Chapter Fifty-Nine: They Are So Childish

Ever since Wan Qi Lianhao returned to the imperial capital, he had realized that his precious daughter was no longer the same as before—her mind was more mature than her years. He had always known that his beloved daughter was precocious, and now at six years old, she seemed to understand everything. Over the month since their return, he’d come to see just how clever she was, quick to grasp anything, perceptive and obedient. This reassured him; after giving her a few careful instructions, he left, believing Xuanxuan would quietly study at kindergarten as she should.

Even when he was busy with important matters, he always prioritized Xuanxuan. No matter how much work he had, he tried to do it from home. He believed that, now his daughter could understand things, she would need the companionship of family and his guidance all the more.

Though he hadn’t discussed it with her in advance, attending kindergarten was, after all, a necessary part of every child’s upbringing. If Xuanxuan was reluctant, that was understandable. What truly angered him was that Xuanxuan would so readily trust others. In her eyes, Zhan Yu was not a stranger at all. But Wan Qi Lianhao didn’t see it that way—they had only met three times. He didn’t want his daughter to be as withdrawn as she once was, but nor did he wish for her to trust others so easily. In this imperial capital, there were too many ill-intentioned people; he worried endlessly for her.

Xuanxuan, however, couldn’t quite understand why her father was angry. Seeing his expression, she didn’t know how to start speaking, though she could sense his ire. But what reason did he want from her? Was it just that she didn’t want to go to kindergarten, or something else? As Xuanxuan kept silent, Wan Qi Lianhao’s face grew darker still.

Yi Qiong and Ba Luo, standing to the side, hurriedly retreated several steps, unnerved by their master’s terrifying expression. Seeing her father’s face grow even sterner, Xuanxuan only clung more tightly to his neck. She really couldn’t see why he was so angry just because she didn’t want to go to kindergarten. Besides, Ba Luo was always following her; she was never in any real danger. Or was it because of Zhan Yu?

Her grip on her father’s neck tightened a little. She glanced at his face and softly called, “Daddy.” Wan Qi Lianhao’s stern expression softened a touch. Seeing this, Xuanxuan quickly called again, “Daddy, Daddy.”

He patted Xuanxuan’s head and sighed. How could he really bear to be stern with her? Still, he had to let her understand the seriousness of the matter, so she wouldn’t dare act rashly again. His expression eased, though he still held his stern demeanor. Casting a glance at Yi Qiong, who was standing far off, he carried Xuanxuan to the floating car.

Yi Qiong quickly took the driver’s seat and started the vehicle, heading straight for the old family residence without needing further instruction. As the car drove away, Ba Luo finally realized—what about him? How could they just leave him there? Was he supposed to return and teach the other children, or do something else? Master, at least give me a hint before you leave!

All the way to the Wan Qi residence, Wan Qi Lianhao said nothing, and Xuanxuan too didn’t let go; she just clung to her father’s neck, while he held her in his arms, face still stern and silent. When they arrived home, he still didn’t speak, carrying Xuanxuan straight into the main hall.

“Oh? Why are you back so soon?” Tong Wan, sitting on the sofa watching a drama, looked up in surprise. She had long since retired, and her days were filled with leisure—watching shows, chatting with friends, and mostly spending time with her family.

Wan Qi Lianhao only pressed his lips together in silence, sitting beside her and trying to set Xuanxuan down, but Xuanxuan refused to let go. Seeing her insistence, he relented, and she gazed up at him with wide, earnest eyes.

Tong Wan frowned—what was wrong with these two? “If you have something to say, say it nicely. Lianhao, what are you doing? Xuanxuan is still a child.” Seeing her granddaughter’s bright, tearful eyes, her heart ached.

Rubbing his brow, Wan Qi Lianhao realized he might be too hasty; Xuanxuan was still so young. Though clever, she might not fully understand. If he frightened her, the effect could be the opposite of what he intended. He frowned again—perhaps this was still about her earlier troubles at kindergarten?

He sat her upright, meeting her gaze. “Why don’t you want to go to kindergarten?”

Tong Wan frowned as well.

Xuanxuan opened her mouth but was too embarrassed to admit she simply didn’t want to play with those little kids. She was already an adult, after all; how could she play with them?

Leaning closer to Wan Qi Lianhao, she whispered, “Daddy.” But he wasn’t swayed this time and gently pushed her back a little, repeating his question: “Why don’t you want to go to kindergarten?”

Xuanxuan hung her head in silence.

Seeing this, Wan Qi Lianhao said, “I hope that if something is wrong, you’ll tell me. I want us to communicate. If you have a legitimate reason, I can agree to you not attending kindergarten. But it must be a legitimate reason.”

Staring at her toes, Xuanxuan felt her father’s presence more imposing than her own as a legendary alchemist. In a small voice, she said, “I just don’t want to go.”

“And your reason?” Now that she spoke, his tone softened, though his brow remained furrowed. Tong Wan, though puzzled, knew this was not the time to intervene and simply watched from the side.

After a moment’s thought, Xuanxuan looked earnestly into her father’s eyes and said, “They’re all so childish.”

“What?” For a moment, Wan Qi Lianhao thought he’d misheard her. She was six—how could she call others childish?

She nodded solemnly, making it clear she was serious. “They’re all so childish.”

An awkward silence fell over the living room.

Suddenly, Tong Wan burst out laughing, breaking the stillness.

Wan Qi Lianhao’s stern mask cracked a little. Childish?

“Xuanxuan, you’re only six yourself—already judging others as childish?” Tong Wan laughed.

Xuanxuan tilted her chin, full of disdain for those little kids. “But they really are childish.”

Wan Qi Lianhao tapped her on the head, half exasperated, half amused.

She gave a soft snort—of course they were childish, a bunch of snot-nosed crybabies. She refused to join them, especially not to sing, dance, or—count numbers!