Chen Ye led Zhiwei to Little Shuyao’s residence.
Though called a residence, it was actually within a small courtyard.
Chen Ye did not treat Little Shuyao any differently. Since she was still young, he arranged for her to stay in this small courtyard, eating and living with his apprentices.
"This child..."
Chen Ye looked at the tightly closed door and shook his head.
The commotion from his return wasn’t small, but this child locked herself inside, not even coming out for a glance... too timid, unlike Hee Qi.
Upon reflection, Chen Ye could understand. Hee Qi was always out hunting demons, leaving Little Shuyao alone at home. Although there was Hee Qi’s concubine to care for her, it wasn’t the same as having parental companionship.
He pushed open the door and saw Little Shuyao curled up on a chair, hugging her knees, motionless.
Little Shuyao was adorably delicate, her big eyes like a fawn submerged in water, timidly looking around.
Upon seeing Chen Ye, Little Shuyao’s eyelashes fluttered, a hint of brightness passing through: "Uncle Chen!"
After calling out, her eyes kept glancing behind Chen Ye. Not seeing her father, her little face visibly showed a trace of disappointment.
Chen Ye crouched down beside her, his tone gentle: "Shuyao, your father still has important matters to attend to. For the next few days, Uncle will take care of you."
"Then... how much longer?" Little Shuyao pouted her pink lips, feeling a bit aggrieved.
As for when Hee Qi would return, Chen Ye couldn’t be sure.
After entering the Grotto Heaven, Hee Qi was controlled by the Emotion Crossing Seed planted by cultivators from the Emotion Crossing Sect.
And after the disintegration of the Grotto Heaven, the demon cultivators might continue to control him...
Thinking of this, Chen Ye made a silent determination.
Later, he would go to the Lingyin Sect to consult their records.
The Lingyin Sect and the Emotion Crossing Sect had been fighting for a long time, maybe they knew how to resolve the Emotion Crossing Seed.
But naturally, he couldn’t say this directly to Little Shuyao.
After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Very soon... and in the meantime, you have me and two sisters to play with."
Little Shuyao slowly lifted her head and glanced at Zhiwei.
Zhiwei gave her a smile.
"Hmm..."
Instinctively, Little Shuyao buried her pink little face deeper into her knees.
Only showing half of her watery eyes, she sneaked a peek at Chen Ye, her long eyelashes gently fluttering like little fans.
She was wearing a little goose-yellow shirt, and at the moment, she was curled up into a small ball, like a freshly stewed little glutinous rice dumpling.
Seeing her in such an endearing state, Chen Ye’s heart softened even more.
He reached out and gently patted the soft top of the little girl’s head.
Perhaps it was the warmth of Chen Ye’s palm that made her feel a trace of safety.
She hesitated for a moment, loosened her grip on her knees slightly with her lotus-like small arms, and timidly poked Chen Ye’s clothing with a finger.
Chen Ye grasped her small hand and smiled: "What’s the matter?"
"Is daddy... alright?" she asked, glancing toward the bedside.
There lay a small ring made of rough grass stalks and a few withered, faded wildflowers.
It was something Hee Qi had casually picked and braided to amuse her before their separation.
The small ring, as her treasure, was hidden by her pillow, serving as a token of her longing for her father.
Chen Ye paused slightly and said, "He’s doing great. Your father has successfully established his Foundation, becoming a well-known figure."
"Oh..."
Little Shuyao believed Chen Ye and felt reassured.
She quickly glanced at Chen Ye, her small hand nervously tugging at the hem of her garment, hesitant to speak.
Wanting to get closer, yet timid.
Chen Ye watched her as the little glutinous rice dumpling hesitated for a long time, then simply buried her face back down, leaving only a tiny tuft of fluffy hair visible.
He couldn’t help but laugh, leaning further down, his warm, strong hands reaching beneath Little Shuyao, supporting her sides and the bends of her legs.
"Ah?!"
Little Shuyao felt a lightness beneath her, the warmth enveloping her through her goose-yellow shirt, and she exclaimed softly, drawing her arms tighter around her knees instinctively.
In the next second, she was securely lifted from the chair.
"Staying indoors all the time is no good."
Holding the soft and fragrant little dumpling in his arms, Chen Ye deliberately put on a bit of a stern tone,
"The air outside is good, and so is the scenery. Uncle will take you out to the yard for some fresh air and to see the two sisters."
As he spoke, he adjusted his posture to let Little Shuyao rest her head more comfortably on his shoulder, then supported her little behind to ensure she was held securely.
Little Shuyao shrank her neck, her little face pressed tight against Uncle’s neck.
Half-opening her eyes timidly, in Uncle Chen’s arms, the whole world seemed to shrink.
Inhaling Uncle’s clean and gentle scent, her tense feelings slightly eased but she still murmured softly, with a tender nasal sound: "Uncle... walk slower..."
"Alright, Uncle will go slow."
Chen Ye chuckled mischievously but purposely gave a gentle jostle, prompting a low "ah" from the small dumpling in his arms.
"Uncle is bad..." Little Shuyao muttered muffledly, her misty eyes reflecting Chen Ye’s smiling face, inexplicably feeling safe.
Zhiwei unexpectedly cut in, "Master is indeed bad."
Chen Ye feigned displeasure: "How is Master bad? Every day, all you do is slander Master!"
Zhiwei maintained a straight face: "Because Master always likes to upset girls!"
Chen Ye was momentarily stumped by his disciple’s comment, left without words.
For heaven’s sake, when had he ever bullied a female cultivator?
As for his disciple... wasn’t it perfectly natural for a master to tease his disciples?
Chen Ye, holding Shuyao, helplessly turned back to the courtyard.
"Master!"
Qing Jun, who was plotting something with Lin Qiongyu, immediately rushed over like a territorial creature being invaded when she saw Chen Ye carrying another little girl back.