Early that morning, after Baiyi handed Qiu Qiu to Xiao Ling, she took the little one to the dressing room and changed her into an adorable princess dress.
"Dad... Dad?"
Though Qiu Qiu had just bickered with Baiyi over waking up—and held a slight grudge—she grew uneasy when he didn’t come looking for her after Xiao Ling carried her away. Not even when she’d finished changing.
*Did I make him hate me by arguing?*
*Did he throw me away because I was disobedient?*
Qiu Qiu didn’t know Baiyi’s thoughts, but that’s exactly what she feared. A sharp ache bloomed in her chest. She was sure he’d abandoned her after their fight. Glass-like tears spilled from her wide eyes.
"Huh? Qiu Qiu, what’s wrong?"
Breakfast time had arrived. Qiu Qiu sat quietly at the grand dining table, staring blankly at her milk, waiting for Baiyi. The other maids had finished eating; only Xiao Ling lingered, waiting to clear the table after Qiu Qiu.
Then the tears came. Fat droplets rolled slowly down her cheeks.
Xiao Ling couldn’t afford to ignore this. Qiu Qiu was the child Master Baiyi had found outside—and clearly adored. If she failed to care for her properly, punishment would follow.
"Dad... Dad."
"Qiu Qiu, don’t cry. Master Baiyi isn’t here right now."
After waiting so long for her father, Qiu Qiu sensed something was wrong. Her eyes swelled with hurt.
"Not... here?"
"Yes. Master Baiyi left already. You can’t find him now."
"*Wahhh!*"
The moment Xiao Ling said he was gone, Qiu Qiu wailed. Tears burst through the dam, flooding her face.
"Huh? Qiu Qiu?"
"Dad... Dad!"
She ignored her favorite milk. Rubbing her eyes with soft, pale hands, she sobbed uncontrollably. The small bony protrusions on her head swayed with her trembling.
"Alright, alright! I’ll take you to find Master Baiyi. Please stop crying?"
Xiao Ling knew Qiu Qiu wouldn’t calm down otherwise. She soothed her urgently.
"Find... him?"
"Yes. Find the young master."
Only when Xiao Ling promised to search for Baiyi did Qiu Qiu’s sobs quiet. She blinked her gem-like silver eyes, lips pressed shut. Her gaze fixed on the distant doorway—eager to go.
"Good. Let’s go now."
Xiao Ling sprang up. In under five seconds, she cleared the table—wiping spills, stacking dishes—leaving it pristine as before the meal. No one in the Imperial Palace matched her efficiency. Ten years at a professional maid academy had taught her to resolve chaos instantly with magic and skill. Keeping her master happy was non-negotiable.
"Let’s go, Qiu Qiu."
Xiao Ling lifted the child, still staring at the door, and left the palace.
...
To find Baiyi faster, Xiao Ling sprinted through the Great Empire’s capital with Qiu Qiu, using location magic to track his energy. She knew his routines—he often lingered in Beast Rat Street’s chaos or visited military camps when idle. But today, he’d rushed out in rarely worn military uniform. Only one place fit: Beast Rat Street.
"Dad... Dad?"
At the street’s entrance, Qiu Qiu sensed a familiar energy ripple. As a Dragon Clan child—even one less than a day old—she could feel the energy of those she trusted most. Baiyi’s powerful presence radiated from ahead.
"Hm? Master Baiyi’s inside?"
"Mm."
Qiu Qiu nodded, pointing to a lavishly decorated building nearby. Bright lights blazed. Crowds surged inside—mercenaries in armor and combat gear, weapons clanking at their hips.
"But Master Baiyi hates this place. Why enter?"
Xiao Ling tightened her grip on Qiu Qiu, eyeing the shifting crowd warily. Many here weren’t honest mercenaries trading intel for coin. They preyed on the weak: beggars, lost children, even weaker fighters. They’d strip victims bare without remorse. No one stopped them—this was Beast Rat Street. Self-interest ruled.
Worse, Xiao Ling stood out. Her crisp black-and-white maid uniform, light makeup, and the adorable child in her arms screamed "lost noblewoman and ward."
"Hey, miss. How do we get to the Red Lantern District?"
Within minutes, rough-looking youths emerged from an alley. Dressed in plain black cloth, hair messy, they swaggered forward with exaggerated strides.
Xiao Ling hugged Qiu Qiu tighter and stepped back. Their grins weren’t friendly—they meant trouble.
"What’s wrong, little sister? Don’t know?"
The leader, a sneering young man, closed in. His dark pupils reflected Xiao Ling’s trembling form. He relished her fear; his grin twisted as she shrank back.
"Sir, please—"
Xiao Ling retreated until her back hit cold stone. A dead-end alley. She lowered her head, shielding Qiu Qiu. "Don’t come closer."
"Oh? Sorry, cutie. I just wanted to—"
"*ROAR!*"
As his hand reached for Xiao Ling’s cheek, Qiu Qiu’s jaws snapped open. A guttural growl ripped out, followed by a surge of raw energy.
*THUD!*
The youth froze—too slow to defend. The blast hurled him backward. He crashed to the ground, rolling and clutching his arm, shrieking in pain.
"Dad... Dad!"
