Though dinner had an extra freeloader, Xi Xi didn’t eat much—just an extra bowl and chopsticks.

What surprised me was Baiyu joining us at the table just to spend more time with her "Mr. Chidori."

It’d been nearly a year since we last shared a meal. I nearly teared up, and even the food tasted better tonight.

Baiyu chattered excitedly about *Midnight Zero* the whole time. Xi Xi just mumbled "Mm-hmm" or "Right," shoveling meat into her already-full mouth while ignoring the vegetables.

I couldn’t help but say, "Eat some veggies too."

"Huh? Veggies are gross," she grumbled, poking her rice with chopsticks.

"No wonder you’re not growing taller."

"I drink fresh milk every day! The thick, white kind that still tastes a little... farm-fresh. I’ll grow eventually."

"Don’t say weird stuff in front of Baiyu!"

Baiyu frowned at me. "What’s weird about milk? Mr. Chidori would never say anything weird."

*Hardcore fangirls are terrifying...*

Sure, Xi Xi *was* talking about milk—but that description begged for a scolding. Thankfully, my pure-hearted Baiyu didn’t catch the subtext.

*Long live innocence!*

After dinner, I washed dishes while Baiyu monopolized Xi Xi in the living room. Xi Xi clearly wasn’t interested, occasionally dropping vague dirty jokes that fell flat when Baiyu didn’t get them.

When I finished, I called out, "Baiyu, it’s almost seven. Don’t you have work?"

She pouted but stood up reluctantly. "Mr. Chidori, I’ll be back later, okay?"

"Go on."

She trudged upstairs to her room.

I sank onto the couch’s edge, rubbing my shoulders. The moment Baiyu left, Xi Xi sprawled like a cat across the sofa, hugging a cushion. She kicked my back lightly. "That kid’s so chatty. Like a sparrow."

"Sparrows are cute!"

*Ugh. Some of us dream of having Baiyu chirp nonstop beside us. Don’t you dare take it for granted.*

I glared. "Aren’t you heading home?"

"Boring. No one’s there anyway."

"Go draw *Midnight Zero*’s illustrations! If Ms. Jinmu drags you to the Editor’s Lockup again, I won’t bail you out."

"No inspiration! Don’t wanna work!" She kicked me again. "All your fault for weird requests."

"You’re just lazy. Don’t blame me."

"...No inspiration."

Honestly, I had no right to scold her—I’d barely worked all week either, stuck in my own creative drought.

*Fine. Rot on my couch till you grow mold.*

Time for *that* thing.

I pulled a tablet from under the coffee table, logged into TikCat TV, and searched for Baiyu’s stream. My heart raced. *Days without seeing her... Let my sweet Baiyu heal my soul. Maybe my dried-up inspiration will gush out with a **biubiu**!*

Baiyu was singing. I plugged in earphones and focused.

Xi Xi noticed my screen, crawled over like a curious cat, and rested her chin on my shoulder. "Whatcha watching? Lemme see."

"Don’t get so close! You’re a girl—" I pushed her head away, scooted sideways, and handed her an earphone. "Here. Want to listen?"

She took it, glancing at the screen. "That kid? Baiyu? Huh. A streamer."

She put on the earphone and settled beside me.

*"Sinking in a sea of sorrow, even opening my eyes feels endless ♪*

*Will I fall forever, where no one can find me? ♬*

*Where to go, what to do? A single ray of light suddenly pierces through ♪"*

Baiyu’s tender, aching voice carried the sad melody beautifully. Even without understanding the lyrics, my eyes stung.

After the song, I beamed at Xi Xi. "Amazing, right?"

"Mm... yeah, I guess."

"My daughter’s super cute and talented!"

"...Glad you think so."

"She sings *and* charms like that—she’ll be a superstar!"

Having someone to share this joy with—even Xi Xi—made me gush endlessly.

*What is this feeling? Like a parent bragging about their kid’s achievements... I wanna shout it through a megaphone: "MY DAUGHTER’S AMAZING!"*

Xi Xi squinted at me, disgusted. "*Tch*. You’re totally a daughter-con. Also—shouldn’t you be too young to adopt?"

"Baiyu’s registered under my grandpa’s household, but I’m raising her—"

"Huh? Legally, she’s your aunt!"

"Technically... but she’s *my* daughter. Drop it."

"Why adopt someone barely younger than you?" She smirked. "Some... *lolicon project*?"

I scowled. "One more joke like that, and I’m done."

"...Sorry."

She apologized sincerely—Xi Xi knew where to draw the line.

"*But*... daughter-cons are gross. *Tch*. I wish I’d recorded you bragging just now."

*Yeah, real sorry.* *Note to self: Skip her future kid’s moon-cake ceremony. No red envelope from me.*

To avoid a stroke from her nonsense, I decided to ignore her completely. Once Auntie Cai next door got home, I’d kick Xi Xi out early.