"Waaahhh! I hate you! I hate you!" Xing Ran shouted as tears streamed down her face.
She had gotten into a fight with one of her classmates.
Family Day was coming up, and her classmate had mocked her, saying she was an orphan because no one had ever seen her parents.
"I'm not an orphan!" Xing Ran cried again.
"Ran, what happened?" Kan asked as he hurried into the classroom, slightly out of breath.
"Dada!" Xing Ran immediately ran into his arms and hugged him tightly.
"Sshh, don't cry, baby. Dada is here." Kan gently wiped away her tears.
He then turned to the teacher.
"What happened?"
"Dada, she said I'm an orphan," Xing Ran complained while pointing at her classmate.
Kan looked at the little girl. "I'm her dad, so she's not an orphan."
The classmate lowered her head. "I'm sorry..."
After apologizing, she quickly left the classroom.
"Mr. Huang, the main reason Xing Ran fought with her classmate is because of the upcoming Family Day," the teacher explained.
"Family Day?" Kan asked while carrying his daughter.
"Yes, Mr. Huang. Ran's classmates assumed she doesn't have parents because they've never seen either of you at school. She's always accompanied by her baomu."
Kan sighed. "I'm sorry. I'm always busy, so I rarely have time to pick her up myself."
He looked at his daughter. "Sorry, baby."
Ran simply nodded.
"Teacher Mai, could you please keep this a secret?" Kan asked politely. "Something troublesome might happen if people find out about my daughter. I don't want Ran to suffer because of my mistakes."
"Don't worry, Mr. Huang. I care about Ran very much. Your secret is safe with me," the teacher assured.
Kan smiled. "Thank you."
After leaving the classroom, he carried Ran outside.
"So, what happened?" Nyx asked while waiting with Miao.
"She got into a fight because her classmates thought she was an orphan," Kan replied.
"Tch. Why can't you fulfill your responsibilities as her father?" Nyx said coldly.
"Dad?" Miao froze in shock.
Now everything made sense.
Earlier, she had wondered why they suddenly came to the school. Now she finally understood.
"You didn't know?" Nyx asked.
"Nyx," Kan warned. "Can you take Ran to the car?"
"Fine," Nyx held Ran's hand. "Let's go, Ran."
The two headed toward the car, leaving Kan and Miao alone.
"You have a daughter?" Miao asked again, still unable to believe it.
"Yeah. It's a secret."
"So the baby you've been calling and the letters you've been receiving... they're all about your daughter?"
"Yeah."
Miao stared at him in disbelief.
He was such a young dad!
"I've kept it a secret because I don't want it to affect my career."
"I see. Don't worry. I'm not a gossip girl. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you."
"But..." Miao said.
"Hmm?"
"You said earlier that Ran got into a fight because someone called her an orphan. Where's her mother? Even if you're busy, shouldn't her mother be taking care of her?" Miao asked.
Kan's expression darkened slightly. "She doesn't have a mother."
"What?" she was surprised again.
"Her mother left Ran outside my apartment two years ago. I don't know who she is." he continued.
Miao's eyes widened. "Didn't you ask your ex-girlfriends?"
"They all denied it." he answered.
"Don't tell me.. It's a one-night stand?" she gasped.
Kan shot her a warning glare. "I thought you said you weren't a gossip girl."
"Okay, okay." Miao raised both hands in surrender. "My mouth is officially zipped."
"Enough questions. Let's go. They're waiting for us." Kan said and walked first.
They left the school and headed straight to Kan's house.
.
.
"Dada, who is she?" Ran suddenly asked during dinner.
Kan glanced at Miao.
"She's your new mommy, Ran," Nyx answered calmly.
"Nyx!" Kan immediately rebuked her.
Nyx simply rolled her eyes.
Miao awkwardly scratched her head. "I'm your dada's assistant."
"Dada has a new friend," Ran said.
"Yeah, baby. So be nice to her," Kan replied.
"Be nice to her because she'll be your new mom," Nyx whispered again.
"Nyx, can you stop fooling around?" Kan said irritably.
Nyx smirked.
"I don't want a new momma! I'm Dada's only princess!" Ran pouted.
Miao chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm not going to steal your dada away from you. I'm only his assistant."
"Really? I don't believe it," Nyx said.
"Nyx, if you're done eating, could you please go back to your room?" Kan said.
"Why?" Nyx shrugged. "Maybe it's time for you to get a new girlfriend. Besides..."
Her eyes swept over Miao from head to toe. "She's not bad."
What?!
Miao raised an eyebrow.
"I don't want a new momma!" Ran protested again.
Kan gently patted his daughter's head. "Don't worry, baby. Dada only loves you."
Ran immediately smiled.
Miao felt speechless.
This family was seriously weird.
After dinner, she helped clean up.
"This is the first time Mr. Huang has ever brought a woman into this house," Ran's baomu said with a smile. "I think you're special."
"Eh?" Miao laughed awkwardly. "I'm only his assistant. Please don't misunderstand."
"I don't think so. The way he looks at you is different. I can see romance in his eyes."
"C'mon, Baomu. If Kan hears that, he'll definite—"
"Hear what?"
Both women turned around.
Kan was standing behind them.
The baomu immediately bowed and excused herself.
"N-Nothing!" Miao replied quickly.
"Oh, okay," Kan didn't seem convinced but let it go. "By the way, why don't you stay here tonight? I need help packing my things."
"Packing?" she asked.
"Manager Song called. I'll be having a photoshoot on Penglai Beach. There are a lot of things I need to bring, so I need your help."
Penglai Beach?
The island was famous for its breathtaking scenery and stunning views.
"Am I going there with you?" she asked again.
"Of course. You're my assistant." Kan grinned. "Are you really going to leave me there with no one to take care of me?"
"Hehe, I was just making sure." she said with a wide smile.
Kan chuckled. "I'm heading to my room. Come upstairs when you're done."
Then he left.
The moment he disappeared from sight, Miao nearly jumped in excitement.
OMG! Penglai Beach!
She had always wanted to visit that place.
She would definitely need to bring plenty of beautiful outfits for her social media photos.