Chapter 155 - DADDY.

She rolled her eyes when he turned to her. 

And Yuxi bursted into laughter. She knew that look, and it's meaning.

How can her sister be jealous of her own daughter? She wondered.

"Mommy, do you want sushi rolls too?"

"No. You two can have them." 

Xueyan opened the box filled with puffed rice and the scent rose into the air.

"Hmmm, that's smells nice." Qingran commented, stretching her next to have a better look.

"You want some?" Zhaolin asked.

Qingran didn't hesitate and nodded her head.

Qiangshen facial expression read clearly, what is going on with this guy?

Xueyan watched on as Zhaolin took three out of the five to feed Qingran. "That's a lot!"

"No, I really want Qingran to be as chubby as an overfed cat."

His statement made everyone face twitch except Qingran that started chuckling. "Would you still be able to lift me?"

"Yes," he patted her on the head. 

"Forever?"

"Yes."

"Even when I grow and get married?"

"Get married?" The question was popped by Yuxi. "You're yet to grow little girl."

"Yes, I'll lift you up till you get tired."

Qingran bit on her finger nails. "And will you be my daddy, too?"

Zhaolin looked so calm like the question was one of her ordinary questions. 

Qiangshen wondered how the little girl had come up with such question.

Yuxi was not left out. What did I just hear this little one say?

"If your mother is willing, I'm willing too!"

Xueyan thought she heard her head explode. 

"Mommy are you willing?" The innocent girl asked, not knowing her question was a little too much. "Hmm? Will you let him be my daddy?"

Xueyan heart melted like hot chocolate, she knew her daughter had always wanted a father. A daddy to look after her, to take care of her like grandpa did. "I want my daddy to be as nice as grandpa! And sweet too! Hehehe. Loving too! And to come fight for me!" 

That was her comment after a kdrama they watched. A young girl that kept being bullied, because she was seen as a weakling. They had thought she was from a poor home, not knowing her father was the president. It had been a had pill to swallow when the man came to school on a rainy day to give her thick clothes. 

The president had lost his wife at childbirth and promised his daughter heaven upon earth. He stepped through the door, with a big smile on his face only to see his lovely daughter shivering, her clothes soaked through. 

"What were you doing in the rain?" He asked, everyone attention was on the man, till he spoke. And their attention shifted.

She looked up at him, and tears fell uncontrollably. "Father," she whispered.

He took three long strides to her and pulled her to her feet. 

Whispers rose around them.

"What? Did she just call him father?"

"Father? How's that possible?"

"Wait, who is this girl?"

"Oh my goodness! I can't believe it!"

The principal came running forward to welcome the president but was held back by the guards.

The president hadn't said a word to anyone else. He only covered his daughter up and took her away. The revenge was sweet, even the principal wasn't saved. The parents of the bullies lost their jobs and properties. The school was closed down and the girls were taken to a rehabilitation center. 

Watching that drama reminded her of her past, but her story was different. Mr Bai wasn't the president but a petty trader. 

She would surely have her revenge but for now, she want them moving around freely.

"Mommy, please say something." Qingran pleaded. "Don't say no," her little voice broke Xueyan's heart. "He will protect me too! He said he loves me, right?" She turned to Zhaolin.

"Yes, I love you." Zhaolin answered. "I'll protect you, I'll take care of you. Anything you want."

"Mother, see that? Anything I want." Qingran snuggled into her mother's neck. 

Xueyan's hand tightened around her little girl's body. "Do you really like him that much?" She whispered into Qingran's ear.

Qingran nodded more than thrice. "I really do," 

Xueyan closed her eyes and for a moment the mother and daughter were left in their own world. They kept whispering.

It took them a while to get out of their emotions. Xueyan wiped Qingran's tears off.

"All my classmates says I don't have a daddy. Their daddy comes to pick them up, brings chocolate, chips, burgers and so many other things. Though I share with Zhihao, it would be much good if I have a daddy. Even if he's too busy to come, I'd still be happy I have a daddy."

Listening to her niece, tears fell out of Yuxi's eyes. She wondered what kind of pain, the little girl was feeling. She was sobbing and shaking due to the built up pains... 

Zhaolin carried Qingran and walked out. 

Five minutes later, they returned with Qingran smiling so brightly.

As if nothing had happened a few minutes ago, they continued with the food.

Zhaolin received a call requesting for him to return to the office as their was an emergency. He kissed Qingran on both cheeks and left.

"Take care, daddy." She waved at him.

The word daddy made her heart beat faster. 

After he left they spent thirty minutes more, then packed up and left.

It was four in the evening by the time they got back. Yuxi said she wanted to say hello to their parents before leaving so she followed Xueyan in their car.

"Honey, look who we have here." Mrs Bai called out to her husband.

"Yuxi?" Mr Bai couldn't conceal the happiness on his face. "You're back in town?"

"Yes, but I'd be leaving tomorrow afternoon so I came to visit you two."

"You will be spending the night here, right?" He really missed his children, Shihuan was so far away and now Yuxi was beginning to go too far from home. He didn't buy that idea.

"Uhmm, no."

He nodded, understanding that duty calls. "And you Xue, Mei Han had come over since twelve pm today waiting for you. She said your phone was turned off but had something important to tell you, so call her now. And you my little munchkin, did you have fun?"

"Yes! And uncle is now officially my daddy!" Qingran announced.

Mr and Mrs Bai turned to Xueyan. 

Xueyan shrugged her shoulders before going to the room.

"You got yourself a father?" Mrs Bai asked, smiling sweetly at the little girl.

"Yes granny. I now have a father just like my mother." She picked a chocolate from the table and bit into it. "Hmmm, yummy. Did you buy this?"

"No, they were sent for you."

"Hmm?" She stopped chewing and went to check the box. "It was sent by Zhihao... Oh thank you. I need to call and say thanks to him."

"That's a good idea." Mr Bai said.

*****

"Any update?" Secretary Jiang got off the phone and heaved a sigh of relief. He went close and whispered into Zhaolin's ear. 

There was no change in Zhaolin's expression but he rubbed his face.

"The driver was successfully taken the hospital, currently receiving treatment. And there's..." He paused to observe the faces of the shareholders. "There's no casualties!"

Sigh of relief could be heard coming from different people.

"That's great!"

"Wonderful." 

Zhaolin exited the meeting room first, followed up by secretary Jiang. Whom couldn't hide his happiness. 

"Bring me reports from the delivery truck department." Zhaolin said.

"Yes sir," Secretary Jiang halted and went the other way towards the elevator.

*

In the report, it was stated that the truck meant to deliver the vehicles to the other town was perfectly fine. Reasons why brake failed was still unknown, but they have sent their expert over for proper inspection.

"They must have been a leakage after he left, and he didn't notice. I'll..."

"Why didn't you check all the parts before sending it away?" Zhaolin whom was looking out the window asked. "Why didn't he move at night? Why day break?" Finally he turned to face the older man. "Or perhaps he's a new recruit and you didn't teach him that?"

"Oh no sir... I mean, yes sir. I did teach him. I... I... I'm sorry," the man bowed deeply. 

"You're sorry?" Zhaolin had never been this angry. "What if we had cost someone their live? What would you say? You're sorry? Would that bring back the dead?"

"Oh no sir! I'm, so sorry. Really sorry!" His bow went deeper.

"Get out!" 

Secretary Jiang immediately helped open the door for the man. Without waiting a second more, the man ran out of the office. He seemed to had stop breathing in there as he was panting heavily.

He promised to be more careful with the trucks, to always check on them and remind the drivers the time to hit the main road.