On the day of the parent-teacher conference, Ji Yueyi arrived early at the school gate. Her heart pounded as she scanned the sea of people, searching for her father’s figure.

She glanced beside her. Mu Yue Ran should have been standing there. But when Yueyi had invited the usually fearless older sister to attend as her guardian, Ran had flushed with uncharacteristic embarrassment and firmly refused.

No matter how much Yueyi begged, Ran wouldn’t budge. A shadow dimmed what should have been a perfect day.

*"I’d really wanted to introduce Sister Yue Ran to Dad…"*

Yueyi sighed, then quickly lifted her chin. Eyes bright with anticipation, she faced forward. This was her family’s first time at her school—she *had* to stay strong!

Before the conference began, a taxi screeched to a halt outside the gate. A burly man leaped out, scanning the crowd. His sharp gaze locked onto his daughter instantly.

He charged over in three strides. Before Yueyi could even greet him, his hands clamped onto her shoulders. His voice cracked with raw fury: "My sweet girl! Where’s that damn punk hiding? The bastard who tricked you!"

Shaken senseless by her enraged father, Yueyi gasped for breath. "It was a lie, Dad! Calm down!" she pleaded, steering him aside.

"You’re still protecting him?! This city’s full of scumbags! Look at you—so pure and innocent! They’ll devour you whole!"

Ji Tianyang pounded his chest, his weathered face twisted with regret. He hated himself for not being there to shield her from heartbreak.

"Is it him? That kid?!"

Tianyang whirled around, bloodshot eyes pinning an innocent male student who’d merely glanced their way. His hand plunged into his backpack, yanking out a wooden handle that looked suspiciously like an axe.

Yueyi slammed her palm over his wrist, shoving the weapon back inside. She confiscated the entire bag, her eyelid twitching. The terrified boy bolted, wondering why a simple look warranted near-death.

"Dad! *Stop it!* I’m not dating anyone!" Yueyi stomped, swatting his arm. "I only lied because you and Mom never come to these things!"

Tianyang froze, scratching his head sheepishly. "Ahaha… really? You should’ve said so sooner."

*"Wasted a whole night sharpening that axe…"* he muttered under his breath.

Yueyi didn’t catch the last part. She dragged him toward the school gate, dropping his backpack at the security booth.

Only when they disappeared inside did Mu Yue Ran dare peek from behind the tree. She slumped against the trunk, wiping cold sweat from her brow. *Avoiding Yueyi’s dad was the smartest decision I’ve ever made.*

【*Coward. You’re a girl now. What’s there to fear?*】

"It’s not about that," Ran murmured. "Just looking at him… I felt like I’d drop dead any second." She shook off the eerie premonition. She had work to do.

Ran slipped away from the crowd, heading for the school’s back wall. Before the low white barrier, she bounced on her toes, limbering up.

Meanwhile, Yueyi pulled Tianyang toward her classroom. The six-story concrete building—a rarity in his mountain hometown—loomed ahead. Around them, parents in polished attire made Tianyang’s worn clothes feel heavier. His steps slowed, sinking like feet in mud.

All his earlier fury evaporated. He tugged his daughter’s sleeve, head bowed. "Sweetheart… maybe I should—"

"*No.*"

Yueyi turned. Her eyes shimmered, yet held that familiar steel—the same stubborn light that had pulled him forward countless times when he wanted to retreat.

"I know what you’re thinking. But *I’m* not afraid." She swiped away tears, grip tightening on his calloused hand. "I want you and Mom to see—your sacrifices weren’t for nothing."

"Today, tomorrow… my podium will always have seats for you."

Suddenly, she smiled, tugging him onward. "So get used to it now, okay?"

Tianyang said nothing. He couldn’t. His daughter’s courage shamed his own.

Watching her back, he realized the little girl who’d once clung to his leg was gone. When had she grown so tall?

He straightened his spine and followed her into the classroom. Students stared curiously at Yueyi’s parent. For once, Tianyang didn’t hunch. His faded undershirt seemed to glow.

*Because his daughter was brilliant.*

"Living alone in this big city must be hard?" he asked softly.

Yueyi almost nodded—then shook her head. "It was… before. But now—" Her cheeks flushed. Like a girl with a crush sharing her sweetheart’s virtues, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I met someone amazing. She taught me so much… even took me to her home."

Tianyang’s proud smile shattered. Ashen-faced, his heart turned to ice. Fury reignited.

His hand instinctively reached behind him.

*Nothing.*

*Need to chop something. NOW.*

***Where’s my axe?!***