"Big Bad Wolf Daddy is coming! Meng Meng, run!"
The moment Xiao Jietian approached with a playful grin, Xiao Ling stuck out her tongue and tugged Xiao Meng's hand. The two little ones squealed in delight and bolted away.
Xiao Jietian feigned a leisurely jog in pursuit. Around the wide round table the three chased in circles, their merry chase filling the chamber with the clear, bell-like peals of childish laughter.
Qing Lin, Yun Yun, Han Yue, and the others watched from the sidelines, gentle smiles warming their faces. The scene was so heart-meltingly tender it softened even the most guarded hearts.
When the girls finally ran out of energy, Xiao Jietian swept them both up—one tucked under each arm—and peppered their soft cheeks with loud, affectionate kisses.
"Giggle giggle~ So ticklish! Daddy, go awayyy!" Xiao Ling and Xiao Meng pushed at his face with tiny hands, laughing until tears sparkled in their eyes.
Noticing the sky outside had darkened, Xiao Jietian gently set them down before Zi Yan.
"How about sleeping with Mother Zi Yan tonight?"
"Okay! Mother Zi Yan is one of my absolute favorites!" Xiao Ling immediately wrapped herself around Zi Yan's leg like a little vine. Xiao Meng mirrored her sister, hugging the other leg with solemn determination.
The pair were bundles of mischief; Zi Yan herself brimmed with boundless energy. Together, the three could turn even the quietest night into an endless festival of play.
"Hmph! Don't take advantage of the situation. I'm definitely not your little wife." Zi Yan shot Xiao Jietian a fierce glare before her expression instantly softened. She took the girls' small hands in hers. "Come along. Mother Zi Yan will tuck you in. Tomorrow we'll play even more!"
"Awesome! Mother Zi Yan is the mightiest!" the twins cheered in perfect unison.
Xiao Jietian watched Zi Yan lead them away and couldn't suppress the upward curl of his lips.
Tsundere to the core… exactly like Fei'er.
"What did you just say?" Medusa's voice suddenly whispered directly into his ear—low, dangerous, laced with grievance.
"Nothing at all! I was saying you're the most beautiful woman in existence?" Xiao Jietian replied without missing a beat.
"Oh? So the rest of us aren't beautiful then?" Ya Fei's sweet yet chilling voice floated over from the other side.
Han Yue, Yun Yun, Qing Lin, and the others narrowed their eyes in unison. Delicate fingers had already found the soft flesh at their waists—the universal vulnerable spot.
Cold sweat instantly broke out across Xiao Jietian's back.
"You are all the most beautiful! Each peerlessly stunning in her own unique way—every single aspect is absolutely supreme!"
Too many voices. Too many gazes. One careless word and he would ignite a full-blown Shura field.
He secretly glared at Ya Fei: Trouble-maker!
"I'm returning with Huiying. You sisters give him a proper lesson for me—include my portion. Beat him thoroughly."
The Little Fairy Doctor was currently in no condition for vigorous "group activities," while Medusa remained unaffected. Xiao Huiying, still in reserve, could only watch with eager, shining eyes.
She cast Xiao Jietian a look brimming with anticipation: Time crawls so slowly. Still months until I can join the fray.
Xiao Jietian winked back in silent promise.
"Continue the music! Continue the dance! Bring forth the equipment!" Xiao Jietian suddenly broke free from every pinching hand and clapped once.
Ya Fei moved like a shadow. In seconds she returned, holding two strips of smooth, glossy black silk ribbon.
She stepped behind him and gently blindfolded him. The familiar fragrance of her body warmth enveloped him instantly.
The moment the silk settled against his skin, Xiao Jietian fully entered the role.
"Are you ready? I'm coming to catch you—hide well!"
He deliberately sealed away all soul sense and Dou Qi perception. A game was meant to be fair—no cheating allowed.
"Bad brother~ Come catch me!" Ya Fei's sweet voice drifted from one side before she darted away.
Xiao Jietian listened intently and lunged—grabbing only empty air.
"So clumsy~ This Queen is right here. Catch me, and I'll let you do whatever you please." Medusa's teasing voice sounded from directly behind. A crisp pa! landed on his rear before she slipped away laughing.
"Young Master… junior brother… I'm over here~"
One after another the girls called out, their voices guiding him amid giggles and rustling silk. Yet every time he drew near, only fragrant breezes and soft laughter escaped his grasp.
"You little vixens! Just wait—once I catch you all, you're finished!" Xiao Jietian growled in mock fury, though his tone overflowed with boundless indulgence.
"We'll talk when you actually succeed~" The chamber rang with their bell-like laughter as he kept missing.
…
Much later, Xiao Jietian stretched lazily, gazing at the peacefully slumbering figures scattered across the vast bed.
He quietly donned a robe and slipped out of his palace. With a flicker, he appeared inside the Little Fairy Doctor's chambers.
Their earlier glance had been a silent pact.
He smiled warmly at the two serene, beautiful sleeping faces—Little Fairy Doctor and Xiao Huiying.
After sniffing himself, he decided to wash first and headed toward the bathing pool.
…
When he returned, freshly bathed and clad only in his natural "imperial robes," he found both girls already awake. They lay propped on their elbows, watching him approach with amused, knowing smiles.
Xiao Jietian slid directly between them, drawing one into each arm.
"You woke at the perfect moment."
The Little Fairy Doctor rolled her eyes. "If I hadn't confirmed you were truly fine earlier, I wouldn't have let you run wild like that."
"I'm strong. I can handle a few more rounds." Xiao Jietian declared arrogantly, ruffling their hair.
The two exchanged a glance—then simultaneously reached over and pinched the soft flesh along his sides.
"Hiss—! Enough, enough! You two are more than sufficient. I won't seek anyone else!"
Xiao Jietian sucked in a sharp breath. Those armor-piercing little hands were merciless. One wrong word and he would face true calamity.
…
Little Fairy Doctor turned to Xiao Huiying. "Huiying, your form last time was already quite good. Today I'll teach you the proper way to grip a spear and execute spear-type Dou Techniques. These will prove invaluable on the battlefield."
Xiao Huiying nodded gravely.
Master wielded a spear to fell enemies. If she wished to stand at his side and slay foes, she too must master the spear path.
"Huiying, your stance is off. It should be like this… then shift your weight here… and thrust like that…"
After observing Xiao Huiying's attempts, the Little Fairy Doctor demonstrated the complete sequence herself.
"So that's the principle! I understand—I'll try now."
Xiao Huiying took the spear from her hand and began replicating the movements with utmost concentration.
Back and forth they went—one teaching with patience, the other learning with dedication. Xiao Huiying's technique improved visibly with each repetition.
…
"Are you two hungry?" Xiao Jietian asked, watching them practice diligently.
Both nodded. After such focused exertion, hunger had indeed set in.
"What would you like to eat?"
The Little Fairy Doctor lowered her gaze shyly. "Just one fried dough stick is enough. I can't eat too much right now."
Xiao Huiying smiled sweetly at Xiao Jietian. "Same as Sister Xian'er—but we each want an extra tea egg, and then a cup of soy milk to make it nutritionally balanced."
Xiao Jietian laughed heartily. "Very well! My appetite is particularly strong today—I'll probably devour four meat buns!"
The two girls rolled their eyes in perfect unison.
Xiao Jietian rolled up his sleeves and headed toward the small kitchen attached to the chamber.
Today's breakfast would be simple, warm, and prepared with utmost care.