The Godmother Decision

“Daddy~ The teacher said my drawing today was super awesome~”

“Really? That’s my little Jiu~” Aya Tone opened his arms, using his body to absorb the momentum as he scooped Xiao Jiu into his embrace, nuzzling affectionately against her chubby little cheeks.

With his daughter praised, as a father, he naturally felt proud.

The teacher had sent him a private message about Xiao Jiu’s drawing early on.

Although it wasn’t as sharp and defined as the paintings he usually saw, every stroke revealed the innocence of a child.

The teacher was also curious if Xiao Jiu had received formal training in drawing—unfortunately, she overthought it.

There’s something called talent.

“Daddy~ You haven’t picked me up from school for so long~”

Aya Tone’s hand, which was stroking his daughter’s back, paused for a moment before resuming, his movements growing even gentler.

He reflected: ever since he ordered Big White to protect Xiao Jiu, he hadn’t been picking her up or dropping her off anymore…

Ha, I truly deserve to die!

Letting those vixens distract me!

So Aya Tone decided to turn over a new leaf—tonight, he absolutely must uninstall two games to prove his resolve!!!

“If Daddy doesn’t have time, Big White can take me~”

Oh… I should go to hell!

“How could I not have time? Tomorrow! No! Daddy will take you to school every day!” Aya Tone declared, thumping his chest.

“Really?” Xiao Jiu blinked her big, sparkling eyes at him.

“Absolutely!”

“That’s great! Then I can go to school with Sister Fire Finch and Daddy.”

Aya Tone: “??”

‘Did I just hear something I shouldn’t have?’

Uncertain, he asked his little snugglebug, “Is Sister Fire Finch coming too? She’s very busy.”

“Maybe… we should…” not bother her.

Before he could finish, Xiao Jiu pouted, “Sister Fire Finch already promised me today!”

“Daddy, you’re not going to break your promise, are you? Teacher said you have to keep your word. Daddy isn’t a bad kid, right?”

“…”

‘Am I being taught life lessons by my daughter?’

‘That’s it, this little cotton-padded jacket is full of holes!!!’

Remembering Fire Finch’s seemingly casual confession this morning, Aya Tone’s head began to ache.

Although Fire Finch said she was joking in the end, Aya Tone was slow, not stupid.

Sometimes he asked himself: with someone of her caliber pursuing him, what reason did he have to refuse?

Sure, she was from a rural household, but one with assets exceeding ten billion, with influence in politics, business, and military affairs.

Not like himself…

Having no worldly desires? Truth be told, it was just his inner inferiority acting up.

He didn’t deserve her…

As friends, they were equals. But every time they crossed that line, the balance shifted, replaced by the anxiety of inadequacy…

Years of friendship, and Xiao Jiu’s fondness for Fire Finch.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t tempted, but Aya Tone knew he didn’t have the right to pursue love.

With mismatched backgrounds, even if they got together, there would be friction down the road. Once the novelty wore off, it would inevitably lead to a dead end.

Aya Tone cherished his current life—being a comfortable couch potato every day. He didn’t want to ruin their existing relationship.

“Daddy? Daddy, what’s wrong?” Xiao Jiu’s voice pulled him back from his thoughts.

“It’s nothing, Xiao Jiu. Daddy promises: tomorrow we’ll go to school with Sister Fire Finch.” Aya Tone forced a smile.

No matter how much he thought, it was all empty. Whatever tomorrow brought, he’d leave tomorrow’s self to worry.

…

The next day

The children waved goodbye to their parents reluctantly, but the moment they turned and saw their friends, their reluctance vanished. The boys excitedly scrambled toward the classroom, while the girls held hands. Everything was so peaceful.

“Daddy~ Sister Fire Finch~ Bye~”

Aya Tone stood outside the fence, watching Xiao Jiu take the teacher’s hand and gradually disappear under the teaching building.

Fire Finch smiled and waved beside him. At a glance, it really looked like parents sending their child off to school together.

“President, stop waving. Xiao Jiu’s already inside.”

“With an attitude like that, you’ll never find a girlfriend!” Fire Finch rolled her eyes at him.

The two walked against the tide of parents dropping off their children, instinctively strolling along the road without using any powers.

Aya Tone broke the silence first. “President, how about becoming Xiao Jiu’s godmother?”

This was the decision he’d reached after a night of thinking.

Fire Finch stumbled, barely catching herself thanks to her excellent body control.

“What did you say?”

“I see how close Xiao Jiu is to you—why not acknowledge her as your goddaughter? That way…”

“Stop!”

Fire Finch raised a hand to cut him off. “No need to say more. I agree.”

‘Xiao Jiu is Yin’s reverse scale. If that’s the case, am I taking the first step into Yin’s heart?’

She froze. The wind around her seemed to stop, leaving only the thumping of her heart in her chest, like a fluttering little sparrow.

Her fingers twisted the hem of her clothes, crumpling the fabric into deep creases, but she didn’t notice at all.

So joy could bubble up—from her heart all the way to her throat. She could barely hold back the cheer she wanted to shout.

No, no, no, calm down!

Knowing that blockhead, he must think that with me accompanying Xiao Jiu, he can slack off even better.

It has to be!

‘Can’t abandon Mom’s plan. A woman needs strength in her hands to better capture a man’s heart (physically).’

But soon, her thoughts were pulled back to the goddaughter matter.

“I heard from Sixth Aunt that to acknowledge a goddaughter, we need to worship the gods, and then I have to prepare gifts…”

‘Gifts… The materials I sent to the Chinese Academy of Sciences a while back should have results by now. Perfect timing to give them to Xiao Jiu for self-defense.’

‘I’ll have them modify the design to fit a child—preferably one that can be adjusted at any time.’

‘That way, I won’t have to replace it when Xiao Jiu grows up.’

Aya Tone watched Fire Finch, who had already sunk into her own world, and twitched his mouth.

‘If I had known that finding a godmother would legitimately allow me to arm Xiao Jiu to the teeth from Fire Finch, why did I bother clearing all those dungeons myself? President, I don’t want to work hard anymore.’

…

Vermillion Bird Guild

“President, a young lady wishes to see you.”

“Who? Does she have an appointment?” Fire Finch frowned slightly.

With her status, she couldn’t have just anyone dropping by—that would be beneath her.

“Her status is not low, and she says she’s here to see Mr. Ling.”

“Mr. Ling?” Fire Finch paused mid-step.

Coming to the all-female Vermillion Bird Guild headquarters to find a male—and with the surname Ling?

“Have her come to my office. I’m curious who this Mr. Ling she speaks of is.”

The secretary soon led a girl with a slim figure, dressed in understated yet luxurious clothes, into the president’s office.

She introduced, “This is Miss Miao, the daughter of the Miao family from the imperial capital.”

“Hello, President Fire. I’ve long admired your reputation.” Miao Qingzhu, completely at ease, extended her hand to Fire Finch.

“Hello.”

After a brief handshake and introduction, Fire Finch got straight to the point. “Miss Miao is looking for a male surnamed Ling. Unfortunately, we only have female members here. Could it be that Miss Miao has made a mistake?”

Miao Qingzhu wore a faint smile, shook her head gently, and confessed directly, “I’m here to find Aya Tone.”