Chapter 134: Sodlan’s Unusual Behavior

“It’s done, Princess. I’ll bring it over soon. Please wait a little longer.”

But Zhu Qiu didn’t want to wait.

Seeing five large bowls of food on the stove, she grabbed two portions, planning to sneak them to her father on the surface.

These were made by Xiaguang, and their taste had already won her approval.

Father would definitely love them.

Hehe~

But…

Bringing food every day like this was a bit of a hassle.

What if one day she couldn’t make it?

Then he’d go hungry.

Zhu Qiu didn’t like going hungry, and neither would her father.

Even if he had planted crops down there, they wouldn’t be ready to harvest anytime soon.

So, to prevent any emergencies where he’d have no food, she swiped a bag of rice, a box of instant noodles, and some other raw ingredients from the kitchen.

“Princess, what are you doing with that rice?”

“Nothing. Just gonna play with it.”

“Princess, food shouldn’t be played with.”

“I know, don’t worry. I won’t waste it.”

With that, Zhu Qiu left the kitchen without looking back.

Though she often made unexpected decisions, Xiaguang still found the princess’s behavior puzzling.

Since she had a lot of stuff, she first dropped the rice and other items by the house door, then brought the food inside.

“Dad! I’m back! I brought you something good!”

Zhu Qiu pushed open the door and glanced around.

The room was empty.

Huh?

That’s strange.

Father should be awake by now.

He’s always disciplined.

She set the food on the table and turned to push open the door to her father’s room.

Sodlan was just waking up.

Seeing his adorable daughter, he quickly rubbed his eyes and came to his senses.

“Soran, you’re here.”

“Dad, I brought you breakfast, plus some rice and noodles. Get up and eat.”

Hearing her use “Dad” instead of “Father,” Sodlan felt a surge of warmth.

That nickname seemed to transport him back a decade or so, to the days when Soran was naive and playful.

Even though she had grown up and using “Dad” sounded childish, but… but… but! Looking at her appearance, calling him “Dad” wasn’t out of line.

“Get up, Dad.”

Another sentence struck Sodlan’s heart.

He quickly covered his face with the blanket.

“Okay, Dad will get up now. But… I need to get dressed first. Would you mind stepping out for a moment?”

“Okay!”

Zhu Qiu closed the door, mumbling to herself.

Was the way I spoke just now too… childish?

Though Father accepted it, and quite well, I used to be his son.

This kind of behavior doesn’t match who I used to be.

“No, no.”

Zhu Qiu shook her head.

“I have to maintain my old persona. I can’t unconsciously act like a real daughter. Yeah, that’s it.”

She sat at the table in advance, laid out the breakfast, and quietly waited for her father.

But after a full twenty minutes, there was still no movement from Sodlan’s room.

Strange. Father usually gets dressed quickly.

He wouldn’t dawdle this long.

The food is almost getting cold.

Zhu Qiu stood up and decided to open the door to see what he was up to.

“Father, what’s taking so long?” She opened the door.

At that moment, Sodlan had somehow procured a full-length mirror and was adjusting his outfit in front of it.

“Father, what are you doing?”

Zhu Qiu asked, confused.

“Sweetie, tell me, does this suit look better, or this one?”

Zhu Qiu was stunned.

Father was grooming himself?

Back when he was in the Human Race, he always cycled through two plain outfits—wash one when it got dirty, wear the clean one.

He never wore formal clothes unless it was for some major public event.

But today, he was choosing between two formal suits, shattering Zhu Qiu’s impression of him.

“So the reason you took so long was just to pick out clothes?”

“Of course! I have to look good in front of my daughter. Father must set a good example.”

“…”

Zhu Qiu was speechless at that reasoning.

So when I was a boy, I wasn’t important, but now that I’m a girl, even choosing clothes takes forever?

Is that fair?

And Sodlan had been in great spirits since waking up, a total contrast to his usual self.

This only confirmed Zhu Qiu’s suspicion.

She even speculated that the reason she had a little brother was because her father wasn’t lucky enough—firstborn was a son, and he wanted a daughter, but failed twice in a row with the 50% chance.

Maybe the third time would have worked?

Zhu Qiu shook her head, dismissing those unrealistic thoughts.

After half an hour of dawdling, they finally started breakfast.

“Alright, I’ll go with this one.”

Noodles.

Zhu Qiu was very uncomfortable. Extremely uncomfortable.

Utterly uncomfortable.

This familiar yet unfamiliar father of hers… It was like his soul had been baptized.

She ate breakfast awkwardly, then explained her plans to him.

“Father, are you done?”

Sodlan paused his movements and replied, “Yes. But, sweetie, you don’t have to be so formal. You don’t have to use ‘Father.’ Calling me ‘Dad’ is fine too.”

“Then… I’ll call you Dad.”

Whether it was because of her own issues or not, she now felt that “Dad” was warmer than “Father.”

“That works, that works.”

Sodlan nodded eagerly.

“Dad, I have some things to do in the next few days, so I might not be able to bring you food. That’s why I brought you some rice and other supplies.”

“Whether you bring food or not doesn’t matter. As long as you come see me every day, that’s enough.”

“Uh… Dad, I mean I won’t be able to come, not just no food.”

“Can’t come?”

“Yes.”

Hearing this, Sodlan was shocked.

Such a lovely daughter couldn’t come see him?

Then what was the point of staying alive?

He remained in this house only to take care of Soran.

If not for that, he would have run off long ago to find Soran’s mother.

He was silent for a long time, piling up a mountain of words in his heart.

But when he opened his mouth, only a short sentence came out.

“Whatever my daughter plans to do, Father will support you.”

As he said this, Sodlan’s eyes clearly dimmed.