387 Dad’s Goodnight Kiss
Xi Cheng was stunned at first, then he came back to his senses. He reached out to hug the little girl who was not even up to his shoulder and patted her back gently.
“What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly acting spoiled towards Daddy?” Xi Cheng did not realize that his voice was unbelievably soft when he said this.
Huo Tian shook her head and rubbed her forehead against Xi Cheng’s chest. She hugged him for a few more seconds before letting go and taking a step back to look at Xi Cheng. The smile on her face was a little obedient and also a little sly.
“It’s nothing. I just suddenly feel that Dad didn’t seem to be in a good mood just now, looking like you wanted to be hugged by me.” Huo Tian tilted her head and looked at Xi Cheng with bright eyes as if she could see the deepest emotions in Xi Cheng’s heart.
Xi Cheng was dumbstruck and looked at Huo Tian in surprise. He did not expect her to be so sensitive to other people’s emotional changes. Earlier on, he only suddenly felt a little regretful that he had not been able to be by his daughter’s side as she grew up. To think that she had noticed it.
Huo Tian nodded half-understandingly. She didn’t ask why he was in a bad mood. Sometimes, she would always show her unintentional consideration, willing to let others keep their secrets and dignity.
After saying goodnight again, Xi Cheng was about to go back and rest when Huo Tian called out to him.
Huo Tian said softly, “Dad, aren’t you going to give me a goodnight kiss?”
This request was completely out of Xi Cheng’s expectations. A rare look of surprise appeared on his usually calm face. Perhaps it was because he did not agree immediately that Huo Tian mistakenly thought that he was unwilling, causing her to look unhappy. Her mouth was puffed up like a frog holding its breath.
Xi Cheng only realized that his response was a little inappropriate after his daughter glared at him. He quickly said, “Tiantian, of course I’m willing. I just didn’t expect you to be willing to be so close to me.”
The unhappiness in Huo Tian’s heart disappeared and she looked at Xi Cheng curiously. “Why would Dad think that?”
Xi Cheng sighed bitterly and said, “Dad has missed out on too much. When I reunited with you, you’d already become a big girl. Even if you have something on your mind, you’d choose to tell your mom. Moreover, you’re very outstanding. You let the family live well just by relying on your capabilities. I don’t know what I can do for you, so I feel very uneasy sometimes…”
Actually, this feeling of panic and uneasiness had always been there. After reuniting with his wife and daughter, Xi Cheng was naturally excited at first, but as time passed, his agitated emotions gradually calmed down. Anxiety uncontrollably welled up in his heart and kept growing.
Only then did Huo Tian understand why her father had suddenly become depressed. She thought for a few seconds and said, “Dad, I think I can understand your thoughts. It’s because you think you’re a man and you’re very strong that you want to be the one Mom and I rely on. But when you realized that we actually don’t need it, you were disappointed, right?”
Xi Cheng knew that his daughter was very smart, so he was not surprised that she could analyze his inner thoughts completely. However, he did not expect Huo Tian to say these words without hiding anything.
He nodded with a bitter smile. “Yeah, Tiantian is right. I just feel a little disappointed.”
Huo Tian gave him a big smile. “Dad, you’re a little too worried about personal gains and losses. Mom has been missing you for so many years. Your appearance has made her life more complete. As for me, even if I don’t need someone to rely on, Dad’s existence is equally important. A healthy and complete family can make my soul feel a sense of belonging. After you came back, I felt very happy every day.”
Huo Tian’s gaze and expression were so pure and sincere that Xi Cheng was a little speechless. For a moment, he did not know what to say so that his daughter’s sincere expression would not make him seem half-hearted and insincere.
He was silent for a moment, then he suddenly smiled in relief. “I thought too much about things. I’ve lived for so many years, but I’m not as discerning as you, a young girl. Tiantian, thank you for your guidance.”
Huo Tian blinked at Xi Cheng and said in a mischievous tone, “Then can Dad give me a goodnight kiss? Mom gives me goodnight kisses every day, but Dad has never fulfilled this part of your responsibility. You can’t blame me for liking Mom more.”