I Became the Eye Candy: Four Bigshots Claimed to be My Dad?-Chapter 88: I Already Have a Home

True affection—

Xiang Minghou’s arms tightened around the child. ’So Pangtuan thinks the same way I do,’ he thought. ’We’re truly kindred spirits.’

Blood ties truly weren’t that important to him. For him, they were more of a burden. Ever since this child appeared, he felt it didn’t matter whether they were related by blood or not.

’She is my daughter, Xiang Minghou’s daughter! My only daughter!’

"I wasn’t trying to shirk my responsibility back then. Although I had my own hang-ups, I never forgot that Ye Qian saved my life. I sent people to Nanyuan to look for her, but everyone said she was dead." Zhan Chi’s voice was quiet, laced with deep dejection.

From the very beginning, he’d been convinced that the old woman and the child were acting on someone else’s orders. He thought someone was using the events of that year to stir up trouble... The one thing he never considered was that it was all true.

He didn’t want to face what had happened back then, which was why he was so guarded whenever anyone brought it up. He had done a lot of thinking since the Immortal’s Intoxication incident.

"None of that matters anymore. Young Master Zhan, you don’t need to come here in the future. I have a home now." Ye Qianning’s words were meant for Zhan Chi, but also for another person on the other side of the wall.

’I have no interest in learning about their past,’ she thought. ’People have to look forward.’

’He can’t resolve his own inner turmoil. Even if he had acknowledged me from the start, seeing me would only ever remind him of his nightmare.’

’Since he doesn’t want to be reminded of it, staying far away is the best solution for everyone.’

Upon hearing her words, Zhan Chi stumbled, his body swaying. ’She has a home now,’ he thought in despair. ’She has a home.’

His heart ached as if it were being sliced by a knife.

’I was wrong. Is it too late for me to make amends?’

"Show our guest out," Xiang Minghou said coldly.

Zhan Chi’s lips tightened. He took two steps back, then vaulted away from the General’s Manor.

Outside the walls of the General’s Manor, Gu Shuo tightened his grip on his folding fan. He had just heard from his attendant that his grandfather had come to the General’s Manor, and his curiosity had brought him over to see what was happening.

He had just arrived to see his grandfather being pushed out the gate. He couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger. ’The General’s Manor certainly has high standards,’ he fumed silently. ’How dare they throw my grandfather out.’

He had walked to the wall and was about to leap up when he overheard the entire exchange.

He was filled with a mix of emotions. True affection being more important than blood ties—of course, he agreed with that.

’She has a home?’

’The little chubster has a home. That couldn’t be better!’

With a somber expression, Gu Shuo turned and left.

Xiang Minghou’s icy demeanor melted away, replaced by a gentle expression. He even sniffled a little.

"Pangtuan, you are my daughter, Xiang Minghou’s daughter. No one can ever change that."

"Dad, don’t cry. In my heart, you’re a hero." Ye Qianning wasn’t afraid of much, but she couldn’t stand seeing fierce-looking people get teary-eyed in front of her.

Xiang Minghou rubbed his eyes. "I’m not crying. See? I’m not crying."

"Right, right, you’re not crying." She saw it all—he’d just wiped his tears away.

"You dare tease your father? Watch out, or I won’t give you anything to eat," Xiang Minghou said, tapping her nose as he carried her toward the main hall.

Ye Qianning shook her little head and giggled.

’I guess no one else will be showing up to cause trouble now. A home doesn’t need to be big, just lively.’

’And the General’s Manor is certainly lively enough. I have the love and affection of Fourth Granny, Aunt Liu, and eight other aunts. That’s more than enough!’

Thinking of her aunts, Ye Qianning decided she needed to figure out a way to make some money and buy them all new jewelry.

As Xiang Minghou walked into the main hall, he suddenly remembered that when he’d left that morning, the manor was being decorated with lanterns and streamers for a banquet. The Emperor had even reprimanded him today for being too ostentatious.

’I rushed back to send the guests away, so why is it so quiet and empty now? Where is everyone?’ he wondered, looking around.

"Dad, what are you looking for?" Ye Qianning asked, looking around with him.

"They said there was a banquet. Where are all the people?"

"..."

’Why are you looking for people under the table?’