"Dad... Dad."

"Huh? What is it, idiot?"

After Queen Ellyria set Qiu Qiu down, she turned and walked to a nearby mirror. Slowly, she rolled in the bathwater, rinsing her body.

"Mom... Mom?"

Qiu Qiu stretched out her pale, tender little hand, pointing at Queen Ellyria not far away. Her eyes were filled with confusion.

"No, you dumbass."

Baiyi gently tapped her head, then continued washing her body with a bath tool.

"Big..."

Qiu Qiu turned around, placed her hand on Baiyi’s chest, and yanked his nipple. She kicked her legs wildly, splashing water everywhere—even onto Baiyi’s face.

"You little brat..."

Without a word, Baiyi lifted Qiu Qiu up and smacked her bottom hard.

*Smack!*

The crisp sound echoed clearly in the enclosed bathroom, drawing Queen Ellyria’s attention as she dried herself nearby.

"What’s wrong, Xiao Yi?"

"Nothing! Mom, put your clothes on already!"

Queen Ellyria walked over, drying her wet body with a towel, her pale, slender feet padding softly.

"Mom... Mom!"

This time, as the Queen approached, Qiu Qiu stared fixedly at her ample bosom. She pointed at them and tugged Baiyi’s waist towel.

"Tch, you silly dragon! Stop touching me there. And breasts aren’t your mom!"

Baiyi settled Qiu Qiu down and quickly turned his head away, avoiding his mother’s naked body.

"Yes... yes!"

Hearing Baiyi deny that big breasts meant "mom," Qiu Qiu punched his chest with her tiny pink fists.

"You idiot, behave!"

"Hmm..."

Watching Baiyi and Qiu Qiu bicker, Queen Ellyria smiled faintly. Seeing her son so lively and happy naturally warmed her heart. She then grabbed fresh clothes from a nearby rack, ready for them to change.

"Xiao Yi, change your clothes first. You’ve washed long enough."

Before Baiyi could move, Queen Ellyria stepped close, unfolding the clothes and pulling them over his head.

"Mom! I can do it myself!"

As Queen Ellyria dressed him, Baiyi squeezed his eyes shut to avoid seeing her body. He used a towel to dry Qiu Qiu in his arms.

"It’s fine, Xiao Yi. Look, you look much more spirited now."

After dressing him, Queen Ellyria gently patted his head, her smile soft and tender.

"W-we’re leaving!"

Finally, Baiyi’s patience snapped. Flustered, he rushed out of the bathroom with Qiu Qiu in his arms.

"Huh? Xiao Yi, why—"

"Goodnight, Mom!"

*Bang!*

Baiyi, red-faced, didn’t give Queen Ellyria a chance to dress him further. He slammed the door behind them.

"Goo’... night!"

"Shut up, brat! You’re so loud!"

Outside, Baiyi and Qiu Qiu’s playful scuffling faded away.

Inside the bathroom, Queen Ellyria sighed helplessly. She bent down to gather the dirty laundry, preparing to wash it herself.

"Xiao Yi really... always running off like this. I’m so scared..."

As a mother, she adored her son deeply. Every time Baiyi left her sight, worry gnawed at her—fear he’d get hurt fighting, fear he’d slip beyond her protection, fear he’d someday not need her care anymore. So, she poured all her love into her beloved adopted son, Baiyi.

...

"Hey, brat, how do you plan to sleep?"

"Hehe..."

Baiyi held Qiu Qiu, scanning his bare room for a spot to sleep. After several glances, only the large bed remained usable. He debated whether to toss Qiu Qiu onto it to share.

"Laugh all you want. But will you wet the bed? Or cry all night? If so, I’m throwing you out."

To avoid waking to a mess, he needed to know this troublemaker wouldn’t cause problems.

"Grr..."

Offended, Qiu Qiu bit hard into Baiyi’s shoulder, chewing vigorously.

"Ah! You little brat!"

Baiyi yelped in pain, tossing her onto the bed. He rubbed the deep tooth marks on his skin. Her strength had broken the skin slightly.

"Hmm..."

Seeing Baiyi’s pained expression, Qiu Qiu realized she’d done something bad. Her eyes welled up with tears, filled with regret.

"Tch, stop crying. It’s nothing! Don’t make that face, or I’ll spank you again."

Baiyi acted nonchalant to ease her guilt over biting him.

"No... hurt?"

"Hurt? Pfft. I’ve had way worse injuries. This is nothing!"

He turned off the magic lamp, placed Qiu Qiu on the bed, and slipped into his pajamas.

"Dad... Dad."

"Hmm? What?"

In the dark room, tiny Qiu Qiu curled into a ball. She rolled slowly toward Baiyi and hugged him tightly.

"Good... night."

"...Goodnight."