Chapter Five: You’re Already a Qualified Girl

Chapter Five: You’re Already a Qualified Girl

“The surgery was a success; you are now a qualified girl.”

Holding her medical report, Bai Sha listened to the doctor’s incessant chatter. Her sharp mind quickly processed it all, summarizing it into a single thought.

“Does this mean I’m perfectly healthy?” Bai Sha asked, pointing to her own nose.

The doctor, holding the report, looked puzzled. “By a girl’s standards, you are very healthy, but your…”

Bai Sha clapped her small hand, her professional AD (Attack Damage Carry) player’s anti-gank instincts immediately surfaced. “Doctor, you know how it is. My family has always favored boys over girls. My mother had a difficult birth with me and lost her fertility afterwards. Not wanting to lose face, my family raised me as a boy.”

The doctor exclaimed, “Ah? Then what about your ID card?”

“Oh, come on, Doctor, you know how it is in my old mountain village!”

Seeing Bai Sha’s frantic winks, the doctor instantly understood. “Ah, yes, yes, yes! I get it! I totally get it!”

Bai Sha relaxed, relieved that her body was fine. ‘Hold on, that’s not right! Where did all my occupational injuries go? What about my hand and back pain?’

Stepping out of the clinic, Bai Sha stretched her wrists and back, finding that there truly seemed to be no issues.

‘What a windfall!’ she thought. ‘If all the ailments accumulated from years of high-intensity work are gone, then even the loss of my younger brother isn’t so bad after all!’

Bai Sha had left home at eight o’clock, and after her check-up, it was past noon. She picked up her phone to video call Zhou Haochen on WeChat (TL Note: A popular Chinese multi-purpose messaging, social media, and mobile payment app.), planning to grab lunch soon. She wondered what the father and daughter duo at home were up to.

“Du—”

“Mama!” The moment the video connected, Zhou Yuying’s chubby little face filled the screen. “Baby misses you so much! When are you coming home?”

Seeing the little one, a smile involuntarily bloomed on Bai Sha’s face. “Mama will be home soon, but please hold the phone a bit farther away; don’t hold it so close.”

The little one obediently complied, and only then did Bai Sha notice Zhou Haochen beside her. Both of them were sitting on the living room floor, playing with building blocks.

“While Mama was out, what yummy food did Baby have for lunch?”

The little one counted on her fingers for her mother. “For lunch, I had roast duck, eggs, and a big bottle of milk.”

The little one handed the phone to her father, then spread her arms wide to gesture. “It was this big!”

Bai Sha smiled, playing along. “Wow! That big! Baby is so amazing!”

This made the little one shy. Rubbing her hair, she said, “Hehe, I’m not that amazing! Papa helped Baby drink a lot too!”

The little one even snatched the phone back, pointing the camera at Zhou Haochen.

Zhou Haochen: ‘Huh? Wait, why am I involved in this?’

Sitting on a hospital chair, Bai Sha tapped her leg and propped her chin in her hand, a doting smile gracing her lips. “Wow! Then Papa is amazing too!”

In an instant, Zhou Haochen’s face flushed, and he awkwardly rubbed his nose. “Uh… it was alright, mainly just to avoid waste… um…”

“Mama, what did you eat?”

Bai Sha pouted dramatically, feigning a wronged expression. “Mama hasn’t eaten yet~ So hungry! What can I do?”

The little one, struck by an idea, tossed the phone back to her father, then scurried into the kitchen, only to quickly return.

“Mama, hurry home! Baby just checked, there’s still lots and lots of roast duck left, and it’s still warm! If you’re any later, you’ll miss it!”

Seeing the little one’s slight anxiety, Bai Sha chuckled softly, no longer teasing her. “Mama will eat out, so I won’t go hungry. Don’t worry, Baby, be good!”

The little one then looked left and right at her mother on the screen, finally realizing Mama was just playing with her. With a huff, she turned her head away.

“Mean Mama, eating yummy food outside all by yourself and leaving Papa and me at home, hmph!”

Bai Sha was amused. She playfully poked the chubby little face on the screen with a slender finger, grinning mischievously. “That’s right, I’m not taking you or Papa. Mama’s going to eat delicious food! Bye-bye!”

“Du—du.”

