After arguing with his daughter, Xia Anyang's mood remained unsettled for a long time.
He kept staring at his phone, intermittently opening Fang Guanghui's chat window, then Chen Xuan's chat window, and occasionally glancing at his watch.
As Lin Yi finished cleaning up the dishes and replied to a message from Chen Xuan, she saw her husband still looking restless and soon smiled, saying:
"If you really want to make up with your daughter that badly, why don't you go over to You You's place and coax her back?"
"The main issue is that Nuo Nuo hasn't realized the seriousness of this matter. She trusts people too easily, and she's definitely going to suffer for it."
"I don't think it's as serious as you're making it out to be... She's only 4 years old. You can't expect her to understand everything like an adult. Children need to be taught gradually, with a bit more patience."
Lin Yi said with a smile, "Besides, even adults don't understand everything, you know. Some traits are just innate..."
"But Nuo Nuo is really too naive. A naive child is bound to be at a disadvantage when they grow up..."
"So by that logic, her naive mother met her father and got a marriage certificate within less than three months... Did she end up at a disadvantage too?"
Xia Anyang coughed heavily several times, putting on a face of mature stability:
"Is that the same thing at all? And Nuo Nuo hasn't come home this late, as her mother, aren't you worried about her at all?"
"She's not wandering around outside, she's playing at You You's house. What's wrong with staying over at a good friend's place—"
Just then, a thumping sound came from the doorway.
Lin Yi smiled and said, "Look, isn't she home now?"
Xia Anyang stood up as if he had been electrocuted and hurried to the door.
Before Nuo Nuo admitted her mistake, he couldn't show her a friendly face.
In any case, he couldn't let this incident just slide by...
Xia Anyang's expression became serious again.
As soon as he opened the door, Xia Nuo, nimble as a little hamster, scurried under her father's body and past him.
Only Chen Xuan and Fang You, who had accompanied her, remained at the doorway.
She didn't even acknowledge her dad!
"Mommy!"
Xia Nuo dove into her mother Lin Yi's arms, touching her cheek and saying, "Mommy, I want to discuss something with you..."
The mother and daughter whispered to each other.
Lin Yi looked puzzled: "You want to sleep over at You You's house tonight?"
Xia Anyang was even more shocked when he heard this and looked toward Fang You:
[Xia Anyang thought, is this how you persuaded Nuo Nuo? Emotional Energy +10]
At that moment, Xia Nuo was nodding enthusiastically, looking expectantly at her mother, "Can I?"
No!
How could that be okay!
There were a hundred reasons inside Xia Anyang's mind why this wasn't acceptable!
But now wasn't the time to speak up.
She had to properly admit her mistake to him first.
And besides, Nuo Nuo was so young, letting her stay overnight at someone else's home.
Even as my wife, she would surely never agree...
Lin Yi patted Xia Nuo's head.
"Okay then, you can't trouble your aunt, don't play too late, and remember to go to bed on time."
A steadfast sincerity shone in Fang You's eyes, without a trace of timidity.
Sorry, Uncle!
Even though I know you're disciplining your child now.
But I made a promise with Nuo Nuo, to make you realize the harm your actions have brought her.
If I betray the vow I made with Nuo Nuo, what kind of man would I be!
[Xia Nuo is very happy you support her, Emotional Energy +10]
"See, You You said he can be responsible for me!"
She looped her arm through Fang You's, even starting to discuss future plans:
"I can buy fewer toys, fewer new clothes. I can wear yours, and we can just play with your toys..."
Then, she boldly approached Xia Anyang:
"So, now can I be You You's kid, Daddy?"
"It's still not okay."
Lin Yi, on the side, recorded this amusing scene with her phone:
"Nuo Nuo, you still need to get a hukou booklet to become You You's kid, you have to ask your dad for the hukou booklet."
...
Wife, whose side are you on, really! She's so little; she has no clue what a hukou booklet is...
But seeing Dad so angry, Nuo Nuo certainly doesn't have the guts to ask Dad for the hukou booklet.
My wife must think so, trying to make Nuo Nuo back off.
I misunderstood my wife, worthy of being a Chinese teacher!
She's the more cunning one after all!
Just when Xia Anyang thought the dust had settled, Xia Nuo, while still clinging to Fang You's arm, spread the palm of her other hand out in a gesture of asking for something from Xia Anyang:
"Daddy, the hukou booklet, give me the hukou booklet!"
Seeing her indomitable attitude, it was nearly like "rebellious" was written across her face!
This stubborn streak, really don't know who she takes after!
The most terrifying moment in a father's life is when his daughter's name is scratched off his household's hukou booklet and onto someone else's.
But, this moment really has come too early!
Xia Anyang, now completely devoid of his usual composure, broke down, "Say that again? The hukou booklet, you dare ask me for the hukou booklet!"
Xia Nuo, with her arms akimbo, showed no fear, "It's me! I'm not asking for your hukou booklet, why are you in such a hurry!"
Watching Xia Nuo's rebellious look, Xia Anyang finally couldn't hold it any longer—
He stood up briskly, saying fiercely, "Where's the stick? Where's the stick in my house? Daring to deceive my daughter into running away, I'll have to teach You You a lesson!"
"Ah ah ah—Don't! Run, run fast!"
Xia Nuo finally panicked, her voice tinged with a crying tone, one hand dragging the suitcase, and the other pulling a calm-faced Fang You as they hurriedly ran towards the door.
"Change shoes, quick, change your shoes!"
Despite seeming extremely annoyed with himself, Fang You remained completely unflustered.
Because he hadn't missed a beat regarding Xia Anyang's Emotional Energy fluctuations.
This meant that he wasn't really upset with himself.
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