’s hand, which was holding his teacup, paused. He stared at the little girl, a hint of softness in his gaze, but... he didn’t like children.

"None of you are?"

Receiving no answer, Ye Qianning lowered her head and whimpered, looking somewhat disappointed.

’This affected act is making even me cringe.’

Seeing this, Sang Yan couldn’t help but glare at the others. She was just a child, after all.

Gu Shuo turned his head to look out the window. ’It’s not like *I’m* the kid’s father!’

Zhan Chi stared at the chubby girl with utter disdain. ’I thought she was just fat, but she’s actually pretty ugly up close.’

Feeling helpless and fearing the little girl would be heartbroken, Sang Yan turned and asked gently, "Well then, Qian Ning, who do you hope is your daddy?"

At his words, a trace of joy returned to Ye Qianning’s disappointed little face. She looked up, her gaze sweeping over them as she appeared to ponder.

Her gaze fell on Gu Shuo. ’Dressed in rich brocade, with the calculating look of a treacherous merchant. This must be Gu Shuo, the one in charge of imperial commerce.’

"Don’t look at me. The Gu family hasn’t produced a daughter in three generations, so you’re definitely not my kid." Meeting her gaze, Gu Shuo’s lips twisted into a smirk, his tone frosty.

Although the Gu family was large and prosperous, it was true that the direct line hadn’t produced a daughter in three generations. Because of this, their branch of the family had been mocked by the collateral branches for who knows how long.

Ye Qianning huffed and turned her head away, stubbornly declaring, "You just reek of money. I wouldn’t want you anyway."

Gu Shuo’s dull eyes suddenly narrowed.

’Why, you little fatty—’

"Pfft."

Sang Yan burst out laughing.

Ye Qianning’s gaze shifted to the man beside him. ’Dressed in purple robes with a jade crown, he looks every bit the profligate son of a rich family. This is the man who wanted to kill me in the attic last time, Zhan Chi.’

When Zhan Chi saw her looking at him, he glared back. "If I had a daughter, she would be the greatest beauty in the world! How could she be as fat as a ball?!"

"You’re not much to look at either. You’re nothing but skin and bones. My dad would never be a weakling," Ye Qianning huffed again, the look of disgust on her little face intense.

"Who are you calling a weakling?" Zhan Chi slammed the table and shot to his feet.

"Whoever answered, that’s who," Ye Qianning retorted, rolling her eyes.

"You—"

"Alright, children speak without malice. Chi, don’t scare her," Sang Yan interjected, reaching out to pull him back into his seat.

Zhan Chi sat down, fuming inwardly.

’If she weren’t Ye Qian’s daughter, I’d have thrown her out long ago. Children and women are the absolute worst.’

Ye Qianning, of course, found him just as unpleasant. Of all the men present, only the one across from her seemed somewhat decent. ’Qian Fanji has been a voracious reader since childhood and is an exceptional scholar. Perhaps he’s...’

"Dad?" she asked tentatively.

Qian Fanji’s heart skipped a beat. Though he disliked the child before him, the thought that he owed a debt to Ye Qian softened his tone. "Little girl, you can’t just claim anyone as your father. You should go back where you came from."

This time, Ye Qianning didn’t reply. She now completely understood their attitudes.

’Fine. If none of them want to acknowledge me, so be it. I don’t like the Capital City anyway.’

’Now, only Xiang Minghou is left.’

"If you don’t want to return to Nanyuan, I can arrange for a residence for you in the Capital City. Consider it repayment for your mother saving my life back then," Qian Fanji added.