Looking at the disconnected video call and his pouting daughter, Zhou Haochen felt a slight headache. ‘Oh, dear.’

****

Having ended the video call, Bai Sha was in a delightful mood. After all, teasing her own child was the best kind of fun.

Since she had promised the little one she’d eat well, she began to consider her options.

There was a good Japanese restaurant near the team’s base where Bai Sha and her teammates often dined after reviewing matches.

Bai Sha, who had been enjoying teasing her child and looking forward to delicious food, was interrupted by a phone call.

The call was from someone at Huya (TL Note: A major Chinese live-streaming platform, similar to Twitch.).

“Bro, it’s the 25th today. Please pay attention to your own schedule.”

The sushi in Bai Sha’s mouth suddenly lost its appeal. ‘Right, I’ve retired from professional gaming, but I haven’t retired from work,’ she realized. ‘My streaming contract is still active, and I haven’t met my hours for the month!’

“Alright, I know.”

‘Seriously? How did it become the end of the month again so quickly? I have to make up my streaming hours, it’s so annoying. I don’t want to work. I haven’t even recovered from the shadow of our defeat at the S-Championships (TL Note: A major international esports tournament, typically referring to League of Legends World Championship.). Can’t I just make them up next month?’

Unable to enjoy her meal leisurely, Bai Sha quickly finished and headed home. On her way back, she also picked up a teddy bear for the little one.

“Click.”

“I’m home!”

Upon arriving home, Bai Sha saw Zhou Haochen sitting at the small bar counter, deep in thought as he stared at his laptop, its screen filled with code she couldn’t comprehend.

The little one was sleeping soundly in the bedroom, appearing utterly peaceful. Bai Sha gently placed the teddy bear beside her.

Bai Sha’s home had four rooms: one master, two secondary, and one guest room. Given that her live streaming might be a bit loud, she was considering setting up a soundproof gaming room.

But that was a matter for later. Bai Sha walked out of the bedroom, and Zhou Haochen turned to ask, “Your check-up went well, right?”

Sitting on the sofa, Bai Sha replied, “I had some occupational ailments, but they’re much better now. Don’t worry, just focus on your work.”

Zhou Haochen nodded, but just as he turned back, he pivoted again. “My dad is a doctor; he works at the provincial hospital. If you feel unwell at all, you must tell me!”

Bai Sha sighed helplessly. “Seriously, I’m fine. Don’t overthink it.”

Only then did Zhou Haochen settle down and resume writing code.

Bai Sha, who had been sitting on the sofa, suddenly found her interest piqued. She pulled up a chair and sat behind Zhou Haochen.

Even though she couldn’t understand it, that was precisely why it was fun to observe!

However, after watching for a while, Zhou Haochen wasn’t typing continuously like someone on TV; he just tapped occasionally, making it quite boring.

Bai Sha moved from sitting behind Zhou Haochen to directly across from him, her gaze shifting from his laptop to his face.

‘Hmm… a high nose bridge, thick eyebrows, an indescribable but very handsome eye shape. His face is well-defined with little flesh, suggesting he works out.’

Bai Sha, with her ‘blind’ assessment, concluded: ‘Handsome, masculine, but a bit too young, a little tender, and with fair skin.’

The living room clock ticked away as the sky gradually darkened. Fiery clouds rolled across the horizon, and the dry air of winter permeated everything.

In the bedroom, Zhou Yuying woke up. Seeing the empty room, panic seized her. Without even putting on her shoes, she ran barefoot out of the room to find her Papa and Mama.

“Pa…” The little girl had barely taken a step out of the room when she heard her father shush her.

The little girl looked up.

By the small bar counter, Mama was asleep, half her face buried. The setting sun cast a brilliant golden glow upon her. As if hearing her movements, Mama stirred slightly, then drifted back into a deep slumber.

Zhou Haochen walked over to the little one, squatted down, and picked her up, whispering, “Be good~ Let Mama sleep soundly for a bit. Did Baby see the teddy bear Mama bought?”

Zhou Haochen carried the child back to the bedroom. Looking at the teddy bear, he said softly, “Promise Papa, Baby won’t be mad at Mama anymore, okay?”

The little one hugged the doll and glanced towards Mama outside.

“I’m not mad at Mama at all~ Mama is the best Mama~”