"Dad... Dad."

Lian Ye was no longer the mischievous, hyperactive child she’d been before. She sat quietly beside Baiyi in the carriage heading back to the Imperial Palace.

Xiao Ling had been taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment due to her injuries. She wouldn’t be back for a while.

So now, only Baiyi and Lian Ye were alone in the enclosed carriage.

"I’m not angry."

Baiyi watched Lian Ye sitting obediently beside him, not daring to fidget, staying perfectly still.

He wondered if his fierce expression earlier had scared her, making her so cautious now.

"Lian... Ye, will... be good."

Her small, fair hand clutched tightly at Baiyi’s sleeve. Her star-like eyes stared straight at him.

The corners of her mouth curved down slightly. Tears kept welling up at the edges of her eyes. One tiny movement, and they’d flood out like a breached dam.

"I really don’t dislike you..."

Ugh! What the hell? I’ve said it so many times, but this idiot still looks so pitiful. It makes me seem like I’m bullying her. Didn’t I explain I don’t dislike you? Isn’t that enough? What do you want from me? I’m just a soldier—I don’t know how to handle kids!

"Re... really?"

Even after Baiyi repeated it, Lian Ye still looked confused.

"Really, really! What do I have to do to make you believe me?"

Baiyi was fed up. She was just a two-day-old little dragon from the Dragon Clan—why did she seem to know so much? Did the Dragon Clan inherit memories or something?

"I... I..."

Lian Ye frowned slightly, her lips pouting as if thinking hard.

"Can’t think of anything? Then forget it."

Seeing the fear on her face replaced by concentration, Baiyi sighed in relief. She must understand he didn’t dislike her.

But just as he relaxed...

"Thought... of... a kiss!"

"Kiss?!"

"Mhm!"

"You idiot, do you even know what you’re saying? Kissing’s for adults. No way, no way."

Kiss? What nonsense! How would she even know about that? She’s had no exposure to anything. It’s weird. The Dragon Clan must have memory inheritance—otherwise, how could a two-day-old dragon know so much? And she went from a newborn to walking and holding my hand so fast!

"Dad... promised... waaah..."

Hearing her request rejected, tears welled up again in her eyes.

"Tch, fine, fine! I promise, okay? I promise."

Seeing her tears, Baiyi surrendered instantly. Ugh, troublesome kid. I hate dealing with crying children and women—it’s unbearable.

He agreed only to get through this. Even if she was just a little girl, kissing her would be monstrous. He’d pretend to agree and hope she forgot later.

"Hee... hee."

Satisfied, Lian Ye laughed and pressed her whole body against Baiyi, clinging tightly.

"Hey, idiot, you—"

"Dad... Dad."

"Like... you."

Like me? Baiyi looked at the silly Lian Ye hugging him. Her hands gripped his clothes. Her round face pressed against his chest. Her tiny nose twitched slightly, sniffing his scent like a calming pill. She relaxed completely, curling up on him.

"Is that so... you like me."

He watched Lian Ye, now asleep in his arms. Golden sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her tender face. At that moment, she looked like the world’s most exquisite doll. One glance would forever etch this image in Baiyi’s mind.

"I wasn’t a good person before."

Baiyi turned to the terrifying Curved Saber beside him—stained with blood, having taken countless lives. Its silver blade glowed faintly pale. Scarred and rusted from war and time, its edge remained razor-sharp. Fresh crimson blood couldn’t hide its lethal gleam.

A lonely, bitter smile crossed Baiyi’s face.

"Maybe that girl’s parents... died by this blade."

"Someone like me... can be liked?"