Female Novel
Chapter 36
Chu Feng’s eyes twinkled when he asked Yun Muqing, “Muqing, if—hypothetically, of course—if I wereDuo Duo’s biological father and the man you met in that bar five years ago, and I came back to youboth now, would you have accepted me?”
Yun Muqing suddenly grew serious, her usually gentle gaze fixed upon Chu Feng with uncharacteristicgrimness that made Chu Feng a little nervous, as if she could see through his bluff. So, he coughedand said, “I’m kidding. I’ll just drop the matter if you felt uncomfortable, I’m sorry—”
“Then you would never be able to see Duo Duo again.” Yun Muqing suddenly snapped coldly. Sheturned to look at the night view, her aloof tone just barely concealing her rage as she continued, “It’sbeen five years, and I haven’t heard a word from him after he abandoned us. And now, he comes backas he pleases, reunites with us as he pleases? Who does he think I am? Who does he think Duo Duois? I, Yun Muqing, am not so pitiful as to accept him like this. He’s never been a father for a day of hislife, so he can forget about acceptance from his own daughter. He has no right to be a father or ahusband.”
On the inside, Chu Feng let out a sigh of guilt, among other emotions. She was right about him owingthem far too much for the past five years. Yun Muqing’s efforts to maintain his image in front of DuoDuo, like telling her that Daddy was a hero, was merely an attempt to give her a happy childhoodinstead of being influenced by her resentment. Nobody in her shoes would have forgiven him so easily,not even himself; after all, did he not still resent that ‘Lord Chu’?
“Don’t worry too much about this, Chu Feng. I won’t project my feelings for Duo Duo’s father onto you.Impersonating that man is a temporary situation, after all.” Yun Muqing consoled Chu Feng, thinkingshe’d gone too far when she noticed his expression. “Duo Duo just really misses her father becausenovelbin
she’s been deprived of paternal love, and she imprinted on you when you stepped in to satisfy thatneed. When she realises the truth, then you’ll be able to drop the act. I’m sorry.”
“And I’ll be a fitting father to her, so I can earn that salary fair and square. You don’t have to worry.” ChuFeng nodded, but only after fighting down a bitter laugh.
He did hope that he could play the role of father for the long term, until both mother and daughter couldaccept him. He also understood that Yun Muqing was a woman who was soft on the outside, but toughon the inside. For years, she’d compromised wherever she could and took the initiative to offer an olivebranch every time; even when someone accidentally bumped into her, she’d apologise first for fear ofgetting into trouble.
She was so tough, she’d defied her own parents and her own family just to raise her daughter alone.Even when the going got tough, she’d refused the ‘wedding’ arranged by her family because it meantsoiling her dignity. If Chu Feng wanted her heart, then he’d have to demonstrate his sincerity. In thatmoment, Chu Feng resolved that he’d dedicate his life to protecting them, helping them live long andprosper.
“I’m done, Mommy!” After ten minutes, Duo Duo rushed down the stairs in her pajamas and tackledChu Feng in a hug with her hair still damp and her feet bare, her big eyes filled with nervousness as ifshe was afraid that this father would leave her again.
Yun Muqing couldn’t decide whether to cry or laugh as she looked at Chu Feng with gratitude; thankgoodness they’d agreed to let him continue playing the ‘fake father’, otherwise she really didn’t knowhow she’d placate Duo Duo.
Now that Chu Feng could hug his precious daughter out in the open, he showered her with kisses and
played with her for a full two hours. After that, the girl started yawning with fatigue. “Mommy, I’m tired. Iwant to go to bed.”
Yun Muqing breathed a sigh of relief, because she was getting tired too. “Alright, then I’ll take you tobed.”
Duo Duo shook her little head and clung onto Chu Feng’s arm, dialling up her charm as she requested,“No. I want to sleep with both Mommy and Daddy.”
“What?!”