Where did Dad go?
Staring at the empty house, Mu Xi's expression gradually turned strange. Something unusual had been happening at home recently, and the source of it all was—
Dad!
As Mu Chen's daughter, Mu Xi had always been very clear about her identity. Compared to ordinary children, she was someone born with a golden key in her hand. After all, her father was one of the top forging masters on the Douluo Continent—an eighth-level Saint Artisan!
Countless people wanted to get close to Mu Xi and befriend her, all because of her father's status. Because of this, Mu Xi grew up surrounded by praise.
From birth until now, whatever she wanted, she basically got. Her father loved her deeply, and even though forging wasn't something typically suited for girls, her father still supported her interest in it.
She was supposed to grow up smoothly and become a rising star of her era—but recently, everything had changed!
Three days ago, her father had brought home something wrapped in a black robe. Since then, he had started to care less about her.
Mu Xi was at an age full of imagination and was especially sensitive to changes. She immediately sensed that her father was involved in something important.
At first, Mu Xi wasn't too concerned. She thought once her father finished whatever he was doing, things would go back to normal. But that belief was shattered today!
Squatting on the carpet, Mu Xi stared hard at the ground.
There—a single strand of brown hair!
> "It's not mine, not Mom's, and definitely not Dad's… whose is it?" Mu Xi's eyes suddenly sharpened. "I have to tell Mom about this…"
That was her first instinct. But thinking of her father's usual behavior, Mu Xi felt something didn't quite add up. If this were just a misunderstanding, wouldn't it ruin things between her and her mother?
No. I need to confirm it first.
Mu Xi's gaze turned firm. Right now, she was the only one who could save this family!
> "The first place to investigate—Dad's study!"
After living here for years—and being at an age where even dogs found her annoying—Mu Xi was thoroughly familiar with the house layout. But the study… was the one place she had never entered.
It was her father's workspace. Even her mother rarely went in there, let alone Mu Xi. She had absolutely no idea what was inside.
If someone was being hidden in the house, it had to be there.
Standing before the door that blocked her way, a hint of hesitation flashed in Mu Xi's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by determination.
> "I'm just trying to prove Dad's innocence. Nothing else… that's all."
Due to its importance, the study had a password lock. Only by entering the correct code could the door be opened. Normally, Mu Xi shouldn't have known the password—but this wasn't a problem for her!
As her father's precious little girl, Mu Xi knew exactly what kind of passwords he would set.
> "It's just mine or Mom's birthday!"
When she pressed the confirmation key, the door unlocked—just as expected. But before Mu Xi could even step inside, her eyes widened in shock.
No need to investigate anymore. Right there, in the middle of the study, was a large sofa, and on it lay a little brown-haired girl draped in a black robe!
> "Who is she? Why did Dad leave her in the study?"
Closing the door behind her, Mu Xi quickly walked over to the brown-haired girl—Black Tower. But even now, she couldn't understand her father's behavior.
If she were a guest or someone from the association, why not just bring her into the house openly? Why hide her like this? Unless… it really was something shameful?
Mu Xi pouted, staring at Black Tower's face.
The girl was very pretty and had an indescribable aura about her. Mu Xi couldn't help but think—
> "If it's Dad… he wouldn't be attracted to someone around my age… right?"
She turned her gaze away and looked toward the desk nearby, hoping to find some clue.
But what she didn't realize was—the moment she turned her head toward the desk, Black Tower's head tilted slightly, her tightly shut left eye opened just a crack, and the corners of her lips curled upward.
> Everything was starting to get interesting.
Thud!
Just then, a faint sound reached Mu Xi's ears—it was the sound of the front door closing.
Clearly, Mu Chen had come home!
> "Why is Dad back so early today?!"
Mu Xi instantly panicked. Now that her father was home, she didn't have time to leave. She had to find a hiding spot inside the study.
> "Right! The cabinet!"
The cabinet wasn't very big, but it was enough to hide a little girl like her. Plus, she could peek out through the cracks and see what was going on.
Mu Xi had made up her mind. No matter what happened next, she had to tell Mom about this!
Just as she closed the cabinet door, the study's door opened. An excited-looking (or was it?) Mu Chen entered, carrying a large box of unknown contents and walking straight over to the sofa.
Mu Xi saw everything clearly through the cabinet crack.
Mu Chen: "Now that I look again… she's really quite pretty."
Mu Xi: ???
Her father's sudden inappropriate comment made Mu Xi cover her mouth in disbelief.
> "Could it be that… Dad really…?!"
Things couldn't just go smoothly now. It'd be too boring. So at that moment—Black Tower opened her eyes.
> "Oh? Little one, you're finally awake—"
> "What did you do to me?!"
A cute voice echoed through the room. Black Tower hugged her arms tightly and shrank into the sofa, staring fearfully at Mu Chen.
> "Wait—let me explain…"
> "Where are my original clothes? You pervert!"
This girl was actually a top-tier forging prodigy. Mu Chen didn't trust anyone else with her, so he brought her home, had his wife help change her clothes, and left her in the study. Due to her soul power, she wouldn't starve even if she didn't eat for a few days.
The reason he hadn't told Mu Xi was because he was worried she'd overthink things—and fear losing her parents' love to someone else.
Now that Black Tower had "woken up," it was time for Mu Chen to explain everything. But with his muscular body and outstretched arms, he looked like a monster in any little girl's eyes!
> "Don't come near me—!"
Thud!
Black Tower screamed. But at that moment, Mu Chen heard a sound behind him.
A thief? Mu Chen turned around sharply—only to see his daughter, tears brimming in her eyes.
> "Dad, how could you do something like this?"
Mu Xi's expression and posture were identical to Black Tower's on the sofa.
"To even lay hands on a girl my age… You've gone too far!"
Mu Chen: ????