After stepping off the carriage, Baiyi led Lian Ye and Xiao Ling into the noisy, bustling crowd.

To calm Lian Ye’s restless heart from the heat, he stopped at a nearby snack shop. He wanted to buy her a strange frozen treat to quiet her down.

It was just a small wooden stick thickly coated in frozen milk—a peculiar little snack.

When Lian Ye saw it, she jumped up and down excitedly, her eyes sparkling with delight.

She nearly dashed in to grab every single one in the shop.

Luckily, Xiao Ling blocked her with one of the treats and coaxed her aside to eat slowly.

Later, the shopkeeper said, "These are called 'ice pops.' They’re all the rage with kids lately. The inventor says they’re tasty, refreshing, cheap to make, and should sell well."

"I don’t get them myself, but kids love ’em, right? Sir, want more? Your daughter seems to adore them."

Sir!?

What’s wrong with my face? Why does everyone call me "sir"? Do I really look that old?

Just some scars—I don’t expect to be treated like a general anymore, but can’t they see me as a young soldier?

Annoyed by the title, Baiyi still bought a few ice pops for Lian Ye, the silly girl whining nonstop beside him.

"Young master, are these snacks really safe?"

"Tch, it’s just a little treat. Nothing to worry about. Cheap too—just a few copper coins."

Just a little snack…

Xiao Ling glanced at Lian Ye, holding an ice pop with milk smeared all over her mouth. She didn’t know what to say.

"Alright, young master. Since you brought Lian Ye here, let’s hurry to the plaza stage for the Children’s Day show."

"Huh? Stage?"

Baiyi followed Xiao Ling’s pointed finger.

Sure enough, a huge stage stood not far ahead in the square, surrounded by rowdy kids and parents.

From here, its decorations looked lavish and cute.

Even around the base, people in giant mascot costumes played and roughhoused with children.

This downtown stage was clearly today’s main Children’s Day event.

Hmm… so I have to take this silly girl there?

"Dad… Dad!"

After finishing her ice pop, milk still on her face, Lian Ye hopped over and clung tightly to Baiyi’s leg, rubbing against it.

"Hey! Idiot, don’t wipe that milk on my pants!"

"Heh… heh."

"What’s so funny, you fool."

Baiyi sighed and gently tapped Lian Ye’s head.

"Stage… stage!"

"You want to go too?"

"Fun… fun!"

"Tch, all you care about is fun. Behave later—stay where I can see you. Don’t leave my sight."

This girl is way too mischievous.

Can’t she just be good?

Baiyi crouched down and pulled the silly girl away from his pants.

"Young master, shall we go look?"

"Look? At that stage?"

"Mm."

Fine, let’s go see.

Watching Xiao Ling’s eager face beside him, Baiyi suddenly felt he wasn’t just bringing one child. He was stuck with a terribly rowdy fool and a well-behaved girl for this Children’s Day.

Was Xiao Ling into childish things too?

Or did girls just naturally love cute, pretty stuff?

Sigh, I don’t get it.

Go then—I don’t mind.

But…

Baiyi quietly watched the giant mascots pacing before the stage. Their walks were awkward, clumsy, bodies swaying unsteadily.

He slightly narrowed his eyes, staring coldly.

A faint, icy smirk curled at his lips, barely noticeable.

But it seems quite a few seek death.